THE ENGLISH DERBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2783, 17 July 1907, Page 54

THE ENGLISH DERBY.

The latest mail to hand brings full part'culars of the race for the Epsom Derby — th« time-honoured Blue Ribbon of the turf. A field of nine marshalled at the barrier, and Sliev-e Gall ion, the black eon of Gallinule, maintained his position as favourite up to the fall of the flag. One of the most notable bets made in one hand was 6000 to 4000 booked a couple of days before the race, and on the course some sensation was caused in the chief ring by a Belgian ; backer. Clad in quite a cheap suit of clothes, hi» appearance was not such as to encourage belief in his being in a position to bet in large sums. One layer with whom he proposed to bet 600 to 400 on Slieve Gallion politely hinted that he was not acquainted with his financial standing, on which "le bray Beige " pulled out a roll of 20 Bank of England notes of £1000 each and put four in his hands to let him see they were the genuine article. The layer, however, wanted 650 to 400, and m that instance it was no deal. The punter 6oon melted some of the notes, and as he persisted in his intention of supporting the favourite, he did not leave the course with •the whole of bis capital. At the finish 13 to 8 was laid on the favourite, whilst it was 7to 1 bar one. Galvani and Bezonjan ranked second in demand, and the actual winner, Orby, receded to 100's to 9 after being backed at 100"s to 10. The son of Or me, however, vrae well supported at farrlv long prices in ante-post books. The critics found no fault with the favourite's appearance, and it was generally stated that he was beaten on his merits, although some were inclined to the opinion that too much was made of him in the early stages of the race. Orby is described as a raking big chestnut standing about 16.1. The English Sportsman described the race as follows: — "Mr Willoughby despatched them to an admirable start "at the first attempt. The pace kioked to be really strong for the first quarter of a mile or so, but if this really were so it seems strange that John Bull should have held the lead for even a couple of furlongs. Higgs says that it was slow, and it was this which induced him to take Slieve Gallion to the front at such an early stage of the race. Be this as it may, there is no doubt that the favourite was ridden as though there were no fear of his failing to get a mile and a-half, and the pace must have improved considerably in the second quarter of a mile, for when John Bull disappeared into the fu«ze3 he was lying second, whilst when he came into sight again he was a bad last. Rounding Tattenham Corner, Slieve Gallion was two or three lengths clear of everything and looked like coming in alone, but the moment he began the descent a complete change came over the race. He at once faltered, and Bezonian and Orby almost immediately closed with him. Still he kept in front until he went a little wide at Tattenham Corner, which enabled Orby to take up the running. From this point the Irishman always held the favourite safe, but half way up the straight Wool Winder, who had looked to be hopelessly out of it, suddenly appeared on the | scene, and for a few strides looked aa though he might absolutely win, but the effort of making up so much ground proved } too great, and he was somewhat unluckily i beaten by a couple of lengths. Althoughthe time was remarkably slow, being eight seconds behind that of last year, a lot of more thoroughly beaten horses have seldom finished in a race. The Two Thousand I Guineas form as regards Slieve Gallion and I Bezonian worked out as nearly a» possible correctly, and we must conclude either that the favourite cannot get down hill, or that a mile and a-half is beyond his compass. Of course, slow as was the time, Orby may be an exceptionally good horse, but as he is engaged in the St. Leger and a few other valuable races, we shall know more about him by the end of the season. He is the first horse trained in Ireland that has won a Derby, though many bred in that country have done so, and be has given his j -lire, Orme, a very timely lift, for people began to think that the Eaton stallion had exhausted himself in the production of Flying Fox."