AND TIMES OF JOHN OSBORNE 



199 



first position. Perry Down pulled up very lame indeed, and this would account 

 for the sudden manner in which he retired when going so well. The hoisting of 

 the winning number was anticipated with the greatest suspense, but when No. 4 

 announced Pretender as the victor, the cheering was terrific, and the Northerners, 

 almost frantic with delight, surrounded the horse as he returned to weigh in, and 

 gave way to the wildest excitement. Pero Gomez and Wells came in for their 

 share of the applause, which was never more deserved. The time, as taken by 

 Benson's chronograph, was 2 min. 52$ sec. Net value of the stakes, 6225 sovs. 



" We cannot remember," said the Sporting Times, 

 " an occasion when the last three furlongs were covered 

 in quicker time than by the leading horses this year, 

 thus affording a striking contrast to the snail's gallop 

 of Lord Lyon's year, when the two leading horses 

 seemed a surprisingly long time in accomplishing their 

 task. This year they came along at a terrific pace, and 

 considering the weights the horses carried, we much 

 question whether a third of a mile of ground was ever 



