South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 3 August 1872, page 3


SPORTING.

THE DERBY -YF 1R79

FFrom the F?V-W.l .

In spite of the honourable member forFrome, who launched some tremendous diatribes against the turf the previous evening, 'fthe whole Commons of the realm/' and especially that

particular portion which are historically considered to be 'faithful,' mustered in great force— nay, in greater force than ever, so said Her Majesty's ' faithful' police this morning on Epsom Downs. The weather was most favourable, the road was largely used, and the trains more crowded than ever. It appeared to us that the Hill was more densely packed, and that the boundary line of the crowd was extended, while the throng at Tattenham Corner, and the whole line of the straight on both sides, formed a compact mass. But after all it was much the same as it has. been any time these last 20 years, since the means of locomotion have been so greatly increased and simplified; and perhaps we should find, if by any means we could get at correct figures, that it has seen little deviation during that period. One Derby Day tells another ; there is pretty much the same crowd- and there is, curiously enough, pretty much the same sport— a wonderful sameness in the incidents appertaining to each. To the sportsman who really loves and knows something about a horse, the Epsom Paddock is still perhaps the most enjoyable scene in the land ; and yet, the gods be thanked, the paddock is not what it used to be. The Jemmy Jessamiea with their green veils and white zephyrs have given it up, and seek more congenial company on the tops of their drags, or in the privacy of their boxes; while Squire Heathcote's mob of free-list subscribers no longer charge every horse which enters the lower gate. And on Wednesday, with one exception, almost every horse did show in the paddock, and as the field was saddled early and paraded for some halfhour there was as good an opportunity for looking over the crack as of the veriest outsider in the race. Mr. Matthew Dawson, however, chose to repeat the tactics which he adopted with Kingcraft, and Lord Falmouth's pair were merely hurried through the paddock early in the day to be hidden away elsewhere until taken to the post. But, remembering that Queen's Messenger was neither first nor second favourite, nor anything like such a public fancy as Prince Charlie or Cremorne, it is difficult to understand why these two famous nags should face the paddock and the other sneak out of it. One would have thought that so good and popular a sportsman as Lord Falmouth would not countenance such little selfish acts on the part of his people ; or, if horses are expected to saddle together, and are required to canter up, why should any very particular person be permitted to break this rule ? The only good reason we could assign for not exhibiting Queen's Messenger would be that the horse did not strip near so well as he did when he ran in the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes. He was manifestly over-marked, and ran and finished as he looked— a stale, jaded horse. He is still a finish, taking animal to the eye, with a handsome head and neck, and good depth at his heart ; but, trained so light as he was for the Derby, he was at best a bit of a peacock, showing a deal of daylight under him, and standing with his hocks high from the ground. Amongst the first to creep up oh the other side and to share the public gaze were Drummond and Wenlock, of whom the chesnut was far the more fancied. In his clothes, what with his fine lengthy quarters, so beautifully let down to his hocks, Drummond is a really good-looking horse; but he did not strip so evenly, as ha takes something after the ungainly forehand of his sire. Wenlock, a plain sluggish animal, and a very slovenly walker, made but a few friends in the paddock, but he did a deal better when extended, and was quite another horse in his gallop. One of the next out was the prettiest horse in the race, the really beautiful Bertram, not merely handsome in himself, but in the very perfection of condition, as the lights play on his bright healthy coat; he is, to be sure, not a big one, -and a trifle light in his middle-piece, but he has already run well over Epsom under difficulties, and good judges, amongst whom we of course count ourselves, go and back him for a place. And now, setting a good example to his brother and other such over-knowing folks, here comes Joseph Dawson on his hack, clearing the way for the favourite, who fairly towers above the others. But, to our mind, Prince Charlie neither looks so blooming nor carries himself so confidently as' he did just a month back. There is something even of depression in his staid demeanour, a lack-lustre in his eye, and, great though be bis stride and magnificent his action, there is mechanical tameness in his canter up, which of itself does not augur well. Then, grand as is his appearance, a big horse without coarseness, he is on too large a scale to realize our notion of a Derby nag; while his small mean eye quite spoils his head, narrow as this is in the jowl, and set on badly and throaty to his neck. There is an unmistakable thickness here which tells too truly of his infirmity; and after it was over there was a look of actual agony in his expression, as if the hill and the pace had almost suffocated him. A niceish nag is my Lord Royston's Ruffle, a clever compact horse, a little loaded in his neck, whose mission is to clear the way for the far handsomer Almoner, a very racing, greyhound-like little 'un, fuil of blood and wire, with a certain memento of the elegant Mendicant about him, and whose hind limbs, from the hip to the ground, might make a study for the artist or anatomist. A good-sized useful animal is Landmark, rather high on the leg; but distance's black jacket would seem to throw its shade over his usually cheerful countenance, and it reads like a forlorn hope. There is not a great deal of that quondum quack Laburnum, and he lacks muscle, but still he has all the air of a racehorse, with plenty about him to warrant the promises and vows once made in his name; whereas Helmet looks an impostor; Vanderdecken is light and stilty; and Raby Castle a wretched ragjjed hack. Young Sydmonton again, with his grass carcase, would promise to be more in place among the Yeomanry Cavalry than running for the Derby. Statesman is short, high, and vulgar; and Westland, with some nice points, looks a deal more like carrying a lady in the Row than distinguishing herself on the turf. The foreigner, Condor, has a back long enough to carry two or three more jockeys behind the saddle, and a common plating character about him that would scarcely warrant sending so far to import so little. The neat, soft Druid, too, must have been terribly over-talked about, as he shows no pretensions to first-class form, and Mr. Astley mounts Cbaloner on the nameless brother to Flurry, a never-heard-of outsider, which is as little fancied as the Frenchmen, and that is saying a big word, too. But this, if appearances go for anything, cannot be any rank outsider's day— that is, if you ever saw Cremorne gallop. Mark that strong, resolute, and yet oily action! See how he gets his hind legs under him, and note how he is framed for facing the rise and fall of Epsom. Amongst such a lot of high, leggy animals he is a particularly low, lengthy horse, wiry and muscular, but not overmarked, and though he saunters 'along with all the cool hauteur of the thoroughbred, this is not the languor of Prince Charlie, nor the weariness of Queen's Messenger. He is the most improved horse of the three in the interim since they last met; he is the best bred horse in the race; he has quite the 'cut' of a Derby nag; and if he will but bear squeezing he must win. Cremorne does not take much after his now twice-famous sire, that restless 'dumpling1' Parmesan, who is continually climbing, and fretting, and pacing about bis box at Rufford, like a squirrel in a cage. The Derby winner has a better style about him, either in looks or manners, and although it was 'a squeak' after all, the promise of the Paddock was by no mean3 belied by the result of the race. 'With Prince Charlie out of it the field was a bad one, and that Makeshift second may be symbolical of the fact. The ninety-third Derby was run over a partly new course, at least as far as the commencement was concerned. Instead of starting out of the hole, where they have began since 1843, the post is now on the upper ground to the right, and is certainly not such a trying one, inasmuch as there is not the severe hill to begin with. Sim Templeman, the last jockey who won over the old course in 1847 (then commencing the other side of the hill, behind what is now Mr. Sherwood's cottage), when he scored a double victory in Derby and Oaks on Co3sack and Miami, and who repeated that performanse the next year over the new coursa (the one just abandoned) on Surplice and Cyraba, was ther^

to-day, a hale old man of 66, to see the inauguration of a yet newer one. Sim must be struck tvith other things besides the change in courses, ind looks, vfe should think, with wondering eye3 )n the jockeys of the present day, the toilettes, md their valets. In his time the weigbing-room ind its appliances were rousfh affairs; a jockey lad to look after his own effects, and he was lot, put on a thousand to nothing if he won. irVe live in luxurious days now, and our modern ockeys would scorn the humble tips which Sim ?eceived. But strangers looked with much nterest on such an old and respected repre.entative of the past as Sim Templeman, and nore than one member of the Jockey Club jointed him out[as one sans peurel sans rejyroche. iVe hope the rising generation of light weights nay inherit his mantle, but we have our doubts. And now, as the hour draws nigh, Mr. Superin;endent Mott is giving his orders, and bis able ttaff are moving up and down, and putting ;hbgs en train for that clearing of the course vhich is one of the wonders of the Derby Day. [t is an old story; but as every year the lifficulties increase, so the more wonderful is it iow the thing is done. But it is done at last; ;he last man, woman, and child have been jacked away somewhere; the last insane fool lasmade that frantic dash across the course vhich appears to be thought the proper thing to lo on these occasions; and the three-and-twenty :ompetitors, with Cremorne at their head, ire seen emerging- from the paddock. Jremorne was followed by the French horse Dondor, and then came Vanderdecken, Westand. Marshal Bazaine, Eaby Castle, Wenlock, [landmark, &c, till the commanding figure of Prince Charlie drew all eyes away from the rest. Ee took his canter, moving over the ground ike clockwork, and perhaps next to him Mmoner, Wenlock, Cremorne, and Laburnum pleased people most, though few were inclined to trust the latter shifty gentleman. One of the prettiest sights of the day was when the ittle troop were marching through the woody lefile of Langley Bottom down to the post, and it only wanted a little more sun to be perfect. Never did horses behave better than all did at the post. Prince Charlie is the quintessence )f sedateness and good temper, like [his sire, md his example appears to have good effect on the others, for scarcely a tail whisked, there was not a single lash out, and Mr.jMcGeorge got them away at the first attempt. Every one said it would be a cracking pace, and so it was, Westland rushing to the front, followed by Drummond, Almoner, [and Crediorne, behind whom was Prince Charlie, lying well up. Patriarch, who was started to make running for Queen's Messenger, and Ruffle, who was to do Sine same good turn for Almoner, failed signally in their attempts, and the pace from the first was too good for either of them. One of the first beaten, too, was the 'dangerous' outsider Marshal Bazaine; and, indeed, the pace soon Pound out the impostors. Laburnum, Helmet, md The Druid were never seen, nor were Landmark, Vanderdecken, Young Sydmonton, Juainton, &c. Cremorne was always well in front; and coming down the hill— that point rrhich was considered to be the one of danger — Prince Charlie was evidently ejoing so well that tiis backers hugged themselves with the idea that he was going to walk in; but, as he ?ot to the bottom and began to rise the ascent for home, he was seen to falter, and the usual cruel, almost bloodthirsty yell of the fielders. 'The favourite's beat !' rent the air. Cremorne and Wenlock were the two who were going best as they neared the Bell, where Wenlock's retirement 3eemed to leave the race at the mercy of Mr. Savile's horse. But there came danger from a most unexpected quarter. The Makeshift colt— who had been running very green all through, and had moreover, been interfered with by a scrimmage at Tattenham Corner, compelling Chaloner to take him out wide at the turncame with such a rush opposite the Stand that Maidment had to sit down and ride Cremorne. It was an anxious moment, but he managed to land him by a head, though directly they had passed the post the Makeshift colt was in front, and there can, we think, be no doubt that if he bad not been such a baby, and had not to run wide at the turn, he would have won: then indeed the bookmakers would have shouted, for he was only introduced into the market on Monday, when a leading member of the ring laid Mr. Payne 10,000 to 100 Against him. He was one of the most abused horses in the race before it was run, and certainly is no beauty to look at; but doubtless opinions will be changed about him now. The win of Cremorne was most popular. For the last two years, indeed, we have had to chronicle nothing but popular wins; for who did not rejoice to see such sportsmen as Lord Falmouth and Baron Rothschild carrying off the honours they had so long striven for ? And now perhaps comes the most popular of the three, for Mr. Savile has won his first Derby, and the fortune he has courted so long and so pluckily has smiled at last. We trust it is only the commencement of a more prosperous turf career. Derby Stakes of. 50 sovs. each, h. ft. for three-year-olds; colts, 8 st. 10 lbs.; fillies, 8 st. 5 lbs. The second received 300 sovs., and the third 150 sovs. out of the stakes; \\ miles, starting at the New High Level starting-post; 191 subs. Mr. H. Savile's b.c. Cremorne, by Parmesan — Rigolboche, by Rataplan (Maidment) ... 1 Mr. J. N. Astley's br.c. by Y. Melbourne, out of Makeshift (Flurry's dam) (Chaloner) 2 Lord Falmouth's b.c.?rQueen's Messenger, by i Trumpeter— Queen Bertha (T.French) ... 3 Other starters— Mr. I. Woolcott's b.c. The Druid, Lord Royston's b.c. Ruffle, Mr. Jos. Dawson's ch.c. Prince Charlie, Lord Falmouth's b.c. Patriarch, Mr. W. Nicholls's ch.c. Eaby Castle, Mr. Hatfield's b.c. Quainton, Mr. E. A. Hope's b. or r.c. Y. Sydmonton, Lord Aylesford's b.c. Vanderdecken, Mr. John Parry's b.c. Marshal Bazaine, Mr. Bruton's br.c. Landmark, Baron Rothschild's b.c. Laburnum, Mr. Holdaway's bLc. Westland, Duke of Beaufort's br.c. Almoner, Mr. Lefevre's ch.c. Drummond, Lord Wilton's b.c. Wonlock, Mr. G. G. Keswick's b.c. Helmet, Mr. A. C. Barclay's b.c. Bertram, Mr. T. E. Walkers b.c. Statesman, Mr. Somerville's br.c. Miierrimus, M. Delamarre's ch.c. Condor. Betting— 5 to 2 agst. Prince Charlie, 3 to 1 agst. Cremorne, 6 to 1 agst Queen's Messenger, 8 to 1 ag&t. Wenlock, 25 to 1 agst. Marshal Bazaine, 25 to 1 agst. Drummond, 33 to 1 agst. Almoner, 40 to 1 each agst. Druid and Laburnum, 50 to 1 each agst. Brother to Flurry and Bertram, 66 tol agst. Helmet, 100 tol each agst. Young Sydmonton, Vanderdecken, Landmark, Condor, and Statesman, 1,000 to 8 each agst. Westland and Miserrimus, and 1,000 to f agst. Raby Castle. The numbers of the twenty-three runners were exhibited within a few minutes of 3 o'clock, and shortly after, the course having been cleared, they were seen leaving the paddock, headed by Cremorne and Statesman, the others following in Indian file, with the exception of Queen's Messenger and Patriarch, who, having bean saddled at Sherwood's stables, were seen trotting up the hill to meet the rest. The preliminary canters having been performed, to the evident satisfaction of the supporters of the favourites, who certainly exhibited the perfection of training, they returned to the paddock, and shortly afterwards appeared, and denied through Langley Bottom, where the sun, shining on their variegated colours, produced a sylvan picture worthy the pencil of a Landseer. The start was soon effected, and Westland, on the extreme right of his horses, took up the running, having Almoner and Drummond as his immediate attendants for the first hundred yards, wien Almoner was pulled back, and the French representative went on second with Wenlock; close in their wake were seen the colours of The Druid, Cremorne, Young Sydmonton, Ruffle, and Almoner in a body, Prince Charlie and Vanderdecken en the outside being at the head of the second division ; ..while Marshal Bazaine and Statesman were just' in advance of the rearward lot, which comprised Queen's Messenger, Laburnum, Landmark, Quainton, Condor, and Helmet. As they emerged from behind the hill Wenloek drew up to within a length of Westland, while Drummond and The Druid, giving way, left Crennirne in the third place, Almoner following him in advance of the favourite, close up to whom came Vanderdecken, Ruffle, Young Sydmoaton, Statesman, and Patriarch, with Quainton tailed off a hundred yards; the latter shortly after was pulled up, and when fairly in the open course Marshal Bazine was. completely settled. As they approached th$ milepo3t ths competitors began to exhibit ths effect of the naw, whicfe was first-rate, &M they tmnw

widely separated; shortly after a scrfmage occurred, in which Ruffle hung so much as to drive Brother to Flurry on' to Bertram, who in turn cannoned against Queen's Messenger, just as French was bringing the latter up on the inside, and he was knocked out of his stride, and in consequence lost his place. Commencing the descent of tho hill Westland somehow increased his lead, and was followed at the point by Cremorne, Wenlock and Drummond nearly abreast, Vanderiecken and Prince Charlie side by side next, with Queen's Messenger, Brother to Flurry, Bertram, and Statesman still keeping company it the head of the ruck. In this order they came sweeping down the hill, their progress being most eagerly watched by those who stood committed to' the fortune of Prince Charlie, fhe latter, however, was seen to keep his place, md came round Tattenham Corner on the Bxtreme right of the leaders, but immediately ifter Osborne was seen to be at his horse, ana at once a tremendous shout from the Grand Stand announced the defeat of the favourite. He shortly after disappeared from the front, and Cremorne, having settled the pretensions of Westland, cam© into the straight with a clear lead of Wenlock on the lower ground, with Drummond, Queen's Messenger, Brother to Flurry, Bertram, and Statesman following the two in a body; but as they crossed the road Drummond retired, followed in a few strides further by Bertram, thereby leaving the issue with the four. At the distance Wenlock was seen in trouble, and immediately after French brought up Lord Falmouth's colt, md split the two, and heading Lord Wilton's horse, drew up to the leader; but it, this moment another opponent Appeared on the scene, for Chaloner brought up the Brother to Flurry, who speedily disposed of Queen's Messenger, and, challenging Mr. Savile's colt in the centre of the Stand, the issue hung in the balance to the last stride, the verdict of the Judge being in favour of the popular favourite by a head only. Mr. Astley's colt defeated Queen's Messenger by three lengths for the second money, the latter being about a length in advance of Wenlock. Then came Betrtram fifth, Statesman sixth, and Prince Charlie, beaten some distance, seventh; Young Sydmonton eighth, Vanderdecken ninth, Miserrimus tenth, Almoner eleventh, and Ruffle twelfth. To these succeeded at wide intervals Helmet, Marshal Bazaine, and Raby Castle, whipped in by The Druid, Laburnum, Westland, Condor, Drummond, and Landmark, as we have named them, with Quainton walking in with the crowd. Value of the stakes £4,850. Time as taken by Dent's chronometer, 2 min. 45 sec.