THE V.R.C. CHAMPION MEETING

West Coast Times, Issue 2742, 15 January 1878, Page 2

THE V.R.C. CHAMPION MEETING

(iNVERCARGILL CORRESPONDENT LYTTELTON TIMES.) The 15th Champion Meeting, which took place on New Year's Day, was a most decided success, not only in the attendance, but in respect to the racing itself. This meeting has grown in popularity till it has assumed almost equal importance with the Melbourne Cup meeting, and forms one of the most attractive sports of the year. The deaf l heat of Tarragon and Volunteer at the New Year's Meeting ot 1866, and the famous victory of Pride of tlie Hills last year in the shortest time on record are memorable events in the history of the Champion gathering,',and this year's racing was also marked by a special feature which may be expected to distinguish the events hereafter. It was not only a good all round meeting, and a most enjoyable one too, but First King won the Champion Stakes in Bsecs under Pride of the Hill's time. The weather was excellent. Waterford looked very handsome, and of full quality, but rather light over the loin. Pluto looked like a piece of burnished copper, every muscle standing out in full relief. Robinson Crusoe was in great fettle, but Glenormiston looked a little dry in his coat. First King was the picture of condition and little bigger than we are used to see Mr Wilson's favorites, whilst Chester looked very well and muscular. Pride of the Hills showed a vast improvement. How the race was won, how the sou of Ring of the Ring and half brother to Artful Joe wore down the mii>hty Chester, will be found in the description of the race subjoined. Loud cheers greeted his victory, done as it was in the fastest time yet chronicled on the Victorian turf, beiug less than ssec more than llutaplau's celebrated stum 21 sec the fastest English record. But it must be remembered that the time now is taken not from the fall of the flag, but from the moment the first horse's head passes the starting post. Thia, of course, eliminates the times taken by horses to get on their legs from the time the flag falls.' Champion Stakes of 25 soys each, 10 ft, with 1500 added. For three-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. Secoud horse to receive 200 soys and the third 100 soys out of ttake. 71b allowance for horses foaled north of line. Three miles. Mr J. Wilson's b c First King, by King of the Ring— Rescue, 3yrs ... (Ilailes) 1 Mr J. White's b c Chester, by Yattendon —Lady Chester, 3yrs ... (Pigott) 2 Mr C. B. Fisher's br h Robinson Crusoe, by Angler—Chrysolite,4yrs...(Morrison) 3 | Pride of the Hills was first on his legs, but was immediately passed by Glenormiston, Robinson Crusoe, and Waterford. Past the Stewards' stand Waterford rushed to the front, with Glenormiston, Robinson Crusoe, Pluto, Pride of the Hills, First King, and Chester in their order. Aa they left the rails Glenorraiston took up the running, and led round the turn and down by the river, with Waterford, Pride of the Hills, and Robinson Crusoe in their order, then First King, Pluto, aud Chester together. At the bridge Pride of the Hills shot to the front, and leaving Waterford and G-lenormiston at every stride, led by ten lengths at the abattoirs,

which at the sheds he had increased to thirty lengths. Then came Glenormiston, Kobinson Crusoe, Waterford, and First King, whilst fire lengths from these were Chester and Pluto.. Pride of the Hills still held a great lead down the training ground side, but as they turned into the rails First King and Waterford began to close up the gap. When fairly in the straight, First King passed Waterford, and was gradually catching the leader, who, as he reached the stand, had about three lengths' lead. Robinson Crusoe now passed Waterford, vho had shot his bolt, and Pluto ran up f<> n th as they turned to the river ; Fiist King was on tbe Adelaide horse's quarters, with Robinson Crusoe close to him Three lengths away came Pluto, followed cicely by Chester. Approaching tlu- bridge First King assumed the premiership, and Waterford made another run and wtnt up second, but it was his last effort. Chester now came through and joined First King, and the two ran by the abbatoirs side by side. Leaving there Chei-ter led, with First King, Pluto, and Robinson Crusoe in their order. Mr De Mestre's grand colt held his lead past the sheds and down the training ground, where Glenormiston was out of ir, and Pluto and Robinson Crusoe for an instant looked dangerous. But now Hailes brought up First King, and the two cracks drawing away from their field turned into tbe straight, Chester leading by half a length. At the bottom of the carriage paddock, Hailes shook his whip at First King, who answered instantly, and Pigott was at Chester, who was in trouble, and directly afterwards was at the whip, but without avail, as Hailes sitting still landed First King an easy winner by four lengths, Chester beating Robinson Crusoe by eight lengths for second place, Pluto fourth, four lengths behind Mr Fisher's horee. Then came Pride of the Hills, Waterford, and Glenormiston pulling up, Time — smin 26secs.