SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11637, 26 April 1901, Page 6

SPORTING.

THE TURF IN ENGLAND. RESULT OF THE CITY AND SUBURBAN HANDICAP. VICTORY OF AN AUSTRALIAN-BRED HORSE. By Telegraph. Press Association.— London, .April 24. The Epsom Spring Meeting was continued to-day. The following was the result of the principal event: — THE CITY AND SUBURBAN HANDICAP of 2000sovs, added to a sweepstakes of 25sovs each for starters. For three-year-olds and upwards. The owner of the second horse to receive 200sovs and the owner of the third lOOsovs out of the stakes. About one mile and a-quarter. Mr. Spencer Gollan's blk h Australian Star, syrs, by Australian Peer—Colours, 7st 101b (including 101b penalty) ... 1 Mr. H. J. King's br h Amurath, syrs, by Janissary---Ladykin J ... 2 —i — ch h Alvescot, 4yrs, by Raeburn— Alberta ... ... ... ... ... 3 The betting at the post was 9 to 2 against Australian Star and Alveseot, 25 to 1 Amurath. Australian Star won by six lengths.

The Fates, it must be conceded, have been very kind to Australian-bred horses in connection with the City and Suburban Handicap, for Australian Star's victory on Wednesday last marks the third year in succession that the Epsom race has fallen to a horse bred in the antipodes, Newhaven and The Grafter being the other pair to gain distinction. Australian Star was bred in Mew South Wales. In the spring of his three-year-old career he displayed galloping abilities of a high order, and his future bore so promising an aspect that Mr. Spencer Gollan, who, it may be remarked, was at tho time on a flying visit to the colonies, was tempted to invest the big sum of 2500 guineas in the purchase of Australian Peer's son. Australian Star's initial effort in the colours of the New Zealand sportsman was in connection with the Melbourne Stakes of 1899, and the horse's prospects in the Victorian weight-for-age race were held in such high favour that he actually started with odds of 6to 4 laid on his ability to win. He cut up very badly, however, for he came home at the tail end of the field. Disappointing though Australian Star's performance was in his first race under his new owner's colours, he was made favourite for the Flying Stakes, run some few days later at the same gathering, only, however, to again go down badly, and another bad defeat was subsequently registered against his name for the C.B. Fisher Plate, in which race he also failed to gain a situation. Nothing daunted, however, Mi. Gollan had Australian Star transported across the sea to the Old Country. With eight consecutive defeats registered against Australian Star's name last season, matters looked tho reverse of promising for Mr. Gollan to get back the 2500 guineas which he invested in the horse's purchase. In February last, however, Australian Peer's son succeeded in breaking the spell of ill-luck that followed him for so long a period by crediting Mr. Gollan with the Sandown Grand Prize Hurdle Race, the stake attaching to which event was something like 800sovs. A few weeks subsequently he again showed winning form by annexing the London Cup of 1700sovs, and with the City and Suburban Handicap of 2000sovs now to his credit, he has placed his name well on the right side of the ledger. After his success in the Loudon Cup, Australian Star was installed favourite for tho City and Suburban Handicap, but may be Mr. Gollan did not wait for his horse to win the first-named event before backing him for the Epsom race, and it will be quite in order-to learn that the New Zealand sportsman won an extensive stake from the ring over the City and Suburban. Australian Star, it may be remarked, was trained by James Hickey, a native of Maoriland, who trains at Newmarket for Mr. Gollan.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING. FIRST DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PEERS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington. Thursday. The first day's racing of the "Wellington Racing Club's Autumn Meeting began to-day. Tho weather was fine, but towards the end of the day a strong and cold nor'-wester prevailed. The attendance was about 3000, including a fair sprinkling of sportsmen from, both North and South. "Mr. Douglas Gordon" was the most successful owner, Boreas placing the chief handicap of tho day to his credit, while he also secured the Waiwetu and Welter Handicaps by the aid of Ostiak. Mr. Stead's brilliant colt Mensehikoff scored a decidedly easy victory in the North Island Challenge Stakes, romping home several lengths in front of the Auckland colt Nonette. Speculation was not equal to the first day last year, £8502 being put through to-day, against £8971. Two bookmakers, 3 one a local one and the other from Ohristchurch, asserted their right to be in tho paddock, and the assistance of the police was requisitioned to remove them. They threaten to proceed against the club for damages. Outside the enclosure the bookmakers wore not interfered with. The following are the results: — WAIWETU HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second horse to receive lOsovs from the stake. Seven furlongs. 185—Mr. D. Gordon's ch g Ostiak. 4yrs, by Stepniak—Miss Betty, Bst 61b(Pine) ... 1 26-Mr. W. Davies' b g Walerford, 4yrs, 7st 31b (Price) ... ... 2 156—Mr. A. E. Harrison's ch g Cameo, s}rs, Bst 91b (Donovan) ... ... 3 Also started: 100, Battleaxe, lOst; 64, The Hempie, Sst; 84, Westguard, 7st 61b. After going a couple of furlongs Waterford drew out clear from The Hempie, with Battleaxe next. This order was maintained to the road, and here Westguard had passed (;he leader, and led into tho straight by hali'-a-length, with the others close up. A splendid race home took place, Cameo, Ostiak, The Hempie, Westguard, and Waterford being almost abreast as they swept past the distance post. Ostiak, on the inside, had the best of the run home, and won by about a length. Cameo was an excellent third. Time, lm. 325. Dividend, £2 19s.

MAIDEN HACK RACE or' 50sov S; second horse to receive ssovs from tho stake. Six furlongs. 156-Mr. W. Smart's b g Shrapnel Shell, 2yrs, by Son-of-a-Gi.m—Dudu, 7st .'ilb (Cress) ... 1 164—Mr. J. George's b g Durable, 2yrs, 7st 31b (Jones) 2 275—Mr. Launceston's b a, Fakir, 3yrs, Bst 61b (Rayner) ... 3 Also started : 19, The Waif, 9st; 54, White Heather, Bsfc 61b; 30, Waitoa, Bst 61b; 202, Benefactor, 7st 31b (carried 7st 81b); 21, Steel Gun, 7at 31b. The placed horses drew right away from the field after traversing three furlongs, and at the turn to the straight Fakir (on the rails) appeared to have the race won, but at the distance lie was tackled by Shrapnel Shell and Durable, and a. fine set-to resulted in favour of Shrapnel Shell by a head, the same distance between the second and third horses. Time, lm. 16 4-ss. Dividend, £5 6s.

THOMPSON HANDICAP of 350sovs; second horse 40sovs and third horse lOsovs , from the stake. One mile. 363—Mr. D. Gordon's ch g Boreas, aged, by Sou'-wester—Hippona, 9s 91b ,„„ ~ (Taggart) ... 1 300—Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan's

.oh m Rosella, 4yrs, Bst 71b (Gallagher) ... .. 2 100—Sir George Clifford's b g Glenaladale, 3yrs, 7st (Cameron) ... ... 3

Also started: 55, Crusoe, Bst 71b; 207, Okoari, Bst 61b; 66, Sylvia Park, Bsfc 31b: 178, Melwood, 8,-t 21b: 166, Palaver, J at 121b; 133, Skobeleff, 7st 101b; 59, Fashion, 7st 91b; 145, Amoureaux, 7st. The start was delayed some minutes owing to tlio fractiousness of Boreas, Amouroaux, and Sylvia Park, but eventually the, horses wore despatched on fairly even terms. After settling down in their positions Rosclla was in front, Imlf-a-length ahead of Melwood whe had Palaver at his girths. The others were bunched, except Boreas, who was last, five or six lengths behind the leaders. Pacing along the back Okoari and Amoureaux joined the leader, while Palaver fell back in the ruck. With half the journey finished Okoari took_ -up the running from Amoureaux, Fashion, and Glenaiadale. There was little change for the next furlong, except that Boreas was gradually . threading his way to the leaders. Okoari was tho first to turn for home, at which time there were quito half-a-dozen horses in a bunch close ; to

her, but she soon died out of the struggle, land the running was taken up by Boreas, who appeared to be winning easily, until half-way .down th,e straight;■"'■•when Ro sella put in a decided challenge, and •' Taggart had to shako up the top weight, who flashed past the post half-a-lengtli to the good.. Glenaladale was two lengths; away third. Then came Sko- . beleff and Crusoe. Time, lm. 42 3-ss. Dividend, £4 6s.

HURDLE HANDICAP of 150sovs; second horse 20sovs from the stake. About one

mile and three-quarters. 135—Mr. J. A. Rayner's oh g Right Metal, aged, by Louis d'Or— 9st 71b (McMorran) ... ... 1 149—Mr. P. Coffey's b m Vanquish, aged, lOst (Fay) ... ... ... ... 2 73—Mr. T. Leven's b m Sudor, 6yrs, 9st 51b (Laing) ... ... .... ... 3

Also started: 234, Long Tom, list 131b; 56, Waiwera, list 81b; 93, Kohunui, 9st 121b; 16, Sylvanus, 9st 101b. Long Tom went away with the lead, and passed the stand the first time a couple of lengths in advance of Vanquish and Right Metal. The others.were some lengths away. Right Metal and Long Tom were racing together along the back, but hearing the road Long Tom retired, and Vanquish took second place, three lengths behind the leader, while Sudor moved up a little. It was now seen that Vanquish'b rider was in trouble, his saddle having slipped. Despite the accident, he set sail after Right Metal, but having to hang on to the saddle he could not handle his horse with freedom, and though he made a, gallant fight of it ho suffered a defeat by only two lengths. Time, 3m. 16|s. Dividend, £5. WELTER HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second horse lOsovs from the stake. One mile and a furlong. 249—Mr. .D. Gordon's th g Osfciak, 4yrs, by Sfcepniak— Miss Betty, 9st 111b (Taggart) ' 1 306—Mr. F. Watson's ch g Dartmoor, 6yrs, Bst 71b (Gallagher) ... ... 2 175—Mr. J. Cress' br m Volley, 6yrs, ! (O'Leary) ... ... 3 I Also started: 209, The Hemnie, 9st 101b; i 118, Lady Bell, Bst 101b; 80, Conspirer, 7st 71b.

Dartmoor and Lady Bell made the play, and were in front six furlongs from home, with Volley and The Hempie comprising the second division, and Ostiak lasj. Sweeping round the bend into the straight Ostiak began to go up, and as the horses headed for home Dartmoor was just in front of Volley and Ostiak. The latter drew out inside the distance, and won comfortably by a length and a-half. Time, 2m. 3 2-ss. Dividend, £4 2s. NORTH ISLAND CHALLENGE STAKES of 300sovs; second horse 5050v6 and third lOsovs from the stake. Seven furlongs. 421—Mr. G. G. Stead's b c Mensehikoff, 2yrs, by Stepniak—Pibroch, Bst lib (Derrett) ... 1 135—Mr. .J. T. Ryan's oh c Nonette, 2yrs, M lib (Ryan) 2 45Sir G. Clifford's b c Somerled, 3yrs, Bsfc 81b (Pine) 3 Mensehikoff hopped off the mark in front, and, drawing away from the field the further they went, won very easily by eight lengths. Somerled was a poor third. Time, lm. 28 4-ss. Dividend, £1 ss. HACK HANDICAP of SOsovs; second hcrse lOsovs from the stake. One mile. 106—Mr. P. Martin's br m Cornea, syrs, by St. George—Retina, 7st 31b (Cress) 1 109—Mr. J. Paul's br m Blackwing, 3yrs, (Price) 2 110— J. George's b m St. Ada, syrs, Bst 21b (George) ... 3 Also started: 271, Plaidie, Bst 101b; 118, Skylark, Bst 91b; 160. Gipsy Jack, Bst 91b; 40, Valkyrie, Bst 41b; 91, Dormitory, 7st 111b; 96, Punawai, 7st 81b; 141, Raema, 7st 41b; 24, Art Jewel, 7st; 300, Forward Guard, 7st; 52, Bonne Esperance, 6st 101b. Blackwing and Cornea were in the leading division all the way, and the latter won rather easily at the finish by three lengths. Time, lm. 445. Dividend, £13 6s. RAILWAY HANDICAP of 200sovs; second horse 20sovs and third horse lOsovs from the stake. Six furlongs. 375 Sir George Clifford's b c Glenogle, 4-yrs, by Clanranald—Retina, Bst 61b (Pine) 1 126—Mr. W. Blackmore's br g Sentry, 6yrs, 7st (Price) 2 75—Mr. E. S. Shearsby's br m Westguard, 4yrs, 7st 7lb (Wilson) 3 Also started: 360, The Shannon, Bst 111b; 86, Sedgebrook, Bst; 89, Sundial, 7st 131b; 26, Osborne, 7st. Sentry and Westguard were the first to break the line, and raced together along the back stretch, with Glenogle in a handy position fourth. As the road was approached (She latter moved up to the leaders, and the trio entered the straight almost in line. A determined race to the post saw the placed horses pass locked together, the judge declaring in favour of Glenogle by a head, while only a head separated the second and third horses. Time, lm. 15s. Dividend, £2 14s. As Westguard did not weigh in, the third money may be withheld. Shortly after the last race light rain set in. THE A.E.C. CENTURY STAKES. [BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION-.] Wellington, Thursday. It is understood thai Sir George Clifford, as chairman of the Now Zealand Racing Conference, declines to give an opinion on the question of the gelding allowance, carried in the Auckland Century Stakes, which was recently remitted to him by the Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan, the owners of the third horse. AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING. Matters bear a favourable aspect for the success* of the second day's racing in connection with the Avondale Jockey Club's meeting, which is fixed to take place tomorrow at Ellerslie. The acceptances received for the various events are first-class, and with fine weather a most enjoyable afternoon's sport should result. The programme will be run off in the following order: — Maiden Handicap Hurdles (one mile and ahalf), Flying Handicap (four furlongs), Pony Handicap (rive furlongs), Autumn Handicap (one mile), Nursery Handicap (six furlongs), Handicap Steeplechase (about three miles), Hack Handicap (six furlongs), Waitakerei Handicap (six furlongs). The first event is fixed to be started punctually at half-past twelve p.m. A notification re special trains will be found published in anothei column.

Nominations for the Great Northern Steeplechase, Grand National Hurdle Race, and Winter Steeplechase, to be run at the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting in June next close to-night at nine o'clock.

Nominations for all events to be run at the Takapuna. Jockey _ Club's Winter Meeting close to-night at nine o'clock. The Auckland Trotting Club's winter programme will require attention at the hands of horseowners to-day, nominations for all events closing at ten p.m.