V.R.C. MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 262, 5 November 1928, Page 14

V.R.C. MEETING.

THE OPENING DAY.

STREPHON WINS DERBY.

GOTHIC THE MELBOURNE ETAKES, *

MELBOURNE, November 4,

The Victoria Racing Club's spring meeting was inaugurated at Flemington yesterday in dull threatening weather. The Governor-General and several State Governors were present. There was a large attendance which included a number of New Zealanders. In the contest for the Maiden Plate Gilt Edge was fifth early in the race, but be had the lead at the distance, and won It was the colt's first placing. He cost 5000gns as a yearling and is owned by T. Craig, who won the Melbourne Cup with Bitalli. Parkwood was prominent throughout in the contest for the Maribyrnong Plate, and recorded his third win in as many starts. Parkwood is engaged in the A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies. Gothic registered a brilliant victory in the Melbourne Stakes. The English-bred horse has recorded three wins and a second and a third in five starts this season. He is trained by a former New Zealander, Lou Robertson. Statesman came up at the last turn and finished fast. Strephon had a decisive victory in the Victoria Derby. The owner, Mr. S. Green, the trainer, L. Robertson, and the rider, J. Pike, were also associated with Gothic's victory. Strephon cost 525gns as a yearling. He has contested six races and has secured four firsts. The value of the Derby to the winner was £4610 Strephon incures a r>lb penalty for the Melbourne Cup, making his weight 7.6. Strephon's dam, Soldier's Love, is a daughter of Martian. Tike previously won the Victoria Derby on Beragoon and Beverage. Prince Humphrey was galloped on and pulled up lame. Balmerino lost his position seven furlongs from home caused by Prince Humphrey rolling badly. In the decision of the Cantala Stakes Highland won the mile race tinder the steadier of 9.8. Higlirand, who was trained by J. Holt, has been a very consistent performer this season and he beat Gothic in the October Stakes at Flemington. W. Duncan steered three winners during the day. viz., Gilt Edge, Parkwood and Highland.

DETAILS OF THE RACING. I

MAIDEN* PLATE, a sweepstakes of Osovs each with OOOsovs added. One mile. GILT EDGE, b c. 3yrs (Mr. A. T. Craig), 8.0 1 VALVE. 7.11 - GAY PRINCESS, 7.9 3 Twenty-four stnrted. Won by threequarters of a length, a length and a-quarter between second and third. Tincino was fourth. Time, 1.391. MARIBYRNONG PLATE, a sweepstakes of LTisovs each, with 2000sovs added; for two-year-olds. Five furlongs. PAKKWOOI), b c (Messrs. C. Bailllen and W. S. Robinson), 9.6, including 101b penalty 1 ROC. 8,10 2 SINETRE, 8.7 3 Twelve started. Won by a neck, lialf-f---length between second and third. Time. 1.0 J. MELBOURNE STAKES, a sweepstakes oi lOsovs each, with 1500sovs added; weight-for-age. One mile anil a-quarter. GOTHIC (imp.), blk h, Gyrs. by Tracery I -—Suudrillu (Mr. S. Green), 9.3— J. Pike 1 AMOUNIS. (Jyrs 9.0 —J. Muuro 2 STATESMAN, 4yrs 9.0 —M. McCarten . 3 Eight started. Won by a long ueck. three-quarters of a length between second and third. Maple was fourth. Time, 2.81. The last mile was compassed in 1.403. THE VICTORIA DERBY, a sweepstakes of 30sovs each, with ."iOOOsovs added; second 1 OOOsovs, third oOOsovs. Oue mile and a-lialf. STREPHON, cil c, by Saitash-—Soldier's Love (Mr. S. Green), 8.10 —J. Pike . . 1 YODELIST, 1> c, by Valais —Queen Warbler (Mr. L. K. S. McKinnon), B.lo—Wilson 2 BALMERINO, b c, by All Black —Anna (Mr. J. Edmonds), 9.O—A. Reed 3] Cimbrian, b c, by Devizes —Cheronese (Mr. A. T. Creswick), 8.10 0 Kavalli, br c. by Polycrates-—Crimson and Black (Mr. J. Logan), 8.10 ..... 0 Oatendale, blk c, by Rossendale —Oatrock (Mrs. J. Brennan), 8.10 0 Prince Humphrey, b c, by Duke Humphrey—Shepherd Princess. (Mr. C. G. Macindoe), 8.10 0 Ramulus, br c, by Rosendale —Royal Pet. (Messrs. J. E. and C. H. Brlen), 8.10 0 Strogoff, ch c, by Lanius—Onega (Mr. S. A. Rawdon), 8.10 0 The Gay Mutineer, b g, by Lucknow— Stage Girl (Mr. J. E. Brewer), 8.10 0 The Happy Warrior, ch c. by Great Star —Donna Marie (Massrs H. G. Raymond and H. B. Ranken), 8.10 0 Yodelist was first to begin, but Ramulus led at nine furlongs from Strephon, Strogoff, Kavalli and Yodelist, with Balmerino second to last. Strephon ran to the front at the end of a mile and he was never afterwards headed, winning easily by three lengths and a-half from Yodelist. Balmerino, finishing fast, was three lengths away third, then followed Ramulus. Oatendale, The Happy Warrior. Kavalli and Cimbrian. The last two were Prince Humphrey and Strogoff. Time. 2.33. The fractional times were: First four furlongs 54Js. the last four furlongs, 48is. tlie concluding six 1.13, and the final mile 1.38&. CANTALA STAKES, a sweepstakes of 20sovs each with 2000sovs added. One mile. HIGHLAND, b g, aged (Mrs. L. R. Buxton), 9.8 1 KARUMA. 7.10 2 BLACK DUCHESS, 8.6 3 Eleven started. Won by a length and three-quarters, with a length and a-quarter between second and third. J Lady Betli was fourth. Time, I.B}. Fractional times: First four furlongs, 49i. the last four 48s, and the concluding six 1.12. HOTHAM HANDICAP, a sweepstakes of 6sovs end), with 600sovs added. One mile and a-half. EPILOGUE, br li, syrs (Mr. L. K. S. McKinnon). 8.4 1 VALAMITA. 8.10 2 CANNING QUEEN, 7.3 3 Fifteen started. Won by three-quarters of a length, one and a-half lengths between second and third. Mondiago was fourth. Time, 2.31 J- —raco record. The last four furlongs were compassed in 47}s. Epilogue won briliantly. He was trained by J. Scoble. and was ridden by R. Lewis. He is engaged in the Melbourne Cup.

"THE PRINCE."

SENT tO HOSPITAL. (Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) MELBOURNE, November 4. In regard to the injnry Prince Humphrey met with while contesting the Victorian Lerby, it was later discovered that the colt's near hind tendon was badly injured, and he was transported to a veterinary hospital at Caulfleld. The stipendiary stewards inquired into the mishap, but the evidence adduced failed to disclose the actual cause, but it is surmised that the 'colt was xalloped on.