SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 24

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

(FbOM OtJB AUSTBALIAN SPOBTINQ COBBESfONDENT " WABRIOB.")

Melboubne, January 31. During the past week there have been sports of every description held throughout the various colonies, the occasion being the centennial celebrations in Sydney, and of course the other cities had to follow suit. In Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales, aud Victoria there wcro important race meetings held, and also in some of the inland towns, but particulars of the various fixtures would scarcely be of sufficient interest to the numerous readers of the Otago Witness for me to enter into them in detail. SPORT IN BRIEF. Mr Thomas Haydon, secretary to the Victorian Club and Victorian Trotting Club, has been granted six months' leave of absence so as to enable him to visit Europe. Prior to his departure he is to be tendered a complimentary race meeting by the members of the two bodies mentioned. Wednesday, the 7th of March, is the date chosen for the fixture, which will eventuate at Elsternwick Park. There are six races on the programme, to which £575 has been added, excluding two trophies for the Ladies' Bracelet oE the value of £80 and £20 respectively. As Mr Haydon ia most popular with all classes of turfites, there is certain to be large entries and good racing. Another racing secretary, Mr T. S. Clibborn, of the A.J.C., has also been granted a similar privilege as regards the 6ix months' leave, but he does not receive a complimentary meeting like Mr Haydon. The second fprfeit of 3sovs in the Newmarket Handicap and ssovs in the Australian Cup must be declared and paid to the V.R.C. secretary on or before the 23rd February. On the JtJLth prox. the handicaps for the minor events to be run at the V.R.C. Autumn meeting will be published. ( A very handsome gold cup, valued at 125gs, has been presented by Mr T. H. Mate to the Albury Racing Clnb for their annual meeting, which takes place on the 16th and 17th of | March. The 'winner of the Albury Cup will receive the trophy. Entries for the Rowley Mile, of gOOsovs, and the Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap, of, 800sovp, to be run on the 22nd March, close on the 15th February. Weights on the 7th of March. The V.A.T.C. hold another race meeting on the 18th of February.

On the 15th, 16th, and 17th of next month there will be a large gathering of Victorians in Tasmania, as they will cross the straits to be •free from the beastly warm weather we havehad and are likely to have for some time to come, and Hkewiss assist at the annual meeting of the Hobart Club, thereby killing the proverbial two dogs with one stono. Sporting men intent upon enjoying themselves will leave here a week earlier than the Hobart future, and bo in time to take part in that at

Launceston, which olub holds its races on the Bth and 9th prox. • For the Sydney Driving Park races, which take place on the Bth prox, excellent entries have been received.

A chestnut colt by Monmouth from Surf, purchased at Mr Andrew Town's recent sale by Mr Thornton, ©f Sydney, has been named Centennial. From Queentland I learn that Wanaka, a New Zealand trotting horse, who recently won the big handicap at the recent Driving Park Club meeting at Eagle farm, has been purchased by Mr G. Plunkett for £125. Wanaka's new owner has matched his horse against Paddy for £100 a-side. The two have met previously, when the Irishman won. In the opening handicap at Rosehill last Saturday week the Distressed Jockeys' Fund benefited to the tune of £40. The riders Gainsfortb, Gorry, and Archer were each fined £10, and Dunhey and Williams a fiver a piece, for disobedience at the post. Perhaps a couple of months suspension would bring some lads to their bearings. The Centennial Intercolonial Agricultural Exhibition was a great success in Sydney last week, every description of stock, produce, &c, being shown. The following gentlemen were judges in the various equine sections: — Blood-* Messrs A. Loder, G. Dougharty, E. O. Smith; C. B. Lowe, T. H. Hassall, M.L.A., W. Kellett, F. A. Badgery ; trotters— Messrs Thomas Love, J. Shepherd, J. Rutherford, H. Mackenzie; coaching, roadsters, miscellaneous, and teams — Messrs G. Loder, F. W. Day, M.R.V.S., Dr Callaghan, G. L. Lee, J. Shepherd, F. Badgery, and Thomas Love. For stallion 4yrs and over, Segenhoe, by Maribyrnong — The Fawn, secured first prize. Monmouth, by Yattendon— Lady Chester, and consequently own brother to Chester and St. George, was awarded the Centennial Champion prize for the ' best blood stallion, any age, colonial bred. In coach horses, imported, Beacon, by Yorkshireman — Bonny, obtained first honours. In the same class for colonial bred stallions, 4yrs and over, Lord Ashton, by Lord John (imported)— Darkie, secured first prize. For the best coaching stallion, any age, colonial bred, Lord Cyprus, by Little John (imported), was awarded the Centennial Champion Prize. Sir W. J. Clarke's brown horse, by Tally-ho— Kathleen, took first prize for the best roadster stallion. The stallion, 3yrs and over, most likely to get useful trotting horses was Tommy, by Childe Harold, in the estimation of tho judges, and he was awarded first prize. At the Essendon court yesterday a Welsher was brought up for "doing" a couple ,of backers at Moonee Valley on Saturday last. As they declined to prosecute, the charge of obtaining money under false pretences was altered to that of being an idle and disorderly person. On the application of the man Morton's solicitor, the case was adjourned for a week to allow of evidence being collected to show that the accused had lawful visible means of support. Bail was allowed.

W. Milne, the trainer, intends returning to New Zealand after the V.R.C. Autumn meeting.

At the Moonee Valley races on Saturday, a bookmaker had his pocket picked of £170, and last week at the Dandenong races another metallician was eased of £140 in a similar manner.

J. Scobie, the well-known trainer and crosscountry rider, is to be married to Miss Orr, a daughter of Mr Robert Orr, an old Ballarat identity.and ownerof racehorses— All Fours and Recall to wit. The former was one of the best of our old-time steeplechasers. I wish the happy couple all the joy and prosperity possible. No wonder the touts at Flemington were at fault over Enfilade's excellence, as Hickenbotham, the colt's trainer, took the son of Musket down to Brighton, where there is a good track, to put on the finishing touches. The annual meeting of the New South Wales Coursing Club was held last week. Mr C. C. Skarratt presided. The following members of committee were elected : — Messrs W. R. Hall, H. M'Quade, H. B. Lord, J. F. Morgan, and Dr Belisario. Mr E. Lee was elected president, with Messrs W. Lamb, R. L. Tooth, A. Town, and J. Lee vice-presidents.

David was scratched for the Australian Cup last week.

Last Friday a welsher in Sydney was sent to gaol for three months [for plying his nefarious avocation at the last Canterbury Park races. Serve him right.

Three, hundred pounds a year is the inducement held out by the A. J.C. for a starter. Mr H. Oxenham has purchased a horse named Cricket. A century was the figure, I believe.

On Friday last Don Giovan, an own brother to Don Quixote, owned by the well-known trainer Joe Morrison, was submitted to auctiou, and was purchased by Mr Martin Loughlin for 950gs. The Don is engaged in the Newmarket Handicap, and also at Geelong. On Saturday the horse left for Dowling Forest, where he will in future be trained.

Mrs Shaw, who it will be remembered was knocked down by a horse on the Brisbane racecourse some months ago, has now quite recovered her strength, but not her reason, and the unfortunate woman has been sent to tho lunatic asylum. On Friday last the well-known Sherwood Park coursing ground was utilised for the first time as a racecourse. It is distant by road nine miles from the city, and the journey is a very pleasant one indeed. As the meeting was of the experimental order, the arrangements were of a very primitive description, but Mr Scott, the proprietor, is so well satisfied with the success which attended the initial gathering that he intends making all the necessary improvements connected with a well - appointed racecourse ere the next meeting takes place. In the last event— the Selling Pony Race — there was a glaring bit of pulling, but the stewards were satisfied to administer a caution to Tibballs, the trainer, and O'Connor, the jockey (not Joe Morrison's O'Connor, who is still an inmate of the Alfred Hospital), for the manner in which Frank Was ridden, so as to allow Florence Harriett, the favourite, to win.

Welshing is all the go just now. At Sherwood Park one of the gentry was brought before the stewards, and on handing over the amount in dispute the rascal was allowed to go on his way rejoicing at his lucky escape from being locked up on a charge of felony, for such welshing has been adjudged in England, where the lowest sentence is two years, arid the longest five.

At Moonee Valley on Saturday notices to the follojving effect were posted up in the most conspicuous positions' to act as a deterrent: — "Welshing is felony, and five years' penal servitude is' the maximum penalty, or two years with or without hard labour. The other judges on the bench expressed their concurrence in every word spoken by the Lord Chief Justice of England."

On Saturday the Moonee Valley meetiDg eventuated, when there was some very good racing. Baron's Court, on the strength of his third to the dead-heaters at Caulfield on Thursday, was made favourite for the Maiden Plate, but he got no nearer on this occasion, as he finished third ; Wyvis being second, and J?aikakariki (by Darriwell from Typhoon) $be winner on the post by a head, Major; wan

the La Rose Handicap, after a good race with Little Dick. The rider of the latter entered a protest against the winner for interfering with him, but it was dismissed. Walhalla, despite his 12at 2lb, won the Hurdle Race in a canter from Aristocrat, the favourite, and three others. An up-country horse named Exile was entered for the Hurdle Race, and as he had been performing very well lately there was a run on him when it was seen that after the time for scratching had expired he was still left in. Exile did not start, and subsequent inquiries elicited the fact that he had never been on the course. The bookmakers naturally grumbled — and that not in a whisper either— as they were induced to lay a longer price against Walhalla than they otherwise would have done had they known Exile was not going to " spin." At a meeting of the stewards Mr E. Coffey, the reputed owner of Exile, was fined £20 for neglecting to scratch his horse. The finish for the Corinthian Handicap was a most interesting one. Marbney, a son of Captivator, was an even money chance, i and he had the assistance of Mr J. A. Lang, son of " Old Billy " of that ilk, whilst Success was piloted by Mr C. Filgate. The twb horses named, raced 20 lengths ahead of their five ] opponents, and after a desperate finish the favourite got home by half a length. Mr Lang was loudly cheered on returning to scale. How different would have been his reception if the half-head had been the other way? But it was ever thue, nothing succeeds like success." The J shortest priced starter in the Selling Race, Wairarapa, won in a canter, and was purchased for £100 by Mr J. Saqui. The concluding event, j the La Roi Handicap, saw Cinderella and Starlight, both the property of Sir W. J. Clarke, fighting out the finish, with the result that the former was landed a winner by half a length. Violet was third and Maroney fourth. _ Gulpha was favourite, but through bolting prior to the start, spoilt his chance. At the Queensland Turf Club races on Friday last Bendigo, an own brother to Ben Bolt, ran i third in the Maiden Plate. The Centennial Handicap was won by Lady Godiva (7st 41b), Norman (Bst 121b) second, and General Gordon (6st 91b) third. The mile and three furlongs occupied exactly the same time to negotiate as did the V.A.T.C. Anniversary Handicap— viz., 2min 27|sec. On the secsnd day Lady Godiva also proved victorious in the January Handicap. At the Clarencetown races on Thursday last John M'Carthy, the rider of a foorse named Planet in the Anniversary Handicap, was thrown during the race, and he died shortly afterwards from the injuries he received.

At the Brisbane races on Saturday last Orange Bud was scratched for the Selling Race after being weighed out. The stewards imposed a fine of £50 on the owner, Mr Fox, and disqualified both the mare and owner for a year. On the Thursday previous the mare had won a selling race, and was bought in at a loss of £50, and as Mr Fox could not get any money about Orange Bud on the second occasion, he scratched her as stated jabove. Tattersalls Olub are in- ] vestigating the matter, Mr T. S. Clibborn held a sale of thorough- ! breds. There were a number of horses disposed of— Acolyte for 100gs,New Fashion for 75gs, and Pontifex for 90gs being the best known of the lot. ATHLETICS, &C Samuels, the champion sprinter of New South Wales, has been matched to run W. Clarke, of South Melbourne, 100 yds for lOOsovs and the championship of Australia. They meet on the 6th prox. on the Carington grounds, Sydney. Both Samuels, who is a Queensland black, and Clarke defeated Hutchens when the latter was out here some time back. On Saturday last a bicycle contest between Wyburd and Sam Clark took place at Bathurst for £50 a side. The distances were—one, three, and five miles. Wyburd won the mile by two feet, Clark was victorious in the five miles by three yards, and Wyburd carried off the other event by two feet. The time for the mile was | 3rnin ; five miles, 16min 59sec ; and three miles, 9min 20sec. On the Adelaide oval, on Thursday last, a Centennial Bicycle sports meeting was held. R. Davies won the Three-mile Race and the Twomile Race. William Hart, a well-known athlete, dived into the river at Brisbane, on . Thursday, and split his skull on a rock. ' Fairly good entries have been received for the annual regatta of the Victorian Rowing Association, which will be .held on the Albert Park lake on February 11, CRICKET. On Thursday last the intercolonial match between Victoria and New South Wales was commenced on the association ground. The latter, who were captained by M'Donnell, lost the toss, and were likewise unfortunate enough to be deprived of the services of Ferris owing to his having injured one of his arms. Wood, the university crack, was one of the team, and he did yeoman service by taking three of the Victorians' wickets, and Richardson four. The Victorians totalled 267 before they were disposed of. Then came the sensation of the season, in Moses scoring 297 (not out) for New South Wales. Moses gave several chances during the compilation of his mammoth score; one when he was 45, another when he was 84, and when he had made 111 he was missed by that usually sure field Worrall off Walters. The Victorians in their second essay had two wickets down for 75. The Melbourne Club English Eleven are still in Tasmania, and Lillywhite's team have just finished playing a twenty-two of Orange. Only fancy. In a muff match played between teams from Jnnee and Wagga there were 27 on each side! The scores" were: Junee 128, Wagga 98 in their first innings. YACHTING. For the International Regatta Carnival, to take place at the latter end of the year in Hobson's Bay, a programme comprising 22 races has been arranged, including a challenge race, open to all centre-plate or keel yachts of 20 tons and upwards, without restriction, first prize £500 and a gold anchor, presented by Sir William Clarke, Bart. • The prize money in all will amount to over £2000, and a most successful regatta, m which all classes of boats will take part, is confidently looked forward to. FISTIANA. Invanswer to Burkes statement that he would knock out Foley in six rounds with 2oz gloves, Foley has put up £100 for a match for from £500 to £1000, to come off privately in three months? time, Burke to choose his own gloves. Foley is anxious to vindicate his character over the last affair, and wants to show that he is not yet out of the "running" in the boxing arena. Burke has acquiesced, but thinks eight weeks hence is long enough to train, and would like the match to be eight rounds. So the matter rests at present. AQUATIC. In the ail-comers' race at the Conteunial regatta in Sydney last week", Kemp proved the | winner. Hearn was second, and Neilson third. j There is nothing worthy of mention doinc: by the cracks on the Parramatta river. Clifford, Hanlan, Hearn, Kemp, and' Neilson are all* keeping their hands in and nothing more. Hanlan rows Trickett on the Fiteroy river, Rookhamnton, on the 13th of Jqne,