THE GREAT FOOT RACE AT WEST MAITLAND.

Kumara Times, Issue 676, 27 November 1878, Page 2

THE GREAT FOOT RACE AT WEST MAITLAND.

Watson y. apßlett, for £4oa

The 200 yards foot racri at West' Maitland,-between Watson and Applett} for £4OO and the <ili mpionshipj/camri off on the racecomse on Nov. 2nd. Thri interest manifested ill the race was intense, and by far the largest gathering, of people ever s-en at any etfent Of the kind in this quartet showed that the interest was not Confined to Maitland alone, but was felt throughout the whole northern district. The trains north and south were crowded, the ■ Newcastle mining district constituting a large quota.' The miner's were very', much excited over the event. At about 3 o’clock the crowd on the race* course began rapidly to ihcrease, till at. tile hour appointed for the .race there ■; cOnld not have been less than 8000 m•; spectators on the ground. Both Watt; son and Applett were well received} . and having come to the post in tha pink of condition, the friends of each,;: • Were very confident. Applets backerS were the more confident, arid freely offered 6 to 4 on theif man, but.it tv as only taken up here and thei*e. Their preliminary spin showed tlleni both td" be in splendid, form, and their traine.si /' Hewitt and Dunlop, cimedn for a. good.. deal of credit. All preliminaries settled} , the men drew up to the mark ami Werddespatched by Mr James Brunkdr td ; .; an. excellent start. Watson, s-emed . : However, to haVe the advantage", and by a tremendous effort improved it: Applett, at fifty vardsi, appeared td gain a little, but Watson again drew slightly away; and led past the tapd with tin advantage of nearly five yards: The time wits slightly under The surprise was intense. Applett himself was apparently greatly sur*- - prised. The race was d Splendid one" from start to finish, and the result cannot by any means be assigned to, & / fluke. The victory was thoroug Hly popular} and was signalised by tremendous cheering. Applfett was much cheered for his plucky, running. Watson, carried on the shoulders df twd then, was escorted by an immense eons course of people to his training quarters , at Mr Mat Scott’s Hotel, in High / strdet. There is a good deal of talk.; about another match, but there is, nothing definite to report. Town and Gonntrv Journal.