MELBOURNE RACES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 286, 6 November 1883, Page 2

MELBOURNE RACES.

MRS! DAY.— DERBY. fRX. BLECTHIC TELEQBAPH.— COPYEIGHT) >-\J&\ i* (BWr'lES 1 TBLBOEAMB.) " * MsLBiUHNB, Noyembor 8, , ' **Che weather- to-day was grand/and, Ato'attendanc'e on the course was larger " than last year, and is estimated at upwards o£ 40,000. The railway arrangements were of the most perfect character, but tllP road was extensively

patronised, the late rains having prevented the usual dust discomfort. Ihe course was m splendid condition, and the recent improvements, including the new grand stand and retiring rooms, appeared to be greatly appreciated by the public. The lawn presented a most brilliant appearance, the number, of ladies present being larger than usual, and their costumes of the most magnificent description. His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby was unfortunately unable to be present, as he had only "the previous day -received intelligence by cable of the death of his daughter, Lady Constance Phipps. heir Excellencies the Governors of South Australia and Tasmania were, however, present with their suites. The following nine horses started: — Archie, Hurricane, Little Sister, MartiniHenry, Napier, Off Color, Sardius, Signor, and Yernet. Little Sister rushed to the front at the start, and led past the stand, followed by Sardius, Off Color, Martini-Henry, Napier, Hurricane, and Vernet, Archie, who started badly, being last. At the first turn Little Sister was still leading, with Martini well up, Archie being still last. The pace was now" terrific. At the bridge Off Color xiin into, second place, ; and Sardius and Signor were leading, Martini, the, favorite, still m the rear.. This order was observed along the back of the course. At the abbatoirs Little Sister led the van by three lengths'. Sardius had deprived Off Color' of" second place, and Martini was well up l . on Off Color's quarter. Archie was now endeavouring to get up. On _ rounding the turn, .Sardius, deprived. T ittle iMster of the lead,* and' Martini made a forward move. As they Entered the straight, Sardius led the field by two lengths, Martini being 1 next» followed by Off Color. A.t the distance. Martini shot to the front, and oame to the post an easywinner, by two lengths from Sardius ; -Hurricane, third; Off Color, fourth; Archie, fifth," xinder severe punishment; followed by Napier, Signor, Little Sister, and Vernet, m the order named. The time was 2min 39sec. the fastest on record by 2£ sec. It was a splendid race, and the excitement was great. The win is a very good one for the bookmakers/ but Archie's defeat: is very, hard on the public, and his rider (Huxley); was groaned at heavily as he went back to the scales. -Archie's run- | ning is considered very suspicious, and [ Huxley was called before the stewards The explanation he gave is considered unsatisfactory, and a full investigation is to be held on Monday. MartiniHenry, the winner, is a New Zeal «nd bred horse, being by Musket out of Sylvia, both the property of the Auckland Stud Company, from whom the Hon. J. White, of South Australia; purchased him as a yearling for 1250 guineas. He was entered for the A.J.C. Great Metropolitan Stakes and the Australian Derby Stakes at the A.J.C. Spring Meeting, but did not run m either. ■ '■>■