SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2069, 19 October 1893, Page 30

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Hori Poene.

Meldourne, October 12. THE TURF.

The members of the Victoria Racing Club have every reason to be satisfied with the entiies for the Melbourne Cup meeting, seeing th it they total exactly the sntie numbpr as last year— to wit, 705. All the cracks, with the exception of /Sxlin'ki, have been entered, and as the number of equine visitors from New South Wales puts the the previous "best on record" completely in the shade, it will pass without saying that we are confidently looking forward to having a high old time of it ii November. With regard to the Flemington cour.-e and its surroundings, the late rainfall has provod of incalculable benefit, and in so far as the training tracks are concerned, I cannot parallel — during an experience extending over 30 yearssuch a state of perfection in this speoial connection Tom Pay ten has takei his ehaiges down to Mordialloc un'il after the Caulfield Cup meeting is over, the old quarteis of the lion .lames White ('it Fiank Mortison's) being occupied by Mr Samuel Hordern's team, under the care of Mr F. W. IJav. The latter evidently believes in the eilicacy of having horses big and lusty (Realm presenting rather an "aldermanic" appearance) ; but so long as their bronchial tubes are quite clear, I don't think a few pounds of adipose tissue outwardly makes any serious disability. Cannon is a perfect little gentleman, whilst the Maribyrnong Plate candidates, Collarette (by Castor from Necklace), Catapult (by Castor from Balista), and Entangle (by Nordenfeldt from Pungawerewero\ are three promising youngsters The last-named received a slight injury on the overland journey, but was at work this morning, apparently having thoroughly recovered the effects of the knock.

Necklace's family have all been noted sprinters when young, and in a rough-up yesterday between Collarette and Catapult the filly proved true to her traditions. Jimmy Monaghan has brought a smart covey over in a bay colt by Nautilus trom Hecuba, yclept Mirridong. I had heard very good reports anent this young gentleman some months ago, and, from the style and time in which he popped over the furlongs this morning, I wouldn't put it past the Sieur de Monaghan repeating the 1890 coup with Yarran in the Maribyrnong Plate. J. Swan has also brought down an exceedingly good one in Regina, a black filly by Forest King from Ghinni Ghinni ; and as she possesses the very highest credentials from the Bathurst district, she must be reckoned in the transaction. By the way, mentioning her trainer, J. Swan's, name, reminds me that labt Saturday morning he was the victim of a very savage assault, committed in the back boxes of the top training sheds at Flemington by the ex-pugilist Thomas Lees. No person but the two principals appear to have been present when the blow was struck — a tremendously severe one, necessitating the flesh being sown up over the eye— and on the first intimation of the/mcas intense disgust was expressed at a big fellow like Lees taking advantage of his size, strength, and fisticufling abilities to "smash "a little 'un like the New South Wales trainer ; all the more so as it was current talk that Lees, whilst in Sydney, had threatened to "deal with" him should he ever get him on Victorian soil. Subsequent developments, however, tended to the conclusion that there was much to be urged in mitigation of Lees's action, bad blood having been previously engendered through some transactions b tween the parties, in which, it is stated, Lees was not only taken down bat twitted with being so. Even on Saturday, it is alleged, Swan com ted what the Irishman described as "abating" by persistently addressing Lees in a contemptuous manner, until flesh and blood— and especially such irascible Hesh and blood as Tom Lees possesses — couldn't stand it any longer. The result was that a warrant was taken out for Lees's apprehension, and he was brought before the Flemington Police Court on Tuesday, when he asked for an adjournment for a week, to enable him to hunt up some witnesses as to the gross provocation he had received. I have given you a digest of the business in common fairness to the accused, who, unfortunately, has been very prone dining the last few years to get himself into trouble over " plugging" people, and " plugging " them ugly. Lately, the ex-policeman, amongst other vocations, has been granted a permit to train by the Victoria Racing Club, his name appearing for the first time in that connection in this month's Victorian R icing Calendar, consequently an adverse decision against him by the Flemingtou bench might mean something even more drastic than a short term of imprisonment. You see we have been singularly free from scenes of this description on the Flemington training tracks, even when "Bill, Torn, and Harry" were allowed to assemble there ot their own sweet will, and I am very mujh of the opinion that if Lees is adjudged guilty he will be made an example of.

Bill Forrester (" Black Bill " as he was wont to be called, though "White Bill" would be far more appropriate now) has put in an appearance at headquaiters with Penance, Bel Giorno, Kookaburra, Dicken.-i, Donizetti, and Killaloe; each and all looking as well and hearty as Forrester himself, and I certainly never recollect seeing the veteran look better. Penance and l!el Giorno filled the eye very pleasingly indeed, and settled down to their graft like tradesmen ; but Donizetti (a splendid stamp of a horse by the way) had too much of the dancing master business about him on the tan track to please me. I have heard great accounts —from a reliable source— about Dickens, a three-year-old by Grand Flaneur from Mother Gamp, engaged in the Melbourne Cup a,t 6.7 ; and if you will kindly throw your memory back to this time twelvemonth you will recall the fact that there was something very similar with respect to a colt named Honda. He didn't win the Cup, certainly ; but he finished third —wet and all as the day was— to Glenloth and his stable < companion Penance. I only mention the circumstance so that you may keep it in the tablets of your memory. Speaking of Donizetti's pirouetting movements this morning, I don't know that we should pay too much attention to the undoubted disability, seeing that it was the first time the Queenslander had yisited Flemingtqn, the gqing (left-handed) and the surroundings being equally strange, Some horses these things don't affect one iota; others are completely "coopered" by them. For instance, this morning, Jeweller, who looked real blooming to the eye, after a preliminary canter round the sand track, was despatched five furlongs at his top ; and the inglorious figure he cut (he took 1.10 to traverse the distance) was the subject of general remark. But to my mind, the thing resolved itself into the fact of his not being used to that particular style of galloping, and, perhaps, after he has been given another gallop or two he may disport himself to more advantage ; he can hardly do it to les3. Camoola and Co. are doing remarkably well at Mentone ; and, from the sign, I should take Pulvil to be the elect of Tom Payten's team for the Derby. In their gallops of a morning, Duke of York (by Chester from Queen of Nations) always finishes in front of Nelly Illy (by Cranbrcok from Aveline) and Moonroogie ; bur for all that, " Miles's Boy" assures me the filly is the smartest two-year-old. Albeit Duke of York won to-day at Maribyrnons.

Tom Hales has been ridiDg a lot of work oi late, and now that Harry Cusdin has been rusticated by the Licensing Committee of the V.lt.C, it is more than probable our " champion ' jockey will have the stable mount of James Redfearn's horses. I hear the best of accounts of Beverley, Aquarius, and Malvolio, the friends of the Beverley Lodge trainer being specially sweet on the chances of Aquarius and Malvolio forthe double, Derby and Cup In fact Caulfield trained horses seem destined toplayavery impoitant part in thatconneetion this spring, Gat (.-on (in. Ike Foulsham's stable) having e.ectritied tho c present when he sailed home in front of 2!) otheis in the Handicap Flat Itace, of nine furlongs (cut out in 1 561), at the Melbourne Hunt Club meeting at Flemingtou last S.itui-day. [Hush! Not a word! Port&ea was fouith, with 9.11 up J Malolo is a bit of an enigma to the (Ja,ulfield touts. They never see him doing any stroDg work, and yet he is always in evidence, and always bears the impress of having done the best of serviceable work. A bad horse to beat this, whatever Cup he may be despatched for. Oxide will go for the Caulfield Gup fhvt ; I feel convinced on that point, and he mast be given a chance therein. He is training at Caulfield with Delaware, and doing everything he is asked to do — well. Brockleigh has been designattd "a slug" hy the Caulfield track cnt/nUamti ; but I notice he still keeps hirf position in the betting market, lie is a terribly big horse, and— tremendous certainty as his party made about the Metropolitan Stakes— l don't like him over a mile and a half at Caulfield in such a race as the Giulli^ld Cup is bound to he. By the way there are ugly innuendoes ilyingabout as to the ' ' gay Paris's " little II >p-up in the beforementioned Metropolitan Stages. It seems some few people (very, very few !) landed a nice little stake over the Grandmaster gt-lding, and, as a matter of course, theie are pig's whispers circulating round that Jack Fielder had a " swish" on his own account. Goodness only knows ! Perhaps he did. Sunshine isn't down up to the time of writing. If he does come he is alnust certain (according to the way I i - eckon things up) to beat Brockleigh in the ( laullield Cup. At w ions times there has been a terrible lot of money filtered on to Wild R>.se for that event, and still she figures at 100 to 4 (with 10 J to 3 wanted), She is a good honest mare ; how really good I am positive very few have any idea. Should she be on anything like terms with Division at the distance post, it's a million to one she will beat him home— so will Moscow; so will Strahan. Division boiug such a pot for the (Jaullield Cup would tend to tho conclusion that Fortunatus's mis ion will be the Melbourne Cup ; and yet J.i'oes Hayes is lamenting that the V 11 C. would only allow him one move mount — Foitunatus in the Caullhld Cup. He says they could disqualify him for life then, if they only granted him that. Sternchaser is steadily forging his way into favour for tho Melbourne Cap, and yesteiday to mote than iJ-2500 could be obtained about him at 100'h to 5. That looks as if he too were going to allow the Caulfield Cup to pass, and all the more so as he generally works with Oxide, l'ounamu will hardly be forward enough for the Derby ; but of course Bessie Macarthy will have something to say in the Oaks, albeit she will have to meet a little better field than she did for the A J.C. "ladies' race," seeing that Tho Dauphine, Loch-

ness, Somniloquist, Moth, La Gloria, Zeph, Temeraire, Pearl Powder, and Merry Belle are most likely be amongst the opposition. We don't hear much from St. Albans, although it is an open secret Carnage is all right again, and doing good work. Zalinski has failed to stand a preparation, and will be relegated to stud duties. Eureka has been given me as the Derby " pea " of Mr W. R. Wilson's stable, and my informant usually knows what's what. Steadfast is another of the mysterious division. Private advices say he is no good, whilst the stern logic of the betting market points to the fact that there's alw.ijs somebody ready and willing to accept 100 to 3 about him forthe Caulfield Cup. Titan is reported to be doing well at Ballarat ; but there is a doubt whether Newton or Newman is Alex. Taylor's dart for the Caulfield. I prefer Newton. I see Elswick has not been entered during the spring campaign. lie may be during the autumn. The Sailor Prince has been shuttlecocked about in the Derby betting of late, though without any apparent justification. lie has wintered splendidly, a» d Mr rf G. Cook has great hopes of him distinguishing himself in the Caulfield Guineas on Saturday. Should he scoop those he must be hard to beat in the Derby and Cup. The Admiral is as fit as the proverbial fiddle ; in fact the Pytchley Lodge stable will not fail in the matter of condition.

Harking back to Flemington, Patron has lost caste through Moscow putting him down ; but then Moscow is a marvellously improved colt during the last month, and can be backed (at the odds of 000 to 100) to put anything named down " where they finish" in the CaulhtlJ Cup, no one being game enough to take up the "defi" and lay the odds. Natheless I don't like Patiou for the Derby ; albeit I do like Povtsea's Melbourne Cup chance immensely. He is a batter hor.-e than ever. Swordbearer works "so early in de morning" that none of the touts can "clock him for a round of the sand track, but " from information received" he can do that 11 furlongs any morning they like to try him inside 2min 2Hsec, and that; time is exceptionally brilliant, I can assure you. All There is likewise all therevery much so ; whilst Scrip will yet prove his relationship (full brother) to Malua, take my tip for it. Walter Hickenbotham has been kind to Light Artillery and Day Dream, but for all that they are both fit to take their own part, and will take it with credit during the approaching meetings. Somniloquit,t is moving freely, and with Cobbitty (by Abercorn— Copra) and Eiridsforde (by Eiridspond from Spinningdale) is likely to be heard of to advantage. Amongst the other Maribyrnong Plate candidates training at Flemington, Lady Laura and Lady's Maid claim special mention ; another thing that may be mentioned being ttut Etra- Weenie does so much better at Flemington than at Geelong that Chris Moore has remained over here from the Hunte Club meeting. Libra- Weenie is in excellent form just at present, as evidenced by the fact that she finished sixth (with 8 8) in that fast mile and a furlong race last Saturday.

THE OSTERLEY AND MY&TERY TROT.

Mr John Robertson, the owner of Osterley, having agreed to concede the inside running to Mystery (no small advantage on a small course like Richmond), in consequence of his horse having had that advantage in the previous tussd over a mile (won by Osterley), the match excited a good deal of interest on Wednesday, odds of 5 to 4 being eventually laid on Osterley. He broke soon after the start, though, and lost fully 40 yards, being beaten by less than that distance in the excellent time of 4min StUsec ; the previous best on record for two miles being Osterley's smin 3sec, on the 21st of last August. The third contest (at three miles) will most likely take place at Richmond next Monday,

A ROW IN THE BOOKMAKERS' CAMP,

There is a regular war of the bookies being waged at present, the majority of the members of the Victorian Club having decided that none of their members shall be allowed to belong to Bowes's Tattersall's as well. Legal opinion has been taken on the point, with the result that their action has been pronounced ultra vires ; and as the Victorian Club people refuse to acknowledge the fact, there is every prospect of a good old Donnybrook Fair row. I think the reading of the Caulfield Cup card by Bowes's Tattersall's first caused the little rift, as the "dead meat "men amongst the "books" didn't believe in such an innovation, whereas now the Victorian Club bookmakers have had to follow suit.