The Champion Stakes.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1320, 14 December 1880, Page 2

The Champion Stakes.

The entries for the Melbourne races, to be ran on New Year's Day, are small. For the Champion Stakes there are 47 subscribers.

"Beacon" in the Melbourne Aye says : " That nine horses only came to tho post for the V.R.C Handicap, for which the Pontiff, Napper Tandy and Lord Burghley had been made favourites OYernight. Finding that Mata was going, it was deemed advisable to retire Wellington and Loid Burghley, Boaworth, Avernus, Warlock, First Water and others also being withdrawn. The Pontiff and Napper Tandy continued in favour until a commission came into the ring to back the New Zealand horse Mata, to which they had to give way in tha betting, an immediate rush being made by the public also to get on, so much did they think of hie chance. Indeed, the desire to be in the good thing was so strong that he soon ran up to 2 to 1, at which price he started; and when Yeomans was seen walkiug away from the weighing yard in the crimson jacket, white sleeves and crimson cap, it was prophesied that the time had come when he would distinguish himself on Victorian turf. The race was never in doubt after the first mile and a quarter, when the Maorilander wentup.subsequently ran through his horsesand came home the easiest of winners, attended by the Pontiff and Secundus, who finished second and third, the latter being freely backed just before the flag fell. The race was run in 3 mm. 6j sec, which is very fast time. After the race was over, an investigation was held by the stewards into Matas racing for the Melbourne Cup, and his owner and rider were called upon for explanations. Rumor, which is not always either correct or reliable, declared that he was suffering from metallic influence in the Cup race, and that, had he won. the ring would have been utterly ruined, and his name changed to " Totalisator." Be this as it may, he lav decidedly better on the last day of the meeting, aud whatever t-unpicion may have attached to his Cap running, the horse is in as high esteem as ever with the sporting million."