Great Race.

Manawatu Herald, 22 March 1898, Page 2

Great Race.

The race for the Hawke's Bay Stakes resulted in a great contest between the Hon. J. D. Ormond's eh c Daunt, by Dreadnought — Orientale, and Mr G. G. Stead's eh c Gold Medallist. Both three-year-olds carried Bst 111 b, and the former was ridden by Davis and Mr Stead's Gold Medallist by Derrett. Describing the race the Napier Herald says : — Approaching the railway bend Derrett let Gold Medallist have his bead, and the long, telling strides of the. big horse afc once took him to the front. As the field swept round the turn into the straight, Davis, who had been nursing Daunt carefully, now took bis mount up to the leader, and the pair were level as they landed in the straight. Then ensued & battle of giants, or rather a battle between a giant and a Lilliputian. On they came, stride for side, and Derrett had to draw hi? whip, and the favorite responded, but Dauni was running with unflinching cour Bgp, and the prospect of a close finish made the peopla in the stand almost breathless with excitement. Gould the little chestnut maintain that great struggle against those mighty strides ? Was Derrett reserving his final effort for the last hundred yards ? No, he was evidently riding with all his art and cunniugto secure the victory, "while Davis was making equally strenuous efforts on the Hawke's Bay colt. As the lawn fence was reached Daunt, with a mighty effort, got his head in front, and a great cheer went up. But there was still about fifty yards to go, and the race was nod yet won. Another effort on the part of Gold Medallist was answered by one equally as good from Daunt, and the cerise jacket flashed past the post a bare head in advance of the yellow. For a few seconds the people went mad ; hats were thrown into the air, sticks and handkerchiefs were waved, and thp stand was a seething maelstrom of excitement, which was renewed again and again when the winner returned to scale and when the " all right " was declaeed.