THE CHAMPION RACE.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 208, 18 October 1859, Page 4

THE CHAMPION RACE.

We condense the following from the Argus of October 3rd, which devotes nearly six columns to the subject:— Alice Hawthorn was the first out, and was fondly cheered as she took her oanter past the stand. Critics said she was a little too fleshy, but as she is never trained, very fine we think there was not much fault to find with her condition. Tomboy seemed in tolerable fettle, though evidently short of work. He wore a bandage on the shaky leg, and was taken down the course at the gentlest of canters by Monaghan, under whose able guidance he was placed. Mr. Redwood's trio emerged nearly together, the mares being perfect pictures, and the old horse in very racing form. Sir Hercules and Quickstep followed. The black horse is a very showy animal, and has a coat as sleek as satin. His admirers were more numerous than those of Quickstep, who seemed rather small for a three miler, although displaying all that trainer's art could do towards rendering her fit for the work. The Champion swimmer, the Barber, met with little notice; chiefly, we believe, because he was not recognised. He seems to be a nice cob, and admirably adapted to carrry weight, but certainly not the class of animal we should have thought would have been selected to represent South Australia. Sailor and Quizthe-Wind stripped remarkably well, and reflected great credit on their trainer Johnny Cutts. Nutwith was anything but the mammoth of flesh he looked a fortnight ago, and his style of going inspired confidence in those who backed the Beechworth crack at outside prices. The bobtail Camel, of Tasmanian celebrity, had few believers ; neither was his condition as it should have been, as his subsequent bad running proved. Nor did Swordsman, big strong horse as he is, look like a winner. Phoebe was evidently not all there, nor did the public seem to think that there would be a repetition of the former race in Mr. Duppa's favor. Praxitiles turned out in fine condition, nor did his performance on the: course do Mr. Keighran any discredit. The Moor was saddled in front of the farthest stand ; he was shivering, and seemed fitlgetty and nervous, as if by no means anxious to take upon his shoulders the responsibility of putting Victoria at the top of the poll. Zoe, the Sydney beauty, met with great admiration from all, and found exceeding favor in the ladies' gallery. Whole boxes of gloves were unhesitatingly trusted to her fleetness, nor were the fair sex so much out of their reckoning as they usually are in matters appertaining to the turf. Flying Buck, the only three-year-old in the race, whose very favorable weight and reputed trials had inspired the confidence of many backers, came out the picture of health and condition, and galloped with such a fine stride, and. with such apparent ease to himself, that many who were dead against him in their books were glad to get out at the last moment on far less favorable terms than could have been obtained a couple of days sooner. The little boy who rode him, a son of that vyell-known and respected sportsman Mr. Yee'n'd, seemed quite' "capable"of his delicate mission to the satisfaction and profit both of his owner aud of his breeder. As the horses were marshalled in front of Mr. Burt, it was curious to witness the dense mass of anxious faces straining eagerly forward

to catch a glimpse of the start. The crowd all down the straight running, posted in favorable positions, was as closely wedged together as ever was the' case on a Derby day at Epsom. All the stands were crammed, and the space between the lowest one and the rails was unceremoniously jumped and filled to overflowing. Every carriage and car groaned with occupants," and not a single spot in the neighborhood was vacant, whence even the slightest glance at the horses could be obtained, .except the top of the Grand Stand, which for safety's sake was kept closed. No loud sound was heard, and only a deep hum of expectation shewed the absorbing interest felt. Even the bookmakers were silent; and the dog, whose scampering about the course at the last moment usually causes such amusement, was this time scarcely noticed. The hill by this time was black with human beings, and the rising ground across the river held its hundreds of eager spectators. From various sources we have arrived at the conclusion that not less than 40,000 persons were present, about one-fifth of whom had no opportunity of witnessing the-race. The pains and penalties consequent upon infringement of rules, had been already told by the stewards to the jockeys, who assembled for the purpose in solemn conclave. Mr. Burt had, therefore, no Very difficult task of it, and at the first offer the horses all got away well together. And now began the noise, for everyone began to ask excited questions about his particular favorite at the same mo-; 1 ment, "which, of course, were never answered, except by some neighbor whose interests lay in the same direction. The race may be described in a oouple of lines. Praxiteles, after leading for a mile, resigned in favor of the FJying Buck, who was never caught, and won as he liked by : a dozen lengths—in fact, for the last two miles : the race became a colt hunt—nor was it all the ! pursuers that could keep the flying quarry in view. They were all outpaced from end to end, and many of the riders, finding their chances hopeless, pulled up, and. came slowly home, preferring to save their nags for anothe* day's journey to racing for places. Owing to the enormous crush in that portion of the stand which was supposed to be set apart for the exclusive use of the Press, it was quite impossible for us to go into minor details. Below, however, will be found as close an account as could be gathered. A splendid start was effected at the first fall of the flag, Praxiteles obtaining a trifling lead, which he maintained for about a mile. ■In the first rank were Tomboy, the Moor, Alice Hawthorne, Flying Buck, Sir Hercules, and one of the New Zealand lot, —the rest well up with the exception of Camel, who both got off and galloped badly. Swordsman also declined to go far at the same pace as the leading horses, and towards the end of the journey officiated as whipper-in. A little beyond the gate Praxiteles resigned in favor of the three-year-old, who from that time out maintained a commanding lead. Bounding into the straight running, the Moor looked as if he was going up, and Alice Hawthorn was galloping well and strong. The Buck passed the stand several lengths a-head, hard held, the next horses being either Io or Zoe, with the Moor and Alice racing together. Several of the others were well up. At the gate the Moor took a fancy to the road for Melbourne, and was with some difficulty pulled straight by Lang; no more, however, was seen of the white jagket. Under the hill, Io made a game attempt to reach the leading horse; but being out-paced dropped into the ruck, and was pulled up at the distance. Strop and Miss Howe then came to the. rescue, but were as unfortunate as their stable companion, while Zoe, whose rider had been watching the New Zealand division, now came with a rush. But the race was gone, for the Buck, who was expected to shoot his bolt in about two miles, went on as strong as ever. Bentley, who had been steadily piloting Nutwith, failed in his attempt to overhaul the Sydney mare, and finished third, Strop beating: Miss Rowe on the post by a neck for a fourth place. Sailor, Quiz-the-wind, and Alice Hawthorn, finished iv the order named. The Moor, who ran sulkily up the straight running, was ninth; most of the others pulled up. Time, 5 minutes 57| seconds. The result took every one by surprise, as the winner had previously done nothing in public to justify any belief in his victory. When it is remembered, however, how much he has improved, and that he carried 521b. less weight than Zoe, who finished half-a-dozen lengths before the renowned Strop, the wonder becomes considerably less, and as almost a natural conclusion it follows that, had not Flying Jib broken down in his training, the two 3-yr-olds would have had it all to themselves. A. revision of of the scale of weights, therefore in future national racing events becomes imperative, for it is quite clear that aged horses, who have done much work in their time, and are past their prime, cannot give away nearly four stone to youngsters, whose mile-gallops previously have only been play to them. Notwithstanding this, Victoria may well be proud of her champion, and in future contests, with so much good young stock growing up, need not fear to re-enter the lists against all comers. As the winner cantered past the post, ten thousand hoarse voices shouted him a welcome and the cry was caught up and re-echoed on the distant hill. One enthusiastic Irishman, who had "bottled up his feelings during the race at length gave vent to his delight in the characteristic exclamation, " By the hole in my coat its the Buck." CJould the proprietor of the lucky animal altogether restrain the exuberance of his transport ? A minute after and the course became a troubled sea of heated and excited beings, the multitude extending several hundred yards above and below the judge's chair. It was with difficulty that a lane could be formed through which the winner could be conducted. Hardly was the boy off his horse and the weight declared all right, than he was caught up and carried in triumph on to the course, fresh and prolonged acclamation greeting his re-appearance. He was then presented to the Governor, who congratulated him, the boy taking off his cap, and cheering as loud as his youthful lungs would permit. We understand that he will receive ,£SOO for winning the race, which is twenty per cent, on the net stake. We trust his sudden fortune will not turn a modest and well-behaved lad into one of those ruffians in miniature, to whom gambling is already a profession, and pool playing a source of revenue. Mr. Yuille, we hear, nets somewhere about £10,000, and Mr. N. Simon about half that; amountj.many frieucfe of theirs ..coming;in for* a good stake." There is a report" current that the pigmy jockey, as he cantered past some friends in the enclosure, said, with a grin, " You did'nt expect to see me here, did you ?" which if true, shews an amount of presence of mind, under exciting circumstances, which many

a child of larger growth would have failed to exhibit. . ... As regards the settling, the Argus of Tuesday says, that " all the book-makers met their engagements with promptitude,; some of them .were very hard hit. A few complaints were made that the takers of odds did not show the punctuality which the occasion demanded. All the outside betters.went away satisfied," . The following is an extract from the Sydney Herald's correspondent:—As I said before, the easy victory of Flying Buck took every one by surprise. After the first mile, the race yt&i never in doubt, and the more the other horses, strained, the more rapidly the Buck seemed to get away from them. The triumph of Victoria was, as may be expected, cheered to the echo, and the lad who rode the winner was borne aloft through the admiring crowd, as Whitlow, and Lewis were after the late . intercolonial cricket match. He was then presented to the Governor, who complimented him with his usual bland and neat manner—the youngster being far too excited to do anything but wave his cap and cheer. This pigmy hero worship was continued at the Olympic Theatre the same evening, when Mr. J. Younge presented him with a gold mounted whip. At that place of amusement the following Uriels apropos to the occasion where put into the mouth; ofr^Vamba, in the burlesque of Ivaj»toe>- ■'"■■'■'K^ '■•■■'■■■ /:. \r' x Z^ ""Ye^i-i:Went;dbWn-fm"d'ISkwih«Gi^fr-Sftifeeii'rnnfor, And all the knowing ones ta'ehinftnd done for: Strop; Quickstep, 10, all-left in the ruck, ':■• •'■'.' To view the heels of gallant Elying Buck— Pride of a thorough-bred Victorian stud! , And ridden by a bit of native blood J" /. Since the Champion race was run there has been a good deal of talk about matches, the telegram announoes that the owner of Ben Bolt was willing to run the winner, weight for age,, being the ordinary stimula. As yet nothing definite has been arrived at, but before the Jockey Club meeting is over it is very probable that there will be several offers to have a shy at the lucky three-year old.