The Battle between Musket's Sons in the Canterbury Plate.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 129, 21 November 1885, Page 5

The Battle between Musket's Sons in the Canterbury Plate.

Papers to hand by the s.s. Ringarooma today give full particulars of the racing at the V.R.C. Spriog Meeting. The race for the Canterbury Plate, which was fought out between Musket's sons, Trenton and Nordenfeldt, would appear to have been a very bitter one. The three-year-old Ringmaster led for a short distance, when Ellis, findiDg the pace too slow, took Nordenfeldt to the front, and, making the pace a terrible cracker, led into the straight with the race apparently at his mercy ; but the other son of Musket— Trenton— was not half done with, and, getting on terms with Nordenfeldt at half distance, a desperate struggle ensued ; but, despite a well-ridden race on the part of Ellis, and a most resolute finish of the colt, Trenton, well ridden by Robertson, outpaced the Derby winner, and beat him by a short neck. The following are the details of the running :—: — Canterbury Plate, 2£ miles. Mr D. O'Brien's Trenton, by MusketFrailty (Robertson) 1 Hon. J. White's Nordenfeldt, by Musket -Onyx, 7st 31b (Ellis) 2 Mr Loch's Isonomy, 7st 31b (Power) ... 3 Also ran t J. Wilson's Ringmaster, 7st 31b (Flanigan), A. Robertsons Dunlop, 7st 31b (Foon), and F. Henty's Cyclops, 7st 31b (Sanders). Betting : 2to lon Nordenfeldt, sto 2 v. Trenton, 8 to 1 bar two. As soon as they settled down Ringmaster took up the running and led along the back of the course by a length, Nordenfeldt and Isonomy next together two lengths clear of Trenton, who was just in advance of the others. Ringmaster on the outside led Nordenfeldt against the rails by a length into the straight, but the Sydney colt was at his girths when passing the stand and Ellis was improving the pace. Round by the river turn Nordenfeldt' shot to the front, and he led past the bridge by two lengths, with Trenton, Isonomy, and Dunlop next, together. Along the back stretch, Nordenfeldt left his horses at every stride, and led past the abattoirs by four lengths, Trenton next in waiting, half a length in front of Dunlop. Nordenfeldt led round the bend and into the straight, but Ellis was hard on him, and Trenton, catching him at the distance, whips were brought into play, and a desperate race ensued. Both fought it out to the bitter end, and Trenton, having a trifle more pace than the colt, beat him, after a great struggle, by a short length, Isonomy, ten lengths off, third, and then came Cyclops, Dunlop, and Ringmaster on close terms. Time, 4 minutes 39| seconds.