THE CHAMPION RACE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1653, 16 January 1882, Page 2

THE CHAMPION RACE.

[Melbourne ArGus, Jail 3.j The Champion Stakes (nominated June; 1881); of 25sdvs. each, 10ft.; with 1000 added; For three-year-oltls and upwards. Weight for age. The second horse to receive 200sovb; and the third lOOsovs. out of thh stake. Three miles. 4Ssubs. Mr S. Gardiner’s hr c Coriolanus, 3 yrs, by Tubal Cain—Pauline, 7st 81b. (W. Mui’phyj ..; ... t Mr H. Philips’ b c Commotion, 3 yrs, by Panic Evening Star (imp), 7st 81b (Hales) ... ... 2 Mr C. G. Baldock’s br h Wellington 6yrs, 9st Gib (Yeomans) 3 Mr D. MacFherson’s b c Santa Claus, 3 yrs, by Glorious— Catherine Seytou, 7st 81b (O’Brien) ... 0 Captain Osborne’s b c Wheatear, 3 yrs, by Epigram—Wheatsbeaf, 7st Sib (Hemsworth) ... ... $ Mr VV. Branch’s b f Royal Maid, 3 yrs, 7st 51b (St. Albans) .... C( Betting—2 to 1 against Wellington, 3 to 1 each against Santa Clans, Couimotion, and Wheatear, 6 to 1 each against Royal Maid and Coriolanus. Commotion led away, Sarita Claus; Wheatear, Royal Maid, Coriolamis, and Wellington following ih that order. Passing the stand Santa Claus had taken the lead, Commotibn was verjr close up, Royal Maid was third about three lengths off, with Wheatear, Coriolanus, and Wellington immediately behind her. Santa Claus, who was pulling double, held the lead round the turn, with Commotion nearly up with him, Wheatear, Royal Maid, Wellington, and Coriolanus were following in that order, and all going well within themselves. The horses ran in the same order along by the river, and at the bridge Commotion got his head iri front, Wheatear, Royal Maid, Wellington and Coriolanus were next, in that order. Commotion led round the far turn a length in front of Santa Claus; Wheatear was following after a gap of three lengths. Royal Maid, Wellington, and Coriolanus were next in a cluster. The horses ran past the sheds and round the home turn in the same order, and all close together. Passing the stand Commotion was Haifa length in front of Santa Claus, Royal Maid was next, two lengths away. Wheatear, Wellington, and Coriolanus were" following, and close up. The pace up to this point had been a very moderate one, but from this out the horses were' sent aloug fast. Commotion and Santa Claus rounded the tnrn past the stand abreast, Royal Maid and Wheatear were next about a couple of lengths away ;■ Wellington and Coriolanus were next close up. No change occurred till the horses reached therailway bridge, where Wheatear went close up to the first pair; the others were following in a bunch and very handy. Rounding the far turn Commotion had a decided lead, Santa Claus was second, with Wheats ear close behind him. At the abattoirs Wellington went up, and was running almost level with Santa Cl-ius, Wheatear, and Commotion. Coriolanus and Royal Maid were about a length behind. As they passed the sheds Commotion was still in front, and Santa Claus began to drop back. As they approached toe turn for home Royal Maid was beaten. Commotion led into the straight. Wheatear was showing well up on the outside. Wellington and Coriolanus were very handy. In the straight Commotion had a lead of two lengths, Coriolanus had got up to Wheatear, and Wellington was nearly level with the pair on the outside. Coriolanus then passed Wheatear, and gave chase to Commotion, Wellington taking third place as they came on. Coriolanus answered his rider’s call most gamely, and slowly but surely gained on Corn-: motion, whom he caught just inside the distance, and beat him by about half a length. Wellington was third, nearly three lengths off. Wheatear was a moderate fourth, Santa Claus was fifth, and Royal Maid sixth. Time. smin. 40sec/ ~ _ ,