DERBY DAY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 5

DERBY DAY

GLOAMING UNDER NEW COLOURS

RACES DOWN HERETAUNGA

STREET.

A RARE AND SPECTACULAR SIGHT.

It’s off 111

The Derby has commenced! Gloaming—with whiskers round his feet—Gloaming, with a stomach like a keg and hoots that make the birds flutter in terror—Gloaming, in a Chinese gentleman’s cart, delivering turnips!

. You can’t imagine it. The brain of the racegoer reels with horror at ttie suggestion. But the devoted carthorse, the poor old trudging toiler of the shaits, can do his mile and a furlong with the best. He did it this morning. What better place for a gallop - could Gloaming in his prime pick than Heretaunga street. Here there is a throng of people to witness the feat. With streaming mane and a thudding of feet like an earthquake. Gloaming rumbled down*the straight, the thunder of the crowd no' less frantic than at the Park on racedJy. Normally Gloaming is a peaceful horse. He merely trudges along, pulling his load of vegetables and he knows when to stop for his Celestial master to sell his wa/es. This morning, he was bursting with enthusiasm. Starting fiom Nelson street, he commenced his gallop down the straight. What caused him to go is not known. What is more interesting is the sensation he caused.

Cries and screams were hurled from the pathways. Men rushed into the street frantically waving their arms. But Gloaming was in his stride and he sped past like greased lightning. Just after reaching King street a motor car entered the race, but at Market street the going was too strong. Only Gloaming was left to carry on. There was no heed paid to the railway line. Down the main thoroughfare the galloping steed continued its race, festoons of hair trailing from the ankles, its tail vertical. Past intersection after intersection it careered along, sofely negotiating the barrier erected by the borough workmen at Hastings street, until ultimately it was stopped at Riverslea road. A wind-broken, aagtrv-kneed and most depressing looking horse with an ashamed expression. Throughout its spectacular run, not one thing or person was touched. No doubt many experienced a scare, but to his credit it must be said that Gloaming picked his course to a nicety.