SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 5 December 1895, Page 31

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Hobi Poenb. J

Melbourne, November L 4. V.R.C. SPBINtt MEETING. FOURTH (STEEPLECHASE) DAY. The glorious weather which had attended the previous threu days of the meeting held up on Saturday, when the attendance was again very large— so large, in fact, that after payiug away £11,679 in stakes, Mr Byron Moore feeli satisfied there will be a profit of some £9000 on the meeting, co that the bank overdraft will be swept away, although the "debentures" will be still en evidence. The- fields were not large, but the racing was highly interesting nevertheless ; the Soring Stakes, the Steeplechase, and the C. B. Fisher Plate proving exciting contests, the surroundings of which raised public enthusiasm up to the wildest pitch of excitement. Osculator was selected as the best of the quartette in the Spring Stakes, of a mile and a-quarter, the son of Hotchkiss and Pungawerewere being supported down to even money ; and he pulled his backers through right gallantly, albeit only by half a length from Onward, who in turn was half a head in advance of Toreador, with Callum Mohr beaten off. The time for the whole journey was 2min 15j9ec, but all the same foe that Osculator covered the lart five furlongs in Imin 3sec. It was a Flashing good performance on the part of Osculator, as Onward proved to demonstration later on in the afternoon. There wasn't much to choose in point of favouriteship between Le Var 8.9. Thunder Queen 9.4, and Qualigy 7.7 for the Flemington Stakes of four furlongs and 82yd p, the trio starting at sto 1 each in a field of 14. Le Var bad everything dead fettled at the half-distance, though, and won easily by three-quarters of a length from Kobold 8.11, half a length away coming Skyla 6.10 and Moonlyorr* 7.4 a dead heat for third place, Judge M'Culloeh mistaking the colours of Skyla for The Bright Eyes and placing S. 6. Cook's filly instead of Septonius Miller's. Aiiki was fifth, followed by Pluvius and Arcola, the time being 55sec. Le var promises to furnish into a real good colt in time: and his breeding lines ara all right, seeing that he is by Lochiel from La Valette, wbo runs back to the imported Blinkhoolie mare Algeria. The result of the V.R.C. Handicap, of a mile and three-quarters, was a regular take-down for backers, no less than 10 out of the 14 starters figuring in the betting quotation, whilst the actual winner was virtually friendless after running second in the Spring Stakes, offers of 100 to 2 being allowed to pass unheeded. Buna- | bari 8.2 started favourite at 4 to 1, Lord Richmond 7.0 and Waterfall 8.3 being next in demand \ at 6's, with Music 9.0 at 7s, and Palo Alto 7.11 atß's ; the Argus quoting Onwards starting price at 20 to 1, the three-year-old son of Gang Forward and Haidee having the" feather" of 6.8 (as represented by R. LewU) on his back. Lord Richmond, Bruin, and Onward were first to move, the latter quickly rushing to the front and continuing there throughout; Palo Alto and Waterfall momentarily threatening danger at/the distance, but being soon silenced, the Ballarat outsider winning easily by a couple of lengths from Palo Alto, who defeated Waterfall by a bead for second place, Lord Richmond fourth, Trentaide fifth, Burrabari sixth, with Devon and Bradford the last pair. Time, 3cnin 9}sec. Trentside (by Trenton from Lady Disdain) ran a remarkably good colt considering bis backward condition, aod evidently possesses some of the pace as well

as the staying power of his unfortunate hal» brother, The Spot, who won Cnrbioo the Mcl» bourne Cup whilst cuttiug his own throat b.f carving out the running right round to the abattoirs »t an impossible pace. The whole of the eight starters for the Three, mile Steeplechase were bncked moro or less, Jol 11.0 being a pronounced favourite at 5 to 2, with Komsdftl 12.0 and Timoni 10.9 at 7's, Wnturbury 12 2, Claret 12.4, Floater 13 5. and Cauipaspe 1L» B'b, and Mercury 9.0 at 12's. The latter, who vai piloted by the to ost successful cross-country horseman in Victoria at tho present time (W. Ponglaß), went to the frontjustafterthestattandcarvedout the pace v«ry merrily; whilst Waterbury cut a mo3t inglorious figure, bungling at the first; fence, baulking at the second, aud tb«n dropping out of the ruce altogether. Right away round Mercury was in advance, the Jojnplng as tha seven contestants cleared the quadruple in f i ou{ of the stand eliciting round after round of ap« plaune Rorosdal came to grief about a milo from home and Joi toppled over at the abattoirs, whilst Campsspe was toiling along in the roar. Mercury led from Claret and Floater over the l»«t fence, but as soon as it came to a mere matter ol pacing on the flat Floater ran past the others in hollow fashion and won hard held by threequarters of a length, whilst Mercury, finishing with gr«t gameness, beat Claret for second place by a long nock, Timoni a bad fourth, and Cam. paspe a worse fifth. Time, 6min 52$ sec. Then ranie the event of the afternoon— the O. B. Flcher Plate, a weight-for-age race over two miles of ground. There were only four starters, but as they oousuted of Hova, Auraria, and Odculator, the excitement worked up to tha • wildest pitch as the myatic hour drew near. Tho admirers of Auraria were firm in their aflegianco to the Cup winner, albeit they were pevfectiy well aware Stephenson, her jockey, had a momentous task set him in having no pacemaker, and that the slightest error of judgment ou bis part would entail certain defeat. SUII, they backed bordowa to 6 to 4, whilst Wallace and Hova both met with consistent support at 9 to 4: Osculator being only nibbled at now and egaiu at odds varying from B's to la's. The fact that. Bsrti« Holme* WU3 up on Wallace gnva additional he3ti of grace to tha believers in Mr W. R. Wilson's chestnut son of Carbine and Melodious, and as th« sequel proved they had good and sofficieut grounds for the faith that was in them The gait was so moderate at the start that Stevenson, reocgnhlnf the dacigpr of delay against two such acknow* ledged sprinters as he had behind him. immediately forced the pace, leading Wsllaoo b> live oi six lengths up the river side. Holmts was deter« mined not to let the filly get too big a break on him, though, and approaching the abattoirs ha commenced to make up his leeway, and as Anraria swung round tb« horns turn he was within n couple of lengths of liar. Halfway up th« straight it looked any odds that WaUxcu would no vet catch hor ; but on Holmes calling on him fora prolonged effort he answered in tha gar nest possibla inanuer, and gaining ground foot by foot managed to get up in the last stride and make a dead heat of it ; with Hova two loDgths away third, add Oscillator about the same distance off. Time, 3min37.sec. I made certain that Wallace just "pip* ped " the filly with his la«t effort, and felt agreeably surprised when the judge announced it a deaq heat. Previously to that finish I had somehow of other got an impression into my head thai Wallace would never sustain a prolonged < fforfc, but I must recant now, and recant, too, unreservedly Mind you, I think Bertie Hoknes got more out of him tuau any jo-key who has eve* before ridden him ; but all the same for that he. is a good honest colt, although not the undoubted champion "Old Jack" was. 1 fancy Aiuarin must have gone off a little since the Cup ; not much, but still a little. It was a hard row for Stevenson to hoe through, but he acquitted himself splendidly. And now of course we shall bfl all ngog until the South Australian filly and the Victorian colt meet again in March to decide the question (if supremacy. Not forgetting that in the autumn the filly is more likely to prove th,o better horse than in tbe spring. Tbe Free Handicap, of a mile and a quarter*, rung down tbe curtain, Solanuui 8.13 being considered the best of the 18 contestants, and starting at 4to 1. It was really surprising when it was all over (that dear old after gume again I) that a filly like The Pumienne with only 7.3 up should be allowed to go out with odds of 12 to 1 agafnafc her ; but such was the case, and when *he put the unfortunate Reconstruction 7.9 down by threequarters of a length, everybody was quite agreed they ought to have known it I " Mostyn executed a good performance by finishing third balf a length behind Mr J. B Clark's gelding. Newman was fourth, followed by Solatium, Scarpia, Monard. and Acton, with Maio and King Orry the last pair. Time, 2min 9isec It is estimated that there were 90,000 people present at Flemington on Cup Day. The profits of the V.R C. Spring meeting will knock the bank overdraft " kite high," with some £2000 to spare ; although, of course, there are the debentures still to be accounted for. Mr D. James takes the biggest cheque — £4304 10s (first Melbourne Cup, £3667 ; first Oaks, £417 | divided first C. B. Fisher Plate, £146 10« ; third) Victoria Derby, £75). Mr W. R. Wilson comes next with £1325 10s (first Victoria Derby, £1150 ; divided first C. B. Fitther Plate, £145 10s ; second Flying Stakes, £30). Abe Davies is third with £1013 (second Mcl/ bourne Cup, £590 ; first Melbourne Stakes, £284'; first FlyiDg Sthkes, £229). These three were 'all "one-horse" men— with Auraria, Wallace, aad Hova ; but James Wilson, jun., who r*nks fourth, was a " two-horso " man for £7>l (first MaribyrnoDg Plate, £696 1 third Veteran Stakes, £15). Osculator brought Mr D. A. M'Leod in £430 (first Spring Stakes, £280 ; second Victoria Derby, £150). After the above-named came in order :— S. G. Cook, £370 ; Bailey and Orr, £330 ; S. Hordern. £255; J. Redfearn. £250; J. B. Claik, £245; R. Hustler, £240 ; W. Bailey, £238 ; F. W. Purches, £220 ; S. Miller, £215 ; T. Payten, £20d; R. Barr-Siuith, £170 ; and T. Hales, £170. r OLLA PODRIDA. At a sale of racehorses on Monday at W. C. Yuille and Co.'s yards Solanum was knocked down to J. B. Brewer's bid for £210. An offer of 430gs for Taranaki was refused. Music goes into Carslake's^table, being purchased for £700. Osculator takes his departure this week for Sydney— en route, it is reported, for New Zealand, where he is engaged In the Great Northern Derby, to be contested at Auckland on New Year's Day. Quiver, who was much knocked and cut about in the Veteran Stakes, has gone back to Mr W. A. Long's Chipping Norton's establishment. New South Wales. None of Mr W. A Long's horses are likely to visit Victoria during the autumn. There is likely to be litigation over the drawing of Wallace by the Creswick syndicate of four. It will be remembered that the syndicate resold him to Mr W. R. Wilson for £2500, and a furtb.ee " contingency " of £500 should he prove successful in the Derby. It appears that there were originally five in the syndicate, the fifth being; Mr Jos. Williams, late ex-mayor of Creswick. Before tha final arrangements (the paying-up of the amoun^ of shares, and so forth) were completed Mr Jo*. Williams took dangerously ill, and the remaining four, having been given to understand that neither Mrs Williama nor her brother were inclined to go on with the venture, decided to take up his interest between them. When it became known that they had won St. Albaaa, th« trustee of the estate of Mr Joseph Williams (who had died in the interim) wrote to Mr C. B. Houses enclosing a cheque for £3, and congratulating tha ivndicaU on their luck. But Mr Hetue has sent the cheque back ; hence the threatened litigation. These are the facts of the case so far as they b«v« been allowed to become public property at present. Albeit they appeat to me to be rather bald. When your mozzle is out in horseracing. you can't possibly do the right thing. Heres an " ower true tale," related to me on Friday by tha party mest interested, emphasising that fact. A well-known jockey, whose luck (although one «! the very beat horsemen in Australasia) has been •imply rotten " for some considerable time past, has a father-in-law exceedingly well oS. Now Tom Kiely knows rfce father-in-law, and on ex* pressing his belief to him that Auraria would still if in the Melbourne Cap despite her somewhat in* glorious display in the Derby, the father-in-law said to the son-in-law (another Tom, by the way) I *• Look here, Tom, your luck has been out for; gome time, but as Auraria is at a good price here's. a £10-note for you to put on Kiely' a tip, andMMt

you can do any good for yourself. "Tom* took she "tenner," plnye.l it up roligiously on the races j prior to the Cnp(ou " certs.' of couise I), blnea { it " and didu't yroiit a bean when Auraria swept first pißt the pest ia Xho Melbourne Cup. In "Rata's" Cat.tnl.ury Doinga, m the Otago Witnets of the 24'.h ult., the follow ing parasraph appeared — "The bookmakers here did well over the Cauiaeld Cup, I u<-dertUrul. n..va, HopBcotch, Havoc, and Bruiu were, I brlieve, all well j ■backed, and some prominent backers are now i ■wondering how tho cablegrams did not tell us mow stout Waterfall. A well-known racing man, who has exper : enoe in bookmaking, rexnnrked last night : ' What a ni.:e bit Oxenham mu^t have won I' There is no doubt Waterfall '■would have been backed here had his doings been j ordinarily well known— he had public form to yecommend him—but he was only mentioned about once in the betting, and what he was doing on the tracks nobody here seemed to know. I heard a considerable amount of adverse comment on thß subject last night." Weil, I can iuforun the aforesaid prominent backois how the cablegrams did not tell them anorc about Waterfall. In the first place, my instructions from the New Zealand Press Association, who order the cablegiams, are to keep training news pure and simple down to the finest possible limit, only mentioning sensational performances and the doings of New Zealand contestants. Wati-rfall never did a sensational or even a goad performance on the Fliinineton track. In the second place, Oxenham couldn't have fancied the colt over much himself or he would never have gone out at 100 to 3. However, as the Canterbury sportsmen pay such altcntioir to the £able information. I may ba jiardoned for directing atti ntion to the fact thdt I did ro outside my written instructions to cable a perfonnanco Auiaiia had done before leaving Adelaide, when, with 7. ( > on her back and " shoss on,"<-Bhe covered two mi'es in 3rnin 38iec. That perfovmancewasgoocl enough to win any Melbourne ■Cup ever run ; and knowing my information was •undeniable, I sent it to New Zealand before publishing it in Melbourne!. So that if I couldn't j»ive the Contobury sports inform >tion re Water•fall, I certainly made up for it re Auraria.— [Mem.— The accountant of the Otago Wiln^ss knows my addro-.s should any of the hcneficiccres desire it.] Waterfall dropped out at Wagga, whilst on the back track, and won the Wagga Cup, starting favourite at 3 to 1 on. .Mr W. R. Wilson succeeded in getting the bt. ftlbans estate back for the moderate sum of £2-1,000. Trcn'on was passed in at £7000, that being the bid of M > Clarence Wibon, sou of the late Sir Saruuel W'il-on, of Krcildoiiue. It is more than prsbablc, however, that he will not leave St. Albai>6. The rlose finish in the late intercolonial cricket match, played at Adelaide this week, when, wanting 182 runs to win and having only two wickets to fall, the South Australians actually finished ■within C 6 ruas of the Victorian ecore, emphasises the fact that at present the bowling tulent of Australia is below mediocrity. "Count" Abrahams has been fiucd £20, with £40 costs, for keeping a common gaming house ; imprisonment to follow the ntxt conviction.

M. Shevwin— lst Otago Cup, £294 10s; Ist Mxisselburgh Plate, £9> 18s £391 8 J. A. M'Ginniss — Ist JDunedin Stakes, £236 lls ; 2nd Glasgow Plate. £19 ... 255 11 Stepbensou and Hazl<>tt-3rd Otago Gup, £14 Gs; 2nd Dunedin Siakts, £19; Ist Onslow Pl*t<3, £114 ; 3rd Glasgow FUte, £9 10h ; Isb Nursery Handicap, £61 15,- 218 10 P. M'filsnMiiin— 2nd Eeieral Himlic.ip, £14 5s ; 2nd Mustel^nrgh Hate, £!) 10a ; Isc Glasgow Place, JSLSO l(fcs 204 5 T. B Reid -Ist St. And.ew's Handicap ... 161 10 1\ K>M— lst Selling llace, £47 lOi; Ist Maiden Two-year-old Handle ip, £63 10s ; Ist. One-miloand a-half Tiot, £33... IF2 0 R. Hay— 2nd Otago Cup, £23 15a ; 3rd St. Andrew's Handicap, £9 10<5 ; Ist President's Hand-cap, £lli ... ... 147 5 P. Butler— l*t Maiden Plate, £42 15s ; Ist St. Kilda Welter Handicap, £85 10 a ... 128 5 I. Gieoking— Ist Kedernl Handicap ... 128 5 J. A. Holm»s-lßt Tally-ho Hurdle Handicap, £57 ; Ist Paoific Hurdle llanaicw, £4710s 101 10 V. Harris— 2nd Spring Hand-cap, £9 10s ; 2nd Tabuna Welfer Handicap, £9 10s ; l%t Giand .^t^nd Handicap, £S5 )0j ... 104 10 Hon. George M'L^au— l*t Spiing Ilandicap, £S5 10s ; 3rd Pretident's Handicap, £9 10s 95 0 H. L. Johnson — 2nd Maiden Two-year-old Handicap. £9 10s; Ist Criteiion Stakes, £85 10s 95 0 J. R. Longfellow— lst Taluina Welter Handicap 85 10 G Smith— lst Spring Hurdle Handicap, £tib" 10s ; 2nd Pacific Hurdle Handicap, £9 10 a 76 0 H. Goodman— lst Novel Race, £57; 2nd Nursery Handicap, £9 10a 66 10 T.Anderson — Ist Two-mile Trot 52 5 R Allen— 2nd St. Andrew's Handicap, £19; 2nd President's Handicap, £19 ... 38 0 W. Ilobbs— Second Onslow Pla'e 19 0 Ellis Broi.— 2nd Spring Hurdle Handicap, £9 10s; 2nd Grand Stand Handicap. £9 10s 19 0 J. J. Miller— 2nd One-mite and' a-balf Tiot 9 10 3ir G. H. Clifford— 2nd Criterion Stakes... 9 10 3. G. lnder— 2nd Tally-ho Hurdle Handicap 9 10 Gr. U. Stead-3rd Dunedin Stakes 9 10 J. Meikle - 2nd St Kilda Welter Handi•cap 9 10 I. Fitzpatrick— 2nd Maiden PUte 4 15 W. A. Scott— 2nd One-mile and a-half Trot 4 15 Farewell Handicap (in abeyance) 57 0 Total £2,656 " i