A MATCH FOR £3000.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 40

A MATCH FOR £3000.

It is not often we have a match for a : thousand soys nowadays, and that arranged ] between Sir J. Thursby's Pahnerston and Mr j Archie Gold's Villiers, as a thoroughly importing affair, aroused a lot of interest at Sundown Park (England) on December 1. The cour&e (a furlong and 177 yds beyond four miles) was long enough to well try the stamina of both hoives, though each had a reputation for staying qualities, and both had had enough ; of it at the end of the race. The Sportsman ' reports: Tilliers was chosen for f avoui itism, ■ but iailed ' to pull his backers through, and though he raised their hopes after Palmerstoii established a lead a mile and a-half from home, Sir J. Thursby's horse outstrode him and he want under by half a dozen lengths* The time of the winner was Bmin 29 4-ssec. Yilliers was dead tired on returning to the paddock, and it was found that Palmeiscon had pulled up very lame. Particulars are as follows : —

MATCH, of] OOOsovs; 200 forfeit. Four rules one furious p:kl 177 yards, on the flat. . Sir J. Thursby's b or br li Pahnerston, by Parlington— Palmula, 6yrs, 10.0 (H.r G-.

Tmirsby) 1 i Mr Archie Gold's br h Villiers, aged, 10.0 j (E. Driscoll) 2

Betting . Bto 5 on Yilliers. The pair alternately led until a m.le and a-half from home, wlien Palinerston wont to the front, and if Villier3 came agaiii and raised the hopes of the odds layers, Palnierbtoj. outstrocle him, and ; won by six lengths. Time, Bmin 29 <i-ssec. j As far as time was concerned Palmerston and ! Villiers did a really good performance, and j it was a novelty to see two horses really gal- ' lop all the way in a. race of nearly four miles and a-quarter. It is unfortunately doubtful whether either will ever be worth much again, j for the winner either broke down, or pulled i up dreadfully leg weary, and "Villiers could j scarcely crawl past the post. It is not too ! much to write that the sum at slake repre- j sented quite double the combined value of J the horses, and the owner of Palmerston has ' done very well, even if the horse should never ! be able to run again.