THE V.R.C. SPRING MEETING. [By TELEGRAPH.-COPYRIGHT.-REUTER.] [SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] [Received November 3, 1.35 p.m.] Melbourne, November 3.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1924, 4 November 1884, Page 2

THE V.R.C. SPRING MEETING. [By TELEGRAPH.- COPYRIGHT.- REUTER.]

[SPECIAL TO PRESS ASSOCIATION.] [Received November 3, 1.35 p.m.] Melbourne, November 3.

Melbourne, November 1. The above meeting commenced to-day. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance of spectators. The followiug are the results of the various races :—: —

MELBOURNE STAKES. Malua 1 The Plunger 2 Commotion 8

HARIBYRNONG PLATE. Newstead 1 Monte Christo 2 Burrilda 3

V.R.C. DERBY, Of 500 so vs., with a sweepstake of 25sovs. each added. Colts, Bst. 101b.; fillies, Bst. 51b. Distance, lh miles. Mr M. Jacobs' b cßufus, by King of the Ring—Princess Alice 1 Mr G. Davis b c David, by The Gondolier—Alice Drew 2 Hon. J. White's b c Bargo, by Maribyrnong—Guelder Rose . . . ..3 Betting : 5 to 4 agst Bargo, 5 to 1 agst Mozart, Bto 1 agst Seahorse, 10 to 1 agst Rufus and others. Eleven horses started, and the race was a good one throughout. Rufus ran a waiting race, holding the last position until entering the straight for the last time, when ho came up with a great rush on the outride, passed all the horses, and won by half a length, a length separating the second and third horses. Time, 2mins. 41^secs.

HOPHAM HANDICAP. Favo 1 Hastings 2 Anglesey 3

SELLING RACE. Royal Irishman •' 1 Stafford 2 Northern Light 3

COBURG STAKES. Josephine .. . . . . 1 Duration 2 Flying Jib . 3

The gieat mile and a-half race of the Australian colonies—the Victorian Derby —was run on Saturday, the winner turning up in Mr Jacob'« colt Rufus and the tune the slowest ninco 18S0. Veiy little indeed had been mentioned about the colt, and it was only during the last few day«, prior to the lace, chat he "stepped" a little into public favour, although a few of the "knowing ones" had tightly backed him some time previous. For doubles he seems to have been discarded altogether, and of all the Australian tipsters, only "Asmodous" in the Leader seems to have deemed him worthy of notice. Rufus, although having as it were, nothing great to his credit to wairant grand expectations, pioved himself full of the right sort of ine,tal when fie carried Bit and put an excellent iield of a dozen through for the Nursery Handicap at the Autumn Meeting of the V.R.C. Rufus is by King of tht> Ring—Princess Alice. 100 to 8 was taken about him before the race, and by his win the ring won heavily. The defeat of the favourite Bargo is another blow to the public, ns was the case last year, when they pinned their faith to Archie, who at one time during the race buoyed up their hopes, but upon en term? the straight suddenly collapsed, and although called upon failed to respond, dropping back intotherear. The owner of Rufus is a member of the Victorian Ring and is looked up by tho-,e batting fraternity. Mr Jacob's is the owner of Hilltop, and no doubt his hoiae will be made a favorite this afternoon for the Cup, for the withdrawal of Rufus from that ra:e snemed to point to the fact bhat Mr Jacobs has a tiump card yet in hand. In your Saturday edition I gave as my Derby Tip—Gratitude, Baigo, and Rufus and although I did not place the winner in his right position, still the fiist and ,second came out of the trio mentioned above. Regarding the Cup which event takes place this afternoon I must shelve the Hon. J. White's representatives although I had a fancy for Bargo on Saturday, and think that the winner of 18S4 will come from

Hilltop, Off Colour, Plunger, and Vergy. Blue Gown.

(Received November 3rd, 1 p.m) Latest Betting on the Cup. Melbourne, Monday.

It was very dull this morning, and nothing sensational took place, Lord Wilton wont round the course in grand stylo in 2.35, Bonnie Bee did a serviceable gallon at three quartern pace. Vergy went twice round splendidly, Bargo, Tremando, Hilltop, Lord Wilton, and Bonnie Bee was at 100 to 3to 100 to 4 taken, being backed for small amounts according to their running. The Plunger or Malua should furnish the Cup winner the former for choice. Lord Wilton, Bonnie Bee, Men man, and Anchorite, are the best outsiders. By Favor winning the Hothara Handicap, the ring were heavily losors. Newstead, the winner of the' Maribymong Pl.itc, was backed by his owner for sixteen thousand pounds.

7 to 1 agst Mania 8 — 1 • Tlio Plunger 12 — 1 Hastings 14 _ 1 off Colour 30 — 1 Vergy q — i . Blink Bonny