AUSTRALIAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1812, 13 August 1886, Page 24

AUSTRALIAN.

The price understood to have been paid for Darebiu by Mr Haggin, of San Francisco, who it will be remembered purchased Sir Modred, is stated to be 1750 guineas. The first of the sensations in connection with the wagering on the Melbourne Cup (says the Australasiau) has occurred, and Malua has been the instrument. On Monday Mr Inglis' horse was named in connection with the great event of the V. R. C, and an offer of 5000 to 100 was accepted when offered. The run on the son of St. Albans was continued on Wednesday, when wagers of 500 to 10, 1000 to 20, 1000 to 25, 4000 to 100, 5000 to 150, and 4000 to 120 were booked. Previous to the demonstration in favour of the great gun, Trenton was in brisk demand, the New Zealander having been backed to win a good deal of money at 1000 to 40 and 1000 to 50, but weakened ; and Commotion received some support at 100 to 3. Silvermine maintained his position as first favourite for the Caulfield Cup, for on Monday he was backed to ' win several thousands at 100 to 5. Merrimu was also mentioned in connection with the V.A.T.C. event, for which he was supported to win a couple of thousand at 100 to 4, and and 1000 to 30 was taken more than once about William Tell, while 5000 to 75 was pencilled down about Mackay. Others were backed at the prices given below: — CAULFIELD OUP. 1000 to 50 ag3t Silvermine (tk) 1000 — 40 Merrimu (tk) 1000 — 30 William Tell (tk) 1000 — 30 Ben Bolt (tk) 600 — 10 Sir Launcelot (tk) 500 — 10 Western (tk) 500 — 10 Preston (tk) 500 — 10 Bonnie Doou (tk) 5000 — 75 Mackay (tk). V.R.C. DERBY. 100 to 14 agst Trident (tk). MELBOURNE CUP. " 100 to 5 agst Ti-pnton (tk) 100 — 3 Malua (tk) 100 — 3 Commotion (tk) 100 — 3 Britisher (tk) 10!) — 3 Merrimu (tk) 100 — 3 Silvermine (tk). V.R.C. DERBY AND CUP. 20,000 to 20 agst Blairgowrle and Duration (tk),

In Sydney the whilom New Zealander Trenton, stands out above all others for the Melbourne Cup, the best offer to money being 100 to 6, though here and there occasional centuries are to be had to fivers. Mr Cooper's recent purchase has beon consistently supported ever since the weights appeared, and on Monday an extra £6000 was seized upon at an average of 1000 to 45. Betting on other events is as follows : —

IIAWKKSKURY HANDICAP. 100 to 7 v. Hexliam 100 to (5 v. Elsinore 100 to 7 v. The Jewel 100 to 6 v. Corday 100 to 6v. The Orphan 100 to sv. Ringmaster

METROPOLITAN STAKES. 100 to 6 v. Hexham 100 to 5 v. Cerise and Blue 100 to sv. Ringmaster 100 to sv. Acolyte.

The committee of the Victoria Racing Club has ordered three electric scratching machines from Messrs Gaunt and Haydon, who have obtained a patent for their invention. The machines will be placed in the saddling paddock, the entrance to the lawn, and on the hill. The numerals will be from 12in to 15in in length, and discernable from any part of the grandstand and enolosure. They are to bo completed in time for the Melbourne Cup meeting. The death is announced of Sunlight, who gained considerable distinction as a handicap performer, amongst his triumphs being the Hawkesbury Handicap in 1876. Jse was by Kelpie from Juanita. The Victorian metallician, Mr Harry Haines, who is now on a trip through England, has, according to a private letter, found his first experience of betting on the English turf the reverse of remunerative, and for "plugging" the favourite during a " backers' day " at Ascot was mulct in the sum' of £1000. Members of the English ring in the majority of instances wager very closely to figures, or bet to a small profit, but this is not in accord with the doings on the colonial turf, which the popular Victorian has found to his cost. These things, however, appear to pretty well equalise themselves, first a backers' day and then one for fielders, or vice versa, and Mr Haines, with the admitted percentage ia favour of the metallic, was probably not long in squaring accounts. He writes in glowing terms of the treatment he, Mr B. Thompson, and other colonial sports received at the hands of their English brethren.

Despot has arrived safely at Bombay. A great many people would have been pleased had he reached there some years ago.

Jack Kerr had a queer experience with his little horse Comus at the Hay \race meeting, which was remarkable for the number of dead heats it provided. Sport began with the Maiden plate, in which Kerr's aptly-named Victory got home before Ailsa and Gazelle, who ran a dead heat for second place. In the Jockey Club Handicap, Comus, (6st 131b) and Abuse (6st 51b) finished too close to be separated, whilst Hogmanay was close up third. The stakes were divided. On the second day the deceptive Morceau, formerly the property of Ted McCarthy, won Tattersall's purse with 13st on her back ; and then Comus and Hogmanay, with Bst 81b and 7st 71b respectively, got home heads and tails in the Winter Handicap, and in the run-off the sterling little son of Westminster, who was ridden by Nerriker, won easily. For one horse to run two dead heats for two big handicaps is a coincidence not often dropped across.

It is not generally known that the stud horse Ladykirk died some time ago. Ladykirk was the sire of several good horses, notably Haricot, winner of the Melbourne Cup, and Sultan, a very brilliant animal.