THE MELBOURNE CUP AND DERBY.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 59, 29 October 1881, Page 108

THE MELBOURNE CUP AND DERBY.

Latest Intelligence. (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH", FROM OVll OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Christciiurch, Thursday. — On Monday private telegrams arrived from Melbourne with the startling information that the New Zealand horse Somnus was first favourite for the Derby, the short price of 2 to 1 being taken. It was astonishing how the public here at once wished to get on the good thing, as if it were all over tut shouting. One enthusiastic person has taken 200 to 100. It surprises me, for I really believe if Somnus had remained here for our Derby the public would not have taken that price about him, although we have only a medium lot of horses in the race. And yet they think he can win amongst a better class and bigger field in Melbourne ! Well, I hope he may, for the sake of New Zealand ; but I do not like the hands he is in, and I shall not stand him as the winner. Certainly he has done whatever has been asked of him, for he won in a canter the only two events he started for, but the time for them was not first-class. Somerset, from past experience of the stable and the way they have p\it the dollars on him, I think holds all the others safe ; and next to him I expect to see Spinningdale. Darebin, for some unaccountable reason, has gone back in the market ; so has The Duke, who I believe has not been doing well lately. Mon mouth is not a game one ; Sardonyx is too small for the weight ; Nautilus and Liberator are of a poor sort ; — so I place them — Somerset... ... ... ... 1 Spinningdale ... ... ... 2 Somnus ... ... ... ... 3 — The Cup appears to bo a very open race this year, and as I do not think there are a very brilliant lot of three-year-olds engaged in the event, the winner will not be found amongst them, There are a grand lot of horses of other ages lightly let in and also saved for this race. Moreover I believe it will be a fast run contest. Christchurch sporting men are particularly interested in the Clip this year, as both a three-year and four-year-old were bred here, and believed to be the two best horses that ever left New Zealand. The winner and placed horses, I think, will come from the following : — Trump Yoss, Duchess, Odd Trick, Wellington, Sir Modred, Lord Burghley, and Waterloo.