THE MELBOURNE DERBY RACE.

Kumara Times, Issue 666, 15 November 1878, Page 2

THE MELBOURNE DERBY RACE.

To the Dunedin telegraphic correspondent to the Christchurch Press we are indebted for the following account of The Derby race :—. The betting was 8 to 1 agst His Lordship; 10 te 1 agst Warlock, Wellington and Riverton, 20 to 1 avst Zambesi. Owing to eagerness to get away on the part of Riverton, a slight delay occurred at the post, but Mr Watson eventually despatched the select field to an even stark Viceroy was first to show in advance; then came Riverton, Wellington, His Lordship, Warlock, and Zambesi, who followed on in close order as written. At the turn past the new stand, Viceroy fell back into fourth place, and when the bend had been fairly negotiated, Riverton was perceived to command a three-lengths lead from Wellington, the other positions remaining unchanged, Riverton continued to force the pace along the river side, where there >was 'still a gap between the Bacchus, Marsh colt and Wellington, who was a similar distance from the favourite. Warlock fourth, Zambesi fifth, and Viceroy whipping and apparently labouring thus early. Nearing the bridge, Wellington ran up to Riverton, the pair being abreast a few strides further on, the favourite still lying third, two lengths off with Zambezi, who had made a run on the outside hanging on to-his quarters, Viceroy and Warlock close up. The pace improved considerably at the back of the course, where Rivertdn took up third place, two lengths behind His Lordship, who was a-clear length in the rear of Wellington, Warlock being fourth in command, while Zambesi and Viceroy were evidently in distress. Thus they raced past the abattoirs and up to the sheds, at which point the favorite ran alongside of Wellington, well clear of the remaining quartette, who obseived the same order as indicated previously. Rounding the home turn His Lordship came ahead slightly in front of Wellington, Warlock next, the race now being reduced to a match between the three. Morrison bad such a firm hold of the Terra representative that the crowd already proclaimed his victory, but as they neared the distance post, he suddenly hung fire, and, failing to respond to Morrison's repeated he g'-adnally dropped back, allowing Warlock to pass him in pursuit of Wel--lington, who, however raced on gamely and ultimately passed the post two good lengths in advance of the chestnut, who was a similar distance before His Lordship, Zoubesi four lengths off fourth, Riverton fifth, and Victory last. Time —2min47secs,