SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1918, Page 7

SPORTING.

ANOTHER GREAT STRUGGLE. A FLEMINGTON RECORD. As was generally anticipated, says The Sydney Sun, the Melbourne Stakes provided a great struggle, and a great horse —one of the best ever sent from England up to the middle distance —proved the victor. Desert Gold was favorite, Magpie was next in requisition, with Cetigne and Wolaroi the best fancied of the others.

The start was a very even one, with the exception that Panacre was left standing, and lost five or six lengths. Wolaroi was first to find his legs, and led for nearly a furlong, but Desert Gold, which had to go round on the outside of some horses, was in charge with nine furlongs to go. Then McLachlan started to pull Wolaroi up, and Cetigne ran past him, taking second place, with Wolaroi third, and the rest strung out in Indian file.

Desert Gold was two lengths in front down the side, where Cetigne was going well. But M.'iLaelilari was niggling at Wolaroi, which responded, and made a fine run before the turn, and quickly getting Cetigne into trouble took second place. k .. THE GAME" MARE.

Magpie was also moving up. Wolaroi gained so rapidly on Desert Gold that he was hailed as the winner at the top of the straight. For a hundred yards it looked as if he might beat the mare, but McLachlan had to resort to the whip, and his chance was gone. Magpie took Wolaroi's place, and. he set sail after Desert Gold. Going in great style, the mare hung on with her usual gameness, and there was a rare struggle for half a furlong. Then the English horse secured the mastery, and without being all out won by a neck, Wolaroi was a length and a half away, and the nearest of the others was Dick Meagher, who, without being hustled, put up a great race. Cetigne made his run too early in the race to have a chance. Hia game is coming from behind. Prince Viridis never looked a possibility, and Estland was always well back, while for Ethiopian it was only an exercise {rallop. The race was run in 2.4J, which is a quarter of a second oulside the time an Australian record.

Magpie is an imported black horse, foaled in 1914 by Dark Ronald son of Bayardo, sire of Bay Ronald, from Popinjay, by Saint Frusquin from Ohelandray, by Goldfinch (half-brother to Common) from Illuminated, by Rosicrucian, He is closely related to Neil Gow and Traquair, and was bred by Major W. Aster. He has an unbeaten record-in three!, races in Australia. He is trained by Richard Bradfield.