A LEVIATHAN BET

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 46

A LEVIATHAN BET

It will be remembered that prior to the decision of tho Engh*h Dorby Mr R. S. Bievior offered to match his mr>re Sceptre for £10,000 a--'le a'.;am«t any hor^c in the world. At that t'ymc the cha'len^e was not taken up. but it was stated that Camilla Blanc, a prominent French sportsman, who owns Rotz, the winner of fie (French Derby, was oiip who scnou.-ly thought of entertaining th" offer. AfN-i competing in the Derby and Oaks Soepire W*B taken across to France to comptte in the <2"mH Prig de Paris, and amoiu&t the

starters in the race was a colt called Retz the horse M. Camille Blanc would have named had the match been made. The meeting of Retz and Sceptre caused a large bet to be made between their respective owners. The Grand Prix de Paris h a race for three-year-olds, and is run over a mile and seven furlongs. Prior to the start of tho race M Camille Blanc laid Mr R S. Sievier 300,000 franc? to 200,000 francs (about £12,000 to £8400) that his colt Retz would fjaib-h in front of Scoptre. The odds were laid probably because the distan'-e was generally considered to be beyond Sceptre's compass, and in the betting on the race Retz started fa\ourite at 5 to 4 against, and Sceptre ruled as Eecond favourite at 3 to 1. Both, however, were beaten by a filly named Kizil Kourgan, who was quoted at 100 Fo 8. The weights carried in the race were : colts 9st 21b, and fillies Bst 13lb, and as the bet is one 01 the largest on record, a description of the race may be of interest: — Scpptre was fidgetty at the post, and when the flag fell to a good start she was last away. Lognes assumed command, followed by Astronome 11, Olivarez, and Bahr Yousouf. Then came Arizona, Retz, Kakimona. Kizil Kourgan, Sceptre, Maximum, and Rob Roy. Before a furlong had been covered Arizona went up, followed by Kakimono, Lognes dropping back. Retz was now lying fifth, 'but the favourite improved his position after a mile had been traversed, and took third place coming down the hill, where Kizil Kourgan placed herself jaloujjeido him. On entering the straight Rptz took the lead on the outside with KiziL Kourgan on the ra'ls behind Arizona. Then came Sceptre and Olivarez. Arizona went up to Retz, and then made wav for Kizil Kourgan. who was followed by Maximum and Sceptre, Olivarez now being beaten. At the distance Retz, who looked to have the race in hand, was smartly challenged by Kizil Kourgan and Maximum, and as the result of a desperate finish, Kizil Kourgan just got her head in front co the post. Retz and Maximum ran a dead heat for second place. Arizona finished fourth, a. leng-th and a-half avay ; Olivarez was fifth, and Sceptre next. Time by Benson's chronograph, 3mm ?6 3-ssec. Value of stakes, 10,46150ve.