Auckland, Dec. 27.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 329, 29 December 1888, Page 5

Auckland, Dec. 27.

A pbominjsnt visiting turfite expressed the opinion to mela&tnighbthatthe Cuprace was really the best contest that he has witnessed in a big event during a lone experience in this colony. This opinion, X feel certain, will be shared by those who witnessed it. • The whole of the eleven starters were in it half-a-mile from home, despite the fact that the pace was very fast, which may be imagined when the mile and a-half was run in 2min 39sec, and the mile and three-quarters in 3mm s|sec. Tne only thing that marred the race was the mishap rounding the bend for home. There is no agreed opinion about the matter among the jockeys themselves, but one thing is certain that Lochiel was twice interfered with during the last half-mile, and on each occasion Nelson was> the immediate cauee of it. The mishap that occurred was also the means of Nelson coming down on his knees, and Manton fell and dislodged his rider, but fortunately they were not hurt. In a conversation I had with Clifford he complained bitterly of the way he was interfered with and to make matters worse, Katterns, the rider of Hilda, delibei-ately hit Lochiel over the head when the hotses were engaged in the final tussle. Atler the weighing-in, Clifford repeatedly expressed a wish publicly to protest against Kattein's conduct, but Mr Stead would not hear of the matter, simply because during his thirty years connection with the turf, he had never yet entered a protest in a race. There is not a doubt that the best horse won the Cup, and the opinion on the course was pretty unanimous that the result was not aflected by the midhap. Lochiel, the Cup hero, was got in Eng land, but fodled in New Zealand, and first saw the light of day at Russley (Christchurch), the stud farm of Mr G. G. Stead, his present owner. He did not shape in public until he was a three-year-old, his first appearance being in the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes. In this race he carried 7st 31b into third place behind Trenton (Bst 91b and Russley (Sst 61b). On the same afternoon he .yon the Conselation Handicap, in whicli he carried 7st 21b and beat Tale-bi-arer (7st), Taiaroa (Bst 41b), Administrator (7st 61b), and Take Miss (6st), covering the mile in lmin 44 l-sth sees. As a four- year-old Lochiel was kept quiet until the New Zealand Cup, when he was brought out with 7st 131b on his back, finished a good third to Fusillade ((ist 71b) and Adminstrator (Bst 111b.) It was said at the time Lochiel was not at his best, having only done easy work for some weeks previous. On the second day of the meeting Lochiel started first favourite for the Stewards' Stakes, in which he was handicapped at Bst 51b. In this race he finished second, Turqouise (9st 4lb) defeating him by a neck. In the Metropolitan Handicap, Lochiel carried 7st 121 band finished alongside of Spade Guinea (6st 51b) about forth, the places being gained by Pearl (7st 91b), Lady Emma (7st 51b), and Necklace (7st 91b. Lochiel again had a long spell, and did not take part in another race until the Spade Guinea's N.Z. Cup was decided, and once again he finished third, this time with Bst 21b, while the winner had 6?t 101b and Nelson 9st 101b, split tho p m it was thought that White rode Lochiel very injudiciously, as he was in iront from the fall of tne flag until a mile had been covered. In the Metropolitan Handicap with Bst lllb, Lochiel failed to make any show, and the race fell to Pasha, Bst 121b, who just beat Hermitage, Bst, by a head, with Marion, 7st 121b, a bad third. Lochiel was then brought up to Auckland to take part in the Cup, when he ran unplaced with 7st 121b, and was at once re-shipped toChristchurch. It will be fresh in the minds of turhteb how Lochiel won the Newmarket Handicap at Fiemington some twelve weeks later with Bst in the saddle, but in the Australian Cup, he failed to gain a place, Trident being first and Nelson second. Lochiol was brought back to Christchurch, and was kept till the following spring, when he won the New Zealand Cup, having been thrown in at 7st 121b. This event was memoiable for the protest entered by Mr D. OBrien that the Cup was run at a wrong distance. Lochiel once more went into retirement, and in the New Zealand Cup la^t run \ month he failed to gain a place with Bst 151b, but in the Canterbuiy Cup, he showed that he had not lost hi& face by limning third to Manton. His last achievement was yesterday, andhe certainly covered himself with glory, and disabused all doubts that he is nob a thorough stayer in a fast run race. Lochiel's extended pedigree will be found in the report of tho race meeting on page two.