The Australian Cup.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1589, 31 March 1887, Page 2

The Australian Cup.

The AaetraJasian describes the race in fallowing brief but vivid terms :— When Mr. Watson despatched them upon their journey nothing seemed disposed to make a pace, and Desperado made play to such a time that at the stand he was leading by nearly 20 lengths, most of the others pulling double. After rounding the turn the pace was increased, and along the back stretch Desperado's advantage was quickly decreased. Abuse supplanted him about five furlongs from home, and as they swept round the turn towards the straight the colours of Nelson, Trident, Impulse, and All Gold also showed prominently. Locbiel, who had held a good position, had previously retired beaten, and so had Grace Darling, while Abuse &a& Ocean also were done with. At tbis point nothing seemed to be going so well as Nelson, who soon assumed the lead, Hales, on Trident, just easing a little and allowing Impulse and All Gold to have a run at the New Zealand champion. Below the distance Hales sat down ou Trident, and the colt, auswering every call joined Nelson. Then, amid a wild , scene of excitement, commenced one of the grand* est contests ever witnessed upon a racecourse. Responding gallantly to every call, Trident drew up inch by inch until his nose was at Nelson's throat-latch, when Brown lost his whip, and Trident, shooting to the front, held the advantage to the end. Loud and enthusiastic cheering made the welkin riug again, and many a hearty " Bravo Tom " greeted the crack Victorian horseman as he walked back with the gallant colt upon whose back he had gained some of the most important victories of the season. Nelson, too, received an ovation; and bad Major George proved triumphant his reception would have been quite as enthusiastic as that accorded to the Hon. James White, Hales, and Trident.