Racing.

Southland Times, Issue 17083, 4 November 1902, Page 3

Racing.

V.R.C. DERBY. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ] Melbourne, Nov. 2. The Victorians had a foretaste of Summer for Derby Day, the afternoon being very sultry. Common consent allowed that if one was more like a Derby hoi se than another it was Abundance, who is well up to weight. His trainer was equally as confident as those of Brakpan and Strata Florida, but Brakpan not only did not run well but behaved like a pig, and he maybe dismissed with the remark that he collided with Maelgwyn. At starting he was the last to leave the straight and never afterwards could make an attempt to go near hie horses. Maelgwyn and Strata Florida fretted at the start and twisted profusely, which was not assuring to their supporters. Great Scot set out to make the pace fast, it was supposed in the interest of Brakpan, and, when half the distance was run, he led by about eight lengths, but, on reaching the home turn, Abundance and Strata Florida came within a couple of lengths of him. Still Great Scot kept running on, and, just when Strata Florida was expected to dispute his right to lead, ho (Strata Florida) cried ago, after a very weak attempt at a struggle. It was not so with Abundance, who, on the outside, drew level with Great Scot, and, though the latter ran out and twice forced Abundance from his line, the favourite soon straightened, and won comfortably, finishing in the centre of the course. The race was fast throughout, tbe last half was the quickest, and it is the fastest Derby, by threequarters of a second, in the records of the eveut.