SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5892, 14 January 1880, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE CHAMPION RACE. The Argus of Jan. 2 gives the following description of the Champion Race: —First Ring was thought such a certainty that out of the 22 horses coloured oh the card, only seven competitors came to the post. First King was so strongly supported that he started at odds against the field. Wellington made the running from the start, and held his place till reaching the abattoirs the second time, when First King, who had been lying second most of the way, went past him, and from this out the race was over. Petrea had been kept well in the background till after passing the sheds, when she came up to the leaders with a great rush, and finished close to Wellington. Martindale ran well, and was only beaten by Petrea by a short neok. The first round was done at a very slow pace, but in the second round, the pace was made a very fast one. The race was slower than the Champion has been done in for the last five years. It is generally thought that had Petrea been more judiciously ridden she would have had second place. The Champion Stakes, of 25 sovs each, 10 ft, with 1000 added. For Syrs old and upwards. Weight for age. The second horse to receive 200 sovs, and the third 100 sovs out of the stake. Three miles. (45 subs.) Mr J. Wilson’s b U First King, Syrs, by King of the King, 9st Gib ... (Hales) 1 Mr B. A. Johnsou-Boe’s br h Wellington, 4yrs, 9a t (W. Murphy) 2 Hon W. J. Clarke’s b f Petrea, Syrs, 7at 51b (St Albans) 3 Mr J. M'Phail’s b o Terrific, Syrs, by Tim Whifller-Talkative, 7st 81b... * (® re Y? lle l 0 Mr J. L. Purvey b o Faublas, 3yrs, by Manbyrnong -Caress, 7st 81b ® Mr J. White’s b h Martindale, Sjrs, 9st 61b (Huxley) 0 Mr Q. Donnelly’s b o Baronet, Syrs. 7st Blb (King) 0

Betting : 2 to 1 and 7 to 4 on First King, 4 to 1 each agst Petrea and Wellington, 10 to 1 agst any other. After several attempts the horses went off to a fair start, Baronet being in lead, First King, Petrea, Faublas, and Wellington following in that order. After passing the stand Wellington went upon the outside and took first place; First King, Baronet, and Faublas were next; Petrea and Terrific were together behind. The horses ran round the first turn in the same order. Opposite the

stand Wellington had a lead of fully four lengths j First King was next, Baronet followed two lengths away, then came Faublas and Marlindalo; after a gap Petrea and Terrific were together in the rear. Going round the far turn Wellington was still in the lead ; First King was second, three lengths off ; Petrea had gone up to third place, Martiudale and Terrific were close up. Petrea dropped back again before entering the straight. The pace up to this time had been moderate. Passing thestand Wellington was leading. First King and Terrific were next. Then came Baronet and Martindale abreast with Petrea and Faublas behind. The horses ran round the turn in the following order : —Wellington, First King, Baronet, Martindale, and Terrific. Petrea and Faublas were still behind. The pace now became faster. There was no change as the horses ran along by the river. Approaching the far turn First King went up to Wellington, and the pair went away four lengths in advance of Martindale, who was third. Petrea was still last. Wellington held his place till reaching the sheds, where First King began to draw past him. Martindale was next, four lengths away; Terrific and Faublas were next. Petrea then began to go up to the leaders at a great pace. First King led into the straight, Wellington being very close up ; Martindale and Petrea were next. At the distance First King came away, and won as he liked by four lengths. Wellington was second. Petrea was third, barely a length away, with Martindale nearly level. Terrific was next, eight lengths off. Faublas and Baronet were a good way behind. Time, smin 40£sec.