V.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING. Melbourne, February 20.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 32

V.R.C. AUTUMN MEETING. Melbourne, February 20.

The tracks were in splendid order at Flemington on Saturday morning. Precaution, Amiable, Amberite, Ayrshire, Loch Marie, Strathroy, Talavera, Contrast, each moving with great freedom, executed six-f urlong dashes In good time. Amberite and Precaution have evidently undergone a thorough preparation. BSischiet galloped a mile and a-half i.i excellent style in 2min 45sec. At Ciuifield, Battalion, in great> heart, traversed two miles in even time and gait, wbiisfc Valoee, who may prove dangerous in the Newmarket Handicap, skimmed five furlongs biilli&utly. Last night Resolute was favourite for the Newmarket Handicap at 3 to 1, Amberite was at 4- to 1 (both taken). Sixbeau to 1 was offered about Precaution and Htrafchroy, and 20 to 1 abou'j the others. '* Count " Abrahams /aid 600 to 400 against Amiable and Resolute coupled. Three to 1 was freely offered aguiust Aurum for the Cup, and 6 to 1 against Bundook, Battalion, and Resolute. February 21. The following final acceptances have been received :—: — Newmarket Handicap, of 25sovs each, with 75".«0vh added ; seconrf SOOsovb, third lOOsovs. Six furlongs — AyrshireP.lO, Lsoh Marie o.B, Amberite 9.6, Keaolutf [mc lOib pen] 93, Paul Viyfl.l, Lieutenant 8.13, Amiable 8.12, Staffa 8 10, Olaf 89, Cabin Boy 88, 'Jjjlavera BG, Otiert 85, Strathroy 8.3, HiePAi'isienneS.l, Eoion-na-Knuck 8.0, Moonlyong 7.12. Piecaution 7.13, Fortunio 7.9, Spectator 79, Reaper 7 8, Ailsa Craig 7.6, Marry&tville 7.5, Veloce 7.1, Siilor Boy 7 0, Embrasure 6.13, Chpheluie 6.12, Contrasc 6.7, Keyless 6.7. Virtue, La Carabine, Amnesty, and Alabacalia have been withdrawn from the Australian Cup. This morning saw principally preparatory work for strong gallops to-morrow. Mr W R. Wilson's team of nine arrived from St. Albans, and Mr Sam Cook brought seven from Sandringh*.m. Aurum, looking magnificent, thongh lusty, but evidently hard as u&ils, in eomnany with Symmetry, spurted half a mile in 52^ec without an efforb. H?soiute looked none the worse for Saturday's exploit. Nothing appears to be going better as Fieraington than Ayrshire, whom Criops has in pounds better condition than ever before. The Moonee Ponds trainer is quiutly confident of winning tbe Newmarket. Loch Marie and The Lola a«y&ar trained to the Lour. The Amberite people are confident that the Derby winner will achieve fresh l&urels even if eel a six-furlong task on Saturday. Resolute is likely bo p?ove Me Wilson's best for the Australian Cup. February 22. At the Victoria C ub last night, after 1650, to 550 Lad been taken a! together ab i ut Resolii* e for the Nt.woa.uket Handicap, the bookmakers offered 6 to 1 Amiable, when the Lochiel mare's friends accei^oed fill the nianey availaole, subsequently (supporting her down to 9 to 2, causing Resolute to recede half a point. Wagering is almost, entirely confined to this pair, 100 to 5 being offered about anything else. S". effa atid Marryattville are non-acceptors for the Newmarket Handicap, leaving 26 ?» <i>« race.