Bell's Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer (NSW : 1845 - 1860), Saturday 7 June 1851, page 4


Voltigeur v. The Flying

Dutchman.

B Y THE D R U I D.

The Turf's Own Regulars all seem uncommon

blithe and gay ;

The Yorkshiremen are flocking into Doncaster

to-day.

On the tongues of all, from cardmen to the son

of royal Guelph ( 1 ),

Is heard—" Who beats The Dutchman (2) must

be Beelzebub himself."

So thought the hosts at Ascot, as past the chair

he flew,

Some ten lengths first, and well nigh burst the

heart of Canezou ;

Still Lord Zetland and Job Marson thus the

maxim dared to doubt—

" A colt at Aske his powers can task, and send

his pride to rout."

"Ho !" quoth the Earl of Eglinton ; "ye

Richmond sceptics, know

The Flying Dutchman ne'er shall strike the tar-

tan to a foe !

For three race seasons not one steed his power

has dared to stem,

And your Voltigeur he'll vanquish o'er "New-

market's T.M.M."

Then thus outspake Earl Zetland—" Old Time

and Fate, I trow,

Are weaving Loger garlands for my Derby win-

ner's brow.

That o'er, fling down the gauntlet, and I'll

boldly take it up :

'Tis Old England against Scotland : the prize

shall be the cup.*'

Three months have fled, and Russborough has

proved himself no serf.

The "champions" twain are saddling, in their

boxes at the Turf. (3)

The slashing cripple Surplice a parting blessing

neighs,

Then anxious waits and ruminates on speed of

other days.

Tho second bell is ringing ; nigh the rails the

crowd are crushing ;

Up Grand Stand stairs the bulls and bears of Turf Exchange are rushing.

" Five to one upon Tho Dutchman !" is heard

amid the hum

Of scores of voices that proclaim the welcome

sound, " They come !"

First, Fobert leads his favourite, while close

upon his rear

Stalks Lanky Jack, while James the Black acts

as a pioneer ;

Mid air the dusky digits of that sporting exile

float :

A cutaway enfolds his form, a tartan tie his

throat.

" Make way, my friend ! The Dutchman ! the

Dutchman, gentlemen !

Volti.'s no use ¡ he'll cook his goose, 'tis a hun-

dred to a hen.

He'll get licked, Jemmy !" " You be banged !

he'll just win in a trot ;

For the Derby all the winter on him I put my

pot."

On Bobby Hill and Voltigeur, as guard of hon-

our, waits

'The stalwart Richmond Vulcan, who fitted on

his plates.

To tempt him, though the Nobbler-Kings of

Europe should combine.

He wouldn't "quick" his favourite for a Cali-

fornian mine.

Nat puts him in a canter—why, e'en a child

could know him—

For see how workman-like he tucks his hinder-

legs below him.

A cracker from the distance The Flying Dutch-

man shoots,

And gives the crowd a specimen of Ascot seven-

league boots.

Still a trio 'mong the gazers his winning chance

deride :

Says Billy Oates—" I can't tell why, I don't

just like his stride."

" This time of year, fresh young-'uns here in

Cup-luck know no bounds,"

John Day declares ; who Topham swears,

" He can't give nineteen pounds."

Now Marlow finds, to his dismay, his temper's

not too sweet—

As if there coursed throughout his veins a pre-

science of defeat.

Like Kirby's " Lazy Lanercost," the young-

'un coolly lags.

And never cares to budge an inch till " Down

go both the flags."

"Hats off ! hats off !" The Dutchman leads.

My conscience ! he's just flying :

'While Voltigeur pulls double, and some six

lengths off is lying.

Why, all the way from 'Mericay 'tis well nigh

worth a trip,

Without a penny on the race—by Jove ! there

goes Nat's whip ! (4)

Their prime "quick movement" o'er the flat

does many a keen eye follow.

The crack leads still, and skims the hill as

blithely as a swallow,

" Ten to one upon The Dutchman !" He need

never hope to catch him ,

He'll distance him to certainty. What horse on

earth can match him !

They're whizzing o'er the T.Y.C., and either scorns to flinch :

They've passed the Champagne Starting Post,

and neither gains an inch.

" The Dutchman in a canter ! Nat can't get

up. No—wait ;

He's bringing out the young-'un." They're

past the Intack Gate !

" He's catching him !—the young-un wins !"

now strike on Marlow's car ;

The Blacklock stride he dared deride is thunder-

ing in his rear—

He's at his girth—he's reached his head—he

wins ! The Dutchman's done !

They've passed the chair. For young Voltaire

up goes a welcome " I."

The Ring stands pale. Forth speeds the tale,

which many a doubt inspires ;

From east to west, from north to south, it

glances o'er the wires :

From Richmond unto Middleham this message

quickly passed—

" Your conqueror of conquerors has bowed his

head at last."

Ye backers of young Voltlgeur, boast not too

much his strength.

Though Flying Dutchman " burst himself,"

'twas barely half a length.

Doubt as ye will, his heart is still as game as

Spanish steel :

And o'er, Knavesmire 'gainst that verdict he

will enter an appeal. —

(1 ) Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence.

(2) Lord George Bentinck's oppression when he first saw The Dutchman run.

(3) The Turf Tavern, the intended scene of Surplice's harem. Oddly enough, these three horses stood there on that day.

(4) I believe Nat lost his whip as he passed

the Stand in the first round.

The Great ( Expected ) Season of 1851.— Every one is expecting to make a fortune in the Great Exhibition Season of 1851. Beds are, by anticipation, going up in the environs of London, and a large broker, in Broker's-alley, is selling so many bedsteads that he is making a fortune at full gallop with four-posters. Some body has oven proposed to make the bed of the Serpentine available, and perhaps it would not be a bad idea to throw a Mackintosh cover across the whole surface, and thus turn it into one of those water beds which are sometimes so strenu-

ously recommended by "the faculty." The plan would have the double effect of hiding an offensive object and promoting the convenience of the public ; while the Serpentine itself is well

adapted for the purpose of repose, as when any thing is said about cleansing the river the authorities seem determined to go to sleep upon it.— Punch.