DESERT GOLD'S DEFEAT

Thames Star, Volume LII, Issue 13819, 8 October 1918, Page 1

DESERT GOLD'S DEFEAT

Champion Just Fails i SYDNEY', October 7 Sporting writers lengthily discuss. Desert Gold's sensational defeat" in the A.J.C. Springi Stakes by Poitrei, whose victory was achieved in most thrilling circumstances. At tihe' top of the stra.ight Desert Gold settled the pretensions of Cagou and Kenaiquahiair, but just wEen it was thought sEe would come away and win easily, Poitrei. wide on the outside of . the course, emerged from the ruck, and, galloping at a great rate, gradually gained on the mare. A furlong fram the post Desert Gold was still clear, and even at this sitage few- dreamed of Poitrei beating the champion.. But at the half-furlong, he reached her girths. From' thence to the finish, a stupendous struggle ensued, which' kept tihe multitude of over 50,006 .people in tense silence. Inch; (by inch the chestnut gained on Desert Gold over the last hundred yards, and when with a final dasih the last three strides hors© and rider threAv their last effort into tihe struggle ■and Poitrei gained tihe supremacy, a, great sThout went up that Desert Gold waa beaten.

Excuses were found, but none were needed, for her performance was full of merit, for there wa® smaJJ if any discrepancy on her side in tihe division of the honours of the race. Tt was her first outing for months, whereas Podtrel hod had several runs lately. Tihere was no faltering finish, for she answered every call like the wonderful racehorse she is.

Although Desert Gold was. beaten. Gloaming^s fine performance gave New Zealanders something; to boast about, while the fact thiat horses from, tihe Dominion were the first four to' pass the post also gave them cause to rejoice.

The "Daily Telegraph" says the defeat of Desert Gold was sensational, as a,win for the daughter of All Black- -was: regarded as a foregone conclusion. Desert Gold was brilliantly though fairly beaten but her performance was so good that she felhlared tha plaudits of the crowd equally witih the victor.

Finmai^k had a bad passage, while he twisted the plates on his forefeet. He was also galloped on "during the race.—A. and N.Z. Cable.