THE VICTORIAN DERBY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 109, 5 November 1895, Page 2

THE VICTORIAN DERBY.

(Per Press Association). Melbourne, Nov. 4. Wallace's Derby is chiefly remarkable tor two things — the miserable slow pace until the last half mile, at which it was ran, and the brilliant finish. With two exceptions it is the slowest since 1879. Wallace adopted skittish tricks as he went up to the barrier, stopped in front of the stand and refused to move. After a lot of persuasion he arrived behind the barrier, but then persisted in going the wrong way. The start was perfect, but the pace from the jump was slow, which was not an advantage to Wallace. Lead On did his best to accommodate the favorite, but the field loafed about ten paces behind until approaching the turn for home, when Wallace did not appear to have the most rosy chance. Osculator was first to land in the straight. Auraria was first to call upon him, with Wallace at her side, but she soon melted away. A little further on Wallace, who made a marvellous run rounding the bend, suddenly lost ground and began to slug, Gough, realising there was no time to spare, drew his whip and let it fall with such energy that the St. Albans' colt, lowering his head and lengthening his stride, left Auraria, and throwing down the gauntlet to Osculator, had his head on the big fellow's girths as they flashed past the distance post. There Waterfall made another effort but retired immediately. The settlement of the matter was left to the two colts. At the half distance Wallace appeared to fail, but answering ? resolute demand raced up to Osculator, heading him well at the yards. The home struggle looked all over, but the son of Hotch- j kiss was not half done, and lengthening himself out he came with the greatest gameness and once again got his head in front. Then Wallace, the bitterness of the battle fairly upon bim, sent forth another challenge, and the pair raced locked level. Steel and whalebone were brought into play, and the riding of Gough and Dawes was something to wonder at ; hut the chestnut and his gigantic opponent could not be separated. On they came, neither swerving nor flinching, and a dead heat seemed impending, but the Carbine and Musket blood coming to the rescue, Wallace once again got a slight advantage, and staying it out -won on the post by a short head, after the most brilliantly contested race that has ever taken place for the Victorian blue ribbon.