FATAL ACCIDENT ON A RACECOURSE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1686, 14 January 1888, Page 3

FATAL ACCIDENT ON A RACECOURSE.

Sydney, January 2. At tlie Tattersall’s Club Eace Meeting atßandwick to-day, a vary serious mishap occurred in the race for the TattersaU’s Club Cup through some of the horses coining down; The course appeared to be in excellent condition, but most of the 1 accidents which hare occurred at Band wick have talran place at or about the very spot where the horses fell to-day. There is a slight dip in this portion of the course, which is a little more lumpy than in other parts* Most of the horsemen like to take up position when about a half mile or three furlongs from home, and hence the crowding .that takes place while roundingtheoend. Morphot,Despot, and sereral other horses have fallen at the same place during the last few years. The Cup was the principal event of the day, and was contested by a large field, ox whom The Queen and Silvermine were best favorites, with Acme next in demand. When the real racing began Beaumont was the pilot of the field towards the threefurlong post, where his immediate attendants were the Queen, Upper Cut, and Vespasia. Here through a cloud of dust it was seen that Yeapasia, Silvermine, and Invader had fallen, and it was evident that a most lamentable accident had occurred. A great race ensued from the home turn right up to the post between Acme and Beaumont, resulting in favor of the daughter of Chester by a head. When the accident occurred the horses were fairly settling down to the race, The pace had become very severe, and just as the field closed up near the three-furlong, post the. blue and brown of Vespasia was seen to disappear, and next moment the bright yellow of Silvermine crashed over horse and horseman, while Invader, who came next, turned a complete somersault over'the pair, and the trio fell in a confused and struggling mass; the fallen horses and riders and the clouds of dust marking the place where a terrible accident had occurred. Upon examination Robertson, the rider of Silvermine, was found lying on the ground on one side of his Men and helpless mount. He must have beenthrown with fearful violence* and was struck by the struggling horses on the back of the head, as the back of his skull was badly fractured, and be was quite unconscious. His collarbone was also broken, and he had received several contused wounds. J. Gough, the rider of Invader* and W. Doolan, who pilotedlYeapasia, fell clear of the stumbling animals, and escaped with a few cuts and bruises and a severe shaking. Of the horses Silvermine was the only one unable to rise, and it was some time before the owner and the trainer could be persuaded that tile life of one of the finest racehorses in Australia must be sacrificed. It was rendered quite clear on examination that Silvermme’s bask was broken, and it was a matter for regret that the poor animal was not put out of its suffering for some time after the accident. Robertson was conveyed to St. Yiucent’s hospital, where he "now lies in an unconscious condition, his injuries being so serious that he is not expected to live until tue morning. [A cable message has announced the death of Robertson.]