THE V.R.C. METROPOLITAN MEETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 125, 4 November 1884, Page 3

THE V.R.C. METROPOLITAN MEETING.

(BT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH-COPYRIGHT.) (HEDTEr's TELEGRAMS.) ' Melbocene, Nov. 1. . The Victoria Racing Club held the first day's racing of their Spring Meeting ao Fletnington to-day. The early, morning -was dull and cloudy, but the weather improved, and before the racing commenced was all that could be desired. There was a great attendance of spectators, among those present doing their Excellencies Sir H. B. Loch, Governor of Viotoria, Sir G. Strachan, Governor of Tasmania, and Sir W. F. C. Robinson, Governor of South Australia. THE VICTORIA DERBY, 1£ miles. Blueher was scratched at the post, leaving the following eleven horses to face /the starter : — Hippogriff, David, Seahorse, Mozart, Leperello t Rnfua, MeriimU! Bargo, Tremandoj Gratitude, and' SauduU' Onititude was the to show to the front at the start. Ait ther buck of the conirse Merrimu and wei ; e runninsc neck-iahd neck togetier a clear length m 'f rosi' <if TremandOj with Hippogriff and Bargp nioying up, Rufus null, maintained position of last. Mozartup to this stage had been running very well, but when near the slaughter yards began to show aign^of distress, whilst David made' a forwavii nibve : ment, and Gratitude rushed to' the front followed by Merrimu, with Bargo third, Seahorser! und Sandal; maintaining good positions, and Rufus still bringing up the rear, aUthough going . v<jry strong. At -the homo turn, Gratitude, Morrinni, and Treraando wore 1 together, followed by Seahorse, Bai-gb, and Pavid, tli^ latter creeping., to the outside .plac^; Entering the' Btraight, David; /anft Bargo Crushed to the front, anil" "at" this point the latter looked like the winner, but Rufus came up with a rush On ! the outside, and at the carriage' -paijldock the race was settled. He passed thejudge's stand half a length m front of David, who was a good length m front of Bartro, Mozart, Trerriando, and Hippogriff following m the order named. Time, 2min 41$ SOC. ••',:■ -. ' ' . - - [Rufus is by King of the Ring, out of Princess Alice. At 2yrs, bis first appearance was al the Williamstown November Meeting, where ho was uu able to get a place m the' Two-year-, old Plate. 5 furlongs, won by f Pan. At the Caullield Summer Meeting he ran second to Regiiiiild; m the Juvenile Stakes, 5 furlongs, and won, the Nursery Handicap, three-quarters of a mile^in lmin 18^sec, carrying Bst I:.' ■■'■■ ' : .' ' . ' NoVi 2 ' . There was a large number present at Tattersall's last evening, and agreat amount of excitement prevailed over the day's proceedings. Wjager^ ing is paralysed, and nothing important doing, the public being very hard hit over the Derby. Further particulars of tho Derby show that m the last mile Mozart was distressed, and had evidently ahot, his bolt, although doing a" very good performance. Tlie win of Rufus was. a complete surprise. He was tightly backed by his owners for £5000 before the Caulfield Cup, but nothing had been done about him since, arid he was; scarcely even mentioned for doubles. The ring won heavily, although they say that, taken as/ a whole, the day was a bad one/for them, owing to the winof,Malua. The defeat of Bargo was a great blow; to the public, and especially to the Sydney people. : ' Nov. 3. The/ weather to-night is fine and promises well for the racing to-mor-row. Silver King is scratched for the Cup. The latest betting on the Cup at 10 p.m. is an follows sto 1 ; Hastings and Plunger, 10 to 1 ; Otf Color and Plausible, 12 to 1 ; Blink: Bonny>- and V«?rgyj 14 to !•; Commotion, 1 H to 1 ; Hill Top and Broker, 20 to 1.