A Big Notion.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7295, 15 October 1891, Page 2

A Big Notion.

The Americans have another " big notion " to place before tho public — no less than a horse raco for £200,000. They are very anxious to try their horses against the English and Australian celebritieß, and to produce an international contest propose a sweepstake of £200 each, with £200,000 added. Tho proposal has been favourably received by American turfmen, and there is no donbt that several English owners would be glad of the opportunity to measure strides with their cousins across the water. The promoters suggest that the race should be run over a mile and a quarter, at weight-for-age, and decided at Monmouth Park, New Jersey, next May. We doubt whether anything will come of the proposal, but should the race take place the Australians will certainly put in a claim for the rich prize. Horses bred in the southern hemisphere would be at some disadvantage in the matter of age, but even if the Americans declined to make any allowance for this fact the owners of the Marvels and Carbines of Australia would be sorely tempted to make a bid for a stake worth nearly a quarter of a million of money. What a fitting conclusion a victory at Monmouth Park would make to Carbine's brilliant career! It might not be such a superb effort as tbe big handicap at Flemington last November; but, with nine people out of ten, gold is tbe standard of merit, and the winner of the £200,000 race will want no further passport to the championship of the world.