TWO GREAT RACE-HORSES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 672

TWO GREAT RACE-HORSES.

The two great events of the racing season in the Antipodes are Che Melbourne Cup and the Melbourne Derby, both run at the Flemington Race course, in thd early part of November. This year an additional interest was given to the two events by reason of the presence in them of a New Zealand horse, Strathmore, which it was hoped would rival the exploits of Martini- Henry in 1883. Strathmore so far justified the expectations of his backers by carrying off the Derby against a field of nine competitors. In the Cup, however, after running a game race in which he was to a great extent impeded, Strathmore came in third to Malvolio, the winner, and Sir William second. Inasmuch as Strathmore conceded lOlbs. to the former and 131bs. to the latter, his defeat is something of which New Zealanders may well be pioud, and the name of this son of Nordenfeldt will rank with those of the most renowned race horses of the Southern Hemisphere. It is admitted on all hands that Strathmore is one of the best three-year-olds that has won the Blue Riband on the Flemington course. He was bred by Mr Thomas Morrin at the Wellington Park Stud, Auckland, New Zealand, from whom he was purchased by his present owner, Mr W. R. Wilson, for 350 guineas. Strathmore was sired by Nordenfeldt from Ouida, the dam of several other high-class race horses. Malvolio, the Cup winner, is a fine upstanding horse, and is the property of Mr James Redfearn. He is a son of the famous Malua, his.dam being Nightcap. Malvolio was bred by Mr Redfearn, who also trained the horse, while he was ridden by his sou George. It is noteworthy, also, that the sire of the second placed in the Melbourne Cup — Sir William — was of New Zealand breeding, so that altogether New Zealand has reason to congratulate itself upon the fine qualities with which its climate seems to have the power of enduing both the people and the live stock reared within its borders. We present in this issue illustrations of Malvolio and Strathmore.