AUSTRALIAN AND FOREIGN SPORTING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11333, 29 July 1897, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN AND FOREIGN SPORTING.

Mr J. E. M’Donald is sending over to England' from the United States a very fine - yearling, which is to be trained by "Watson at Newmarket. By Fonso out of Spring Eagle, the. youngster, who is a chestnut,:- is described as being the best looking one ■ that _ will ever have loft America His sire/Fonso, who was foaled ih’i'B77, is by King Alfonso (sire of Foxhall) out of "Weatherwitch, by Weatherbit Otlt of a Birdcatcher marc. Weather witch was bred in England in 1858, and soldto go to Kentucky. Spring Eagle, tho dam of Mr McDonald’s youngster, is by Springbok out of Eaglet, by Planet out of Eagless, by Glencoe.

The Kentucky Derby, run before an immense assemblage at Louisville on May 17, was won by Mr J. C. Calm’s Typhoon 11, by imp. Top Gallant (by Sterling —Sea Mark). There were five other runners including the crack, Ornament, who, ridden by Clayton, started first favourite. Tho trick was very heavy. Typhoon II made all the running, finally winning by a neck from Ornament, whose rider made a waiting race of it, and when at last he brought his mount np wtih a final run on the side of the track where tho going was heaviest, he never quite succeeded in making up his As ,a two-year-okl Typhoon II (who started second favourite for the Kentucky Derby at 11 to 5 against), was fairly successful, having won seven races out of sixteen attempts, his most notable victories having been over tho St Louis track, where He twice beat Ornament, The time for the Kentucky Derby, which is run over a mile and a quarter, was 2min 121 sec, and Considering that the tra ck was very bad and »l6w, the performance was distinctly a good one.

Epsom is believed to be the richest race meeting in England (says London Truth), but instead of the vast revenue being derated te increasing the stakes, as at Ascot,

it is mostly grabbed by the owners of the grandstand and other persons interested, whose cupidity would really seem to be insatiable. as the programmes are always miserably meagre, and the amount of added money is utterly paltry and contemptible. Epsom, indeed, is in no respect worthy of the support which it receives. The card is principally made up of T.Y.C. events (mostly handicaps and selling races), the fields as a rule are very large, and it is about the very worst course in England. The running track is down hill nearly all the way, and there are almost always long delays at the post, the ultimate result being that the starts are usually had, and the owners have practically to run the chances of a lottery. A man who has a highly tried animal, which ho intends to back heavily, is an infatuated noodle if he runs it at Epsom, as if the creature gets a bad start (as will probably be the case) the race will bo over before it can recover from its mishap at the post, and it will have been uselessly exposed, while its owner’s money will have been thrown away. Results at Epsom depend far more ujjon luck than upon the merits of the runners, and sagacious owners will keep their good things for Ascot, Newmarket, or Goodwood. I have been looking back (writes “ Terlinga ”) to see how Aurum’s weight for the Melbourne Cup compares with the imposts given crack two - year - old performers in past years. I find that'in 1883, when Commotion was top-weight with lOst lib, Archie was given Sst 31b. This was the heaviest weight ever given a three-year-old (they are three-year-olds at the time of running) until Aurum had Sst 61b placed against his name this year. In 1892, when Strathmore and Maivolio headed the handicap with 9st Sib each. Autonomy started the three-year-olds with Sst. Newhaven's 7st 13lb was a pound more than Segenhoe was allotted in 1882, when Darebin headed the handicap with 9st 91b. In 1890 Titan was the supposed top sawyer, and he was given 7st lllb. Carbine being top weight with lOst Gib. Carbine and Volley, as three-year-olds, had 7st 101 b in 1888. In 1861, the year Carbine was handicapped at lOst 121 b, Lord Hopetonn and Stromboli each had 7st 91b the same weight Challenger was awarded in 1895. These are the highest weights ever given three-year-olds in the Melbourne Cup. Since 1880 Carbine has started the handicap on three occasions, and so has Commotion, who was top-weight in ISS3, ISS4, and 1885. Strathmore and Wallace have started the handicap on two occasions.

Though it was thought probable, in view of his proved excellent form and the generally moderate character of the opposition, that the odds betted on Galtee More for the Derby would have equalled those associated with Ladas three 'years ago, the fielders never asked for more than 4 to 1. They were easily enough landed, and. this year’s race supplies another instance in which, with odds betted on, the favourite has been successful. The other cases are—in 1783, Sir Thomas, 6to ,5 on ; 1789, Skyscraper, 7t04 on ; 1792, John Bull, 6to 5 on; 18C6, Lord Lyon, 6 to 5 on ; 188(5, Ormonde, 85 to 40 on ; 1888, Ayrshire, G to 5 on; 1891, Common 11 to 10 on ; 1893, Isinglass, 9 to 4 on ; and Ladas, in 1894, 9 to 2 on, the last named being the hottest favourite known in connection with the Derby. In respect to other warm favourites that have failed to pull through, it may be mentioned that in 1831, Biddies worth, with 6 to 4 betted on, was second ; in 1870, with 9 to 4 on, Macgrcgor was unplaced ; in 1887, The Baron was second, with 9 to 4 on ; and another case of the overthrow of a pronounced favourite was supplied in 1890, when Surefoot, with 95 to 40 betted on him ran fourth.

Tho time occupied by Mr Gubbins’s Galteo More in winning the Derby (run over about a mile and a half) was 2min 44sec, two seconds more than the time of 11.K.H. tho Prince of Wales’s Persimmon, whoso 2min 42sec last year constitutes the fastest on record in connection with the race. Tho previous best was 2min 43sec by Mr M’Calmont’s Isinglass in 1893, the Duke of Portland’s Ayrshire in 18SS, Mr Abington’s Merry Hampton in 1887, Mr W. FAnson’s Blair Athol in 1864, and Colonel Townoley’s Kettledrum in 1861. In 1895, Lord Rosebery’s Sir Visto covered the course in 2min 43 3 sec, his Ladas occupied 2min 45|sec in 1894, and twelve months previously Isinglass’s time (as mentioned above) was 2min 43see. In 1892, Lord Bradford’s Sir Hugo occupied 2min 44sec, while the previous season Sir F. Johnstone’s Common took 2min 56* sec, and in 1890 Sir J. Miller’s Sainfoin won in 2min 49Jsec. In 1889 the Duke of Portland’s Donovan was successful in 2min 44|sec, Ayrshire occupying 2min 43sec in 1888. In 1887 Merry Hampton made the same record, and in 1886 the Duke of Westminster’s Ormonde went the course in 2min 43fsec,, against the 2min 44Jsec of

Lord Hastings’s Melton in 1885. When Mr J. Hammond’s St Qatien and Sir J. Willoughby’s Harvester ran a dead-beat in 1884. the time was 2min 46'sec, and that of Sir P. Johnstone’s St Blaise, in 1883, 2min 48'I sec. The following, are the times for some previous years; 1882,Duke of Westminster’s Shot over, 2min 45>sec ; 1881, Mr P. Lorillard’a Iroquois, 2min COses ; 1880, Duke of Westminster’s Bend Or, 2min 4Gsec. Since 1889 new conditions have governed the value and system of forfeit in connection with the Derby, and the winner is now guaranteed a fixed sum regardless of the number of subscribers, and independently of any amount that may be added from the race fund. By his success this year Mr Gubbins’s Galtee More won £5450, and last year the Prince of Wales’s Persimmon took the same amount. In 1595 Lord Rosebery’s Sir Visto .also won £5450, while in 1894, when Ladas was victorious, his lordship was credited with the same amount. In 1893 Mr M’Calmont, as the owner of Isinglass, received £5515, including 60 sovs surplus entrance money. In 1892 Lord. Bradford, who won with Sir Hugo, secured £6960, that sum embracing 1000 sovs given from the fund and 510 sovs surplus entrance money. In 1891 Sir P. Johnstone, as the owner and nominator of Common, won £5510, the odd ten sovs representing two_ fines imposed for the correction of entries. In 1890 Sir J. Miller's Sainfoin won his owner £5630, of which amount 430 sovs were the surplus subscriptions given to the winner. Tim Duke of Portland’s Donovan, in 1889, won £4550, and the previous year, when the same owner’s Ayrshire ms victorious the value of the race was £3675, while in 1887, when it fell to the late Mr Abington’s Merry Hampton, the stakes were worth £4525. In 1886, when Ormonde won for the Duke of Westminster, the value was £4700, and the previous season Melton credited Lord Hastings with £4525. Some previous records are appended : In 1884, when the race resulted in a dead-beat between Mr J. Hammond’s St Gatien and Sir J. Willoughby’s Harvester, the value of the stakes was £4850: in 3883, S i.v P. Johnstone’s St Blaise, £5150; 1882, Duka of Westminster’s Shotover, £4775; 1881, Mr P. Lorilhu-d’s Iroquois, £5925; 1880, Duke of Westminster’s Bend Or. £6375. •The richest Derby on record was that of Lord Lyon, in 1866, who then won for his owner £7350, A t the time the conditions as to the value ox the Derby wore altered (1800) those of the Oaks were changed on the same lines, but the amount guaranteed to the winner is not so large. The value of the race won this year by Lord Tlindlip’s Limasol was £llsO (of which Mr T. Jennings, sen., as the nominator of the winner, takes £400), the stakes amounting to the same sum last year when Lord Derby’s Canterbury Pilgrim was successful, as well as the previous season, when the race went to Sir J. Miller by the aid of La Sagesso. in 1894, the Duke of Portland’s Amiable was credited with £4825 (including surplus entrance money to the amount of £675), while in 1893, when Mrs Butterwick won for the same owner, the value of the stakes was £5130 (including the surplus entrance money of £980). In 1892 when Baron do Hireh’s La Pleche was victorious, the amount won was £5270 (including the surplus -entrance money of 620sovs), and 50'Jsovs given from the fund. In 1891, Mr N. Fenwick’s Mimi •won £4405. In the previous season, when the Duke of Portland won with Memoir, the stakes amounted to £4400, and in 1839 Lord R. Churchill’s L’Abbesse de Jouarre Won £2600. In 1888, when Lord Calthorpe’s Seabreeze was the winner, the stakes were £2950, and in 1887 Rove d’Or credited .the Duke of Beaufort with £3300, while in 1886, when Miss Jummy won in the Duke of Hamilton’s colours, the stakes were worth £3250. We append the values for several preceding years; 1885, Lord Cadogan’s Lonely, £3350; 1884, Mr Abington’s Busybody, £3425 ; 1883, Lord Rosebery’s Bonny Jean, £3475 ; 1882, Lord Stamford’s Geheimniss, £3375; 1831, Mr W. S. Crawfurd's Thebais, £4050.

Limasol, won the Oaks, rnn oyer about a mile and a. half, in 2min 45sec, whilst last year Lord Derby’s. Canterbury Pilgrim occupied 2min 454-sec. The previous season Sir J. Miller’s La Sagesse covered the course in 2tnin 48Jsec, and in 1894 the time of the Duke of Portland’s Amiable was 2min 50soc. In 1893, when Mrs Eutterwick was successful in the same ownership, the time was 2min 44tsec. In 1892 Baron de Kirsch’s La Fl&che won in 2min 43i-sec, against the 2min 64’sec of Mr 17. Fenwick’s Mimi in 1891 and the 2min 40;'soc of the Duke of Portland’s Memoir in 1860, the best on record in connection with the race. In 1889, Lord Randolph Churchill’s L’Ahbesse de Jouarre won in 2min 45sec, and in ISSB Lord Calthorpe’s Seabreeze occupied 2min 42f ; see, which was record time up to that date. In 1887, the Duke of Beaufort’s Rave d’Or took 2min 50-Jsec, and in 1886 the Duke of Hamilton’s Miss dummy went the course in 2min 54|sec. Lonely, in 1885, in Lord Cadogan’s colours, was timed at 2min 43-Jsec, and the following are the records for a number of previous winners ; 1884, Mr Abington’s Busybody, 2min 49sec; 18S3, Lord Rosebery’s Bonny Jean, 2min 53sec; 1882, Lord Stamford’s Gehoimniss, 2min 59sec; 1881, Mr W. S. Crawfurd’s Thebais, 2min 46soc. In his notes on the Derby the “ Special Commissioner ” of the London Sportsman writes: —The first I saw in the paddock was Frisson, sweating and lathering. Ho is ' a. good stamp of colt, but he has clearly had as much racing as he cares about for some time to come. Then I came upon the low, lengthy, level-built Eager, who was following his stable companion. Poll Tax. Eager is quite a nice colt now, especially to follow, but he is rather weak about the neck, and we may take it, I suppose, that he does not stay. Next followed the lengthy white-legged chestnut, Silver Fox, whom many fancied very much after seeing him. He was very clean and fit, but is not the sort for the Derby course at all. Some day we may sea him to greater advantage across the flat at Newmarket, and though I abandoned him as a place selection, I do not wish it to be inferred

that I would not on such a course prefer him to, say. History. He had his name worked on his quarter-sheet, and the rest of the field might well have been similarly marked. Apropos, I happen-to know that a new order of things in this respect will be officially instituted at Ascot, when the numbers of each animal in the paddock will be (by order) displayed —numbers, that is, both of the race in which engaged and in that race. At last, therefore, wo are emerging from the mists of antiquity, and it is remotely possible that some day we shall see even starting gates used in this country. Near the centre of the paddock I found Galtee More with Glenmorgan, and thought that if it were possible ho looked better than ever. Many good judges to whom I spoke and who had not fairly taken stock of him before were entirely in accord with what I have’ from time to time written, that, although a big horse, he is in no sense heavy after the manner of Ormonde or Minting. No suggestion of lumber is there about him, and, take him for all in all, I do not think we have seen a finer horse for many a long day. Of course, his task was easy, but his home form with Kilcock, whom he represents at even weights at a mile,shows, him to be one of the very best. Of that there can bo no possible doubt. I now found Monterey following Yedo down by the saddling sheds, and the chestnut son of Goldfinch is a well-built, racing-like colt enough, and John Dawson fancied him for a place. He was disfigured by warbles on his off shoulder, but Hus is, of course, merely an eyesore, and he ought to have run better than bo did. Behind him was Oakdeue. just a useful colt and fancied a little, but how different from Persimmon last year ! After him I saw History, who is still something of a baby, having been a very late foal, and showing considerable scope for improvement. I recommended him strongly in his yearling days, and he is no unworthy son of old Hampton, but he is not so good about his quarters as one might wish, and does not at present fill the eye as a first-class one should. St Cloud 11. is an , immensely powerful bay coif, lacking quality somewhat, blit, possessing quite a Hampton type of head set on a coarse neck. He is not a badly-shaped one by any means, and what is more, lie ran well after seeming outnaoed for a considerable, distance. Velasquez,--behind whom came the looselycoupled and helpless-looking Angelos, was a better colt to the eye than when he started for the Two Thousand Guineas. -Indeed, I never saw him look so - well, and I began to regret at once that authentic- information had almost compelled me to give- him up even for a place. Those who should know best had quite satisfied themselves that he cannot really stay more than six furlongs—if that—and I believe he would not have been started at all had, not Lord Rosebery studied the interests of his public backers who would like a run for their money. I do not for a moment suppose that the homo estimate of the colt is wrong. Many a sprinter before him has been able to make a. similarly bold show at Epsom, and in some cases even to win over the mile and a half. Prime Minister was practically unnoticed in the paddock. In the preliminary canter Galtee More and Velasquez came along together with the lead, and the latter was at first in front, but as they neared the winning post Galtee More swept by his rival as if lie had no mind even then to pass that post in second place, and so they went on, both moving admirably well. Monterey and History moved best of the others, and Eager went down fighting and clambering in a manner little suggestive of getting the distance. In the race Prime Minister andOakdene made all the early part of the running, but at no great pace, and this, of com'se, exactly suited Velasquez, who lay about seventh. Galtee More was always within striking distance of the leaders (as also was History), and, as I expected, came down the hill so readily that he was nearly if not quite, in frout at the foot of it. From that point the race was over, but the carefully-nursed Velasquez had his rare dash of speed still in hand to finish with, the result being that he and Galtee More came right away from the- rest as if they were the veriest hacks. This mattered not in the remotest degree to the Irishman who lobbed home the easiest possible winner, but it exposed to a remarkable degree the inferiority of all the others, for here wo have it proved that Velasquez, an admitted nou-atayer, would, in the absence of Galtee More, have won the Derby in the commonest of canters.

“ Vigilant/' in the London Sportsman, writes of the Oaks as follows The first that I came across was Cortegar, who is a nice coloured bay with black points. She possesses plenty of power, and stands on nice short legs, but, though she won her race cleverly at Liverpool more than two months ago, and must presumably have been fit at that time, it certainly struck me that she now looked a good bit above herself. Chelandry was followed by quite a crowd as 'she was led across the paddock from the gate leading into the Durdans. The little filly looked bright and well, but as devoid of muscle as ever, and nothing .will ever make her more than a commoner in appearance. Merle, indeed, looked fit to carry her, and it is a great pity that this daughter of St Serf is nothing like as good as she looks. Hunting men would doubtless be attracted by Limasol, who is a low, lengthy, oldfashioned filly with a very plain head, and gave me the idea that she would bo quite in her element in taking part in a steeplechase. I was somewhat disappointed with Plying Colours, who stripped somewhat light, and the hood and blinkers she wore were not reassuring to those who fancied her. When the halfdozen had paraded and cantered back to the paddock, Qdletta and Galatia were mounted. The two excitable daughters of Galopin were excused' this ordeal, which would have been almost certain-to have upset them; Mr de Rothschild’s filly looked as cool and collected as possible, but Galatia’s tail was going round in a manner that augured badly for her prospects of success. Considering that Goletta was almost universally set down as a nonstayer, it seemed curious that she should have made a great deal of the running for the first half-mile, but these bold tactics did not answer, for she was well beaten at the half distance. Limasol was always first or second, and kept the pace good throughout; till, when Chelandry went rip to her girths as they came down the hill to Tattenham Corner, and turned into the straight lying in the same position, her backers naturally imagined that she would come away whenever Watts chose to allow her to do so. A quarter of a mile from homo, however, the position was entirely changed, and it was Bradford who came av/ay and scored a very easy victory. Limasol, who ran three times last season without earning a bracket, is not engaged in the Leger, but I should not fancy her at all against Galtee More, and she won' this race almost entirely because none of the remaining seven can stay a mile and a half.