SEAHORSE AT CAULFIELD.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 39

SEAHORSE AT CAULFIELD.

The Aucklander was fraotiou3 at the post for the Caulfield Stakes, and when the barrier went up got away badly. Contrast led along the back, with Paul Pry in attendance, Gauleon, Cornquist, Mora, and George Frederick the handiest of the others. Paul Pry headed Contrast at tho railway side, Mora, Severity, Cornquist, Dirk Hammerhand, and George Frederick all well up, and Merriwee amongst the rear Jol. Paul Pry was first into the straight from Severity, Cornquist, George Frederick, Mora, and Tarquin. At the distance Severity ran up to Paul Pry, and he hal him beaten in a few strides, eventually winning very easily by a length and a-half from Tarquin, who beat Paul Pry by a length and a-quarter for second place. Merriwee, finishing well, was fourth, Oornquist, George Frederick, Dirk Hammerhand, Contrast, Gauleon, and Mora next, and Seahorse and Gungadin last. In oonsequence of this poor performance Seahorse was allowed to start at the neglected one's ~Q?ri ce of 10 to 1 for tho Eclipse Stakes on the second day, but ran a very much better race than was expected. After playing up at the post, he got well away with The Chief. The latter immediately went to the front, and led Seahorse lour lengths past the judge's box, with Gauleon and Merriwee next. This wa& the order out of the straight, and at the mile-post The Chief was six lengths in advance of Seahorse, Gauleon being three lengths away third, with Merriwee and Paul Piy next, and Kinglike and Mora last. The Chief still had a good lead at the back, Seahorse, Paul Pry, Gauleon, Merriwee, and Lancaster next, and Kinglike absolutely last. The Chief's lead was reduced to a length at the five furlongs, Seahorse still in second place, Paul Pry close up, and Lancaster, Merriwee, and Gauleon next, and Kinglike and Mora last. Seahorse headed The Chief at tlie railway side, Lancaster, Paul Pry, and Merriwee next, and Kinglike coming through fast. Seahorse led round the turn, and entered the straight on terms with Paul Pry, Merriwee and Kinglike being the nearest of the others. Seahorse and Paul Pry were together at the distance, but Kinglike, getting an opening at the half-distance, came through and won easily by Uirea-quarters of a length. Paul JPry was beaten a head for second place by Seahorse; Merriwee was fourth, Lancaster and Mora next, and The Chief and Gauleon some distance away. JTor the above reports lam indebted to the Argus. What happened next we are informed by the cables. Seahorse went amiss in his private gallops, and has been scratched for all engagements at the V.R.C. meeting. So ends, his second trip to Victoria. Like the first trip it has proved doubly disappointing, for not only is there the failure to win, but the horse has never had a race on his merits. Bad luck has prevented the Australian^ from seeing what the son of Moonga can do over a distance when really well. I feel very sorry for Major George, and no doubt he is vexed with himself now, because he had from the fir3t a fair show of- winning the New Zealand Cup with Seahorse if he had kept the colt here, and now that the New Zealand Cup field is so very much reduced as to give second and third, raters a show it would have looked a simple job for Seahorse to win. If he had continued his engagement and had kept well he would be now first favourite at about 6 to 4. Tho major could have held a commanding position financially. Just before the colt left for Sydney the owner had the refusal of a capital offer. Messrs Barnett and Grant wired that they were prepared to lay him £1000 to £80 Seahorse. The major's reply was to the effect that the offer came too late. I do not think, however, that answer meant

thatthe owner had previously been refused a fair price about Seahorse. So far as I can make out, he voluntarily preferred the Victorian trip, and settled on making it as .soon as he got his price for tho Melbourne Gup from the Australian bookmakers.