T last the races were blessed with a beautiful day and yesterday's meeting—the Third Extra of the Shanghai Race Club—was a thorough success with good racing and close finishes thrilling the crowds from the first to the last race.
Favourites and well fancied ponies were generally in the money and the only serious set back that punters received was when a rank outsider in Charming Swift swept through the field to win at nearly 75 to 1 odds. Although many thought he looked fit when parading in the paddock only seventeen dared to risk their money on him.
The principal race of the day was the Leith Plate and Magic Circle fully justified all that was said of him "before the race and his 1065 backers by winning in fine style from Merrylight by two clear lengths while the same margin separated the latter from Gold Vase who was third.
The race was thrilling from the start when Night Express leapt into his customary lead. Corps Cavalry was the nearest to Night Express when the Loong-fei Gate was reached but wes nearly ten lengths behind. The field was well bunched behind Night Express with Windsor Lad. Magic Circle and Merrylight lying handy.
Night Express entered the straight with six lengths to spare but when the last furlong was reached Magic Circle and Merrylight swept past him to fight it out between themselves. Gold Vase came with a spurt opposite the stand to beat Night Express and take third place while Ancient Ensign who trailed the field all the way alẹ passed Night Express and finished fourth.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.