NEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1765, 19 September 1885, Page 20

NEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES.

(By oun Australian Sporting Corresfox-

dent " Warrior.")

Sydney, Septembers.

During the pa*tweek racing men and breedera of thoroughbred stock have been busily engaged in taking part in the New Sonth Wales Agricultural Society Annual Show, which was opened by the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir Alfred Stephen) in the absence of Lord Augustus Loftus, aj; the Society's grounds, Moore Park, before an assemblage numbering over 3000. Among-those present at the opening ceremony was the elite of the city : — Lady Augustus Loftus, Lady Stephen, Admiral Tryon, Captain Lake, (H.M.S. Nelson), Sir Patrick Jennings (vicepresident of the Society), Sir Alexander Stuart (Premier of New South Wales), Mr Abbott (Minister for Mines), Mr John Davies, C.M.G., Hon. G. H. Cox, M.L.C., Hon. P. G. King, M.L.C., Colonel ; Raymond; Messrs J. Lackey, R. Barbour, G. N. Griffiths, and A. Wilson, members of the N.S.W. Legislative Assembly. In Mr W. W. Riqhardson's address to Sir Alfred Stephen, on behalf of the society, he said : " The increase in the » show of horses from 239 last year, to 400 now on the ground, was valuable evidence rof the rapid development of this branch of pastoral productions. In cattle the success of this year's entries is in some measure traceable to the enterprise of our New Zealand neighbours, who send a fine collection, chiefly Ayrshire." There were 16 entries for Class 1., blood stallion, four years and over. Mr T. S. Clibborn' (secretary of the Australian Jockey Club) and Mr H. P. Mdyston (sporting editor of the Sydney Tribune) acted as steward in the blood and draught horse classes. The majority of ray Dunedin readers will remember that the Hon. James White, in the year 1880, possessed a . colt who was full brother to Chester .(Yattendon — Lady Chester), who started for the rich two-year-old prize of the V.R.C. Spring meeting (Maribyrnong Platt) at 4 to 1 against, and could not get nearer than, sixth in a field of seven-and-twenty, but after* wards won the Flemington Stakes, beatingWelcome Jack, and ran second to Liberator in the Normanby Stakes, and nowhere in Darebin'n Derby. I speak of Monmouth. ' As a three* year-old, Mr Andrew Town's horse looked any* thing, but the picture of ft racehorse, but on Wednesday last, when led into the arena, everybody's'.eyes were set on him. I never saw such a difference in the condition of ah orse. And when the judges decided that Monmouth was awarded the first prize, very' few discontents were to be found, who begrudged the squire of Richmond the honour of possessing the best blood stallion ' situated at present in New South Wale's. There is no mistake about it, but New Zealand ran Mr Town very close, f and the judges had a difficult task to 'decide beJtween Merlin and Monmouth. Merlin, who is a fine upstanding bay with black points, is the property of Mr John Bennett, of Brush Grove, Pennant Hills, New Zealand, and is 10 years old, by .Blue Boy (imported) from Malice, ' by Traducer, Blue Boy by Beadsman. New Zealand richly deserved the red ribbon. An old Victorian and Sydney favourite-^Mr Thomas Ivory's Sweetmeat; nine years, by Yattendon, from Sultana, by Little John, Yattendon ly Sir Hercules — received marked attention by racing men, more especially your, correspondent, for Sweetmeat's presence that day refreshed h:'s memory and brought him back to the Melbourne Derby and Cup of 1879', when he* stood to win £200 on Suwarrow and Sweetmeat. The firfcthamed won the Derby, and Tom Ivory's idol was beaten by half a length for the Cup. It was rather hard lines for "Warrior." The judges highly commended Sweetmeat. Mr A. Allison's Adamant, by Traducer, from Ada, another New Zealand candidate who, it I mistake not, carried off the Dunedin ' Cup of 1883, was completely knocked out of the competition, and I think it was foolish to bring him over (unless for sale) to contest against stallions who received no award whatever, such' as Mr C. T. Roberts' Sterling (full brother to' Sweetmeat), who won the Hawkesbury Guineas in 1873, Great Metropolitan Stakes', of 1874 (beating Goldsbrough), and the Wagga Gold Cup of 1876 ; Mr F. Shepherd's Reprieve, by Yattendon, from Gazelle, who ran two desperate seconds — Imperial's Sydney Cup of 1875 and Dagworth's Randwick Plate (three miles) of 1874. Besides these two we find the Hon. James White's Bargo and Tremando, Lord Yattendon (Yattendon — Lady Constance), Julian Avenel (Ace of Clubs — Mary Avenel). and Valentia, by Yattendon, from Vanity. In the class for stallions, three years and under four years, there was dnly one entry — that of Mr John Tate (not the veritable John Tait of days gone by). This reminds me of a joke of nearly 17 years ago. About this time The Barb (known as the black demon) was the hero of the Australian racecourse — so much so that he won two Sydney Cups Jn succession, the Great Metropolitan Stakes, Melbourne Cup, and Champion Race, was owned, by Mr John Tait, whilst another Barb, belpnged to Mr John Tate. People mixed up owners' and horses' names so much that unless you took an active part , in racing you could scarcely tell " t'other from which "; so I hope my readers won't get mixed, Mr John Tate was again to the front in the" class for colt foals under 12 months with his nine months' old colt by Sweetmeat from Evangeline, one of the most promising youngsters, that ever left the paddock. ' Mr Thomas Ivory gained second " prize with his ten months' old colt by Sweetmeat — Jaiie Avenal. Mr Town having carried off the first prize for sires, he followed it up by obtaining the same for mares, four years and over, with the English-bred Fair Rosamond, by Rosicrucian (the property of Sir J. Hawley, in whose name he won the Criterion Stakes in 1867, with Tom French up ; the Ascot Stakes, Ascot, 1871 ; and the Alexandria Plate, 1871, besides running second to Green Sleeve in the Middle Park Plate of 1866, Huxtable having the mount) from- Fair Melrose. In Colonial draught stock, New Zealand showed well to the fiont, paining second and third honours with Mr W. M'Bride's Champion, a, dark bay, 8 years old, by Prince from Gipsy (bred by Mr William Fdrdy, N.Z.), and Stanley, 5 years, by,'#aieri Tom frojfl

Clutha, the property of Mrs John Nimmo, The Grange, East Taieri, N,Z. (bred by Moseley Brothers). . For stallions, three years and under

four. New Zealand, took the palm, Mr M'Bride's Yong Lord Salisbury, a bay th ree-year-old, by Lord Salisbury from Jean, by Champion, gaining first prize, Victoria taking second, honours. Again your Colony was successful in the prize for stallions between two and three years old, Mrs John Nimmo being the successful exhibitor on this occasion with Sir Charles Napier, 2 years 8 months, by Prince from Glasgow Lady.- The Hon. M. Holmes, of Awamoa, Oamaru, N.Z., carried off the second prize with his beautiful bay with black points, Sir William Jeryois, 2 years and 9 months, by Young Banker from Lass o' Gowrie (bred by exhibitor), The Hon. W. Robinson's bright bay Thane of Clyde, 2 years, by Lord of Clyde from Blossom, was commended. In the class for stallions one year

and under two years, Sydney scored the most 'points,;the judges giving their vote in favour of Mr Andrew Town's bay, 22 months, by Gallant Scotchman from Countess (bred at Mr Town's stud farm, Richmond), defeating the Hon. M. Holmes' chestnut General Scratchley, by Young / Banker from Nannie, for first place and chamf piOnship. The New South Wales people who follow agricultural pursuits were knocked all of a heap when, the judges gave in their verdict as regards the best fillies exhibited, for New Zealand beat spots off the whole of the Australian groups. Filly, three years and four years — Mr Alexander Thomson, Oamaru, three years, first prize. Filly, two years and under three years — Mr William M'Bride's Bell, a three-year-old bay (bred by Mr W. Clarke, Oamaru) by the imported Banker from Maude, first ; Mr W. Boag, Christchurch, highly commended. Filly under 12 months— Mr Joseph E. Onus, Richmond, Lily Dale, 10 months 24 days, by the Charmer (imported) from Bell,, bred in New Zealand, first prize and Mr S. Hoskisson's special prize of £5 ss. The enclosure where the horses were 'shown looked in splendid condition and good order was kept, thanks to the veteran jockey, but now Clerk of the Course, Mr James Ashworth, better known as John Tait's favourite jockey — Jimmy Ashworth. On the 22nd of this month the Great Metropolitan Stakes will be decided, and. up to the present there are still 40 left in: Welcome Jack, the top weight, returned from Victoria last week looking 'the picture of health. Should he be " on the job," he holds Reginald (9st), Merlin (Bst -1210)*, Tom Brown (Bst 101b), Moonshee (Bst 61b), and Soldier Boy (Bst 21b) as safe as houses. It's the seventh division that the Canterbury and "Auckland Cup hero must keep his eye on." There are some very warm customers among them, the majority icing first-class performers — namely, Honeyd«w (7st 111b), Silver King' (tfstfflb), Faro (7st 81b), Sloth (7st 81b), The Broker and Despot (7st 61b), the Queensland- champion Petronel, who has been allotted 241b -less than weight-for-age, and Wing (7st 41b each) ;■■ Brown and Rose, Espiegle, Acolyte, and Comet' (7st). Should Welcome Jack be able to dispose' of the above on his coming into the straight, he may still have to fight it out with Kathleen, Prince Imperial, and Farewell.

When it became known on Monday morning (yesterday)' that Newstead' had arrived in Melbourne safe and sound with his stable companions, Helene, Signor, Israelite, and several others, he hardened in the betting at Sydney Tattersallsi 100 to 20 being about the best price obtainable. "* Helene is also firm at 100 to 8 for the Caulfield Cup. Wagering on the Sydney - Derby arid Metropolitan, of any importance, is scarcely transacted. For the two-mile race, Prince Imperial holds the pride of place at 100 to 8 ; Wing,' 100 to 7 ; Silver King and Welcome Jack, 100 to 6 ; Brown and Rose, and Despot, 100 to 5. " Warrior " paid a visit to the trainingground at Randwick yesterday morning. The' ,Hon. W. Robinson, Mason, Derrett, and. ' Vanguard, Liverpool, Thunderbolt, and W,inchester have not yet taken their departure for the tan-tracks alongside the Saltwater River, but may be heard of at Flemington jn a very short time. The New Zealand Cup winner has been eased off in his training, and Thunderbolt has been doing but slight work, but Liverpool and Winchester go in now and then for & niile and a-half at a ding-dong pace. Both, horses are improving wonderfully, and will certainly pay their oats at the forthcoming V.R.O. Spring meeting. Mr Robinson, I feel certain, has a motive in easing 1 Vanguard and Thunderbolt. Readers, don't forget these two. When tho stable' puts the stuff up, then they mean it. Which race does the hon. gentleman intend " speeling " for — Gaulfield Cup or Melbourne' Cup? Reginald was treated to three times' round the course proper, the first time at a moderate pace and the second and third at his best, which impressed, the tputs very much. He and Welcome Jack will have- to- fight out the majority, of the weight-for-age races at the A. J. C meeting. ' The' Tasmanian-bred Prodigal, by St. Albans, is commencing •to figure in his true form, for yesterday, in a gallop of onemile and a-quarter, he had the first-class racehorse Merlin thoroughly beaten before the mile waß finished, and the rest of the distance was run in 1 mm. 19 sec. (faster than Coronet's Newmarket Handicap time), Wing leading Prodigal past the post by a short head. Despot galloped the head oSNordenfeldtinamile-and-a-half spin, after which' I give up all hopes of the son of Musket — Onyxsecuriug a place in either the Sydney or Melbourne Derby. Monte Christo and Uralla are in. excellent health, and under-

going active training. Silver King is also on ' the improving side since he paid his last visit. He appears to have thrown off the sluggishness, and looks and runs more like a racehorse, which . he may prove before the end of the month by winning a rich prize. Prince Imperial did the be,st gallop of the morning. Mr F. T>. Hamilton (Dicker), one of the oldest sporting writers in the Australian colonies, is lying dangerously ill in Sydney, and slight hopes -are held out of his recovery. Mr Hamilton, on the Melbourne Sportsman becoming established, ■was appointed sporting editor, and that gentleman's norn de flume on that paper was known by every sportsman in the Colonies as " Tout Cela." Had poor Hamilton given his attention to his business as he should have done we would not now be reminded through the Press that his family is in very straitened circumstances — so much so that Mr E. E. Jones has opened a subscription-list on their behalf, which I hope to see well filled. This morning I walked into Garling's Bazaar for the purpose of inspecting the latest thoroughbred importation from New Zealand— Cheviot, by Traducer, from Idalia, full bnther to the winner of the last Great Metropolitan Stakes (Sydney)— Sir Modred, whoisaprettyfair representative. No doubt, now that we have such a large number of stvidmasters in our midst, Mr T. S. Clibborn will not have much trouble in securing a purchaser. The Sydney Derby will be run for on Saturday week (publication day of this letter in the Witness), so I must do my best to select the winner : — Ukalla or Month Oukisto FibSt Cbestkb.

Should the pot "boil over," First Chester wins. Sydney Metropolitan. Despot or Wing ... ... 1 Wf-ccomis Jack ... ... 2 Sitviiii King • ... ... 3