SEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 21

SEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES.

(By our Australian Sporting Correspondent, " Wakkiok.") Sydney, August 25. My readers, no doubt, have for many weeks past noticed the absenc.e of " Warrior's" letteis from the Sporting columns of the Otago Witness. There is ouly one reason I can assign : you can't very well be confined to your room with lung disease and be touting at the same time. Thanks to Dr Pickburn, I able to visit Randwick training ground three mornings last week, and this morning I was delighted to see how beautifully the New Zealand horses covered the ground. The first to uatch my eye was the three-year-old Winchester, who was accompanied by the Musket — Locket brown colt. At the time the pair came out very few touts had assembled. Mason sent off Thunderbolt for a hot mile and a half gallop. After passing the stand the first time, Winchester joined his stable companion, and they raced neck and neck for half a mile, the son of St George having a slight lead at the finish. I fancy Thunderbolt has been doing a little too much work, and I predict that Winchester will prove his master the first time they start together in a race. Of all the horses in training at Randwick (nearly 200), give me the winner of the New Zealand Cup and Dunedin Cvp — Vanguard — the son of one of the grandest sires that ever trod j Australian soil. The son of Traducer, En Avant, ! had so much improved since I saw him last that I scarcely knew he was the same horse. He did strong work with himself, going twice round the i course at a terrific pace, covering two miles in 3 mm. 52 sec, and pulling up as fresh as a " lark." I would like to know which of the races he intends going for — Caulfield Cup, or Melbourne Cup-^-he won't start start f ortheHawkesbury. If Vanguard is the same horse that he is this morning on the day of the Melbourne Cup \ he will beat all the Commotions and Welcome j Jacks in Australia. Another New Zealauder opened my eyes a little — I speak of the chestnut | son of King of Clubs — Idalia. Liverpool is a flue raking four year old, and almost on a par with Vanguard. Yesterday morning he ran a mile with himself, and finished the two miles with Winchester. The pa ; r went at it with earnestness, and the pace was a, regular cracker, both horses going well within themselves. Mason appeared delighted, aud so was I. If Thunderbolt can beat either of these two in a mile and a half, you can bet your bottom dollar on it, the Hon. W. Robinson has a very good show of carrying off the Victorian Derby. It's premature to speak at the present time of the merits of any one stable, but I can now state without fear of contradiction that the Hon. W. Robiuson has in training the finest string of racehorses to be found in Australia. Of the Victorian and New South Wales bred horses give me Uralla, Wing, Despot, Matchlock, Monte Christo, Prince Imperial, Folly, Espiegle, Rapid, Orator, Kiugsdale, Eagle Grange, First Chester, Friendship, and Wanda. There is no mistake about the condition of Despot — it's perfect, — and should he run"as well as the day he rau second to First Demon he will run into a place, if not first, in the next race he starts for. This morning he ran rings round Percussion in "a mile and a quarter gallop. Kingsdale and 1 Orator did a fast spin of twice round the course (two miles and a half and 42 yards) ; the last time past the stand was accomplished in 2 mm. 26 sec. Eagle Grange ran rings round First Chester and' Friendship in a mile and quarter gallop, the watches showing 2 mm. 24 sec. Astrcea, Phaon, and Magnifier started for a mile and a quarter spurt, Phaon having all the best of it, finishing the distance in 2 mm. 22 sec. Folly, who had been backed a short time ago for a hatful of money to win the Hawkesbury Handicap, cut up very badly after going a mile ; Ellington having the Clarence River mare at his mercy for the rest of the distance (half a mile) : Uralla cantered two miles, and then galloped off at her best for' five furjongs. Not bad for a filly ; she must win the Sydney Derby. Monte Christo is not looking so pink as a month ago. Should he and Uralla be fit on the day of the Victorian Derby, they will beat both Newstead and Dunlop. Newstead I look upon as a second Archie — iv fact not worthy of half the pretensions, and never good enough to be placed alongside such a first-class but unfortunate racehorse. I don't believe any of the Neckersgat stock can get over one mile and a quarter ; and I shouldn't be at all surprised, should two of the best of Mr White's and the Hon. W. Robinson's pair start, that neither Newstead nor Dunlop will secure a place in the V.R C. Derby of 1885. Nordenfeldt and Matchlock did good working exercisej and the little Tasmanian-bred Prodigal ran the head off Wing, completing the once round in 2 mm. 21 see. Highland Mary extended herself in a fast mile and a half, and finished up the morning gallops. The Hawkesbury Handicap will be decided on Saturday, 12th September ; and at the present time Prince Imperial holds the pride of place at, 100's to 10. Looking down the weights, I must certainly go for Kingsdale, Wing, and Prince Imperial, with Highland Mary and Folly close up. I The Northern Hunt Club opened the racing ! season of 1885-86 on Saturday last at Randwick, j and notwithstanding the counter attractions on the Association cricket ground and Botany, the attendance was about as good as a second-rate football match on the South Melbourne ground— say 5000. The vehicle traffic being slight the road was well watered. Strange to say, last Sydney Cup, when you could scarcely breathe for dust, the water-carts were conspicuous by their absence, but on Saturday when a 'bus or cab could scarcely be noticed the whole of the Sydney waterworks were at the disposal of the A.J.C. and the indefatigable secretary. The Hurdle Race opened the proceedings, for which seven weighed out. Scobeloff, an aged chestnut gelding (list 71b), left the paddock first favourite at even money, but his backers came to grief, for he could getno nearer than third, Michael, another aged gelding carrying 9st B£lb, defeating him and the bay gelding Uhlan (9st 121b) with the greatest of ease. The last race of the day, the Hunt Stakes, a welter handicap, to be ridden by amateurs, one mile and a-quarter, was won by Mr Cornwell's chestnut gelding Sir Garnet, aged, list 71b, defeating* Freemason, Solicitor, Drummer Boy, Scobeloff, and some five others. The Sydney Bicycle Club's Champion meeting on Saturday last on the Association Cricket ground was well patronised both by the public and competitors. The Ten Miles Championship Race" created a vast amount of excitement. Shackelford, who, by-the-bye, follows the occupation of a compositor, was in splendid condition. Victoria was represented by Bloomfield, Shackelford, and Foulkes, and New South Wales by Bennett and Wood. This beiug the most important event of the day I will place it before my readers in full: — With the pistol shot Bennett and Wood went to the front, the pace being made something tornSc from the start. At the end of the first round Bloomfield was ' leading* with Bennett second qnd Shaokelfovd

third ; but in the second the latter took Bennett's place, Wood contenting himself with a fourth. Bloomfield retired in the last lap. The first mile was accomplished in 3 miv. 5 sec, Wood being next to Bennett, who was leading. In the next round Sliackleford ran into second place, and he raced Bennett desperately, but without being able to take the lead and the inside. The second milu was completed in 6 mm. 20 sec, with Shackelford and Bennett perfectly level. Foulkes then took third place, but in the middle of the third mile he lost a spoke, and for the rest of the race his machine went along to a musical accompaniment, induced by the breakage. In the third lap Wood, amid great cheering, made a wonderfnl run, which put him ahead with several yards to the good ; but he at once eased off, as if satisfied with his performance, and Bennett was once more in front. Shackelford stuck to him manfully, but was unable to give him the go-by. The third mile was accomplished in 9 mm. 41 sec, the only change being that Foulkes_ had taken third place. The fourth mile was timed to 13 mm. 9 sec, and the fifth to 16 mm. 35 sec. Wood then gave another brilliant spurt ahead, and again slowed down, and Bennett then, in his turn, went 'away by a length and a-half, Shackelford appearing to lose some five or six yards. The six miles was done in 19 mm. 42 sec., the seventh in 23 mm. 16 sec, and the eighth in 26 mm. 51 sec. At the end of this mile Shackelford appeared to have a very slight lead. Just after the second round in the next mile had been completed Shackelford and Bennett came into collision, and the Victorian was obliged to retire with a bent pedal. This left Foulkes alone to compete with Wood and Bennett, but he made a determined fight to the end, yet without success. The nine miles were finished in 30 mm. 6.V sec, aud in the last lap Wood shot away and was raced by Bennett, who overtook him, but fell back again, Bennett being second and Foulkes third. Time, 33 mm. 19 sec. The last lap was done in 41 3-sth sec. Sydney, August 31.

On Monday afternoon last the general entries for the forthcoming Australian Jockey Club Spring meeting was made at the office of Mr Clibborn— -Hurdle Race, 25 ; Trial Stakes, one mile and a quarter, 23 ; The Epsom Handicap, one mile, 57; Spring Stakes, 18 (among the number Honeydew, Wing, Reginald, Kingsdale, Silver King, Matchlock, Prince Imperial, and Merlin); Welter Handicap, 54 ; The Shorts, three-quarters of a mile, 60 ; The Suburban Handicap, seven furlongs, 64; Spring Maiden Stakes, one mile and a-half, 21 ; Selling Plate, 25 ; Squatters' Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, 48; Grandstand Plate, 32; The Craven Plate, weight for age, one mile and a-quarter, and the Randwick Plate, three miles, have filled up with 30 and 18 entries respectively. In the past such first-class animals as The Barb, Tim Whiffler, Fishhook, Glencoe, Volunteer, Yattendon, and Fireworks have figured in both these races, and on the 24th and 26th September, we will have cattle equal to most of the racehorses named above. You can't very well beat such goers as Welcome Jack, Reginald, Merlin, Moonshee, Silver King, Uralla,Tom Brown, Honeydew, Matchlock, Kingsdale, Prince Imperial, and Manchester. For the Sydney Handicap, one mile and a-half, 49 horses have entered; Second Hurdles, 22; Members' Handicap, 43 ; Waverley Handicap, one mile and three-quarters, 37. The Steeplechase should prove a very interesting race, no less than 25 entries having been made — 16 local and 9 Melbourne. The Fair Handicap, the last race of the day, filled up with 63.

Great surprise was expressed in Sydney and Melbourne when it became known that out of the long list of entries for the Australian Jockey Club and Hawkesbury Spring meetings the Hon. William Robinson's name was conspicuous by its absence. I have tried my best to ascertain whether the hon. gentleman had been slighted in any way by the stewards of either club, but failed. It certainly looks " crooked " that such first-class racehorses as Thunderbolt, Vanguard, Liverpool, and Winchester should be prevented from winning the weight-for-age races to be found on the respective programmes.

Poor Shorter, the well-known English billiardplayer has gone to his long home. My readers will recollect that some years ago F. Shorter was one of the great billiard-players of the clay, and his uncommon skill with the cue in the Old Country brought him under the notice of Mr John Roberts, jun., and he (Shorter) in conjunction with that renowned player, visited the Australasian colonies. In 1881 Shorter had become such an expert at the game that on the 13th of April that year he was supposed to play Joseph Bennett for the championship Cup, but failing health compelled him to pay forfeit. As I said above, he then journeyed to Melbourne, thinking that the change might improve his health. A few months afterwards he removed to Deniliquin, in the Riverina district of New South Wales, where he remained until his death, on Saturday, the 22nd inst. Mr Shorter had been suffering from consumption for over six years. Darebin, who will always bo remembered by New Zealand sportsmen, not only as a facehorse, but being a son of The Peer aud the boautifullybrecl Lurline, carried away victoriously all the honours presented at the Queensland agricultural show at Brisbane. He was awarded first prize in the class for stallions and the champion cup for the best stallion exhibited. Lord Lisgar was placed second. No wonder the Americans consider Darebin cheap at 3000 guineas. For mares, Legerdemain received the champion cup.

Good work was done on the course proper at Randwick on Thursday and Friday morning. Vanguard has been eased off- in his gallops, and Mason only sends Winchester and Liverpool short spurts of half a mile. .Thunderbolt is looking well. I fancy that the Hon. W. Robinson's horses are kept in reserve for the Victoria Racing Club Spring meeting, where I feel certain they will play a conspicuous part in the four days' racing. Wing, who is now first favourite for the Hawkesbury Handicap at 100 to 10, performed very moderately on Friday morning. Folly, the property of Mr Michael Rush, well known to the aquatic world, ran a mile and a half in splendid time, and if she can only race in public as she does in private the Clarenco River people may scoop iv the dollars. Kingsdale, who by-the-bye, I tipped to win the Hawkesbury in my last letter, has receded to 100 to 8, but, nevertheless, the son of Maribyrnong-Rosedale is doing very fair work at Randwick. Mr S. Martin's Reginald, who turned the colours of the champion Commotion at the last Sydney Cup meeting, arrived in Sydney during the week, and this morning did an excellent gallop in company with the steeplechaser Buzza, who started in a two-mile spin with 100 yards thrown in. Most of the weight-for-age races at the A.J.C. meeting may fall to him, but I can't reconcile myself to the fact that he has a ghost of a show in the Great Metropolitan Stakes. Welcome Jack, 9st 31b, who is two years older than Reginald, only gives him 31b, and surely any sano man will arlinit that such a firstTclass performer as the New Zealander holds the Victorian safe. Highland Mary is improving. Should an outsider win the Hawkesbary Handicap, it will be M«ry. In

my last I spoke in the highest terms of the Hon. James White's Despot, and have much pleasure in endorsing these sentiments on this occasion. Uralla and Despot ran a fast mile and a quarter when the filly was pulled up, Despot finishing two miles to himself , which pleased the spectators. Should Mr White back him for the Metropolitan • — which means that he will be " on the job" — you can depend upon it he will be one of four to catch the judge's eye. Times out of number I have written down this horse, simply because he never extended himself on the training ground. On one occasion I recommended his owner to dispose of his carcase to one of the sixpenny restaurant keepers of Sydney. Not accepting my suggestion he turned Despot out for a spell, and like Nimblef oot, of Melbourne Cup fame, he has blossomedinto a real racehorse. Nordenfeldt, who has been backed (not by the stable, I'm certain) to win the Victoria Derby at 10's to 1 for £5000, did an excellent mile and a half with Matchlock. At the end of the journey there was not much to choose ; Honeydew, who carries Bst 41b in the Hawkesbury, and is now as good a favourite as Wing, ran a mile v and a quarter in 2 mm. 18& sec. The son of Goldsbrough looks the pink of condition, but with such a height up he can scarcely run into a place. First Chester, by Chester, is a colt that my readers should keep their eye on ; he's a regular clipper, and should his owner send him for the A.J.C. Derby may upset the " pot," , and prove a Victorian Derby Rufus. Queensland has two capital representatives in Elsinore, who is a fine upstanding brown horse, showing no end of power- and quality, and when called upon extends himself something similar to the unfortunate Le Grand. Petronel is the other banana, and a very good one too. He moves like a gentleman. We will certainly hear good accounts of this pair. Monte Christo has for the past week been undergoing easy exercise, and I fancy Mr White intends Mm for the Melbpurne Derby. The other horses at Randwick enjoying good health and constitutional gallops are: — Astrcea, Eagle Grange, Percussion, Espiegle, Phaon, Magnifier, Wanda, Lord of the Lake, Tempe, Hexham, Ellington, Lennox, Claundon, Abuer, Cardigan, Soldier Boy, and Rapid.

Hon. W. Robinson having decided to take no part in either the Hawkesbury or A.J:C Spring carnivals, his string of horses, comprising Vanguard, Oudeis, Thunderbolt, Winchester, and Liverpool, will leave Randwick to-morrow afternoon for Melbourne, in charge of Mason. These first-class racehorses will take up their quarters at Mr Eli Jellett's, Flemington.

Welcome Jack, the New Zealand hero, with The Broker, Acolyte, and Hurricane, arrived from Melbourne, last week, under the care of Tom Coffey, and proceeded to Hawkesbury, where they will remain until the 14th of next month, when they will occupy boxes at Randwick. Welcome Jack has recovered from his soreness, and looks the picture of health. I don't care &o much about The Broker, and would prefer the chances of the Maorilander. Acolyte and Hurricane appear to have improved since I saw them last (five months ago.) After Saturday's racing at Randwick I must change my mind as regards the winner of the Hawkesbury Handicap, therefore I go for

XLjvxaiinnM ... ... j. Wing ... ... ... 2 PIiINCB IMVBIITAT, ... 3 Kingsdale, Folly, and Brown and Rose close up.