SPORTING. The Victorian Spring Meeting.
The V.R.O. Spring Meeting opens to-day at Flemington. The two most important features in the programme are the Derby and Maribyrnong Plate, and although the greatest interest by far is centred in the "Cup," the Derby is looked upon with an equal degree of pride by lovers of the turf, as affording a capital field and • some excellent racing, One hundred.and twenty-three were entered for the firfft named event — three more than for tn© Melbourne Cup— but probably not more than 23 or 24 will leave the saddling paddock and face th* starter. Of course there are always to be found a certain number who pin their faith to their fancy, and accordingly MrLee'a Somerset, Mr Driver's Somnus, and Mr T. Chirnside's Spinningdale have feeen in large request during the past few days, and the trio are now considered favorites. Somerset won the Banvon Stakes, 6 furlongs, with Bst. up, on the 29th January last, after a dead heat with Baltic, in lm. 21 455. ; ran second for the Ascot Vale Stakes, threequarters of a mile, which was won by Royal Mail in lm. 20£s. ; and at the A.J.O. Autumn Meeting won the Flying Handicap and Substitute Stakes. Somnus woij the Champagne Stakes at tbe Vvmv ,.
din Autumn Meeting, carrying Bst. 101b. in lm. 20^3. ; and the Christchurcb J.C. Autumn Champagne Stakes, same distance, in lm. 19^s. It will thus bo aeen tbat of the two the performances of the New Zealand horse, as regards » time, is better than that of Mr Lee'ft^repreeentativo. Mr T. (Jhirnside's Spinmugdftle, at last year's October meeting of the V.R.C., ran third in the Maribyrnong Plate, carrying Bst. 51b8., and ditto in the Flying Stakes ; but at the A.J.C. summer meeting won the December Stakes ; the Mare's Produce Stakes (N.S.W.), Champagne Stake, and the Sire's Produce Stakes, 7 furlongs, with Sat. 81bs. up in lm. 33— 3-10s. It will bo eeen from the above that there is not much distinction to be drawn from the merits of the three first favourites. - Still Mr Chirnside's nomination is dangerous, and as his horses aro trainedand timed upon his own private grounds it ia a difficult matter for the touts to get information, as it proved when Haricot won the Cup in 1874, completely outstripping the cluster, and winning the blue ribbon in a canter, whilst a tablecloth could have covered therein aindorracingupthestraight for second and third honours. I should not be surprised to see the winner turn up in Sohnus, with either Spixningdale or Somerset second. Blue Gown.
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Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1455, 29 October 1881, Page 2
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426SPORTING. The Victorian Spring Meeting. Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1455, 29 October 1881, Page 2
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