THE V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 49

THE V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE.

Tlie following" description of the ; Ljw raca is taken from the Australas.au : — Taf i\* was very little delay at the post, and they were pent off to a good start. F«.am, Rawdon, and Battleaxe were the first lo find their legs, but California was at once rushed to the front, and he led the field past tho judge's box-, with'Nansen, Tib, Wollogorang, yEsop, Regalia 11. Pathos, Battleaxe. Shoddy, and Holkar vxi. i>nd Lech Fad, Isis, and Ridson last. Battljaxe ran up to California, as they turned out of the straight, but along the river side California was well clear of the New Zcalr.cider, while Wollogoraug, Tib. Nansen, and ,rE*op, were the prominent off the others, and they were tlcar of the remainder of the field. Tho pace was yerv solid as California piloted them past tbo bridge, and already the field was well spread out, with «ome of tho horses bcina: ridden to keep their places. B.ittleaxe aucl Woltogorang were the nearest to California, and then followed Tib, -Esop. Nansen, Pathos. Foam, Regalia 11, Holkar, and Colonel Shilinski, with Isiu and Risdon whipping-in. Along the back there was very littl~ alteration in the order of the leaders, bur Battleaxe was dropping back a little. California, was still going strongly passing the abattoirs and shed«, Wollogorang. Tib, Pathos. Battleaxe, iEsop, Foam, Holkar. Colonel Shilms'ci, Naiuen. Rawdon. and Regalia II following in the order given. California led around the turn, and entered the straight j»-,t m advance of Wollogorang. with Tib, Pathos, and .-Esop close up, Ihen "fter a gnp corning Regalia If. Oolonel Ifthilinski, Holkar, and R-uvdon Wollogcraug struck the nrxt hurdle, c-.d lost a good deal of ground, and ilisop tcok second p'ac^ to California at the distance, Pathos. Foam, Holkar. and Colonel Shilinski tlie most prominent of the others. The field ■was well spread oul a-s the judge's box was passed tlie second time, Californfa still going strong'y in fvent three lengths to the good of -E:op and Pathos, who were ru'.'ning pide by tide, with Tib, Foa'n, Nansen, Battlea\p, Rawdon, Wc^Jogoran-', Colonel Shilinski. I-Iollca", CJonquest. Rrrilia 11, Txkli Fad. Isis, and Coat of Arms fo. lowing in the order gi\en, and Shoddy n id Risdon toiling in the rear Still forcing thepace, California was two lengths clear < f Pathos at tho river side, iEsop aid Tib close up. and then, after a trap, s-ik eroding Foam, Battleaxe, Hnlkar. Rawdon, Conquest, and Regoba 11. Wollcg3ran<r was jumping very badly, and had dropped back second last, tho only one behind him being Shoddy Ca'ifornia now started to slow down, aud i\s he tired he cominrnred to hit his him}! s, and he lost ground rapidly. Tib and Pathos had run past him at the b: d^e. w.'iilo m fourth plaeo oaine JUiop. v.-i f! i Co'oiK'l -^hiliufeki. R^aalia 11. OoncmefcL Foam. R.'indon, Battlpaxe, Hoikar, Nniii-r«, C'o;)t of Arms, well strung out, follou-h tr. Pathos had a lead of two length* from Tib a.t the bock, while three lengths away caruo and Conquest, and then, eradually v nrking their way throucjh, were C./!oni-l Shilinski and Rawdon, while Coat of Arnw. Foam. Eattleaxe. Regalia 11. and N'ah-ea were the only (fthers left with c poYi-ible char 00. T b h°-d °hot his bolt a' ( the ahods, where Conquest ran up to Patlio-,. with Colonel Shiiin<-ki a' d Rf.w<lon l/oth goiuo; well iitbt behind thrir. Lr.eh Fad name <Ijwu here, and Shoddy, who w.it. ruii'iina la.st at the tm'r. fnllowed f-mt Col" if 1 Shilinski headed T'aLho< at H-e trrn. n». 1 he came into tli» Mrai'ht just di'iu- of 00-i met nud Rawdr.n, wai'a jl lulli- f.irthc-r ba-V came Xan^en. Tib. a'ld CoHt of Arms. Colonel Shiliii'-ki au-1 Rawdon flew the hiud'e («.«;( !!>■■!. with \.i is. -ii t! rro leiigths bchird them. A bttt'.o rival lWu-oen tlie loading ppir cnsi'c! from tlii*. nut. They c.vi>e ''i looked toother, but in fhp last f- w strid", Rawdon got. the lipccrr of it. aiu! w»:i b\ a /!"a(l N;.i?,on. four lnnjfth's fmtliCi 1 lnck. wa-, third, and th' n. after a sap of ten li'imth-. or ■•(). ciki" Conquest fourth, anil at inV-j-wi'-, of a fi w lengths l-;s fifth, Reynlia If sixth. Pitlios «.c\rnth. Foam cifhth. Holkar ninth. Tib tenth. M=o\> elr'i Ritdoi tvelrth, and California t''ir'e^!it'). tfi.' 1 (sf- to i7.i^ tlv> po-t lieing P.ittlenxo r> rid Wolloanr.incr. Coat cf Arms fell at the la-t lui.-Uo. Time, 5m n 48-ec