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SLIEVE GALLION IS DEFEATED BY GALVANI. Lowering of the Colors of Englands Supposedly Best Youngster Gives the Derby an Open Aspect. Ip to two weeks ago all England was singing the praises of Slieve Gallion. Captain Greers black son of Gnllinule Reclusion was declared the best two-year-old in the land and followers of the turf saw iir him the favorite and possible winner of the Derby of 1907. But in the race for the Middle Park Plate at Newmarket, October 12, Slieve Gallion was so decisively conquered in a bruising contest by Major Loders chestnut colt Galvani, by Laveno Gallinaria, that the prospect for an open Derby is now said to be assured. The race was at six furlongs and the time given was 1:13:. Each colt carried 120 pounds, B. Dillon riding the winner and W. Higgs being up on Slieve Gallion. Traquair, QuAppelle and Gnome were the other starters and finished as named: "It is a most extraordinary thing to think that the once world famous Middle Park Plate, founded by Mr. Blenkiron, who gave in those days marvelous prices for his stallions at Middle Park, between Lee and I.llliani, should have gone a-begging, but this was the case yesterday," says the Lond Sporting Life of Octolvcr 13. "Slieve Gallion, who had liltherto swept the board, was thought to so far dominate the situation as to reduce the race to a certainty, and the trouble overnight was to find out what would enter the lists to oppose him. It was not until the morning that it was decided to run Galvani, and Lord Rosebery was in two minds as to letting Traquair, said to be touched in his wind, take his place, but in sportsmanlike style both were sent to make a race, while Gnome, amiss all the summer, but with, a defeat of Signet in a trial to his credit, and the three-cornered Quappelle, made up a field of five. Nothing looked better than the favorite, who is a perfect model of the racehorse, and was turned out from Beckhampton bright and well. Galvani looked fit and well, and Traquair was as fit as hands could make him. But nothing was deemed worthy of lowering the colors of Captain Greers black, and those who could not afford to lay 4 to 1 for the most part stood down. Another startling revelation which shattered a popular idol was brought about, and after the finish layers and backers looked aghast. , "With every chance the favorite, after Traquair had delayed the start, jumped on clear from Galvani and Lord Roseberys colt, and early on the latter was out of it. Dillon never rode a finer race in his life, as after getting there he twice felt his way coming into the Dip, and finding Galvani full of go steadied him for a final effort, which came half-way up the hill, when with the pair at top speed he let go. for all he was worth. Higgs, who had been keeping a bit up his sleeve, and was not to be bustled by his opponents tactics, now had to sit down in earnest, and both were at It hammer and tongs. The excitement was tremendous, and when at the end of the final sprint Galvani was shown as well as the angle will allow to have the best of it, a tremendous cheer went up from the Ring, repeated when the hoisting of No. 2 pnt the question beyond doubt. "Consternation does not describe the situation after the result, as Captain Greers colt was thought to be invincible, but the old adage of the pitcher going too often to the well was again proved; and after all, sportsmen cannot grumble at the increased chance of a very open Derby next year. Still, the Middle Park Plate has so rarely proved a stepping-stone to Epsom that it is possible that, as in several instances, we can afford to look it over. The King, who went into Slieve Gallions bor to see him stripped, was delighted with his grand appearance; as a horse cannot speak his trainer has to go by externals, and possibly the dentistry that the black had had to undergo at the experienced hands of Joe Marsh may have affected his running, as, though the trouble was at once set right to all appearances, he might have suffered from what in horses represents the toothache. Who knows?" Galvani was bred by his owner, Major Loder, and he li, trained by P. P. Gilpin, who prepared Spearmint for his success In the Derby of this year. The first time out the son of Laveno-r-Galllnaria ran unplaced Jn the Hurst Park Foii Plate, but he carried off his next two races, namely,-, -the Chesterfield Stakes, at Newmarket SecondTclyMeettrif,Wnd the International T. Y. O. Plate, at Kempton Second Summer Meeting. His next essay was in- the Breeders .Foal Plate at Kempton September Meeting, when he ran second to Lord Roseberys Bezon-ian, but he was again successful in his next race, the Imperial Produce Plate, at Kempton, October 5, and he followed up this success by his good performance in the Middle Park Plate. Here is Gal-vanis tabulated pedigree: . Stockwell. f Doneaster , i Marigold. g "I Thornianby. c s I Rouge Rose... J - 7 Ellen Home. 5 " V-Sweetmeat. f Macaroni - "3 I Jocose. S . a 1 r Thormanby. S H sunshine j S " "Sterling. ? o f Isonomy J 5 f 1 J Isola I5plln- O s I Hermit. "2 5 Moorhen i H, Sister to Ryshworth. ? Springfield, g r,r Morgan cj Morgiana. fc p I iBalornock Galopln. Sonsie Queen. In describing the action of the two colts, the Sporting Life says: "Whilst the knee movement of the black Is round, Galvanis is straight, and galloping much nearer the ground Major Loders deep-quartered chestnut takes nothing like so much out of himself, shaping a great deal more like a stayer, whilst his hindlleverage is perfection itself. In fact such propelling xwer has scarcely ever been possessed by a two-year-old. AVhat manner of horse this son of Laveno is likely to build up into, only time will show. Let us hope he will train on. The way Slieve Gallions neck and head is set on and the high way he carries his crest suggests that sprinting will always be his game." Some great horses hav won the Middle Park Plate. Here Is the list of winners for twenty years, together with the weight carried by each: 1887 Friars Balsam.. 120 1S97 DIeudonue 120 188S Donovan 120 1S0S Caiman 120 1889 Siguorina 12 1809 Democrat 12i 1890 Gouverneur ....12ti 1900 Florlform ......122i 1891 Orine ..129 1001 Minstead 1 122 1502 Isinglass 129 1002 Flotsam ... 133 1503 Ladas 129 1003 Pretty Polly.... 12i 1804 Speedwell 122 1004 Jardy 127 1805 St. Frusquin ...129 1905 Flair 12t! 1S0C Galtee More..,.12G 190G Galvani 129
