RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 251, 10 February 1877, Page 2

RACE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WATSON V. DAVIS. From the Newcastle Herald we take the following remarks anent this great race, which appears to have been about the hottest event ever contested on that side of the water. The stakes LIOO aside, distance 150 yards, and it was run off a* West Maitland Racecourse. The attendance was not nigh so largo as was anticipated, a fact which may be attributed to a rumor which was spread that the affair was only for the gate money, a fact which the result of the race completely upsets. Both men were in grand form, though the stranger appeared somewhat anxious as to the result. With reference to the men, we have so often published the doings of Watson that they are well-known, and need not be repeated. " Fred. J. Davis, the American champion, was born in the city of New York, in the year 1851, and is consequently twenty-six years of age. His performances rank him as a professional of the first order, and a game and determined runner, for out of over a hundred races, he has been only twice defeated, and that was when Hewitt lowered his colors in these Colonies. Davis's first appearance as a professional was at Texas, in 1869, where he met and defeated William Brittan, the champion of the Southern States, 100 yards, for L3OO aside, doing the distance in lOsec. In IS7I, he was matched against George Hammond, champion of Utah, whom he defeated by a foot, after one of the grandest races ever witnessed. The race was for L4OO aside, distance 75 yards, and the distance was run in 7see. In the same year lie ran Johnson, of England, said to be Hio best man in America, 50 yards, for LSOO aside, whom he defeated by a foot ; time not taken. In 1873, at San Francisco, he defeated John Gilpin, the champion of the Pacific Coast, 100 yards, fur L3OO aside, and won by three yards, in 10]soe. And during 1573 and the following year he ran some ninety odd race.g, all of which lie won. At San Francisco, in 1875, he ran for the championship of the United States against John W. Cogad, at that time the best man in America. The stakes were LSOO aside, 100 yards, and Davis defeated Cogad by four yards, in lOsec, the ground at the time being very heavy. He c.ime to Australia about twelve months ago, and he was not here long before" he was matched against Frank Scurry Hewitt, for L2OO aside, to run two distances, on the Albert Ground, Sydney, and for the first time in his life he had to play second fiddle, Hewitt Waling him easily by some yards each time. But Davis was not satisfied, so they were again matched, and the raco came off in Melbourne, when it resulted in another victory for Hew'.tt. But the Yankee was- yet to have lus day out, and accordingly he carried all before him at the sports held on the Albert Ground, Sydney, on Boxing Day, winning the Maiden Plate, Hurdle Race, and three distances in the Sydney Cup, viz., 150 yards, 300 yards, and a quarter of a mile. His height is sft. llin., and he turns the scale at list. 111b. Such is the history of this truly fast man, and the most ardent of Watson's admirers must admit that in Davis, on Saturday, he met a foeman worthy of his steel. As the day drew near, and the knowing ones began to steal a peep at the Yankee in his work, they found to their dismay that he was yards faster than they ever supposed he was, and it is said—though we cannot vouch for the truth of the statement —that two of Watson's friends were taken home in a fainting condition in the twilight one evening, when their faithful repeaters recorded that terrific trial of 14|sec. —with the wind in young America's teeth. Is it to be wondered at then that Davis held the proud position of first favorite in the betting right up to the start, and that Watson's warmest supporters shook their heads mournfully as they heard that oftrepeated cry of "5 to 4, and 10 to 9 on the Yankee," and whispered with bated breath to their friends, not to " touch it," as the men were too equal in their trials, and must go as near as possible a dead heat ? THE RACE. Betting 20 to 17 ; 5 to 4, and 10 to 9 on Davis. After a good deal of fiddling and seven false starts, caused no doubt by the anxiety of the men to get well away, they were at last sent on the journey, to a nice start, Watson, if anything, being the quickest on his legs, getting a trifle the best of it, and a roar of " their off " from the excited crowd told that the struggle had commenced. The pace from the jump was simply terrific, and Watson making the most of the slight advantage he gained at the start, forced the pace and led his

man merrily for about sixty yards. The American, however, was not to be denied, and with one terrific burst and a spurt, he cleaves the air and shoots past Watson a clear yard in advance. At one hundred yards, which the repeater says was covered by Davis in 9f sees., Watson was still a yard away from him, and shouts of "Davis wins!" rend the air. It was, however, not all over yet, and the fearful running the American had to cut his man down now began to tell its tale. At one hundred and thirty yards Davis still held out bravely, and was a clear foot in advance of his opponent, who was doing his utmost to live with him. On they came, almost side by side. For the last twenty yards the scene of excitement was simply indescribable. " Watson wins !" now fairly yell the frantic Watsonites, as the men, regardless alike of the shrieks of encouragement from their friends, or the wail of defiance from their foes, rush on to their fate, for victory or defeat awaits them. At one hundred and forty yards the men were level. Watson had struggled gamely, even desperately, to get up, although it seemeed all over, and making one of the most determined finishes ever witnessed, the mighty representative of Australia drew fairly clear of the hero of the star-spangled banner of America in the last stride, and won on the post by about nine inches. Time given as 14-6 lOths sees. ; quite good enough for anything in old England.