THE V.R.C. MEETING.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 111, 7 November 1895, Page 2

THE V.R.C. MEETING.

THE RACE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP. Melbourne, November 6. In spite of the fact of the public being so badly hit, they were not slow to recognise Auraria's brilliant and glorious victory, and aiter they had got over their first disappointment of tbe defeat of Hova, they welcomed back the winner with the wildest enthusiasm. The St. Alba ns' party were brimful of confidence about Wallace, but tbe Bjn of Carbine, although in a good position all through the battle, utterly failed to keep up his prestige and the blood, and the way in which he resigned his laurels to the South Australian beauty at the home turn leads to the suspicion that he has a weak place concealed somewhere near his heart. Hova ran magnificently, and, though beaten, was by no means disgraced. A feature of the race was the appearance of Burrabari as he rushed through the beaten horses. Waterfall, who made a big effort, proved undeniably that tbe Derby was falsely run, and, as much as his admirers regret he was not hailed a winner, they have the consolation of resting assured that his colors were honourably borne in the great struggle. The downfall of Quiver, who looked fit to run for a kingdom, astonished connoisseurs. Hopscotch seemed better than he was expected. Trenchant displayed good form. From a splendid start the contest commenced almost from the fall of the flag. For the first furlong the field chopped and changed a good deal, Mahee holding the pride of place as they passed the stand. After passing the river, Onward raced up to Mahee and the pair strode together, closely followed by Rewi and Burrabari. Here the pace grew terribly solid, and it required a racehorse to keep bis place in the first flight. A few strides further on Wallace made a brilliant attempt on the outside, but soon died oat, and Anraria, evidently determined to avenge her Derby defeat, left him as if he was at anchor, while at the head of the rack could be seen the colours of Hova and Burrabari. As they swept past the abattoirs, Hova suddenly, with a brilliant run, dashed up in the centre, and when their heads were turned for home, the New Zealander was in command from Preston and Hopscotch, and then could be seen the colours of Auraria and Burrabari, while Waterfall on the rails was making a desperate run. Hova cleared out from his field and appeared to have everything in trouble ; bat when well inside the distance Auraria settled down with the strife of battle upon her, and fairly outclassing in pace the big horse, scored a glorious victory, Burrabari, who came well in tlae last half mile, a length and a half off third. Hova's performance undoubtedly showed him to be one of the best horses ever seen in Australia, and it is only to be regretted that such an undeniable clinker should have been so heavily handicapped by bad management. The Adelaide party won a heavy stake. The winning jockey Stevenson, said he kept the mare well away until the field settled down, and at. last got alongside the rails. After getting round the turn into the straight he overtook Hova and collared him a little below tbe distance post. From there to the finish it was neck and neck, Auraria all the time slowly gaining just a little. Had the race been longer Auraria would have finished farther ahead. Stevenson will be 20 years of age next February. He is a native of Goulburn, New South Wales. Although the Sooth Australians won heavily over tbe Cup, Auraria's defeat in the Derby proved disastrous, that event being looked on in tbe light of a veritable " dead bird." Her admirers were confident about her securing the double, thereby neglecting her some* what straight out for the Cop. Stevenson asserts he was nearly knocked down quite accidentally by Lord Richmond in the straight. A number of horses got bunched op beyond the possibility of extraction, Quiver especially experiencing severe knocks which effectually roiued her chance. (Peb Pisess Association.) London, Nov. 6. Paris is scratched for the Liverpool Cup.