SPORTING NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XV, Issue 5302, 13 November 1878, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

THE MELBOURNE RACES. The arrival of Australian papers enables us to compile an account of the races for the Victorian Derby, the Melbourne Stakes, and the Melbourne Cup.

Melbourne was crowded with strangers, every steamer bringing its complement from the neighbouring colonies. Saturday morning broke overcast, but with the exception of one shower previous to the first race, the day was tine. The rain of the previous night had made the course holding. The attendance was very large for the opening day. The Vice-Regal party included the Governor, Lady Bowen, and their daughters, and Sir W. Manning. The absence of Sir Hercules Robinson, Governor of New South Wales, was greatly regretted. The defeat of His Lordship, which was looked upon as a moral for tho Derbj*, was hailed with delight by the ring, as he had been heavily backed by the public, beth for thi3 race and in doubles. The easy win of Wellington was a surprise to those who saw him run at Canlfield the previous Saturday, as then Glenelg, with 91bs. the best of the weights, beat him easily.

The Derby was run four seconds slower than last year, but considering the state of the ground, the pace cannot be considered slow, as it has only been beaten four times, viz., by Melbourne, Loup, Garou, Briseis, and Chester. Melbourne Stakes—A sweepstakes of 5 80vs. each, with loOsovs. added ; weight for age ; 1} miles. Hon. J. "White's b c Chester, 4yrs., 9st. ... 1 Mr. J. Hill's br c Cap-a-pie, 4yrs., 9st. ... 2 Mr. "VV*. Pile'a b f Device, 4yra., Bafc. 91bs. ... 3 Mr. R. J. Reid's Pride of the Vale, 3yrs., Tst. 21bs. 0 Betting : 5t02 on Chester. When the flag dropped, Cap-a-pie went to the front, followed by Device, Chester being last. Passing the railway bridge. Pride of the Vale took up the running and led to the abattoirs, where Chester went to the front, followed by Device and Cap-a-pie. Half-way np the straight they challenged, but Chester drawing away without an' effort, won easily by a length. Time : 2min. lSJaec.

Victorian Derby, of 25sovs. each, osoys. forfeit, with 500 added ; colts, Bat. lOlbs.;

fillies, Bst. olbs.; 1J mile. Mr. Johnson-Boe'a br c Wellington 1 Mr. Patterson's ch c Warlock... ... ... 2 Air. C. B. Fishor's b c His Lordship 3 Zambesi, Riverton, and Viceroy also ran. Betting: 4to lon His Lordship. Viceroy jumped off with the lead, but was soon passed by Riverton, which led to the railway bridge, where Wellington went to the front and took up the running, followed by His Lordship, Riverton, and Warlock. At the abattoirs he was leading two lengths ; on entering the straight he drew still further away; half-way up the straight His Lordship, dead beaten, roiled all over the course, and was passed by Warlock, which, failing to reach the leader, was easily beaten by four lengths ; Zambesi, which came with a rush at the ■■finish, was fourth. Time, 2min. 47sec. CUP DAY. The attendance was larger than any previous year, and was estimated at 80,000. The day was fine, but the coarse was vary heavy, owing to the amount of rain that fell on Sunday night and Monday morning. Calamia, the winner, had been steadily backed ever since the weights first appeared, but many people were divided in their opinion whether he or Chester was the best of De Mestre's stable. 'They, therefore, started equal favorites. Chester, having the inside berth, was unfortunately, when leaving the rails, driven against a post, and Morrison had his leg broken, thus destroying his chance. Glengarry ran against a spectator, and bolted off the course.

Mklhourne Cor.—A handicap sweepstakes of 20sovs. each, lOsovs. forfeit, ssovs. ODly if declared, with 500sovs. added ; 2 miles. Mr. E. De Mestro's b h Calamia, svrs., Bst. 21bs ... ... i Mr. C. James's brgTom Kirk, aged, 7st. 81bs. 2 Mr. J. L. Purvis's br h Waxy, Cvrs., Cat. lllbs ... ... 3 Chester, Newminster, Cap-a-pie, Macaroni, Lockleys, Swiveller, Glenormiston, Strathearn, Device, Kapidity, Burwood, Columbus, Devilshoof, The King. Franciscan, Warlock, Glengarry, Darriwell, Emily, Auckland, Pride of the Vale, Riverton, K.C.8., Wellington, Firebell, Mileta, and Numa Pompilius also ran. Betting: 4 to 1 against Mileta, 8 to 1 against Firebell and Wellington, 10 to 1 against Chester and Calamia, 11 to I against Auckland, IG to 1 against Eiaily, Columbus, and Waxy, 20 to 1 against Cap-a-pie. The lot got away to a good start—Rapidity on the left, with Glenormiston, Burwood, and Chester in the middle, and Franciscan aud K.C. B. on the outside. In the straight coming along to the stand Rapidity was leading, with Tom Kirk, Wellington, Chester, Glengarry, Firebell, Darriwell, Burwood, K.C.8., Glenormiston, aud Macaroni running in the order named. As they rounded the turn Kapidity drew out a couple of lengths in front of Tom Kirk, Wellington being,close behind ; Waxy, Firebell, Darriwell, and Franciscan being at the head of tho others. Soon after leaving the rails Chester ran against a post, and broke his jockey'B leg, Glengarry at the same time bolting off the course. Going along the tan, Rapidity still led, with Tom Kirk closely waiting on him, Wellington, Firebell, Calamia, Strathearn, and Waxy being next in order, Kranciscan, Newminster, and Melita being out of it. As far as the turn, Rapidity was leading a length, and Calamia coming up took second place, Tom Kirk, Wellington, and Waxy next, with Firebell, Swiveller, aud Burwood following. At the sheds Rapidity still led, with Calamia, Waxy, and Tom Kirk close up, Strathearn,' Swiveller, and Macaroni heading the ruek. Before reaching the tarn Rapidity was beaten, and was passed by Calamia, Tom Kirk, and Waxy. Entering the straight Calamia drew away, and won easily by a conple of lengths, a length between second and third, Swiveller fourth, then Wellington, Strathearn, Burwood, K.C.8., Lockleys, and Riverton, in the order named. Time 3min. 35fsecs. j

A call of 3d per share has been made in the Tringham Gold Mining Company, payable jo-day.