MATCH AGAINST TIME.

Evening Star, Issue 3140, 13 March 1873, Page 2

MATCH AGAINST TIME.

EIGHTY MILES IX TWELVE HOURS. The match made between S. Ferguson and W. Jobson, the latter undertaking to ride his bay horse, Bosco, eighty miles in twelve hours, came off on the race-course in Blackshaw’s paddock on the 18th ult. The course (says the Goulhourn Herald) measures one mile ten chains. A start was made precisely at six a.m., Jobson going off at an easy canter, and for the first hour the course was completed nine times, being at the rate of rather over ten miles an hour. The rider varied the monotony by occasionally taking the course the reverse way. At the twentyfirst round, after going nearly 24 miles, he alighted, and took a rest for twenty-three minutes, having the horse rubbed down, and offering Mm a feed of oats, which he refused. At 9 a.m., he again mounted, the horse not appearing so well up to his work. At 10.20 he made another stop for eight minutes, having completed thirty-two miles, fifty chains, the horse still refusing to feed. At the thirty-seventh round he again took a rest for twelve minutes, trying the horse with gruel, which he declined. After washing him down aud scraping him, Jobson again went into the saddle. The horse now appeared very fagged, but the rider was as fresh as when he started. At 1 o’clock another stop was made for ten minntes, and the horse’s shoes were knocked off, and a drink of oatmeal and water was given to him. After another start, he continued at the same pace until 1.55, when he again had a rest for seven minutes, having the horse well washed and attended to. He then went on till 2,44, when he rested for eight minutes, after completing a little over 62 miles. Jobson again mounted, and went another four rounds, making a total distance of sixty-six miles and a half in nine hours, twenty-four minutes, and then resting for seven minutes, again took the saddle and rode three rounds, then stopped for six minutes, having done close up to seventy miles. Another three rounds were then got over, the horse making rather worse time, averaging twelve minutes to a round, and looking fagged, but at the same lime plodding on without puunishment. At the sixty-sixth round another rest was given of four minutes, and the horse drenched with ale or porter and oatmeal, after which ihe rider took his seat, and went steadily to work for another three rounds, still keeping up a rate of twelve minutes to the round. \t 5 35 he had his last rest of three minutes, and then started to complete his final course of three rounds and seven chains. The ex* citement now was very great as to whether the horse could keep it up to the finish; but at 5.53 the matter was set at rest by Jobson landing his horse a winner, with seven minutes to spare, having done the last halfmile at a hand-gallop. On passing the win-ning-post, the winner was greeted with prolonged cheering, and escorted to the booth by a large number of spectators. During the latter pirt of the day opinions varied as to whether Jobson or time would have the best of the race ; and nothing but the judicious riding and good generalship of the former carried the horse through his arduous task. Although, of course, looking tired, which is not to be wondered at, after carrying seven* teen stone for twelve hours, the horse showed no mark of either whip or spur, and the rider appeared as fresh as when he started. The whole affair was carried through without any dispute, and all appeared satisfied that tho race had been fairly won, and that Jobson had well earned his laurels.