VICTORIA RACING CLUB'S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10901, 4 November 1898, Page 5

VICTORIA RACING CLUB'S SPRING MEETING.

BOBADIL AGAIN DEFEATED. THE GRAFTER WINS THE FLYING' STAKES. By Telegraph.— Association.— Melbourne, November 3. There were three phases in the weather on Oaks day, In the early morning there was the probability of such a downpour a3 to preclude racing; at ten o'clock it was close and muggy; and subsequently the astronomer's forecast was put to scorn, a nice westerly breeze making matters most enjoyable. There was a splendid attendance for an off day. All the Governors wore present. A New Zealand identity, A. Skirving, opened the proceedings by carrying off the Second Hurdle Race in splendid style. The parties behind Catspaw were enabled to win a nice little stake on the Spring Handicap, owing to the strong support aceordod The Chief, who never flattered his backers during the contest. The pot boiled over in tho Flying Stakes. 11. J. Morrison, the rider of Bobadil, who wore a careworn look oil going out of tho paddock, being unable to make even the semblance of a straggle on the favourite when tho Cup winner came at him. The New South Wales visitors sent up a great cheer as The Grafter drew away from his opponent. The following are the details of the racing: • The Hurdle Race, a handicap sweepstakes of ssovs each, with 200sovs added. Second horse to receive 40sovs, and the third 20sovs out of the stake. Two miles. Mr. A. Skirving's b g Sheoak, aged, by Truebridge mare, lOst 21b (A. Skirving) 1 Mr. S. Miller's ch g Homespun, aged, by Lowland Chief— 12st 81b (M. Mooney) 2 Mr. E. Key's b li Lord Gresford, syrs, by Sweet William— Gresford, lOst 71b (P. Fallon) 3

Seven others ran. Betting: 3 to 1 against Lord Gresford, 4 to Legs, 6 to 1 The Provost and Sheoak, 8 to 1 Homespun. At barrier's rise Homespun went away from The Provost, Realgar, and Sheoak, the latter assuming tho lead after half-a-mile had been traversed. He was never afterwards headed, winning in a common canter by five lengths, Homespun easing off half-a-length in advance of Lord Gresford, with Legs fourth, Tho Provost fifth, and Realgar and Togus tho 'ast two. Time, 3m. 525. The Spring Handicap, a sweepstakes of ssovs each, with 250sovs added. Second horse to receive 50sovn, and the third 25sovs out of tlio stake. For two-year-olds and up-

wards. One milo and a-quarler. M.-. S. It. Bloomfiold cli g Catspaw, aged, by Neckersgat—Cyclone, Bst 91b (P. G imago) 1 Mr. W. R. Wilson's blk o Auriferous, 3yrs, -by Robinson CrusoeAura, 63t 111b (F. Dunne) ... ... ■■■ _ 2 Mr. E. 11. Knight's 1) h Prince Carbine, syrs, by Carbine—'Tallinn, 7st 121b (0. Parker) t., 3

Twelve others started. Belting: 3 to 1 against The Chief, 10 to 1 Prineo Carbine, 12 to 1 Catspaw and Hymetlus, 20 to 1 Auriferous. After Passover, Lochiianita, and Hymeltus showing out prominently in the first portion of the journey, Catspaw made an effort within the distanco, winning cleverly by threequarters of a length, there being three lengths between the second and third. Loeliuanita was fourth, and Tho Chief seventh, with Heretic last. Time, 2m. 9is. The Flying Stakes, a sweepstakes of lOsovs each, with 300sovs added. Second horse to receive 6050v6, and tho third 30sovs out of the stako. For two-year-olds and upwards. Weight for age. Seven furlongs. Mr. W. Forrester's br g The Grafter, syrs, by Industry, Bst 111b (J. Gough) 1 Mr. W. R. Wilson's br o Bobatlil, 3yn, by Bill of Portland—She, Bst (11. J. Morrison) 2 Mr. H. Oxenham's 1) g Sailor Boy, 6yrs., Bst lllh (A. C. Delanny) 3 These were tho only starters. Belting: 4 to 1 on Bobadil, 4- to 1 against The Grafter, 10 to 1 Sailor Boy. The favourite jumped off with the lead, The drafter lying second till just below tho distance, then coining away and winning with ridiculous case, pulling up. Time, lm. 31Js. The .favourite being a length and a-quarter away, and Sailor Boy 10 lengths off second money. The Oaks Stakes, a sweepstakes of lOsovs each, with oOOsovs added. Second horse to receive 50sovs, and the third 20sovs out of the stake. For three-year-old fillies, Bst 1011). One mile and a-half. Mr. W. 11. Wilson's b f Symmetry, by Trenton— (11. J. Morrison)... 1 Mr. W. 11. Mate's br f Lelamine, by The Australian Peer—Miss Thirza (Conlon) 2 Mr. M. Thompson's eh f Picture, by Russley—Queen's Head (A. C. Delanoy) ... 3 Tho oilier starters were:—Safety and Miss West.

Belting: 5t04 on Symmetry, sto 1 against Lelamine and Picture.

The favourite never attempted to make a forward move till entering the straight, when she dashed into the lead, and coining away fioin her opponents won comfortably by a length, the same distance separating second and third horses. Safety was fourth. Time, 2m. 495. The Second Nimsert Handicap, a sweepstakes of ssovs each, with 200sovs added. Second horse to receive 40sovs, and tho third 20sovs out of the stake. For two-year-olds. Fivo furlongs. Sir. W. R. Wilson's b c Revenue, by Trenton— 9.4 (H. J. Morrison) 1 Mr. T. Lamond's blk or br f Condiment, by Gossoon—Cinnamon, 7st lib (JlcFarlane) _ •• 2 Mr. D. .lames' b f Sunny Mom, by Light Artillery—Sunningdale, 7sfc 41b (AY. Delaney) 3 Nino others ran. Belting: 5 to 4 on Revenue, 5 to 1 against Fleetfoot, 8 to 1 Condiment, 12 to 1 sunny Morn. Revenue won in a canter by two lengths and a-half. with three lengths botweon the sccond and third horses. Catherine Wheel was fourth. Time, lm. 51s.

The Veteran Stakes, a handicap sweepstakes of seovs each, with 200sovs aaded. Second horse to receive 40sovs, and tae third 20»ovs out of the stake. For four-year-olds and upwards, One mile and ahalf. Mr. .1. Mayo's br g Toxteth, 4yrs, by Locliiel—The Oaks, 7st 81b (D. Marsden) 1 Mr. J. Macpherson's br li Onslow, syra, by Trenton- Sumatra, 6st 131b (W. Burn) 2 Mr. J. O'Loughlan's blk g Trent, aged, by Trenton—Sumatra, fat 121b (C. Cooper) 3 Eleven others started. Belting: 7 to 2 against Toxteth, 10 to I Trent, 20 to 1 Onslow. Toxtotli won easily by three-quarters 'i a length, half-a-leugth separating tho second and third horses. War God was fourth. Time, 2in. 3725.

A RACING DISQUALIFICATION. By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. MKLnofciWE, November 3. Tho Moonee Valley stewards have endorsed the 12 months' disqualification of T. G. Muir, owner, and the racohorse The Tola, referred back to them by the committee of tho Victoria Racing Club, but reduced i the suspension of 11. Cook, tho jockey, to six months.