SPORTING NOTES FROM VICTORIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 24

SPORTING NOTES FROM VICTORIA.

(By Oub Special MelboueneSpobtino cobeesfondent "olympus.")

Mblbouene, January 4. NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES.

They're all over now, and we are beginning to settle down 'like rational beings once more. The game has Been played up to the handle this year, and no mistake. But then how could it' be helped ? Surely more delightful weather never was experienced than we have had all the time, a beautiful sea breeze tempering the sun's rays, and makiug outdoor recreation a real pleasure ; and, best of all, no accidents have happened to spoil the harmony, but everything has tended to make the departure of 1886 and the advent of 1887 something to be remembered.

RACING.

The Summer meeting of the Victoria Racing Club, which took place on New Year's Day, was held under particularly- favourable circumstances. A. beautifully fine day and an attractive programme drew a large assemblage to Flemington, where the' racing was of a very high order of merit. Proceedings opened with the titatidish Handicap, of- Ssovs each, with- 300sovb added, three-quarters of a"lnile, which resulted as follows : — Mr S Miller's eh h William Tell, by Kettledrum —Flora. 6vra. 9et 51b (Old?

.». oyra, »e<. ... ... ( us) 1 Mr S Martin's bgH gmanay, 6yrs. Bst 81b [including 71b penalty] ... • ...< (Power) 2 Mr H Hunt's bl c Kohai, 4yrs, 7st9lb [including •' 71b penaltyl ' Tral

p .... ... ... ( -aiun) 3 Mr M Loughiih's br h Sheet Anchor, aged, Psfc •,-t, -t (Fa»OD> 0 Mr T Wilsoa's b h Coronet, agea, Bst illb

(Sanders) 0 Mr 0 S Agnew's cb m Pocahontas, aged, B=t 21b (Hutcheus) 0 Mr W B Dakiu's eh h Quintcn Matsep. aged, Bsb Hb

1 .... ... ... (Ivimy) 0 Mr J G Reid's eh g The Ghost, aged, 7st lllb [car Bstllbl - TINIH--

obi, ... ... ... (Williiins) 0 Mr J Whittingliam's b m Xantiupe, syi-8, 7st 91b

(Kainage) 0 Mr J Morrison's b c Dou Giovan, 3yrs, 7sL 81b (S Uavh) 0 Mr S Nathan's cli ra Straight Shot, ovrs, 7st 51b (Williamson) 0 MtSG Cook's br.m Marie Louise, syrs, 7sfc 51b • [car 7st 61b] (B^-

... (Brown) 0 Mr M Jacobs' oh f Seditiou, Jyrs, 7st (Redlearn) 0 Mi" L L Smith's b or br f Louise Bert a, 3vre. 6sfc 121b ffthodes'i 0

... .-..110 Mr X fionnisou's l> g Maroney, aged, 6st lllb

(Guy) 0

Mr J Crozier's (jim) bl c Lara, 3yrs, 6sC 91b (Simmons) 0 Sir W J Clarke's br o Mcnotti. 3yrs, 6sfc 91b [ ar 1 101b

68 ... ... ... (Bruce) 0 Captain J Haimes' br c Harvester, 4yrs, 6sb 71b (Bence) 0 Mr S Gardiner'a br'c Maroondah, 4yrs, 6st 71b • [carestaib" 1 • •■ ... (Tomti-

/Si, .] ... • ... ... (I'omun) 0 Mr J Scobie'a br c Sfe Louis, Syrs, 6st 61b (Gorry) 0 Mr P Dowling ns b or br c Retort, 3yre, 6et (0 Connor) 0

Betting: 5 to 1 agst William Tell and Hogmanay, 7 to 1 Kohai, and 10 to 1 Straight Shot, Harvester, and The Ghost.

William Tell was quickest off the mark, but Sedition soon headed him. Inside the distance Hogmanay ran up into the leading division, William Tell being once more at the head of affairs! At the finish William Tell won easily by half a length from Hogmanay, Eohai, who came very fast at the' finish, being only beaten for second place by a head. Time, lmin 15|sec. Hortense had -to put up a 141b penalty in the Normanby Stakes, five furlongs, notwithstanding which' she was first favourite at sto 4 on, Mr B. Mitchelson's Musket colt Escutcheon being next in demand at 3to 1. Perhaps led the field for" some distance, but a furlong from home the favourite 'had a clear length's lead, and maintaining her advantage she, won with the greatest ease, Escutcheon being second, and Bedouin,. who got badly away at the start, third. Time, lmin 4|sec. -After J. Scobie's Blue Mountain had defeated Whalebone, Goodwood, and five others in the Hurdle -Race, of two miles, the bonne louche of the* day came on for discussion in the shape of the- - ; - • '

' BAGOT HANDICAP, ', Of lObotb each, with 1000 added ;- second, 200sovs; and third; lOObovs. One mile and a-balf and a furloug. Mr S Martin's eh c All Gold, by Infidel— Golden Locks. 4r4 r *• G 1

ujss, 4yrs. 7eu ... ... (Gorry) Mr X Orr's be Kecall, 4yrs, 7st 71b [including 71b penalty] ;.: ... .... (P<n?er) 2 Mr J Crfpps' bl h Duration, 6vrß, Bsfc 9lb (Brown) 3 Hon W Peatson's b h Commotion, aged, 9st dlb (Wood) 0

Mr S 27athaa's b h Sardiu9, 6yrs, Bsfc 111b (Williamson) 0 Mr J G Keld's cli m Grace Darling, 6yre, J-st lllb /,,«. (J Williams) 0 Mr II R-Fftllclner's bl or g h Silvermine, svra. Bst ' Tmh

8!b ' „„ ... ... (Trahan) 0 Mr M Louahllu's b g Britisher, aged, Bsb 71b B (Fnllou) 0 Mr R X Maittand's b h Meteor, 6yrs, Bst 3lb ' - . .'. '■*' - - (O'Brleu) 0 Mr M Jftcol.l3' b h Rufus; syrß, Bst 21b (Moore) 0 Mr E W Ellis'' cli b Loi d Wilton, Oyrs, Bst 21b , - " (Sanders) 0 Mr S Miller's brhßoolkn, aged, fist (Olds) 0 Mr J Whitfcinghaiu's b h Clfjitrsp, ged, 7et 91b > - - (Eams^e) 0

Mr G Davis' b m Caraerine. aged,

_ xed.7at7lb' "" / 7 .-y xr -_ t: -rr :: - .- , - (U Wl iui m 9) o Mr W D Koberfcaon'e b f The Nntj,'3Vrß,-iat-6!o

- (Fidde»)-a Mr O L Uacdonald's b h The L*ylte, aged, 7s t lib , . , ' (O'Connor) 0 Mr M Jacobs' br h Metal, syrß, 6st 81b '*• - (Bedfearn) o Sir W J Clarke's br c Fish o' Silver, 4yre, 6st olb (Toralln). 0 Captain J Haimes* br c Harvester, 4yrß, tjst

(Bonce) 0 Mr S Miller's b m Impulse, aged, 6st ' (St John) 0 Mr 8 Gardiner's br o Shark, 3yrs, Bat [car 66f'4lb] (Causl»nd> 6

Betting : Bto 1 (at first sto 1) agat All Gold, S to 1 Silvermine, 8 to I Lord Wilton and Th© Nun; 10 to 1 Commotion, Grace Darling, Britisher, Camerine, and Recall; and 12 to 1 Duration and Claptrap. ' The favourite held a good position from the fall of the flag, and when Commotion met with an accident there was nothing to trouble him, and he won (as the stable maintained he would) with a good bit in hand by half a length from Recall, a length from whom ' came Duration ; Grace Darling being fourth, and Camerine and Harvester (who had run well throughout) fifth and sixth; time, 2min 53£ see. Mr S.. Martin followed up his good luck by winning the Steeplechase, two miles and a half, with' old Lizzette ; after which the Criterion Stakes, for two-year-old?, three-quarters of a mile, brought the proceedings to a close. Eight started for it, bnt nothing would go down with thepublic but Escutcheon, and as the books had been catching " goss" all day those who wanted to back the Maonlandcr bad to lay 5t02 on him. It was'soo to 2, however, for never giving his opponents a show, he romped home .four lengths from Pirigafa and Epicurean in lmiu 20|sec. Should Mr E. Mitcbielson but have the good fortune to possess a better colt than Escutcheon in the stable, Huntingtower, Hortense, Moorehonse, Abercbrn, and Co. will have to look to their laurels next' spring. And I fancy he has. ' :"'",'-': "'",'-' Surely there never was a moro unfortunate animal than Commotion. With 9st 61b in tho Bagot Handicap, and seeing the splendid nick Mr F. F. Dakiu had him in, the friends of the stable thought he possessed a second to .none show; but an accident upset all calculations. At the time of its occurrence Commotion occupied a position immediately behind Duration and Lord Wilton, the first-named being on the rails. Duration and Lord Wilton were well separated, and the jockey on Commotion seized the opportunity to better his position by slipping in between them, and thus join the leading division, which was composed of Harvester, All Gold, and Camerine. Just as he was making the run, Recall, on the whip-hand of Commotion, appeared to roll on to the son of Panic, and force him heavily on to the off quarter of Duration. The severity of the collision was such as to britig Commotion down, and subsequent examination showed that the' near shoulder was seriously injured. The horse literally had to be carried into the saddling paddock, and a temporary stall being fitted up, he was placed in slings. Commotion was going as well as anything at the time of the accident, but for which it is not by any means improbable that he might have added to his previous brilliant performances tho winning of another great race.

The Hon. H. C. Dangar'sbay colt, Baoul, must be a bit of a duck over six furlongs. Last week hie won a three-quarter-mile Selling Race fn lmia 15sec, and on New Year's Day, carrying 7st 91b as a three-year-old, he finished within a neck of Prince Regent for the Flying Handicap at the A J.C. meeting in limn 16sec.

Frank Seng, who was so well-known from his remarkable successes with the little mare Southern Cross some .years .ago, died at his residence, Caulfield, on Friday. Leng, who was a thoroughly practical trainer, was in the 40th year of his age.

An innovation was made at the V.R C. meeton New Year's Day, the public being kept off the straight running between the races. The new departure met with pretty- general approval, albeit it is doubtful whether under their grant the V.R.C. have the power to close this portion of the flat.

CRICKET.

What is it some French fellow Baid .- "There is nothing 60 certain as the improbable." X think that's it ; and when I look back on the outcome of the thirty-seventh intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales' I am nearly convinced that is what he did say — at least if he didn't he ought to have- done. When I advised you last the New South Wales first innings had closed for 226, aud Victoria'bad 213 on the Bcoring sheet for the loss of three wickets. Now, considering that Midwinter was 33 and Trumble 30 — both not out — and that six good batsmen had still to go in, it certainly looked any odds on a victory for Blackham and Co., and a possibility even of a one-innings defeat for the New South Welshmen. But on Wednesday — hey, presto ! a change came o'er the spirit of the scene, for after raising the score to 226— a tie — Trumble was splendily caught in the long field by Marr, and he retired for a well-made 42. Houston was stupidly run out through not grounding his bat, the board showing 5—5 — 0—232,0 — 232, and after seven more runs had been added to the total Midwinter was clean bowled by Turner, after making 45. The remainder did not trouble the scorers much, neither Blackham, M'Shane, Morris, nor Walters succeeding in reaching double figures. The innings closed just after luncheon hour for 267 (41 runs to tbo good)— a miserable wind-up to such a glorious commencement. Percy M'Donnell and A. Bannerman marched forth to wipe off the deficit,' and the former, seeing that -the wicket was giving a little, immediately, commenced offensive operations. When his score had reached 28 he-gave a chanco to Houston on the boundary, but it was a slashing low skimming hit, and the Hothamite missed it— a most disastrous thing, as events proved. M'Donnell still continued his vigorous on* slaught, and when a cheer} round the ground announced that Alec. Bannerman bod succumbed, bowled by Trumble, Percy's terrible execution 'was' manifest by the scoring board showing 1—7—63. Jones joined his captain',;atid played fox, letting the .former 6mit'eaway'at bis "own sweet will. Eventually, with thescoreat 109, Jonee was canght by Walters off Palmerfor 10, and Moses filled the breach. •He adopted semistonewalling tactics, and 10 after 10 were piled up by the ex- Victorian. When he had reached 139 he gave a chance to Palmer off M'Sbane, but it wasn't accepted, and still the " hifctite " kept smiting. After scoring 29 Moses fell a victim to Palmer (3—29—209), and as it wa« nearly 6 o'clock little Richardson took tho vacant place, and kept bi3 ' stumps up till time was called, the score then standing at three wickets for 217; M'Donnell (not out), 158; Richardson .(not out), 1. Play was resumed at a quarter* past 11 on Thursday, and as soon as possible M'Donnell again got to work. Some of his strokes should have proved disastrous, however, 'but they didn't, M'Shaue giving him a lifo off what appeared a pretty easy catch in the long field. Things wept on merrily— that's for th« Sydney men Sod tife sr/e'cfoto'rs, Ri&&ti»fa In-

fnsinj? some animation into, his batting, and Slaving good crioket-Vuritil 310 was hoisted, when Percy gave M'Sbane another invitation, which the stalwart footballer gladly availed himself of, and the striker returned to the pavilion »? the tally shpw,ed four wickets for 310 rune, 1 &Ht man's score 239. And then ensued a scene. Old Victorians looked uponitasstillatriamphfor their colony; and those wiseacres, or worse, of the Melbourne' Cricket Club, who, a few months aijo after his obtaining leave of absence, thought he was not class enough for the M.C.C. Australian Eleven, looked remarkably foolish. Taking Jfc right through the.jnnings was a marvellous one Granted there were some chancex in it; what of that ? They looked simple enough to Bpectfltors sitting round the ground, or reporters cocked up in a box, but if they had to negotiate them, perhaps they wouldn't think they .were nuite so simple. Bi'Donneil puts on the wood when be hits, and if you catoh him— that's if it i a not a miss hit-rtake my tip for it, your fingers will tingle some time afterwards. His innings included three s's, sixteen 4's and nine 3's. Further comment on the innings is unnecessary ; suffice it to say that it completely knocked the stuffing out of the . Victorians, and won the Sydney men the match. After M'Donnell's retirement none of the others reached double figures, cave Richardson, who scored 20 very nicely, and the innings closed just before luncheon hour for 363. This left the Victorians 323 to get to win and when Bruce > and Palmer went to the wickets and pnt np 50 it was thought there might be an off show for a tight tussle after all. But it was not to be, for Turner being put on to bowl disturbed the equilibrium of Palmer's leg ufcump with his second ball, 6erved Tommy Horan ditto with his third, and followed it up by giving Trumble his coup do grace in identically the same manner with his fourth. Thus had two best on records in intercolonial matches been achieved by the New South Welsh* men— McDonnell's 239 being the highest score made in Victoria in an intercolonial contest (Murdoch made 321' in Sydney), and Turner j being the first' bowler to do the "hat trick." The marvellous part of Turner's performance was that he clean-bowled eaoh of the three, and took the leg stump on every occasion. This seemed to completely demoralise the Southerners, and although Houston and Walters strove hard to retrieve matters it was too late, Turner and Ferris bowling like demons, and the field supporting them splendidly. When M'Donnell nipped Walters up in the slips with a grand lefthanded catch all interest in the game was gone, and after Morris had scored 5 he pnt his leg whore his bat should have been, and the Victorians were all out for 138, or 1&4 runs to the bad. The following will complete the scores already sent you : — •, Nkw South Wales. First Inninge ... ... ... 226 Second Innings. P 8 M'Donnell, cM'Bhano,b Morris ...239 A. C Bannerman, b Trumble ... 7 B P Jones, c Walters, b Palmer ... 12 H Moses, b Palmer ... .- 29 O Richardson, efc Blackham, b Trumble 20 C T Turner, b Morris ... ... 9 T W Garrett, c Houston, b Trumbte ... 5 P Marr, c Horan, b Morris ... ... 7 B Ev»nfl, b Morrlß ... ... 9 J Ferriß, o M'Shano, b Trumble ... 6 F Burton, not out ~. .-. 9 Extras .~ ... ... li Total " ... ... 363 Bowting Analysts.— Trott. 84 balls, 39 rrns, 7 mtidens; Midwinter, 41 balls, 28 runs, 2 maidens ; M'Bbane, 48 balls, 31 runs, 3 maidens ; Trumble, 104 balls, 58 runs, 9 maidens, 4 wickets ; Morris, 75 balls, tf6 runs, 3 maidens, 4 wickets ; Bruce, 48 balls, 3B runs, 3 maidens, 1 wide. Victoria. — First Innings. W Bruce, b Evans ... ... 39 G B Palmer, b Turner ... ... 77 T Horan. b Ferris ... ... 22 J W Crumble, c Marr. b Tuj-ner ... 43 WTS Widwinter. b Turner ... ... 45 " R Houston, ran out ... ... 0 F Walters, run out ... ... 5 P G M'Shane, b Garretfc ... ... 7 .1 M Blackham, b Ferris ... ... 12 S Morris, b Turner ... .. 2 j ff Trott, nob out ... ... 4 \ Bxtras ... ••• ... VJ j Total ... ... 317 Bowling Analysis.— Turner, 320 balls, 93 runs, 37 maidens, 4 wickets; Ferris, 275 balls, 73 runs, '35 j tnaideni, 2 wickets ; Jones, 58 balls, 18 runs, 3 i maidens, 1 no-btll ; Garrett, 140 balk, 41 runs, 17 ! maidens. 1 wickot; Evans, 112 balls, 20 runs, 17 maidens, 1 wicket; Marr, 20 balls, 10 runs, 2. maidene. Second Innings. W Brucb, c Burton, b Turner ... J4 G Palmer, b Turner ... ... U T Horan, b Turner ... ... O J Trurable, b Turner ... ... 0 J Blackbam, Ibw, b Turner ... M . 5 W Midwinter, c Bvans. b Ferris ... 9 H Trott, b Ferris ... ... 5 I R Houston, not out ... ... 2s> P G M'Shane, b Ferris ... ... 0 I F Walters, c M'Donnell, b Ferris ... 10 S Morris, Ibw, b Turner ... ... 5 Extras ... ... ... 16 | Total ... ... 138 Bowling Analysis.— Turner, 141 balls. 42 runs, 18 maidens. 6 wickets ; Garrett, 53 balls. 15 rxirn, 6 maidens ; Jones. 33 bills, 11 runs, 4 maidens ; Kvans, i 32 balls, 12 rune. 2 maideus ; Ferris, 93 balls, 42 runs, 10 maidens, 4 wickets. There was a tight fit between Turner and Sam Morris for the bowling trophy, Turner taking 10 wickets for 185 runs, while the darkey snavelled six wickets for 82 runs — only a 6irth of a run per wicket difference in Turner's favour. Mr H. M. Gooch has given notice of his intention to move at the next meeting of the Victorian Cricketers' Association — "That in future in all matches played under the auspices of the Victorian Cricketers' Association the over shall consist of six balls instead of four as at present." I sincerely trust the motion will be carried, as it is simply ridiculous the way time is cut to waste changing over under existing circumstances. Mr H. H. Budd also intends moving an amendment of the rule relating to leg before wicket. The general consensus of cricketing opinion in Victoria is that, no matter whether a ball pitches in a line with the wicket or not, if it strikes the batsman on the leg, and would have taken the wicket but for the obstruction, the striker should be out. What a godsend to umpires such a law would be. Common sense is all in its favour, a recent exhibition by Shrewsbury of how to kill a leg break bowler by playing him with the pads being perfectly sickening. THE GUN. Pigeon-shooting is firmly established as one of the leading sports in Victoria, the Hurlingtiam gronnds at North Brighton being the' scene of handicaps nearly every week. Last Thursday an event came off there which attracted 49 acceptors, several of them being the same person under two or more aliases. " H. Gerald' and W. Matbieson divided first andsecond money (£9O), the first-named also carrying off third prize. Pourty-four competed for the Bracelet Handicap, which was won by Air Tiudale (his fiistor'a nominee), who grassed 14 birds in succession at 27ydo. The first prize was a bracelet «orth £100, the second £50, and the third £25. Mr Tindalo won the Ballarat Handicap a month

" The New South Wales Gun Club^^at'leasV six of them— had atrial'of Bkfll a fortnight ago at Botany for a valuable " trophy. The conditions were : 100 birds' each ; 30yds rise; ' • Towards the finish dnly Messrs W. C. Hill and P.- Gapnon were " : in it." The shooting commenced at; 11 o'clock, but it was not until 7 tha£ Mr 'Gahnan potted his last bird — and the trophy. The shooting of Messrs Gannon and Hill was most extraordinary, the former killing 93 .0 at of his 100, and the latter 92. ' l ' : . - ' ' . " The- quarterly programme of the, Melbourne Gun Club announces that amongst the new events to be decided is the January Handicap, of 7550v8, to be shot for on the'Slst inst., the "■ day before the Victorian Club's race£" Nominations (£1) dose on the 18th inst;. The'Apmial Open Australian Cop Handicap is ! fixed for the 2ud March ; whilst on the 4th of 1 the same month a match will be shot between the New South Wales and Melbourne Gun Clubs.' INo less than 18 members are handicapped at Slyde. . • • ■ '. ' ■• , • ' Ctcun(?. - - ;,/' At the Highland .Society's sports at ' the Association Ground, Moore Park,' Sydney, on Monday; F. Wood, the English champion^- defeated J. Rolfe, the Australian, and H. James in a five-mile bicycle race with great ease, covering the distance in 17mih 55£ sec .' Rolfe was a bad second. The last quarter of a mile was done in 33 3-ssec, on a grass track.