Of the race for the Spring Stakes at the A.J.C. meetiDg "Augur" writes:—lt was generally admitted that Abereorn had never looked so well since be commenced his racing career. There was no sign of soreness as he paraded the paddock, and so delighted were his admirers when they saw him stripped that they laid a shade of odds on him. His stable com panion, Sinecure, did not receive much atten tion, but the New Zealander, Manton, was also as eagerly sought after as Abereorn, the Vic torians present being anxious so see what the visitor from Maoriland was like. Undoubtedly there was no better looking horse in the pad dock, but his condition seemed far from per fect; and, while admitting the excellence of his formation, the Victorians took good care not to invest any money upon him. Of Mr Gannon's pair Melos had most friends, but still the admirers of Abereorn laid odds on their pet, with satisfactory results. Sinecure cut out the work in the interest of his stable companion, and Melos followed him, Hales adopting his customary tactics with Abereorn, and lying off. Nothing was going better than the Australian Peer for a mile, when he sud denly collapsed, Ellis pulling off when he dis covered that the horse had again broken a blood vessel in tbe head. Melos disposed of Sinecure after entering the straight, and then Hales, who had been gradually moving towards the leader, challenged with Abereorn. A splendid struggle ensued, but Abereorn always had a trifle the best of it, and was landed a clever victor by a neck. Both horse and rider were loudly cheered as they returned to the weighing enclosure.
A Christchurch telegram states that Ray has resold Chain Shot to Mr Duncan Rutherford, of Amuri, for £650.
