SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2318, 4 August 1898, Page 33

SPORT ING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Horn Poexb. FLOTSAM AND JETS.UI

The experiment of utilising the Woil;ic:- l ay between the two Saturdays over wliich fh? V.R C. Grand National meeting has extended pir.ee its inception for a thiul day's racicg has rroveO si- L-rfsful enough to warrant further trial There was a really excellent attendance on the "ofli" day— much better than I have seen at a number of the off days during a Y.It.C. Spring meethig; and though the financial returns may not, have been quite so large as could have been desired, that is the result of the elill-prevaihng " depression," which, instead of ''lifting" (as some of our would-be nicutois in the press would moke believe), is il anything becoming more intensified day by clay. " The " hewer of wood " and the " drawer of water" is certainly looked after by a paternal Government— more in dread of (he " 'ornyhanded" than aught else; but for those whoso cuiriculum of eaily education did not include the ability to wield a pick and shovel the outlook is «!oomy indeed. But the paternal Government before mentioned is not afiaul of such, and ihu'cfon does not make the slightest pid,cn-ioii to asoi&t them. On the contrary, it does itb level beot to still furl her increase the disabilities they are suffering under by allowing its ciml servants and pensioned officials to enter into unfair competition with them.

Tins io sroemlly noticeable m ronncction with the proo3, wheie individuals who have served a life-long apprenticeship to journalism are elbowed aside by Government officials whose »ineoure appointments at "fat" screws enable

in i.i i n in -iiT-ir-*r»nHUffiri*iiiV>>'WlwufTiilrnnriirri i'.r fwir-ivi raK»uMjid*« them to accomplish press work at a reduced rate on account of seeming tUe privileges" a connection with the FoinUi K&tate cnLnls.

From a racing point of mow the Lito Grand .National meeting >va.& a <<, pxor.oun^ed succe&s, albeit in two or three rejects &ome interesting and instructive object L-. .ous v, ere afforded. Thus the respective victoncs of Bunyan (from The i\ r un), Pilgrim (from Harly Purl), and Wayfarer (from Vmneia) placed it beyond the pale of aigunu'Ht that the lion. William M'Culloch did. the turf state of Australia U'acmg and breeding) much service when he imported their sire — Piigiim's Progress — to Victoria, in 1892. Pilgrim's Progress (bred in Holland in 1889) is by Isonony from Pilgrimage (by The Eat I or '.I he Pdlmer— Lady Audley, by Macaroni—Seerd, by Melbourne — Mystery, by Jerry — iNAmelc.-r, by Emiliua — Problem, by Merim— Paun, by Iruiupafcor — Piunella, by Ilighflici) ; Isonouiy id by Sterling (son of Oxford; fiom Ibola Beiln, by dlockwell— lsohne, by lithetbeit. Pilgrimage was a first-class performer herself, Laving m her time annexed the One Thousand and Two Thousand Guineas, and, ii.i,ipo-. vr shu evidently endows hei stock with excellence, as, amougst a number of wr>to.'i"i'S performances by her progeny, C«iJtt i rL')iy 'Pilgrim corned o!f the English Oak.> aiid Jpci-iah tho JWp Q om Derby. Pilgrim's Pios..'e3a is mh v standing at Ins owner's OuKv.'ood P.ik cst.ibliahrnerLt, Dandenong, an'l promisss '.c, I — ome a very fashionable fcire.

One of the easiest wins evei ac on.ii>!i-:.v.l <il Flemington was Wayfarer's ii)i_-r.v,iy wi. ry in the July Handicap last Saturday. Tlk-io wf re eight storterr, and at the close, of me bettmj7 \Yayfarcr 8.3 wa3 at 5 to 1, with lian;,an P. 5 and Eiridsdalo 8.12 dividing second favouritcship. The "sign" pointed to Wayfarer being s\ pcially dangerous, seeing thit Christopher Moore, who has for many years been associated With the Mew.'s Jai^es U'ikoii (senior and junior) wan up on Messrs Manifold's colt, v.lnlst Bunyan, owned by Jame.; Wilson, jun., was piloted by V. Tun.er. Wayfarer dashed oil with the lead, and was never headed, coming away inside the di -stance, with Moore tugging and hauling ut him to try and steady him, piid eventually winning with his head in his clie&t by six lengths from. Buiiyaii, who in turn keLl a throe lengths' advanUsre over Spindrift 7.7, who finished third. Tho ironical jeering which greeted the other contestants as they returned to scale was something to be remembered, and on the first blush it looked as ii a veritable champion of champions had been unearthed in Wayfarer. Personally, I had my doubts as to whether, after all, the exploit was really as good os it looked; and when the time (lmm 48i=eo for the mile) was hoisted I must confess that I got still closer to Doubting Castle. The going was certainly exfcicmely heavy (il had been r.iini.i" intermittently right through the meeting), and the ground, especially close m to the rails, v.as feariully chinned up for the four'li rice of the day. But then Chris. Moore didn't go any where near tho rails — kept even out in the centre of the course, where the ground, though sodden, was fairly level. Wayfarer won in lmin 48£ sec, but Bunyan'a time must have boen outside lm'm SOice, and the others 'way buck further still. And then, agoin, the thought would olnrudo, " VYlnt about the others? What sort of a game were they playing? " On Monday afternoon I met Chris. Moore on my road out to Newmarket, and on chatting with him about the performance lie remarked: "You arc quite right, ' Ilori ' , although Wayfarer is undoubtedly a tremendously good colt, the performance was nothing near aa good as it looked. The rest of the field that had a chance were floundering about in tne mud, whilst my fellow had pretty fair sailing." But " the general "do not take that into consideration at all. They saw Wayf.irer — " shockingly badly ridden," as they have been advised by all and sundry — donkey-lick a number of approved good horses vith bis jockey vainly endeavouring to bring him under control and at once they yielded up the two Cups to him unreservedly. Last Monday, in town, go where you would, one heard nothing but " Did you see how Wayfarer made hacks of Bunyan, Eiridsdale, The Chevalier, and the rest on Saturday'/* He must win the Caulfield Cup if he comes fit and well to the post, as Harry Harrison, his trainer, maintains that he hasn't got him nearly ready vet.' And so on, and so forth.

This, of couisc, suited the bookmakers down to the ground, and after laying him to the tune of some thousands at 100' s to 6, they suddenly rose to the position and jumped him up a couple of points at one bound — 100's to 8 being the oithodox quotation during tho afternoon — which is all very fine and large, without a doubt ; but not for Hori. Hori is not taking any Wayfarer in his Caulfiekl Cup decoction just yet, thank you. That the three-year-old son of Pilgrim's Progress and Vimiera (by "Wellington — Fortress, by Ace of Clubs from imported Gunshot, a daughter of Rifleman) 13 extremely well in both in the Caulfiekl Cup at 7.10 (including 3lb penalty) and in the Melbourne Cup at 7.9 (51b pen.) will pass without saying ; but as oue swallow does not constitute- a summer, neither docs one (apparently) sensational victory denote the certain winder of one of our big spring handicaps. I use the word " apparently " advisedly. Only last Tuesday I was having a chat with that astute general, Ike Foulpham, anent tho self-same matter, when he clinched my contention by saying: "You rnusn't go on Saturday's raco. It may be good, or, again, it may be no good. You recollect last year how, just a little later on than this, we all went 'ratty' over the style in which Ma! to won that race at Caulfield. Lie was simply g°i«g to ' walk ' in with the CaulQeld Cup under 7.2. But he didn't. And what ha 3he done since? Absolutely nothing." There you have the opinions of acknowledged experts in re tho " Wayfarer Cpulfield Cup Craze"; and if you take my achice you will bide awce before attempting the game of tollow -my - Kider. Nathless, all through i 'if week the bookmakers have been busily pi. ployed pencilling clown all sorts _ of c< inline tor -i for the double, commencing with Wavf.uv "-id finishing up principally with Amher>K\ C . ilito, George Frederick, Manfred, Merino'".- '^d Hip Grafter for the Melbourne Cu-'. "\'\ ■ ju-i- lia-y enabled (he South Au utr.ih.'i:i i ■ "rieei'i to *ccure a " hUle poultice" abort *!k- r particular weakness, Princess of Wai. <•; ( >•• ;'ie Cunlfield and Eleu°mian for the Mflbfiii)-"^ Cup, this double having been support'"! t > v,n some £15,0'i0. The V.R.G. Derby and I'ciiiLi'fa Cup double his also commanded attention, 1-ttUi.lil luvip-.' born coupled with I'jlcur.iti'iti:, uicl Wjyfurcr to win £0000 each way. Witting ab'uit wFig,cruii» reminds me that 111 ore lias been a l>i<.ity httio gAinc of cross purposes t,om<.' on bclv.ecii leading niembera of the Vict'uian Club witli i>-»pcct to the odds that should be laid about the double, Caulfield Cup and Idelbourne Cup. Home few yeais back 2000 to 1 was the standaid price {or mixed goods (I had 2000 to 1 from John Henry Giles Loyal Stone mid Cyrbinc, when Vengeance blew my Lo\r-1 Stone candle out by half a head); but tho-T it gradually contiaelcd till 1000 to 1 ruled the roost. Then Mr John Ciozicr kinder up^ct that aiiplccait, it being written in tin* bookmakeui' rj> ing Koran th.il on ?^ numb )■ of occasions he l.in clcd tliem for £i>QM (to 5) over the tiansactiou. I iincy I anj quite coircct in saying that ho hit J. 11. Giles .■■.lone no Jess than four times over the double, and on one occasion — ''mirabile clicfu " — lie only took one solitary double (GOOO to 5) and won it! Vov the last year or two 1000 io 2 has been the recognised price amongst the sound men ; but this season Messrs Cohen and Lyons announced in their book of general sporting information (published gratis) that they intended to launch out in a new departure by laying £1000 to 1 about tlio

Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup art.},-/* Tfc be divided as follow s ; --£800 to 1 first C& r *l-' I c-£ Cup and lirst Melbourne Cup, £150 to 1 iv.*.* Caulfiekl Cup and second Melbourne Cup^-unl .-CSO to 1 first Caulfield and third Melbourne , no ono hoise to bo taken for both events. This announc. ui.-nt r.uised a, terrible commotion m the rr.nko of the other bookmakers, and immediately another of the fraternity announced Ins intention ot opening a book el £1500 to 1 the double. Then Sol Green went better thai-, that even, and yelled out : " Here you are! £1000 to half a sovereign the two cups! " Ho was no once rushed, aad wagers poured in gslorc for about 12 hours. But then there was a lul', and at tbo end of three clays (I have this from his own Im<s< he had only laid 187 doubles.. 'I hes-i' i. •" &' "bles he could lay over and over ag'i':>, b>jt k.iied to break new ground. On. tlio Uji-d day, either through getting a bit "bfci'r-l " about tho risk, or as a result of a, tviieu-5 oni.irig.st the bookies, ho declared his lnlentiou of by tho wagers he had already Laid, iiaf of laying no more at that price. If. f < a .= beer put to me that the start of tlu ivaoir.-.- r > (which has eventuated in 1000 to 2 U'liig ..\ian the bod-rock quotation) was a more v".i'u"'-i"'und affair, 1000 to 1 being laid igsunji :s't\t.ung at all "crook," but clients btiug iuloii.'i."d that their double was "gone" ■I they naked for one which threatened an element of danger, with a fuilher notification *h it, it trie- tlicnt itosirctL it they ccst\lcl secvure lor him his particular double at £1000 to 2. It was a marvellously well-planned scheme — so wcil planned that it caused your own Hori Poetic to imagine for the nonce that he was a second Alficd Austin (Poet Laureate), and to parody " Our Lady of the Snows " in ikiffi fashion -—

£1000 to 1 ihe Double— lf Not.

A Bookio wrote to a Bookie, A .Snout wrote to a Snout— " Cohen and Lyons wiH ruin us, The way they're launching out. They'll drive us back to the old old thhigf Peddling out old clotnes; They will, so help me Gracious! " Said the Party With a JMose. Quoth. Mick Cohen to Lew. Lyons : " Old parcl, this cock won't fight j We must spin some fairy cuffec To put the boys all right. We'll crack 'twas only dead 'uns We'd lay at odda like those, Which will soothe tho mined feelings Of the Fellows With a Nose." "Five hundred to one the double!" Is now the good old gag, Though longer odds you may procure Gainst "something " in the bag."

Aad in the street of Bourke, named Groat, Tho books line up in rows, Whilst each punter pale, in mute despair, Stands Gazing Down His Nose.

Tho backers of Pat for the Grand Nation?.! Hurdle Race were lucky to receive their money, as his ruler, J. ii. Brewer, most decidedly handicapped the second horse, Reindeer, towards tho finish. The Argus was particularly outspol.cn with regard to the matter, for, m add' tion to a metrical jingle which finished up " 'Twas no horse that won the Hurdles— 'Twas a. Horseman — and a. Whip," the hundred-eyed organ goes on to say " In. these degenerate days Brewer's liding counts for a lot,' said 'Kibbleden' in tipping Pat for tlio Hurdles, and backcis remembered the r.cuiark as they came horne — a time when memory is singularly acute in its retrospective sur\qy. It was the uiaii rather than the horse that won tho Grand National Hurdle Raco of 1808, for with reversed mounts and the same condition -i a rcd-chostnut horse would perhaps have got horns by a couple of lengths. It was a question in the minds ot many whether the jockcyship w<>« not a tiiflo over-done, for one could not ignoie tho fact that Brewer, with his eyes over hia ri£,ht shoulder, was swinging his whip with iulllonglh arm, so thai; if. whistled threateningly in front of tlio chestnut's nose. Canots in front of a donkey's noso may help him along; whaleboiio in trout of a horse' 3 has quite tho other effec t."

Tho protest lodged on behalf of Reindeer against JL'at for interference was quickly dismissed, Reindeer's jockey (P. Kennedy, a former pupil of J. E. Brewer) making very light of mattcro— a thing he was likely to do owing to a strong rumour in usually well-lufo/inod turf circles to the effect that he wn<- lucky enough to " pick up " a couple of hundred pounds or so whilst returning back to scale. A hcrse that v:6uld have proved extremely dangerous to the pair was Deposed, who (unshed third (the same as last year), and who was fhreatening much danger until he was iambod out of coming up between Pat and Keindccr iv tho last half furlong through tho latter " boring " over — whether accidentally or not I would not like to pas 3an opinioxi — towards Pat. It may prove just as well to keep tlm in remcEiberance. Mr Sam Griffiths, the owner of Deposed, displayed a wise discretion in not entering a protest against both of the horses who finished in front of him; but you enn take it from me (and 1 was watching things \ory keenly) that had not Reindeer " scrooped " Deposed out Pat wouldn't have been closer than third when the judge's box was passed.

Despite the " fulsome adulation " bu'oncrjs indulged in by some people as to Brewer's '■nccosa on Put being " well received," I can assure you there never was a closer approximation to ,t hostile demonstration at Flemmgton than when ho was returning to weigh in. You see, Brewer had two charges engaged in the event, and, to quote the Argus once more, " Pat and ITirundo were in great buckle, and with. Brewer it was a, case of ' How happy could I be with cither wcro t'other old Dobbin away.' Brewer fancied both horses, but while electing to ride his own hoise, Pat, ho disguised not the fact that he really preferred tho chance of ' tho swallow.' " The night before the race lliuindo was presumably supported by tho stable to win a ton of money, and when the publi?. saw Jim Barbour up they felt more convinced than ever that he v. ould run a great race. But he didn't — managed to get rid of li'S rider somewhat early in tho fray, and rightly or wrongly a vast preponderance of Hirundo's backers believed he was merely a stalking horse to enable Pat's friends to secure a bettor price. Mind you, I thoroughly behevo the parties behind llirundo planked their pieces down in all sincerity; but there was an ancient and lish-like aroma about the transaction winch S3 ueai as a toucher eventuated in a scene at Fiemir.^ton. Uis Giace ran as well as was expected by those who knew most about him. He was reported to have changed hands the previous day, Mr J. M. Eoberts being credited with giving £600 for him. The five-year-old son oE '!'« Australian Peer and Penitent is woiili every penny of it, and if my surmises pan out; all right you will find him returned the v inner oi a big "handicap in the rpiing— and not over the sticks, either.

A two-year-old chestnut gelding named Bushy Park (by JJest Bower from Esteem) won tha Two-year-old ilandicap, of seven fiulongs, hka a tradesman in the he<i\y going; but Chen ho had only 6.11 on his back, whereas Ashton (Carbine — (Jto.gic), who finished second, had 8 £>, and Canada (third) 8.10, nine others constituting the field. Chris. Moore rode a very powerful finish ou Canada, who does not appear to take kindly to tho starting machine. Bushy Park proniioes to furnish into a fairish racehorse in time, perchance before many months have passed. lie is trained by Ike Foulsham, aud was ridden to victory by tho wily one's son— A. E. of. the ilk.

After carrying off the Maiden Steeplechase with Pirate (a great-grandson of Pome) Alec. Taylor was veiy confident about emulating the Haysood coup of the preceding year; bulf tho good thing didn't come off, Pir&te sliding into a ieu.ee and unshipping his pilot alter a

•jnile had been traversed. The five-year-old •unsexed son of Clamour and Young Urend* ja a bit of a " lusher " as yet, but lie is cx--'tremely clever, and will make a brilliant steeplechaser with a little tnoro schooling. Irish Stew was going well within himself when he came down six furlongs from home. .Ue had iencod beautifully throughout, and but for lua xmfcrtu-aate mishap 1 feel satisdcd ho would liave won right enough. Fembank thoroughly nustified my opinion as to his being a good outBider, and Harry Mawbey (his owner) and a. Jarre following of Newmarket and I' Icmmgton mends stood to win a nice stake about uun. His starting price was 20 to 1. Of Floater, whose starting price was 11 to i, it has well been said that he has had an up and clown sort of Hfo, but although his corcer has ■been "chequered" by some very eccentric pcriormanccs, Australia has but raiely pio.lnccd a better steeplechaser. He is by Skipper (son of Boatman) from Esmcralda (by Stockham irom Maiy Ann, by Boiardo) and was jbrcd by 2vlr Whitchoad at Goodwood, aiear Warrnambool . Ho never sported silktill he was six .years old (he is now 11), when he won half-a-dozen races ; but it was aot until the following season that he was seen at his best. During 1895 ho was successful on live occasions, carrying 13.4 on one occasion and 13.5 on another over Flemmgtou to victoiy. He subsequently went amiss, and did not run irom March 1896 until he won a steeplcchar-e at Flcmington some four weeks back. About last Christmas Floater changed hands, Mr Beazley {his present owner) giving £100 for him, and galvanising him into active stecplechasing life again. His first and second (Steeplechasers' "Flat Itace) during the meeting put £1011 into Mr Bcasley's pocket in stakes alone. Altogether the V.R.C. gave away JM659 in Blakes during the three day-3 (15 races), Mr IBeazley's cheque beiDg the lion's share of the spoil, 3. E. Brewer coming next with £701 for Pat's Grand National Hurdle Race win. The Messrs J. C. and E. Manifold were third with ;£3fs The other three-figure winners were: T. Wilson, JS29G; Mawbey and Little, £200; .J. M'Clutchey, £189; B. M'Gregor, £186, A. A. Samuel, £181; R. Chirnside, £176; J. Russell, £170; James Wilson, jm, £162; M. Doyle, JSISO; H, G. Stansmore, £153; T. Lamond, £120, S. Williamson, £100; Humphrey and Jenkins, £100. Last year Mr Septimus Miller annexed £1348 in stakes; this year his modest solatium was £40 '(two thirds). The following penalties have been incurred by Caulfiekl Cup and Melbourne Cup candidates through prowess displayed during the late meeting : The Chevalier, AVayfarer, and Bunyan each 31b in the Caulfield Cup and olb in the Melbourne Cup; Pilgrim, 51b in the Melbourne -Cup ; Bushy Park Sib in the Caulfiekl Cup. Birksgate (Gang Forward — Theresa), who is handicapped at 6.7 in the Caulfield Cup and Rt 6.8 in the Melbourne Cup, displayed something like his old form in S. A. Tattorsall's H'mdicap, at Adelaide, la&t Saturday, by carrying 7.12, waiting on his field till the distance, and then romping home a length and a-half in advance of the S.A.J.C. Derby winner Goodwill ■7.5, Viking 8.7 being third, two lengths behind Ihe second, 10 others constituting the field, and the time for the mile and a-quarter being 2min lojsec. That the victory of Tom Kiely'a six-year-old was not unexpected either may bo surmised from tho fact that with £1474 10s invested in the totalisator on that particular event Birksgate only returned a " divvy " of £3 13s. He has not incurred a penalty tor either *up. The committee of the V.R.C. will present an -extremely satisfactory balance sheet to the members at the annual meeting on Mondays Augn.it 1. Despite the fact that the stakes paid away during the season have amounted to £3G,005 (as against £34,069 last year), and that the added money has been increased by :Sl9lO, the " contingency fund ' has now over £5400 to its credit (invested and bearing interest), in addition to which a number of improvements have been made at Flemiagton. !The statement of accounts shows that there was «, loss of £2156 15s 6d on tho last Autumn meeting, of £44 15s 7d on the April meeting, and of £34 6s 9d on the New Year's Day meeting. Every other meeting resulted in a profit : —Grand National meeting, 1597, £050 14s; Spring meeting, 1897, £'9829 15s lOd ; Queen's Birthday meeting, 1898, £00 10s 8d; August meeting, 1897, £72 10s Id; September meeting, 1597, £128 11s 7d. Under the head of receipts it is shown that members 1 subscriptions amount to £5872 10s, .against which no less that £1028 19d 4d has to be placed for printing and railway charges (a member of the V.B.C. and two ladies travel free to Flemington by rail on all race days) and nnpiovcinents to those parts of Flemington confined to members. The registration fees (pierumably ior bookmakers) received on account ot the ensuing financial year amount to £1313. Amongst the items under the head of expenditure are. [Legal expenses, £111 0s 6d; secretary's salary, s£800; handicapper's salary, £550; and stipendiary steward's salary £450. An examination of ithe expenditure incurred in connection with %he Cup meeting show 3 £70 12s 6d for bands, £144 0s 6d for police, £129 7s Id for luncheons and refreshments, and £12 for watering the streets. It takes something to keep Flemington in order all the year round, a sum of i'llll 15s 3d being shown as wages under the [heading of racecourse maintenance. A balance sheet of the Distressed and Disabled Jockeya' Puud account is also presented. This is in credit to the extent of £7389 3s 6d, £2000 of fsvhich is in Beechworthshire debentures, #2000 in Borough of Daylcsford debentures, and jg.3360 iii Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of [Works debentures. During the past 12 months jockeys have been assisted to the extent of £673 13s lOd. Paul Pry, Ranfurly, Eleusinian, and Auraria tta7o been withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup, mcl l'.diJ Pry, Melor, and Auraria from the Uol bourne Cup. The " unco gnid " are up in arms against the v iotalisator again, and strong opposition is bound to meet the proposed measure for its •legaljcution which is to be brought forward m Paiiiarnent this session. The dual hurdle winner at the late Grand ■Katioiwl meeting— Carbonate (by Coronet)— has been purchased by Mr "Roddy" M"lvor for deportation to the west. Ho ought to pay his ,w^y at Pertli or on the " fields." " The Melbourne Cricket Club folk are mpking stieriuoua efforts to retain the control of international (and also intercolonial) cricket they were fortunate enough to become seized of, and, being backed up by some half dozen of soetyled " Players " (a Mutual Admiration eolene who i queich any other promising aspirant to cricket fame), they threaten to fight the united rricket associations of the colonies Lo the bitter end 1 will enter fully into the merits of the sase in my next.