A Derby Favourite.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 284, 25 July 1888, Page 3

A Derby Favourite.

Bi'KMunv is ahead of the Old Countiy in racing matter--. Tho Bermudian Derby is over, and private advices arc coming in giving graphic descriptions of that gioat ovent. Firefly was the tavouritc. It started at a good price, though the figure is quoted with variations. It Avas either ' two bananas to threo inches of sugarcane, or ' two pumpkin^ 1o a tin of lobster,' on. Nor was tho warmth of Firefly's supporters without cause. In tho rh-st place, its j. ckcy (iSkinner is his name) was the only professional in the race, the others being officers of the garrison. In the next place, its previous performances were well known to the Bermudian public. Day by day in Hamilton this noble animal did its training exercise in the carb of a hawker of gingerbeer and lemonade , and when it rattled down the main-street, half the niggers on the side- walk were criticising its points and action. The success of Firefly wad therefore thoroughly popular, and in the enthusiasm ot the moment a coloured gentleman yelled out to one oi the soldier* — 'I guess om Skinner could beat your Archer !' This enthusiast was probably the sportsman who won the title of "The Plunger' by investing no Icsm a sum than six bananas upon Firefly. Just now, when the question of the Epsom course is being much talked of, it may be interesting to note that in Bermuda they are not by any means fussy over a wide sweep for their Derby track. The racecourse on which the Bermuda Derby is run is about for laps to the mile, so that the spectator, from almost any point, except the back of a tall, fat man", has a splendid view of the race.