SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 29

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Horn Poene. Melboubne, July 12. THE TURF. I fully intended last week to have sent you down a screed containing my opinions anent the two great handicaps of the spring ; but on second thoughts I deemed it advisable to take a pull for a little, so that deeper research might have a chance of displacing some first-blush possibilities. But I don't know that I have gained anything thereby. There's nothing been rushed as a real good thing in either the Ciulfield or the Melbourne Cup ; and as we are in the throes of our winter steeplechase meetings it is not probable that any stable movement will be made for some weeks to come. Another thing, stable movements are not public property nowadays ; the gentle bookie keeping his knowledge to himself, and only doling out to the newspaper scribe what he thinks may prove beneficial. So that it is just possible that some two or three animals have been supported at fair prices for good amounts, and that nobody knows anything at all about it but the parties more directly interested. A ■week or two before the weights for the Melbourne Cup were declared it was common property that Malvoho had been backed therefor down to 100's to I, but if so I don't think the early birds have got much the best of that "worm." Not that I will not give Malvolio a chance with 9.8 ; 1 certainly shall should he come fit and well to the post, but then you see the Melbourne Cup is 16 weeks off now, and besides Malvolio has 41b off his back in the Caulfield Cup. However, here I am plunging at once in medias res instead of beginning at Alpha and finishing at Omega. Very well, then, here we are. Mr Barnard has allotted Zalinski and Bungebah the pride of place in the Caulfield Cup at 9.6 each, Sailing on the pair of them to concede an approved good animal like Malvoho (who won ,

the last Melbourne Cup very eiisih' at the finish, mark you!) 21b. Well, with all his defection in the last Caulfield Cup, I would prefer Bungebah's chance of so doing to Zalinski's — that's if he were well, but unfortunately he ruptured a bloodvessel some few weeks back, and although he is in light work again I don't like animals who are addicted to that habit. No, of the 9st division commend me to Malvolio should he start, albeit I do not fancy that he will. The 8-stoners have a deal of talent amongst them, the pick of the basket, to my mind, being G'Naroo and Paris (8.8), Wild Rose and Realm (8.7), St. Blaize, Florrie, Antreus, and Annesley (8.5), Pigeontoe (8.3), and Enuc (8.2). Annesley will be ridden by E. Power, and is a colt I have always had a very high opinion of. There are no less than 70 horses handicapped between 7.12 and 6.13, and of these commend me to Forty Winks, Penance, Steadfast, and Handover (7.12), Fortunatus, Gresford, and Litigant (7.11), Opera (7.10), Trieste (7.9), Malolo, The Rebel, Yarran, and Swordbearer (7.7), Liuburn (7.5), Bel Giorno and Dan ton (7.4), and Villiers and Dundas (7.0). This brings me down to the 6st contestants, and of these I like best — Little Maid (6.13), Ducrow (6.12), Courteous (6.9), and Urith and Machinist (6.7). Leaving Malvolio out of the question, these are the 33 horses I think are best treated in their respective divisions ; and of these I fancy Ike Foulsham has again the key of the position in G'Naroo, Wild Rose, Villiers, and Dundas. As you are perfectly well aware, the filly (Wild Rose) is a special favourite of mine, and I am positive that, all going right with her, 8.7 will not find her wanting on the day. Villiers was the colt that put down Sternchaser in the Maiden Plate at Caulfield last spring, and finished third to Yarran (7.1) and Dan O'Connell (7.6) in the Free •Handicap at Flemington, when the mile and a-quarter was cut out in 2min 9sec. Villiers had 7.0 then — identically the same weightthathas been allotted him for the Caulfield Cup. Dundas is a (rising) five-year-old son ofNewminster and Mowernia, whose best performance was winning the Launceston Cup as a three-year-old, with 7.5 up, traversing the mile and three-quarters in 3inin lOsec. He is well treated in both Cups ab 7.0 in each ; but as I am of opinion that the wily Ike will despatch G'Naroo for the ten-thousand-pounder, I will have Dundas on my side for the mile and a-half event. The fillies are bound to make a bold bid for victory this year, seeing that La Tosca, Wild Rose, Florrie, Magic Circle, Litigant, Opera, Trieste, Tiraillerie, Little Maid, Courteous, and Urith are all good winners. Old Billy Lang has a couple of good strings to his bow in Pigeontoe and Opera, the latter of whom has just come off a 12 mouths' rustication. Newman, the winner of the Winter Stakes at Flemington last Saturday, has to put up a 141b penalty for so doing. Therefore I take it Linburn will be Mr A. S. Chirnside's representative in the Caulfield Cup. Were I satisfied that the parties behind St. Blaize would send him for the Caulfield Cup, I would certainly place him as one of the few ; a remark which will also apply to Aufoeus, in Walter Hickenbotham's stable, who is the dead spit of Carbine in colour, markings, and action.

There was a gentle simmer of excitement amongst racing folk for a few days prior to the Melbourne Cup weights being published as to whether Strathmore or Malvolio would be allotted top weight, the general concensus of opinion being that Strathmore would be up top. For my own part, I thought Malvolio would start the handicap at about 9.9 — a couple of pounds above Strathmore. However, Mr F. F. Dakin thought they should both be on an equality, and so they figure at 9.8 each. In the last Sydney Cup, Mr J. A. Scarr (undoubtedly the greatest artist in the handicapping line in Australia) gave Strathmore 9.3 — 31b more than Carbine carried to victory in the same event. Strathmore didn't win, certainly ; but then the stable made no secret of the fact that he was completely off, Mr W. R. Wilson going the length of stating that, were it not for the sake of the public, the son Of Nordenfeldt and Ouida should never have started. After Carbine won the Sydney Cup with 9.0 he was given 10.0 in the Melbourne Cup ; and consequently Strathmore must be considered well treated when he has only been raised from 9.3 to 9.8. Mind you, I don't believe he is a Carbine ; there was only one of that ilk. They may talk about their Maxims and their Mantons and their Abercorns and their Grand Flanuers till they get tired ; " Old Jack " was the daddy of the crowd. None of them could have ever performed the feat he did with a festered hoof in the Melbourne Cup before last, to say nothing about his feat in putting down a two-year-old like Penance over a mile. But then Carbine ran second with 10 0 when notoriously unfit, and therefore Strathmore must be given a big show with 61b off his back. As I said before, Malvolio won very easily at the finish last year carrying 8.4. He is now up 181b ; but he is a horse of such wonderfully good conformation that the extra weight will not affect him to any material degree. No doubt Jim Redfearn would like to re|>eat the Archer coup and snavel two Melbourne Cups in succession ; and I can assure you there are many more unlikely things happening every day than that. There is only another in the 9st list that I like, and that is The Admiral (9.1) This< is a racehorse, and don't you forget it. Mr Sam Cook once informed me that the first time he ever gofc the son of Richmond and Footstep .real well he would show me as good a horse as Carbine, and (from information received) the bay horse who made a record by carrying off the Maribyrnong Plate and the Derby promises to be as fit as hands can make him by the first Tuesday in November. I like nothing better than G'Naroo (8.4) amongst the eightstouers, albeit with him I must have St. Albans II (8.5), and Antasus and St. Blaize (8.3). Forty Winks (7.11), Steadfast (7.10), Malolo (7.8), Penance (7.7), Camoola (7.7), Swordbearer (7.5), Bel Giorno (7.5), The Captain (7.8), and E.K. (7.2) look the best on paper of the seven-stone lot ; whilst amongst the lightweights Elswick, Launceston, Ducrow, Cumino, and Machinist appear prominently. To reduce them to half a dozen, however, I shall nominate Malvolio, Sthathmork, The AdmiiAt., G'Natcoo, Penance, and Camoola. Sundial was struck out of the Caulfield Cup as soon as the weights appeared, the pen being put through Sir William's name for the Melbourne Cup at the same time. The parties behind the Queensland gelding, The General, have likewise considered him harshly treated, and he has been scratched for both Cups. But there is anothrr Queenslander engaged in both Cups whose record is a bit above the average, and as he has been handicapped at 8.7 in the Caulfield Cup, whilst Mr Dakin has put 31b more on him for the Melbourne Cup, it may be just as well if we keep him in our mind's eye for the mile aud a-half event. I allude to Realm, a five-year-old horse by Archie, out of Empress (who, if I mistake not, was bred by Mr C. M. Lloyd, aud was by The Diver, from Sally Brass). At two years and three years old Realm had no record, but last year, as a four-year-old, he established one thuswise : — A.J.C., September 17, third in Suburban Handicap, seven furlongs, 8.12; won by Hero, 10.0 5 Garuda second, 7.2 \ time, lmin 29sec. A.J.C,

Sppte'Tibor 19, second in Final Handicap, one mile aud a-quarter, 7.9 ; won by Elymas, 8.0 ; Sir Anthony third, 7.9 ; time, 2min llsec. Queensland T.C., January 2, third in Newmarket Handicap, one mile, 9.8 ; won by Splendide, 8.4 ; Blythewood second, 7.0 ; time, lmin 45sec. Same day, second in Hendra Plate, one mile one furlong, 9.0 ; won by King Olaf, 9.3; Telephone third, 7.13; time, 2min. Queensland T.C., February 26, second in Clayfield Handicap, one mile and a-half, 9.5 ; won by Talkative, 7.7 ; Blythewood third, 7.12; time, 2min 43jjsec. Queensland T.C., March 1, won Eldernell Handicap, one mile and threequarters, 9.6 ; Mirabilis second, 7.0 ; Buckingham third, 7.9 ; time, 2min 12-£ sec. Queensland T.C., April 16, won Metropolitan, one mile and a-half, 9.8 ; Mirabilis second, 7.4 ; Dan O'Connell third, 8.11 ; time, 2min 39£ sec, Same meeting, April 18, Won Norman Stakes, one mile and a furlong, 9.0 ; King Olaf second, 9.2; time, 2min ssec. Queensland T.C., Dec. 10, second Chesterfield Plate, one mile and a furlong, 9.0, won by Telephone, 6.11; Tallboy third, 8.12 ; time, 2miu. Saino day, won Queensland Cup, two miles, 8.8 ; Governor second, 8.7 ; Yowi third, 7.7 ; time, 3min 344 sec. From the above it will be at once perceived that Realm can not only gallop fast, but stay. Tirailleur has been leniently enough treated in the Melbourne Cup ; but it appears to me as if Mr S. H. Gollan has never been successful enough to get him properly acclimatised, and therefore I will pass him by for the present. Writing Mr Gollan's name reminds me that he had a very five-looking colt running in the Two-year-old Handicap at Flemington on Saturday, and although he whipped the other nine iv, the day will yet come when he will show the best of them how a race should be won. Culloden, a full brother to Steadfast (by Nordenfeldt, out of Nellie Moore) is as sweet a mover as ever you would wish to clap your eyes on, with a beautiful long, sweeping stride, such as that possessed by his illustrious dad. Mr R. M. Turner's filly Insomnia (by Robinson Crusoe, from Nightmare, full sister to Commotion) won easily enough at the finish, but had nob Donald Wallace's filly Urith been seriously interfered with through The Shrew falling, she must have troubled the winner. Urith started at 5 to 4, and Insomnia at 5 to 1, the pair being divided by Mr A. S. Chirnside's bay colt Brotherton (by Newminster — Little Sister), who is engaged in the forthcoming V.R.C. Derby, who shaped as if he possessed the qualifications of a real good one. New Zealand was specially well represented in the Grand National Hurdle Race on Saturday — Butcher Boy, Donald, Kimberley, Satyr, and Tayforbh all battling on behalf of the land of the raoa. Perhaps I may be a wee bit wrong in stating that they were "all " battling, but at all events four-fifths of them were. Donald started a warm favourite, as little as 3 to 1 being at one time accepted in a field of 23, albeit when Redleap's backers came into the market he receded to a point longer, Redleap starting at 8 to 1 (albeit the Argus quotation was returned 10 to 1). With regard to these same betting quotations, I never remember seeing such a wide divergence in the state of the odds as there was in the paddock on Saturday. In some places I actually saw 6 to 1 accepted about Redleap, bub 8 to 1 would be a very fair quotation. He won easily enough at the finish, too, although 11.10 on the very heavy ground was undoubtedly beginning to tell its tale. Abergyle, who was greatly fancied ill certain usually well-informed circles, clouted the second last obstacle very heavily and came down, bringing Satyr, The Pioneer, and Knight of the Garter also to grief. Nolan, who was riding Satyr, says that his mount was only cantering at the time he went to grief over Abergyle. I saw some promising hurdle racers disporting themselves on Saturday, amongst them being Butcher Boy, Cumberoona, and Havilah. The latter won the Maiden Hurdle Race like a toff. Nothing but clever horsemanship won Tom Corrigan the Maiden Steeplechase, as Egyptian blundered terribly on several occasions. A New South Wales representative, named Beau Brummel, was making matters very unsettled in this event until he turned turtle two fences from home. I must bring this to a close just about here as a race meeting is to be held at Caulfied this afternoon in aid of the destitution existing in and around Melbourne. A right goodly sum has already been subscribed to augment the takings, and as members, trainers, press, and jockeys will alike have to "part" at the entrance gates the Victoria Amateur Turf Club folk should be able to "foot" up something very handsome. WRESTLING. The so-called international wrestling match between Jack Perryman and Dan Stewart for L3OO aside and the Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship, which took place at the Alexandra Theatre last night, was a very " pussy " affair indeed ; Stewart, " the unknown," gaining the first fall in 22min 24sec, and the second in 3min 46sec. The match was for the first three falls, but after the second Professor Miller announced that the doctors had examined Perryman's shoulder and found it so injured that he would-be unable to continue the contest, and he therefore adjudged the victory to Stewart. The latter now states that he is prepared to wrestle Pickup, ot Newcastle, or any other man in Australia, at the same weight as that in the contest with Perryman — namely, j under 12st — and will allow expenses to any man coming to Melbourne. He is also open to meet any man in Australia (at list 101b) for from LIOO to LSOO at the following feats : — Throwing the 161b hammer, putting the 211b shot, and tossing the caber ; or will make a match with three hammers — 121b, 161b, and 211b, best two out of three. FOOTBALL. Things are getting very mixed at our great winter pastime, and it has become a case of "Now you see it, and now you don't" with the peasive punters who put their dibs on it. Another thing, a horde of jockeys have taken to patronising the big matches and wagering thereon. In the Victorian Football Association also there are wars and rumours of wars, the second-rate clubs stirring heaven and earth to compel the leading clubs to meet them oftener, so that they may participate to a greater extent in the spoil than they do at x^resent. Then again it has become open and palpable that professionalism is rampant ; a direct charge being brought against Doran that last Saturday week he refused to play for his club (South Melbourne) unless he got the sum of L 2 beforehand. This charge could not be sustained, however, bub nevertheless his club held a meeting and ordered the Selection Committee not to select him in the First Twenty any more, at the same time advising the V.F.A. of the fact. And now that body are anxious to probe the matter to the bottom, the secretary, Mr T. T. Marshall, having darkly hinted that something may leak out that will cause people to open their eyes. I fancy he alludes to the "little arrangement" between South Melbourne and Carlton a couple of years ago, whereby one of our leading bookmakers was got at for over a "thou," of which I advised you at the time. On Saturday Fitzroy

beat Essendon, thus making the following the present positions of the clubs on the senior premiership list : —

Club. o ►-3 a I |l g.2 .as Carlton Essendon Geelong Fitzroy Melbourne South Melbourne... St. Kilda Footscray Port Melbourne . . Richmond North Melbourne . . . Colling wood Williamstown 9 9 n 10 7 10 8 9 9 10 !) 10 10 7 fi 8 7 4 4 3 4 4 3 2 1 0 l l 2 2 1 3 3 5 5 6 6 i) 9 1 2 I 1 2 3 2 44 68 (il 68 54 42 44 24 31 34 29 26 23 30 25) 28 31 :r> 40 3S 37 41 53 51 58 77 i & 36 40 40 2S 40 32 36 3(5 40 40 40 I 30 28 32 30 20 22 16 16 16 14 10 4 2 ... l i