SPORTING NOTES FROM VICTORIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1822, 22 October 1886, Page 24

SPORTING NOTES FROM VICTORIA.

(By Oub Special Melbourne Spouting CORHESPONDENT " OLYMPUS.") RACING. Melbourne, October 12. My communication is going to be short and sweet this week, as I caught such a severe cold in more ways than one last Saturday that I have not the strength, even had I the inclination, to bpin you a long yarn. The Oaulfield Guineas day has now for the third year in succession turned out a soaker , and when it makes up it mind to rain on the classic heath it pays attention to it. Proceedings opened with a regular surprise, the Maiden Plate being annexed by an animal without the slightest pretension to having been trained, being as rough as a badger .Newmaster is by Newminster out. of Primrose, and from the Btyle in which he finished home in front of 19 others he will yet be heard of achieving something more meritorious. Oorrigan on Huntsman eventually settled down as first favourite for the Handicap Hurdle Race, and as there was only another trier in a field of eight I need uot say that they finished first and second. Fourteen youngsters comprised the field in the Great Foal Stakes, and on the strength of his previous victories Mr J. R. Smith's chestnut colt Yetman, by Julian Avenel from Vanity, held the pride of place, in the betting at 5 to 2, Sumatra and Epicurean coming next at 6 to 1, whilst the followers of Mr C. L. Macdonald's stables popped their pieces right gaily down on Hortense at a shade larger odds. The race was never in doubt, for Hortense getting away well in front, was never headed, and won by three lengths from Yetman and Perhaps, who finished a dead .heat for second honours. The time, 51sec, was really excellent. Hortense is by Gang Forward from Josephine, and consequently full sister to Marie Louise and First Consul. Her victory in tne Great Foal Stakes will necessitate her putting up a 14lb penalty in the Maribyrnong Plate. Volcano, and nothing but Volcano, would go down with the clever crowd for the Caulfield Guineas, for which eight started. Such was the rush to get on to the good thing that eventually the punters laid 6 to 4 on him, Blairgowrie and Maddelina each receiving some outside support at 5 to 1. From training track performances the race looked all over bar the starting for Blairgowrie, whilst Maddelina's form had been so atrociously bad on the Thursday morning before the race that her show was considered by the talent to be next to hopeless. On Friday night Blairgowrie showed signs of lameness, and it was some time before his trainer, T. Lamond, discovered what was really the matter with him — namely, that he had injured his sheath on the journey down to Caulfield. The favourite Rhow«sd in front just after the flag fell, and accompanied by Chesham, carried on the running for some distance. At the start Blairgowrie chopped right across Mad- j delina and threw her out of her stride, which gave Colley, who was in the pigskin, an opportunity of displaying his consummate generalship ; for never attempting to bustle her along, he ran behind his field till coming towards the home turn, when he moved on her, and answering gamely, she raced up alongside Volcano as the straight was entered. Dingdong went Hales and Colley ; but Brickey was on the whip hand of his man, and keeping him on the rails he got home in front by half a length, First Consul, who had made a terrible run in the last half furlong, being only half a head behind Volcano. Of course Tommy Hales was rope&blo, and equally, of course, he at once entered a protest against Colley for boring him ; but the stewards failed to see it, and the judge's fat was not disturbed. The Australian Hunters' Cup Steeplechase was voted a real good thing for Union, but Mr J. 0. Inglis rode a pretty race throughout, and coming with a regular Malua run at the fiuish he defeated Union with his own horse Goldfinder by a couple of lengths, Abdallah coming in third. The Toorak Handicap, one mile, wound up the day's sport, and out of 21 starters two were only genuinely backed for money — Hogmanaydam to 5 to 2, and Middlemarch dam to 3 to 1. Middlemarch had Bst 81b in the saddle,, but ho h.*d an artist like Power on his back, and getting half an opening in the straight he at once seized it and got home by a length from Richworfch, who ju3t beat Hogmanay for second place. The downfall of Volcano is not very reassuring to the bankers of Trident for the V.R.C. Derby ; and as the " champion " has not been sent out of a canter yet. and his near forepin is extremely " dotty," I oaanofc fop the life of me moke ont what wring luni^ wre backing

him straight out for the Melbourne Cup at 5 to 1. He may win the Derby — possibly will; albeit Maddelina and First Consul are bound to enter a strong caveat against him — but his show iv the Melbourne Cup is 6imply Buckley's. Trenton is still progressing very favourably, aud although he broke clown irrevocably at Randwick I noticed that he made Fernandez stand up to it yesterday morning ill a couple of miles gallop on the tan. The Plunger aud Metal have arrived at Flemington from Redfearn's, at Williamstown, and stride along in good style. After Blairgowrie's inglorious exhibition in the Guineas I suppose he will not start for the V.R.C. Derby unless Lamond considers he has quite recovered from his accident ; but after First Consul's performance, and taking into consideration the fact that he is not nearly cherry ripe at present, the contest for the blue riband should be a fairly exciting one. Trident has not gone out of a canter ok the training track until this morning, when, in company with Monte Christo, he put in good, sound three-quarter pace work. Isonomy is in rare fig, and should give a good account of himself in the Melbourne Cup. After her running in the Foal Stakes on Saturday, and taking into consideration the fact that Hortense has to put up a 141b penalty for her win, I should fancy Perhaps (full sister to Guesswork) should have a second-to-none show in the Maribyrnong Plate. CRICKET. The Oarlton Cricket Club last year went through the season without sustaining a single defeat. This season they made a very inauspicious start. They were playing Melbourne a two days' match at Carlton, and were all out for 66 runs. When stumps were drawn for the day Melbourne had compiled 77 runs for the loss of only two wickets, aud then the trouble commenced. Swift maintained that stumps were to be drawn at a quarter to 6 o'clock, and on his invitation (he was batting at the time) Cotter, the Melbourne professional, ! who was standing umpire, drew the stumps without consulting his confrere at the other end. Midwinter, the Carlton skipper, stated distinctly that 6 o'clock was the time appointed for drawing the stumps, and that | even if it were a quarter to six as a matter of i fact Cotter drew them on liis own responsibility at 18 minutes to 6. Thus the matter stands at present, the Melbourne men turning up last Saturday, but meeting no antagonists. As Usual the Victorian Cricketers' Association will have to be appealed to to settle this storm in a teacup. AQUATICS. There has not been much moving in this department of sport of late, which is only what one has reason to expect about Melbourne Cup time. The Victorian Rowing Association held their annual general meeting last Thursday, and although the committee had to produce a balancesheet with a deficit of £35 12s 9d, true to the spirit with which they have fought against difficulties for years, they turned round, in the true Mark Tapley fashion, and proved that they were still " jolly " by mentioning the circumstance that against that deficit they had the eight-oared racing boat presented to the association last year by Mr Arthur Blackwood. The " tiowing, flowing " is not the finest river in the world for sculling contests ; but the works in connection with tho new Princess bridge will cut off the first corner just after leaving the boat sheds, and when they are finished things will be a little better. But while they are in progress, what with hopper" barges and dredges being located iv mid stream the gentlemen who are fond of taking their exercise by stretching well over the toes will have rather a risky time of it, for despite Sir William Armsstrong's expressed opinionto a "Victorian litterateur '* that the wooden walls of Old England will surely once again supersede ironclads, when you reduce the contestdown to a trial of strength between a dredger and a wager boat, it's any odds upon the little material with which Tubal Cain was wont to manipulate. AUSTRALIAN. Highland Mary, Cairo, Stornoway, Zeuo, and Nelson have been scratched for the Cup. Iv taking Trenton to Melbourne to fulfil his engagements at the coming Flemington carnival (says a Sydney writer), both owner and trainer show themselves apparently well satisfied with the whilom New Zealander's Melbourne Cup prospects ; and despite the general opinion that he will never see the end of the journey, Mr Lamond holds firmly to the belief in his ability to successfully negotiate it. The preparation he has gone t 1 rough on the tan gallop at Randwick has certainly 'been a strong i one, and as the various trial horses in the Zetland Lodge stable have had to strike their colours in turn to him, giving a good account of himself is not an impossibility. Visitors to South Australia when Aldinga won the Adelaide Cup will remember the smart little chestnut horse Whisperer and his Chinese I trainer, William Lune. The latter was an enthusiastic sport, and was passionately fond of racing. A few days ago, while fishing off the Port Lincoln pier, he fell into the sea and was drowned. He won several races with Beeswing and other horses in recent years. In the Australasian's training notes appears the following : — The Hon. J. White's horse Hexham has much the appearance of his brother Morpeth, and is a far more taking hotse to look at than Trident, who is very plain, but evidently in tho height of condition. The Derby colt is undoubtedly in excellent fettle, but his near foreleg looks a bit tender, aud when he stands for a moment exhibits signs of weakness. Monte Christo and Hoxham rattled gaily along for a mile and a-quarter, covered in 2min SKHsec, and the Hon. James White has undoubtedly got a rare good second string for his Melbourne Cup bow in his four-year-old brother to Morpeth. A fortunate backer, who has the nice bet of £5000 to £75 about the two Tridonts for the Derby and Melbourne Cup, intends to submit the same to auction (says a Melbourne paper). The present condition of the market shows the bet to be worth £900. Mr Oxcnham has determined that Cerise and Blue shall race no more, and has sent her to Grand Flaneur, a horse whose blood should hit to a nicety with that of the game little daughter of Wilberforce. An innovation was in vogue at the Hunt Club races at Fleraington in the form of a notice board bhowing the names of disengaged jockeys. Each race was given, containing names and weights of riders open for engagement in such events as therein sot forth. As jockeys were engaged, so were their names struck out. The practice is a convenience to both owners and riders, and is worthy of adoption on all racecourses. Mr G. Watson receives £200 a year as starter for the Catilfleld races.

Among the entries for the weight -for -age races at tho V.R.C. meeting are Trenton, Malua, Sheet Anohor, Isonomy, Cyclops, Commotion, Sflvermine, Grace Darling, 4w«j Hwhaflj, T?i*

Melbourne, October 18. The following is the latest betting on the Melbourne Cup : — 0 to 1 agst Trident 10 — 1 lien Bolt 10 — i laonomy 10 — 1 Silvermiue 13 — 1 Little John 20-1 Britisher 20 — 1 Malua 25—1 Sheet Anchor. Brighton and Doctor O'Hara, together with Jerry Jerome, are credited with winning a large Btake over Ben Bolt's victory in the Caulfield Cup. Owing to a good gallop on Saturday, 2 to 1 is freely laid about Trident for the Derby, but no money is forthcoming at the price, the bookmakers wautiug 6to 4. 10 to 1 can be gob about any of the others. For the Melbourne Cup the betting is : — Trident, 100 to 20 (tk) ; Ben Bolt and Isonomy, 100 to 10 (off \ ; Silvermine and Little John, 100 to 8 (off) ; Malua, Grace Darilng, Sheet Anchor, and Britisher, 100 to 5 (off) ; the rest, 100 to 3to 100 to 1. ' ENGLISH. According to news by the San Francisco mail, four horses have been entered for the sweepstakes of 4>looo each to be run on October 29— namely, Ormonde, Melton, Bendigo, and The Bard, Each horse, it is stated, is to have Bst 101b up. " , The French mare Plaisanterie, winner of the Caesarewitich and Cambridgeshire last year, was nominated for the same races for this season ; but the Jockey Club have decided that under the new rule she is not qualified to take part in them, sho not having run in England twice in the six months preceding the races. By the mail we learn that C. Wood had not ridden in any races for a week, he having been busily engaged riding trials at Newmarket. In consequence of this Archer has caught him in the matter of winning mounts and even got one ahead, his score being 118 to Wood's 117, while G. Barrett comes third with 82. Ormonde has added the Champion Stakes to his long list of brilliant victories. According to news by the San Francisco mail four horses have been entered for tho Sweepstakes of £1000 each to be run on October 29 — namely, Ormonde, Melton, Bendigo, aud The Bard. Each horse, it is stated, is to have Bst 101b up. I rather doubt the lot meeting on level terms; if it be true, Ormonde's owner must simply be courting his defeat by Bendigo, while The Bard could have no show against either of the pair.