SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2199, 23 April 1896, Page 32

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Cranbrook. Melbourne, April 14. The Australian Jockey Club meeting was continued on Thursday last, and as fine weather prevailed the attendance was capital. Once more I am pleased to be able to chronicle the fact that tho now celebrated strains of New Zealand thoroughbred blood were successful. Proceedings began with the Hurdle Race, run over about three mil«s, and Hiram, a five-yeir-old gelding by Grandmaster from Beatrice, "cairyirig 11.5, was made favourite at even money, and he won comfortably from Palmetto 9.5. The latter, who ran off at the last obstacle, was disqualified, and Escort (by Chester) 10.2 w»3 awarded second money. Favor 12 2 also started. Then came the All-aged Stakes, one mile, aud Courallie, the Doncaster Handicap victor, with 8.12, was voted such a moral that even money was accepted about him, Delaware 9.J being second favourite at 4 to 1, Valiant finding a little support at twice the latter price ; whilst 12 to 1 was on offer against the others, which were— Newcastle 9.1, Little Agnes 8.13, True Blue 8 8, Huret7.l, and Tire 6.12. Huret, Delaware, Valiant, and Courallie made the running to the distance, where the son of Medallion and Florence Afacarthy, who had always been in a good position, made a forward move. Catching Delaware below the halfdistance, Mr Golfan's gelding drew away aud won by a couple of lengths from the son of Trenton, who was a length and a-half in front of Courallie, Valiant being fourth. The time, lmio 40i<eo, was exactly the s<me as that put up by Courallie when he won the Doncaster Handicap, so it was no wonder that the owners of the latter requested the stewards to hold an inquiry into the riding of their gelding by J A. Delaney. On the following day, when the inquiry was further considered, the jockey's explanation — whatever it was— was deemed satisfactory, and ao the glaring reversal of form on Courallie's p«t was allowed to drop. Fourteen horses weighed out for the Welter Handicap, one mile, and Rose Noble 8 7 started favourite at 4 to 1, but Mr W. A. Long's gelding failed to gain a situation, the winner turning up in Laura, by Niagara— Cerise and Blue 8.5, who left the paddock at 6 to 1 ; Cravati by Castor— Necklace 8 13, an Bto 1 chance, being second only a heid away, while Auratus 8 0 was a couple of lengths away third. The other competitors were : Pharamond 10.9, Attachment 10.8, Vagabond 9.6, Marie Jtny 95, Redavin 9.2, The M«rrie Boy 8.13, The Hermit 8.12, Mount Victoria 8.10, The Rjjected 8.10, and Leihcol 8.2. The latter is a son of Lochiel, and by spelling his sire's name backwards to give the offspring a pseudonym his owner shows a sad lack of originality. The eisjbt furlongs were left behind in the race in lmin 44sec by the granddaughter of Antero3 and Frailty. Then followed another very marked reversal of form. In the Champagne Stakes, six furlongs, Newhaven, an odds •on chance, could only get third to Coil in lmin 17sec, the colts carrying the sime weights. In the Easter Stakes, run over a similar distance, Coil started favourite at 5 to 2 agaimt, with Newhaven at 3 to 1. The latter, who is to be taken to England after the V R.C. Spring meeting, won easily by 10 lengths from Cydnus 8 12, Gozoczat 8 4 being third. "Coil, who hid the same weight as the winner — viz , 97 — was fourth, and the time lmin lGieo, Adoration 8.5, Sayles 88, and Wuttivev 8.1 also started. On Newhaven returning to weigh in, a spectator states that " there was a most unseemly demonstration, a section of the public hooting and roaring at the reversal of form shown by the son of Oceana, but the din was mingled with hearty cheers for the colt." An inquiry was held into the strange— not to say erratic— performance of Newhaven, but C. Etmdge's (the jockey) explanation was deemed satisfactory. GotfJ old satifactory explanation 1 Despite the fact that Wallace had bruised his heel when running in the Sydney Cup on Monday, and nothing in the way of exercise bar swimming until he stripped for the Cumberland Stakes, the two miles w.f .a. event, backers laid 9 to 4 on the son of Carbine, whose weight was 8.2. Toreador 7 13 was next in demand at 6to 1, The Haivester 9 0 being quoted at 10 to 1, aud Cabin Boy 7.13 and Valiant 8.2, the other starters, w- re at 12 to 1. The Harvester, Valiant, nnd Toreador nude alternate running up to the distance, where the 1 ttter was in the lead. Wallace and The Hamster put in their claim at the half distance, and after an interesting race James Gough squeezed Wallace home by a neck from J. Monaghau's colt, who wa^ steered by A. Cox. Mr S. G. Co )k's fine son of Sheet Anchor— Syrirgtime was half a length off third, Toreador fourth, and Cabin Boy last. The two miles took 3mi-.» 46isec to traverse. By the w«y, the owner of Valiant lost hia mother recently at the age of 68 yews. Mr S. Hordern's three-year-old gelding The Skipper, by Robinson Crusoe from the imported mare L*dy Maiden, 6.12 was made favourite for the City Handicap at 3 to 1, Response 7.11 and Patroness 8 0 being at 6's. The favourite won very easily by five lengths from The Trier 8.10 and Scotch Lassie 6 12. Oxide 8 4, Jack-o'-Lautern 83, Kallatina 8.3, Gaulus 8.2, Music 7 1?, Taranaki 7.12. Royal Rose 7.11, Lo.h Leigh 7.8, Candour 7.5, Damien 75, The Enchanter 7.4, and Cradle 6 7 also completed. The winner carved out the Kile and a-half in 2min 38sec.

On Saturday last the A. J. 6. Autumn meeting was brought to a conclusion, and it is one that the bookmakers will not> 1 kely forget for some considerable time. They ciught it hot. strong, and not particularly sweet during the four day a. The Rous Handicap, for three-year-olds, of a mile and three furlongs, served to open the ball, and Leonidas, a son of Gibraltar —Lady Spec, with 83, was favourite at 3 to 1, Patron* 8 7 being at 4to 1, and Waihine 7.0 at s's. Once more was Mr Hord^rn's representative, Cravat 83, doomed to be the runner-up, as the favourite defeated him right on the post by a h«ad, The Me ry Boy 8 3 beioer a length and a-half away third. The time was 3min 28sec, and the other starters were : Redavin 7.12, Auwtus 7.3, Mount Victoria 7.2, and Teralba 6 7. For the Place Handicap, one mile and a-half, there were nine runners, and Acmena, by MartiniHenry from Acme (who recently died in New South Wales), 8 5 was made favomite at 3 to 1, The Trier 8.10 and The Skipper 7.12 b.-ing at a point longer, -with Fovt 7.3 at 6 to 1, and The Enchanter 7.3 at 10's. The latter, who was bred by Mr S. G. Cook, and was got by Trenton from The Charmer, and sold last month iot 400gs to his present owner, Mr W. Kelso, won cLverty by a neck from Fort, who in turn was but a. Bimilar distance away third, in 2min 4lsec Oxide 8.4, The Meddler 7.8, Elton 7.0, and Cartridge by Carbine 7.0 also ran. R. Ellis, the rider of Acmena, complained to the stewards that D. Cook, who steered The Enchanter to victory, bad ridden foully, and after investigating the complaint they suspended the delinquent for three months. For a similar offence, J. Lamb, who waß on Fort, was reprimanded. At the Ascot Racing Clubs meeting, held last Thursday, a lad named W. Clark was • disqualified for six months for a like performance. The pony people will stand no nonsence. The next item on the programme was the Second Steeplechase, and, strange to say, King 10 7, Othello -10 7, and Mikado II 11.10 were at the same price— viz., 5 to 1, the next best favourite being Grandwing 11 7at6to 1. Ballyhooley y..7 stood at 7 to 1, with 10 to 1 on offer about the remainder, which were : Bushmin 10.0, The Joker 11.6, Black Tracker 10.10, and Waratah 9.10. The race was a regular chapter of accidents, as out of the nine competitors only two got round without baulkin? or falling, and they finished first and second. Mikado II ran pretty well at Caulfield over a month ago, so the vie 'ory of the son of Apremont was not unexpectedly victorious. "Mikey," as he is called, was ridden by M. Mooney, and encompassed the " about " three miles in JStnin Bsec. In a field of 16 Resolute, by Trenton from TJmilta, the da v of Foxtail, 7.12, started at even money for the Second Nursery Handicap, six furlongs, and he won cleverly by three-quarters of a length from Honiton 6.13, and Gozoczar 9 3 was third. Bar one, the betting was 10 to 1 Sabretache 7.0 and Contempt 6.12, 12 to 1 bar three/ Other starters were : Saylea 9.2, Snapshot 8.10, Aroha 8.7, Le Var 8.7, Anambah 8.1, Spindrift 7.10, Wingen 7-7, Invitation 7.7, Kangulandi 7.5 {who fell, but her rider, C. Power, eecftped with a

shaking), Pirouette 6.12, and The Turk 6.12 Time for the distanoe, lmin 19ssc. Then followed tho A. J C. Plate. Wallace 8.0. despite the fact that he had had his heels bruised in the Sydney Cup aud was restricted to swimming exercise only during the interval, atarted at 2to 1 on, The Harvester being at 4to 1 agst. The latter 9.0 won easily by six lengths from Fort 8.0, the favourite being three-parts of a length away third, the time being 6mln 17«ec. Valiant 8 Oand Cabin Boy 7.11 also started. Three years ago, , when Camoola was also the favourite, Mr S. G. Cook won the same event with The Admiral. Hindoo, by the English sire Rightaway from Idolatry, carried 7.2 to victory in the Final Handicap, Patroness 7 13 being second a length away, with Loch Leigh 7.4 third. The other competitors were : True Blue 8.4. Albicore 8.3, Kallatina 8.3, Jack-o'-Lantern 8.2, Pharamond 8.1, Inspiration 8.0, Response 7.11, Protos 7.9, The Meddler 7.8, Royal Hone 7.8, Meiman 7.6, All There 7.4, Scotch Lassie 7.3, Confidence 7.3, Candour 7.3, Deposed 7.1, and E.K. 7.1. The mile and a-quarter wa? covered in 2min lljaec, and Hindoo and Patroness were equal favourites at 4 to 1, True Blue at 6 to 1, and Response, Kallatina, and Me i man were at 10's. Mr W. R. Wilson's cheque over the meeting was the largest, tho amount being £iO2R, Messrs Moses for the duul victories of Courallie receiving £155-2, and Mr S Hordern £1236. Besides Cydnus and Resolute Mr W. R. Wi'son has a colt engaged in the next V.R.C. Derby named' Strathspey, by Strathmore from Wallace's dam Melodious, and readers of the Otsgo Witness would do well to keep him \a mind. In appearance he take 3 very much after h 8 sire, and judging from the way he moved in the VR C. Hopeful Stakes at the Autumn meeting has the son of Ouid»!s gift of galloping. At the yearling sales at Randwick last week Mr T. Morrin, the well-known N.Z. studnmster, purchased a filly by Sweet William from Diana, br«d at the Too.il ttud, for 30gs. . Next we k Hova, Pilot Boy, Solanum, Homespun, and Warpaint leave for Adelaide, where they aiv engaged in the principal events. At the Epi m ra^es last SatuuUy there was a fair attendance, and soma interesting racing, Eildon won the Mordialloc Handicap by a head from Lena, with Hughie a like distance away third. Solanum was favourite, but he only managed to get fifth. Beau Brammel, by Niagarj, who was favourite, carried off the Epsom Handicap Damio, who threw a splint, ia now very much better, and he lexves for England in a week or two. Quiver, Norma, Graduate, Cleric, and Eildou also take their d parture for India on the 24th inst. Duugan followed up his Onkaparinga success by carrying < ft" the Steeplechase ou Saturday at the S.A. Tattersall's meeting, and that with a 211b penalty. Messrs Manifold Bros., who own the son of Wellington, have other firt-t-cla«s horses in Waterloo, Apsley, Fine View, and Geometry, so they are certain to be about in the VR.C. Grand Nationals. Sporting men were all pleaded to learn by ctble this morning that Mr S. H. Gollan's Kfoor, by Robert the Devil, had succeeded in winning a steeplechase in England. May that gentleman secure further victories, say I. In f-ydney yesterday Mr T. S. Clibborn held a sale of thoroughbreds. There was spirited competition for Courallie between the Indian buyer Mr T. Uphill and Mr W. K.Jso. When tha biddings reached 550gs it was announced that the reserve was 700g8, but the former purcha cd the gelding subsequently at 600g>«. Stroraboli was bought by Mr Caesidy, of North Queensland, for 251)g3 ; Dunlop went to Mv J. A. Campbell for lb'Cfea ; and Mr Clift, of Breeza, gave the came price for ( hesterman. Cabin Boy was passed in at 230gs, Ethelbert at 140gs, Laura at 190.jk, Inspiration at2sogs, Pliaramond at 220gs, Thi Gunat 90gs, and Highborn II at 125gs. The nm-e Waiting Maid, stinted to Trentpn, was soJd to Mr W. Duggan for lOOgs. CYCLING. At the Easter Fair held on the Exhibition grounds on .Saturday night W. Milne fell in tho fourth heat of the Novice Handicap and broke his arm. Whilst riding in Adelaide on Saturday last Megson fell and su-tained come severe "bruises, besides a shaking. Harris, the Englishman, came down at the same time. Mas>t«r Percy Lawrence, 11 years old, son of Mr Alfred Lwience, merchant, Cjllina street, nccompauied his father on a five days' cycling tour at Easter, aud rode 303 miles. Ho was mounted on an Elcctra girl's bicycle. The route travelled was as follows :— Thursday, April 2, St. Kilda to Melbourne, 4 miles, and took stea-ner to Geplong ; started 9 pm. for Winchelsea, 23 miles. Friday morning, tc-JPoUc, 24 milea ; Friday afternoon, to Camperdowo, 3) miles ; Friday nighfc, to Terang, 15 miles ; Niturdiiy morning, to Warrnambool, 29 miles; Saturday aft-irnoou, rouud Warrnambool, 6 miles. Smiday morning to Panmur<% Sunday afternoon to Mortlak", 34 miles, Easter Monday morning, to Lismore, 33 miles ; Easter Monday afternoon, to Cape Clear, 22niile3 : Easter Monday night, to Ballaidt, 25 miles. Tuesday morning, 11 a.m. to halt-past 1 p.m , to Meredith, 26 mile^ ; Tuesday afternoon, 2 to 4, to Geelong, 29 miles ; caught Gdt-long et-'amer, Melbourne to St. K\lda, 4 miles. Total for five days' riding, 303 miles. At the Adelaide Carnival on Saturday last A. W. Harris put up a quarber-mile record, covering the dhtince in 27 3-6 sec, with a flying start. Don Walker's record, put up on the same distance last week here, was thus beaten by 3-sseo. The English time for the quarter-mile isS7}sec. Harris afterwards won the Three-mile Handicap, and Porter cirried off the One-mile International Scratch Race. The Five-mile Invitation Scratch Race was also -won by Harris, Porter being second, and Baker third.