SPORTING NOTES FROM VICTORIA.

(Bi Ouk Special Melbouhkb Spobtino COEEESPONDBNT " OLYMPUS.*') Melboujrne, June 28. JUBILEE ! AYE JUBILEMUS. , AyM me ! (as they say in the Spanish) what a fearfu 1 thing it. is, this Buffering .a recovery. Now, I; don't mean that to be taken in the •rdiaary acceptation of the term— a saving clause I feel.compelled to' put in to 'escape one' of those scathing editorial notes to /which I have been subjected on various occasions .since writing for the Otago Witness. < But I mean getting back uito Harness after a surfeit of -sport. • Formatter all, Britpns take' their pleasure badly, They make too much' of a labour of it. ' Take Juoilee iDay as an example. Not content with shivering and shaking at the races at Caulfield, or at the football match'onthe Melbourne Cricket Ground, the unpromising aspect' of the weather did not prevent the habitans in' Victoria flocking into Melbourne— a quarter of a million strong— to see about the "pussiest" thing in the way of illuminations that could well be imagined. It's no use gushing over'itythe 1 thing was a dismal farce. Granted *-that jthe General Post-office, with its 'electric lighted coloured lamps forming "God Save* the Queen," a 'very pretty icrown, arid " Long May She Reign," was very pretty and appropriate, outside that, the Treasury,' and M'Lean -Bros/ and Rigg, the least said the better.'* Some '« gentle zephyrs" proved altogether too strong fof the ordinary' gas devices, and the coloured lamps, with which' most of.' our pnblicl buildings; banks, and merchants? stores •were decorated fell far below what might • reasonably have been f expected. ■ Imprimis— as the illuminating power was a cotton wick they' took »n interminable time to light op ; andaecundus—a delightful Scotch mist (something like what I 'have" experienced in " Invercargill * when' the weather has been favourable) effectually put a damper 1 on- such of • those as escaped being squelched' outright. However,' never '-say; die. And;;albeit l a goodly npmber of the loyal.subjects of -her Most Gracious- Majesty in Melbourn^ removed the')*'filthy evidences of 'their "crime "as early as possible on Wednesday morning, there are not wanting those whoiritepd to see the matter 'out to^the bitter- end,- and; have another illumination this evening, when doubt-

less better management will ensure a more commendable result. RACING. We have had a very good innings at this game, the Victorian Club winding up the Jubilee week with a sterling meeting at Caulfield on Saturday. The weather was unpropitious, the clouds hanging low and loweringly. la addition to this, there were two great counter-attractions in football matches — Carlton v. South Melbourne, on the Melbourne Cricket Club ground, and Essendon v. Geelong, onthe East Melbourne Club ground. Still there was a pretty fair attendance on the classic heath — about the only place (owing to its sandy soil) a race meeting could have been brought off anywhere near the metropolis after the late soaking rains we have experienced. Good fields were the order of the day, and, taken altogether, the " hard faces " were more than ordinarily successful in spotting the winners. An innovation that caused some perplexity for a time was ushered in by the judge's box (which formerly stood diametrically opposite the winning-post) being placed slightly diagonal to it. The idea is to place the horses on the outside on the same equality as those hugging the rails, and so to try and prevent the scrambling there always arises at the turn for home .to get an inside position, and which, there is not the shadow of a doubt, has been mainly instrumental <in causing so many accidents. As I stated before, the public got a bit mixed as to the first and second horses, notably so in the Victorian Club Handicap, once round the course. For this 20 marshalled in front of Tom Watson, who officiated in the absence of " our George." It was a slashing betting race, Mr S. G. Cook's chestnut three-year-old gelding, The Yeoman, starting first favourite at 4 to 1, followed by Bagman at s's, Ringmaster at 6's, Salvo at B's, and The Nun and Jocular at 10's. The Yeoman is the animal I wrote you anent some few weeks back as being intended for the hurdle race business. Since then he has run into third place in a couple of sprint events, getting away on each occasion rather slovenly off the mark ; but; on Saturday, under the able guidance of Sammy Cracknell, he secured a clever victory by a short head from Ringmaster, who was followed home by I 0 U and Fernandez, both close up. The win was accomplished in Cracknell's best style, for 50 yards from homejit was a guinea to a gooseberry against The Yeoman getting through the field ; but I 0 U and Ringmaster opened out a little, and Samuel taking advantage of the position brought the ponderous son of The Englishman and Springtime up with a regular Tyropean rush, and just nicked them both. It was a bib of hard mozzel for young Jimmy Wilson, as it lost him his double, IOU having earlier in the day disposed of Damocles, Highland Chief, and 17 others in tne Flying Handicap, of five furlongs and a-half. The Hurdle Race, which was won by Revenge, didn't throw much light on forthcoming events, the Captain (Armstrong) being very much about during its settlement. Tom Corrigan landed the Steeplechase very comfortably from The Irishman, Sweetmeat, and five others, and now that his bay gelding Promotion, has thoroughly learnt the royal road to winning, we may expect to see him repeat his performance at no very distant date. Promotion is a five-year-old by Postmaster. The annual meeting of the Victoria Racing Club takes place at Menzies' on Monday, the Ist day of Augusb next, and in that connection a notice of motion to !»e then discussed has been given under the joint signatures of Messrs W. Pearson and G. Davis to the effect — " That the 33rd rule of racing be repealed, and that the following rule be substituted therefor : That the minimum weight to be carried by any horse in any handicap flat race be 6st 71b." The thing is bound to be thoroughly threshed out, and although I am personally in favour of the readjustment proposed, I cannot shut my eyes to the fact that there is a very strong contingent of sporting men dead against its adoption. An exhaustive leader appeared in last Saturday's Australasian pointing out the evils arising from the present low minimum scale, and this no doubt will have much weight with the irresolutes. Some months back Mr William Bailey, of Ballarat, purchased a Tasmanian two-year-old named Silverton (by The Assyrian — Silverthread) for 800g8 and a f urbher consideration provided he sported the blue riband of the Victorian turf on the last Saturday in October. Good judges declare that Silverton is far and away the best two-year-old ever seen in Tasmania, and it must have been extremely annoying to his plucky owner when the colt developed a curb. The recent wet weather seems to have been conducive towards the production of these " objectionable excrescences " (as friend " Augur " dubs them), for Trenton at Caulfield, and Bravo, Sir Launcelot, and Silverton at Ballarat, have all been blistered therefor. Hewever, after a slight respite, the quartette are all exercising again. Mentioning Trenton reminds me that that doughty warrior is evidently getting into Al trim again, for whilst exercising last Friday he got rid of his rider and covered a merry Newmarket distance ere he was secured again. THE MELBOURNE CUP. Mr Barnard had the weights for the great spring eyent of the year out betimes yesterday, and, as usual, they were picked to pieces. You can't grapple a handicap of that description over the breakfast table— it will take a full week to put this and that together. Nevertheless the production must be pronounced a particularly happy one, for the more yon study it the more difficult appears the solving of the enigma Commencing with the top weights, Trenton and Nelson, at 9st 91b each, no fault can be found with their apportionment ; and if it appears a little rough on Trident to have to carry as a four-year-old within a pound of such approved good ones, his performances | quite warrant his impost. Still, all things being equal on the day, I am positive your New Zealanders will finish in front of the son Robinson Crusoe and Cocoanut. Last year's winner, Arsenal, with Bst 81b, reads fairly well ; for it must not be forgotten that the stable affirm he was altogether off his oats when he scooped the pool; last year. JNathless, should Fryingpan see the post in anything like condition— which he will if » the bowed tendon " does not interfere with him— l would much prefer his show ; for the Goldsbrough— Powder J horse is a bit of an m-and-out customer, whilst the son of Bethnal Green and Saucepan is game to the death. Prettily weighted are Silvermine and The Jewel at Bst 31b, whilst Grace Darling at Bst 21b puts you in mind of 3min 29|sec. I am not enamoured of The Bohemian at 7st 131b, nor of Ben Bolt at 7st 121b, as I consider that David, on the same mark— that's if he is the David of old— holds them both extremely safe. Crossfire and Bravo at 7st 91b must be classed dangerous, and Thunderbolt always filled my eye so pleasingly thab I should like to see him at his very best with only 7st 81b on his back. Surely Mozart must have quite lost his three-year-old brilliancy if he cannot acquit himself ai } more than credit ably with 7st 41b in the +WV-' aad M l keep y et hardening my heart that his performances of late years have been altogether too bad to be true, I shall stand him once more. Yabba brings with him from Queensland a good— but rather unenviable— reputation, so he will have to slide; but a, gentleman of

Meteor's capabilities might effect a surprise with 78t 21b. Affluence has done as good work on the Flemington training tracks as one could wish to see ; but he has never yet displayed the same form in a race. Still, 6st 111b is such a nice little weight for a five-year-old that I am almost tempted to put him' on my list, until I look at the three below him of the same age, and go for Remus, Phaon, and Krupp instead. Remus is a special fancy of mme — perhaps on account of his upsetting a nice little pot ' I had on a couple of years back (next spring)] when I fancied Arsenal couldn't lose the Mares'' Produce Stakes. That was a mile and a-quarter race for three-year-olds, with Bst 101b up/ Remus won, with Arsenal second ; and as the distance was traversed in 2min 12sec, it was' no'smouch of a victory, I can tell you. I still believe that Arsenal would have won had he not most unmistakably shirked it a furlong from home ; but with vivid recollections of the race still before me I must give the progeny of Gang Forward and old Romula something more than a good look-in for the Melbourne Cup of 1887. Dividend has been first past the post quite often enough to set one a-thinking how it came to pass that he oaly got 6st 71b allotted to him. Perhaps it was on account of his sire being Bolton Green ; but then his dam was the dam. of Wellington (Frou Frou), and I think that in horses, as in South Sea Islanders, the genealogy comes direct from the dam's side. You 'see there's a deal more certainty about it. Therefore I shall give Mr S. G. Cook a double-bar-relled gun with Remus and Dividend. And now I have come to the end of my tether with the exception of the three-year-olds. And with these I must confess I am hopelessly at sea. Our two-year-old form last season was in no way brilliant. The successive victories of. Hortense proved indisputably that the form of our juveniles was not according to Cocker. Certainly we have a number of them engaged in the Melbourne Cup who have never been thoroughly extended yet ; but we have nothing to guide us in making a selection from amongst the lighter-weighted division — from whom, if the winner is to hail from the ranks of the then three-year-olds, it is almost certain to come. None of your Hortenses, or Abercorns, or Matadors, or -Majaras, or Sextants, or Moorhouses for me. I will allow the weight to bring any two-year-old at or under 6st 121b home in' the next Melbourne Cup, and were I to select my fancy I should go for Whakawai, Escutcheon, Bedouin, Tranter, Bangle, Pakeba, or Bowmont. And were any one of these I have named to run well up second for the V.R.C. Derby, do you not think I would have a bit in hand — even although it might turn out as deceitful as did the stone difference between Grand Flaneur and Progress. There you have my ideas. I stand or fall by the following two-and-twenty, just about the same number that I struck it plumb centre in for Melbourne Punch this time last year:— Trenton, Nelson, Fryingpan, Silvermine, The Jewel, Grace Darling, David, Crossfire, Bravo, Thunderbolt, Mozart, Remus, Phaon, Krupp, Dividend, Whakawai, Escutcheon, Bedouin, Tranter, Bangle, Pakeha, and Bowmont. Of course there are other Maorilanders I know absolutely nothing about. THE GRAND NATIONAL MEETING. The same day the weights for the Grand National Steeplechase meeting made their appearance. The Maiden Hurdle Race is not a handicap, but horses who have never started in a hurdle race are allowed 71b. We have two splendid "maidens" in The Yeoman and Hogmapay, both of whom fly the hurdles in their stride. Despite Sheet Anchor and 18 others being entered, I think one or other will win. The Yeoman for choice. The Maiden Steeplechase is a very open event, but I like Magnolia and Kildare as well as anything else in it. The Grand National Hurdle Race should produce a great contest between Blue Mountain, Aristides, Sir Launcelot, Ocean, Mackay, Whalebone, Dragon, Trent, Friction, and Earimli ; -and if the latter (who is a four-year-old, full brother to Duration and Dizzy) only goes straight he ought to win, but he has a nasty temper of his own. Failing him, last year's winner, Ocean, must take some shaking off with lOst 101b in the saddle; and providing Friction has safely.recovered a contretemps at Caulfield on Monday, when he collided with another horse in the Hurdle Race and ruptured a small blood-vessel, I think they will each gain positions. The Grand National Steeplechase looks a real good think for Lizette with 12st 21b ; although Dragon and Kangaroo both come with good intercolonial credentials — the former from New South Wales and the latter from Tasmania. The Selling Race I wouldn't like to touch with a potstick. Nor the Flat Race either, till I see what way the feline (or unfeeling) animal is bounding. FOOTBALL. Mr H. B. Swift, the secretary of the South Melbourne Football Club, died on Jubilee Day, so that the match between the South Melbourne F.C. and Essendon, on the East Melbourne cricket cround, was postponed, which turned out trumps for Melbourne and Carlton, who were vicing for supremacy on the Melbourne ground, the contest resulting in a victory for Carlton by 5 goals to 2. Over £500 was taken at the gates. Last Saturday Carlton and South Melbourne played on the Melbourne Cricket Club's ground, the proceeds being devoted to Mrs Swift and her family. It was a terrible ground to play on, no standing on it at all ; but still the athletes kept at it ding-dong, Carlton prevailing the first half, but being completely nonplussed towards the close of the game. Result: A draw — 2 goals 4 behinds each. The sum coming to Mrs Swift will be over £300, the Melbourne Cricket Club; although their ground was turned into a ploughed field, generously foregoing any share out of the receipts. CarH-on are premiers as yet, having played eight matches, won seven, and drawn one. They play Port Melbourne on Saturday, and then pay a visit to Adeliade. Geelong were lucky enough to escape with a draw against Essendon on Saturday. Miles' Boy says there was too much loyalty displayed by some of the more prominent members of their team during jubilee week. . I told you before that Dreamy Hollow was waking up. COURSINGK W. S. Cox's Jubilee Stakes at Moonee Valley has completely knocked the stuffing 1 out of the Waterloo Cup. At a meeting last" Friday it was decided to reduce the entrance money for the latter event from £25 to £12 10s, leaving the old number of 64. The winner will receive £400. ■ • • The wet weather paralysed the hare?' at Moonee Valley last week, and at the time, of writing the Jubilee Stakes, which had to be postponed, is not completed yet. I hear that Rustic (the V.C.O. Derby winner) is good goods for the Waterloo Cup, Walter Melrose having specially reserved him for that event.

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