SPORTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 12 May 1925, Page 7

SPORTING.

EPSOM DOWNS. DERBY COURSE TO J3E IMPROVED By *7able —JPresa Association —Copyright. Australian and N./.. Cable Association LONDON, May ]O. “The “Daily Herald” states that the Epsom Grandstand Association has purchased the freehold of Epsom Downs from the lord of the manor, for £57,000 in order to improve the racecourse, including a now stand costing £50,000. AVootton is buying a training ground nearby for Jt35,000. EGMONT DATES ALTERED. By Telegraph—Proas Association. HAWERA, May 11. Consequent on Mr Massey’s death, the Egmont Club will race oil Wednesday and Saturday, instead of "Wednesday and Thursday.

BOW GLOAMING WON. The special correspondent of the “Southland Times’’ tnus describes the race tor the Ormond Gold Uup: — The minor races having been got through, the somewhat impatient crowd who had been simmering with excitement all the day, almost reached boiling point, and as soon as Gloaming and The Hawk put in an appearance, there was a rusn to get a position to view them. Both geldings.stripped well, but The Hawk, wno was wearing bandages in front, stripped bigger and better than ever, in lact, he looked perfect, and on his looks there is no wonder that he did so well in Australia. and 1 that his owner-trainer, J. M. Cameron, was encouraged to tackle the great Gloaming. He was wearing aluminium shoes in front, and so was Gloaming. Both were cool as they walked around, and they cantered down separately amid a salvo of cheers from their separate admirers, both going nicely. There was some betting on the two and Gloaming carried a little less than twice as much as The Hawk. The machine having closed, excitement reached fever point.. So highly strung were some, that one of them, Mr W. EUingham, who bred Moifoa, and who is' an old' identity in Hawkes _ Bay, dropped dead from heart failure in the big stand. The start was delayed a little, owing to both horses and riders being keen, but eventually the two champions got away together. The Hawk on the outer was the first to find hi 3 feet, and he led by two lengths at the end of two furlongs, run in 25 1-5, and was still in charge when half the distance was covered in 50 3-5. Then Gloaming ran up on the outside of the Martian gelding, and . entering the straight, he had about’ -a neck ’ advantage while he was,still going well, and Gray was niggling at The Hawk. From there on Gloaming was always a winner, and he sailed past the post an easv winner, a neck in front of his gallant opponent, a distance that would have been bigger had G. Young desired to make it so. The cheers were deafening when the two champions trotted back to salute the judge, and the police had hard work to keep the crowd back long enough to allow the horses to get back to the scales. After that the bird-cage was filled with people, and when Gloaming -was led along the lawn he was surrounded by a dense and yelling crowd, all of which he endured like a gentleman. The cinema peoplo were very busy all the while and everybody got photographed. The handsome gold cup that was the coveted trophy that drew the two champions to Hastings, was presented to Mr G. D. Greenwood bv Mr G. Ormond, Mr Cameron being the first man to congratulate him and R. J. Mason. _ The blue ribbon, was tied round Gloaming’s neck by Miss Molly Russell. Mr Greenwood expressed his satisfaction at Gloaming’s win, and Cameron, who was called upon for a •speech, said that he always knew that Gloaming and R. .T. Mason were tough prennsitions, hut his horse had done so well in .Australia that his deeds had led him to throw down the gauntlet to an unbeatable pair, and he had been beaten, at which he was not surnr’sod, hut The Hawk lind not disgraced him, and he was proud of his performance, although ho was .Beaten.