SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 38

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Hori Poenb. j

Melbourne, November 9. V.8.0. SPKINtt HEETIKG. SECOND (MELBOURNE CUP) D KY. The outlook was ominously threatening Monday fcfternoon, and during the night two or three light showers fell. The fcky was overcast on Tuesday morning, whilst occasional little "spatters" of rain creatsd an uneasy feeling that they might culminate in a downpour. These forebodings were not realised, however, and as it became evident we were to be treated to " Queeu'a w> ather " for the great annual horseraciug treat of -Australasia, ''the whole world and his wife " turned Flemingtonwards. I have never seen a huger gathering for j ears ; perchance, never sinee '88. The stand vras "congested," the kill was packed, the flat was one dens 9 mass of humanity ; whilst ou the opposite bank of the Sxltwater river (a delightful spot to hold an al fresco picnic and enjoy a grand sight of the races at the bame time) hundreds upon huudicds of " fair women and brave men " disported themselves. It was tho orthodox Melbourne Cup j crowd, too; only, if anything, more so. A j large hearted, cheery crowd, taking everything good-naturt-dly, and proving to demonstration by the wholuheartedness with which they entered into the afternoon's (.port that there were brave times in store for the queen colony of the south in the immediate future. And this fact was further accentuated by V.R.C figures, for, despite various retrenchments and the cutting down of membership fees. Mr Byron Moore was able to announce an increase of d£looo in the day's takings over that of last year. There was only one fly in the ointment, but that was the usual fly : the favourites cut up badly, and the Cup was won again in 1895 by a despised outsider. Not that Auraria would have been an outsider had she displayed her true form in the V.R.C. Derby, but (iv conjunction with Waterfall) she had performed so indifferently during that contest that she was entirely deserted by tho rank and file of backers, albeit the tempting oifers of 100 to 2 eventuated in her South Australian admirers extending their allegiance to her once more (in the full faith that the Derby was a false run race), in consequence of which she figured on the 100 to 3 mark in thb final quotations. However, to take the day's racing in proper sequence. The. Messrs Miller are always so dangerous in jumping events that it was rather suiprising to see Momgo 11.0 go out a half point (5 to 2) better favourite than Borderer 10.12 for the three-mile Hurdle Race, for which eight started ; and as the sequel proved he should not have done so. It must have been public (rather than stable) money which placed Momgo in that position though, as he hung back suspiciously in the rear for the greater portion of the journey and came in fourth ; a desperate finish between Borderer, Gratiano 10.7, and Corncrake 10 2 resulting in Borderer winning by half ahead, the same distance separating secoDd and third. Time, 6min 7*ec. Vanity and Laplander fell at the last hurdle, opposite the stand, Vanity breaking her neck, albeit her jockey (Alf Williamß) escaped with a severe shaking. Bacchus 7 4 was reckoned by his owner (Mr "Jack" Leek) a* one of the very best of good things for the Railway Handicap, of six furlongs ; and as against 21 others the three-year-old son of Boolka and Aria was backed down to 3 to 1, Maluma 7.11 coming next at 4's, whilst Solatium 9 5 was sxipported by the New Sonth Wales division at B's. But at the finish three complete outsiders filled the portions ; ToinHaleß'sCa'lton (by Carlyon — Sylvan Queen), who started at 12 to 1, romping homo a length and a-half in advaiceof Smou • na • Knuck 7.12 and Duke of York 7.9, against both of whom it wbb a'most a case of "write your own ticket." The time— lmin 16lsec — was pretty fair, though the going wa* iv bu - h perfect order (Rlbsit a bit hard) that a better register was confidently predicted. As an early two-year-old Carlton proved himself to be a few pounds better than The Harvester, but be failed to run up to that form, and has lowered so much in tbe estimation of the handicapper since then that I should not be surprised to find him landing b succe<sion of victories ere they succeed m .getting his proper " measure " again. He is a finelooking colt when not tucked up, and I feel convinced a real good one. It looked ro be " finding money " to accept evens about The Hummer for the Ken-ington Stakes (five fmlones), Contempt being second favourite at 4's, which enabled our Sydney visitors to obtain the nice little odds of 5 to 1 about Dowry in a field of six. The Hummer (Kiridspord— Queen Bee) led for some distance, but running unkindly Dowry (Lochiel— Dona) headed him halfway up the straight, and before Bertie Holmes could get him to race the winning post was reached and.Dowry had won by half a head, with Pluvius a couple of lengths away third, Bertram fourth, with Contempt (who swerved right across the course when the barrier lifted) last. Time, lmin IJsec. The winner was purchased by Mi C. D. O'Halloran (on bebalf of 1. T. Caralake) for £60. Then came the event of the meeting, the excitement over which kept gradually becoming Augmented until at 4 o'clock it baffled description. JFrom the time the public commenced to " foregather" on the course the bnsy whieper circled round that after all Hova was a very unlikely starter, and that Quiver w»s the correct pea. And how did the money go on to Quiver 1 Suffice it to say that at last the books would not budg/s over 5 to 1. As the afternoon wore on though, it leaked out that, "matters havine been satisfactorily

V*sasw i —————— n i ..I antnged," Hova was a certain starter, and when he put in an appearance (about 3 o'clock) in the " biTd cage " punters would have uaught else, and Hova onoa moro headed the betting at 5 to 1. Perhaps here it will be just as well for me to give you the Argus's detailed list of the odds : 5 to 1 llova, 7'e Quiver, B's Wallace, 12*8 Lord Richmond, ICO to 5 Music, Trenchant ; to 4 Mahee, The Trier, Tarauaki, Toreador, O3cu!ator, Chealerinan, Rewi; to 3 Auraria, Devon, The Admiral, Hopscotch, Delaware, Preston, Waterfall ; to 2} Duhallow, Kirkby, Dreamland ; to 2Strahan, B um, Taurus, Monastery, Burrabari, Palo Alto, Te Whiti : to 1 Elswiok, Valiant, Newman, Cillu.ni Mohr ; 200 tol Lead On, Oaward. When the 36 competitors took up their positions Waterfall (who was running iv platca, tbe same as 5n the Caul field Cup, his "barefoot" being held enthely blorajibltj for his wretched display in the Derby) was alongside the rails, Hopicotch being alongside him, Ohasterman, Taranaki, Lord Richmond, Auraria, Monastery, and Preston comiog next in order, with The Admiral and Hova in the centre of the field and Quiver on the outside. The latter displayed her usual antics at the post, but on the barrier being released (for a beautifully even start) she was the first to break the line in ad vane?, Preston, Te Whiti, Rewi, The Admiral, Music, Mahee, Wallace, Waterfall, and Trenchant being afro quickly on their legs. Mahee led into the course proper, and swept past the stand three-quarters of a length in front of Preston, close 111 1 whom was Wallace, followed by a cluster consisting of Te Whiti, Rewi, Hova, Delaware, Lead On, and Oscillator, the next division consisting of Lord Richmond, Onward, Ches tarnian, Auraria, Trenchant, Callum Mohr, Quiver, and Hopscotch, whilst the rear wai brought up by The Admiral, Palo Alto, and Music, dtoing along the river straight The Admiral improved his position materially, but then, along with a number of others, faded away from view. When a mile had been "traversed Mahee was still in command, pursued by Preston, Onward, Rewi, Hopscotch, Te Whiti, Wallace, Hova, Oallum Mohr, and Auraria. At the abattoirs (six furlongs from home) Mahee and Presto •» were going great guns together in front, whilst C.ilhini Mohr had tak?n up third position two lengths behind them ; then coming Onward, Hop-cotch, Rewi, Hova, Lord Richmond, Auraria, and Quiver, whilst Wallace was observed to be retrograding. Prefcton headed Mahee slightly at the five-furlong post, the latter losing his place, and being superseded by Hopscotch, who swept round the turn in the centre of the course apparently just in advance of Preston, Hova (on the rails), Mahee, Callum Mohr, Lord Richmond, and Auraria. With their heads fairly set for home Hopscotch compounded, a mighty roar heralding the fact that Hova was showing out prominently, which roar being still further intensified as Hayes took him two lengths to the front at the distance, and appeared to have everything el<>e in the race dead settled. But this was far more "apparent" than real, as Stevenson, ridiog most determinedly, and Auraria responding in the gamest possible manner to every succeeding cjII made upon her, slowly but surely decreased the gap, whilst Waterfall, in the centre of the course, momentarily threatened the gravest of dan?er to the pair of the leaders. Oxenharn's colt failed to sustain the continued fttrain, however ; but it was quite the contrary with the South Australian filly, for although Hova made the most strenuous efforts to maintain an advantage, Aui aria wore him down acd passed the winning po3t a neck to the good, Burrabari, who came from heaven alone knows where with a terrific rush up tha straight, sacuring third place a length and a-half behind Huva, with Waterfall a length away fouith, Trenchant a good fifth ; then in order. Toreador, Re-.vi, Lord Richmond, Preston, Duhallow, Music, Hopscotch, whilst the last to pass the post were D^von, Eliwick, Bruin, Te Whiti, and Monastery. Time, 3miu 293ec.

The best filly in Australia won the Cup. There is no doubt about that. She carried 31b over weight for age, expeiienced a terrible (albeit, quite accidental) bump from Lord Redmond as she was making her run in the straight, and yet wore a glutton like Hova proved himself to be down in terrifically fa3t time. People blame Hayes for making a bit too much use of Hova ju*t below, the di-tanco; but that's the usual aftergame. Auraria was the batter of the two last Tuesday, and Auraria won. That shs should have annexed the double (Derl>y and Cnp) will pass without saying. I always thought Wallace had a soft spot about him whenever soundly put to it (perhaps it was his "washy" colour fust loJ me to form that opinion), and although his thick-aud thin supporters aver that he was so badly knocked about during the race that it was impossible for him to win, you can take that with as much salt as it will require to make it palatable. Wallace was in an excellent position after the first half mile had been traversed, and shouldn't have stood a chance of being "bumped" afterwards, Not if he is a champion. Quiver was unfortunate, as tha following narrative by her jockey (Horace G. Dawea) will verify. " I was on the outside at the post," he said, "and got nicely away. Lying fourth or fifth down the straight, I got round the turn in an excellent position. Approaching the abattoirs I noticed Hopscotch going strongly, and believing him to be dangerous, I raced to his quarter, and stayed there, waiting for the next turn. All went well until weieached the abattoirs. Then, so far as Iwas concerned, the Cup was over. Cox, on Valiant, got into trouble somehow, and pulling out from the rails he bumped me bo badly that the mare almost turned round. It was a terrific bump, and caught the mare fair on the ribs. I had to draw right out and tackle the ruck fr.'in the outside. Even with the mare's pace the task was too much for her. From that point I was out of it. I fancied Hova was the winner until Auraria shot out half way up the straight, and won. Quiver finished strongly, but so far as she was concerned the Cup wai lost thjough hard luck— very hard luck indeed. Valiants bump was quite accidental and unavoidable, but it was none the lees disastrous." -

As a matter of course the "reversal of foim" ou tha part of Auraria, Waterfall, and Wallace caused tome comment, but I was hardly prepared for the following notification wlrch appeared in Tuesday's Age :—" Pro Bono Eqmu" writes expressing the opinion that the owners of Auraria and Waterfall should be called upon for an explanation of their "glaringly inconsistent running" in th Derby and Melbourne Cup. He ridicules the idea of the Derby being falsely run," and asks why, if the pace did not suit, Auraria and Wateriall did not thenißelves force it instead of wailing in the rear. Our co«e3pondent thinks a satisfactory explanation is necessary, as' the public were deceived by the form in the Derby, and consequently dismissed from consideration the chances in the Cup of Auraria and Waterfall.

It's really marvellous how the crowd falls away as soon as ever the Cup is decided— you don't notice them disappear ing, yet they fold their tents like the Arabs, and silently steal away— so that when the Nuissry Handicap, of five furlongs, came on for dechion the attendance was only an ordinary one. There were 18 starters, Kangulandai (Trident— Nellie), with 8.0 on her back, being favourite at 5 to 3, whilst Le Var 8 11 was »t 4's, Qualigy 8 0 at B's, and The Bright Eyas 8.4 and Thunder Queen 9.4atl2's. Tne Bright Eves is a filly of Sam Cook's by Trenton — The Charmer, and after Norroy 9.1 had carried on the running for some time she came at the halfdistance in the gamest possible manner under punishment and won by a length from Thunder Queen (who finished phenomenally fast), Le Var being half a length away third, Kangulandai fourth, Ammunition fifth, and Kobold sixth. Time, lmin 4sec. The Van Yean Stakes, of one mile, rung down the curtain on Cup Day, Mostyn 9.9 finding most favour out of the 15 with bickers and being supported down to 4 to 1. The itoue was never in doubt as soon as Holmes culled on the son of Clairvaux and Miss Mostyu in the straight, as he cleared away from the others as if they were a lot of backs, and ran home an ea~y winner by a length and three-quarters from Scarpia 7.2, The Chevalier 7.3 half a length away third, followed by Kallara, Marusa, O'Trigger, Erl King, and Hindoo, with Happy Jack last. Time, lmin 42isec. THIRD (OAKS) DAY. I inquired of Mr H. B. Moore on Thursday whether his memory could parallel another such attendance on the recognised "off-day" of the meeting, and his reply was, " Not oven in the

boom time." I never recollect seeing such an assemblage on the ''ladies' day," and as the weather was simply delightful and the racing exejlleni turf devotees had a high old time of it. There were a couple of ipcidents cer! ainly which served to throw a slight damper over the general enjoyment, the piincipal one being the unaccountable action of the stewards in dismissing Mr J. B. Claik's protest (on behalf of his colt Reconstruction) against Mischlof, the winner of the Spring Handicap, on account of Pearson (Mischief's jockey) deliberately slashing Reconstruction four or five times across the h;ad whilst fiuirhing up the straight. The thing was so open and palpable (the colt even bearing the " welts" across the nostrils on returning to the saddling paddock) that the general public were struck dumb with amazement at there being a lengthened inquiry oven, bat when it became known that tha protest was dismissed, criea of execration were very pronounced at the manifest iniquity of the transaction, it being evident that personal animus against Mr J. C. Bowden precluded his colt receiving, simple justice. As u^ual, the Argus passes the matter over with the light and airy remark that " no doubt Mr J. B. Clark had ,vomc justification for entering a protest"; but the Age re-echoes public sentiment by declaring that " there appeared te be no necessity for a prolonged inquiry, and still le<s justification for the decision ariived at. tho interference to which Reconstruction was subjected being unmistakable." In another column the Age says : — " So far as can be seen the jlecieion recorded by the stewards was, under racing law, a distinct injustice to the owner of Reconstruction, and not likfly to impress the public with respsct to the conduct of racing at headquarters." Personally I will even go further than this and express my honest conviction, driven into me by the ttern logic of facts, that horse-raciDg as conducted at present throughout Victoria should be suppressed by act of Parliament. Ihero now! The second regrettable incident was the unfortunate stumble in the Veteran St*k> s— the last event of the day— when Havoc, Royal Master, Chcslerman, and The Trier came down whilst sweeping towards the hums turn, Roypl Master (who was the first to fall) sustaining an injury to the shoulder which necessitated his immediate dcstroyal— a sad loss to his owner, Eli Jelletk, .as he was a big upstanding horse with an undeniable pedigree (by itobinson Crusoa from Royal Maid, a daughter of Kiug of the Ring and Maid of All Work). There were half a score saddled up for the Second Hurdle Race, of about two miles, Woor.»yl 10.5, with Brewer in the pigskin, b j ing a 5 to 2 favourite, Figaro 12 5 being second in public entimation at 6's, then coming Morago 11.3 at 7's, and Gratiano 10.12, Barderer i 1.7, and Cornet ake J0.5 at B's. There was nothing in it towards the finish but Figaro, who won with ridiculous ease by two lengths, a similar distance separating Corncrake from the second horse (Border* r), Lottie bsing fourth, Barossa fifth, whilst Alorago (who is charitably described by the Age reporter as " racing unkindly throughout") was never out of last position. Time, 3min 501ssc. The bookmakers were generous enough to accept odds of 5 to 2 about Auraria for the Oaks, fondly hoping, it would seem, that the traditions of the race would be preserved, and the usual "pot" boil over once more in good old ortli'd^x favhion. It might have done, too, had Steveiuon been lesi " wido " ; but on seeing that the others were inclined to dawdle he went to the front and made a waiting racs of it there, the consequence beiug that none of the others could ever get up steam enough to catch him. '1 he filly appeared desirous of "doing a loaf" though c lining down to the home turn, but two or three gentle "reminders" with the whip woke her up, and she sailed home tha easiest of winners by two lengths and a-h.ilf, whilst The Parisienne was a couple of lengths behiod Georgie, with Maie beaten off. Time, 2min 46isec. Had Stevenson pursued the same tactics in the Derby Auraria ould hardly have lost, as she ran home the last six furlongs of the Oak-j in lmin 17Jsec. The Flying Stakes, of seven furlongs, brought Ilova, Wallace, Mostyn, Hopscotch, and Kil King in opposition to tho two-year-olds The Officer and Thunder Queen, the backers of Hova supporting him down to 5 to 4, whilst Wallace was at 6's, Hopscotch at 7's, Mostyn at B's, The Officer at 10V, and 'J hund^r Queen at 12*8. Hopscotch was first away, but quickly ye ignod to Tin Officer, who rin out wide rounding the turn and lei the others up. The field were pretty well bunched at the distance, but Hova immediately cleared out, and although Wallace struggled sturdily and pluckily, he could uevcr g^t up to the son of Ingoiuar and Happy I and, who won cleverly by a clear length, Mostyn third three lengths away, followed by The Officer, Hopscotch, and Erl King strung out, with Thunder Queen a bad last. Tinie lmin 271360, Hova covering the last six furlongs in lmin 13*60. The 39 nomination) for the Spiing Handicap, of a mile and a-quarter, dwindled down to e'ght starters, Toreador 7.10 being favourite at 7 to 4, with Reconstruction 7.8 at s's and Mischi-f 6 13 and Monastery 8.6 at 7's. It was a great finish, marred by Pearson's manifest demonstrations with the whip, thereby securing a victory by a long neck, with Reconstruction and Toreador a dead heat for second, Dauiien fourth, Redcourt fifth, Monastery sixth, and Eirisfoule laat. Time, 2min ll}sec. A protest lodged by the rider of Reconstruction (Luckman) against Pearson Mischief's jockey) was, after lengthened deliberation, didinibsed. In a field of 19 youngsters Kobold 813 was backed for the Second Nursery Handicap, of five furlongs, down to 7 to 2 ; Coil 9.8 beginning at 6 to 1, Kangulandai 8.0 at B's. and Atiki 8.3 at 12' a. As soon as they approached the di«tauce Coil made " hacks " of the opposition, and ran home a three lengths' winner iv lmin 3isac ; Ariki being second three-quarters of a length in advance of Skyla 6.8, with Kobold fourth, The Bright Eyes fifth, and Qualigy sixth, Trentmoor finishing last. Sixteen started for the Veteran Stakes, of a mile and a half, Quiver 9.0 being favourite at 5 to 2, Presto^ 8.11 second in f»vou rat 6's, then coming The Trier 811 at 7's and Royal Master 7.5 and Palo Alto 7.5 at 10's. Au unfortunate topple over bi ought Koyal Master down, Havoc, The 'trier, aud Uhefcterman stumbling over him. Quiver made a splendid effort up the straight, but Palo Alto won with a "bit in hand" by a length, Quiver and Preston making a dead heat for second place, Damper fourth, Newman fifth, followed by Straightfire, Oxide, D sftgurtd, and Bonnie Scotland, the last pair being Happy J*ck and Strahan. Time, 2miu 37isec.