SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2410, 10 May 1900, Page 39

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

BY RaVEXSWOBTH. MELBOURNE, April 24. Ai the time of the despatch of my last letter the first two days of the

A.J.C. MEETING were over. The meeting was continued on Thur&day, Apul 19, when some fir&t-class racing was witnessed, but the results were largely against backers, who have not done too well on the meeting. Melbourne bookmakers are very much disgusted with the bubonic plague. It prevented .them going to Sydney to share m the- harvest of their brother rnetallicians at Randwick, and staying at home they were caught on the hop by local backers,who did very well at the meetings about Easter time. This to tho gentle bookie is gall and wormwood. It is another injustice to a down-trodden and long-suffering race. The only favourite to win was Bega 10.7, who added the Second Hurdle Race to the First Hurdle Race. This son of jbiargo is only a galloway, but he is smart, and is a rare stayer, the distance of the race being three miles. Waiter 11.12 was also backed, but a fourth was the nearest he could get. Theie were only three starters for the Ailaged Stakes, w.i'.a., one. mile — viz., Haulette, Sequence, and Cabin Boy, and they were fancied in the order given, there being only a slight difference in the quotations between Hatilette and Seqruence. The two-year-old, who had beaten Maltster in the Champagne Stakes on the second day of the meeting led to the half-distance, where she was done with, and eventually finished last, Sequence winning easily from Cabin Boy. There can be no doubt that Sequence is very fast over a mile — this race was run. in lrnin 40£sec — and he was undoubtedly unlucky m losing the Doncaster Handicap. He was probably in want of a gallop when he ran in that race.

The City Handicap, run ovei a mile and a-half, brought out a fairly good field, with Severity 8.9, who had run second in the Sydney Cup a good favourite. Severity was never in it, and neither were Ace of Diamonds 7.8 nor Alix 6.12, who were next in demand. The latter had been beating Merriwee on the tracks, but she is a most unreliable mare. The winner turjit^ YI P iJIi J1 Inquirer (by Invader — Marian), who earned 7.4 and went out at 12 to 1. Inquirer, it may be remembered, unexpectedly won the Anniversary Handicap at the Sydney Turf Club meeting last January. He is a full brother to a better performer in Tom. The Easter Stakes, for two-year-olds, special weights with penalties and allowances, produced another surprise, tho race falling to Hautesse, who had a 7lb maiden allowance and a 2lb sexual allowance. Maltster, who ran second, had a 141b penalty, so he was giving Hautesse 231b. The form, was not, however, of much account, seeing that Hautesse ran badly m the Champagne Stakes, and the winner of that event had no chance in the All-aged Stakes. All this points to the two-year-olds being a very medium lot this season. Nothing sticks out much. Kinglike, with a slb penalty, ran Maltster to a neck, and I think this son of Wallace will turn out a better three-year-old than Malster. Hautesse is by Haut Brion, from 01 ga, by Trenton, so the much-talked-of St. Simon-Musket cross conies out again here. Parthian gave Merriwee another licking in tho Cumberland Stakes, w.f.a., two miles; Meiriwee, however, ran him to a neck. I tHnk it is now evident to the most prejudiced man that Parthian is undoubtedly.- the better colt. Paul Pry and Seqiience "were the only other starters in the race. Paul Pry ran a fair race, but he is far from being a weight-for-age clninpion. The day's racing concluded with the Welter Handicap, one mile, for which there were no fewer than 29 starters. Dandy 9.13 was favourite, and he ran well, but was beaten at the finish by Cyanide 8.11, who was a rank outsider. " The winner is a five-year-old by Metal, and the mile was run in Imin 40£ sec.

CONCLUDING DAY.

The A.J.C. meeting was concluded on Saturday, April 21. The Rous Handicap, for three-year-olds, one mile and three furlongs, went to Sweetheart 7.8, who is by Oimond from a Robinson Crusoe mare, and is a stable companion of Parthian, whom she will, it is alleged, accompany to England next month. Goldsmith 8.7, by Jeweller, was favourite, but he was never sighted, the unlucky Alice Mostyn 6.10 being second. Cyanide 7.4 took the Place Handicap, and was again allowed to go out at a good price. The distance was a mile and a-half, and Cyanide cut it out in 2min 36Jsec — an excellent go. Severity 8.7 and Royal Purple 7.9, the favourites, failed to get placed. Nor'-we^t 12.12, with Hall up, was a strong favourite for the Second Steeplechase; but he had the bad luck to fall, and the race went to Crusado 11.4, who tame over from New Zealand with Nor'-west, and is said to be much inferior. The result of this race shows that the backers of Crusado in the First Steeplechase weie unlucky when the son of Cruiser ran off so peculiarly. Crusado won here very easily, and is not a bad sort, though the Sydney jumpers at the present time are a very bad lot. They never are much, Melbourne seeming to have a monopoly of the good ones.

The three top weights for the Second Nursery Handicap, one mile, were Maltster 9.12, Haulette 9.10, and Kinglike 9.0, but all three

were scratched, leaving Hautesse S.lO to win again, with Isa 8.9, the favourite, a close second.' The question of the two-year-old premiership is still an open one. Maltster and Haulette are about one, but Haut Boy, who showed brilliant form in the spring, and has not since been right, may be the best at three years. Kinglike is likely to improve also, and he may turno ut the best of the lot. Meiriwee was an odds-on favourite for the A.J.C. Plate, .but the Cup winner, La Carabine, _beat him comfortably.' Merriwee, like most of the Bill pi EwttwicU, has .twined right eff. and

may not come again. The victory of Mr W. I R. Wilson's mare was very popular. La Carabine used to be a stable companion of Merrhvee. Mr Wilson gave 210 guineas for her about 12 months ago — a very lucky purchase. The meeting was brought to a very successful conclu- ' sion by Dandy 8.0 (by Martini-Henry), a stable , companion of Parthian — taking the Final Han- | dicap, one mile, for which he was favourite. There wa9 a good field, and Dandy won easily i fronrßoreas II 7.0 and Bombshell 7.7. The St. Simon horse Haut Brion, who pro- j mises to be a great sviccess at the stud, was I the most successful sire at the meeting. His stock won three races (Haulette one and Hautesse two). The feature of the meeting from a breeder's point of view was, however, the success of the Musket blood. It was represented by La Carabine, who won two races; Kinglike, who won two races, and Dandy, with one race. Hautesse and Parthian, who won j four races between them, are also descended from Musket on the dam's side. Both their ! darns are by Trenton. Lochiel had two .win- , ners, Paul Pry and Parapet. He is again | likely to take the honour of being the most successful sire of the season. His stock have already won about £13,000. Bill of Portland comes next, with about £11,418. He had two good winners in the spring — viz., Merriwee and Finland, while Maltster helped ou this total at the V.R.C. Autumn meeting.

V.R.C. RACES,

Saturday last, April 21, was Eight Hours' Day in Melbourne, and after the crowd had witnessed the trades' procession in the morning they came to Flemington — or a large nuinbei of them — to witness the V.R.C. laces. The opening event, the Hurdle Race, two miles, was taken by the favourite Clamorous 10.4, who had been spoken of as likely to be reserved for the Grand National Hurdle Race. His victory was a soft one, and Curtin somewhat gave away the gelding's form by the way he hung on to bring Clamorous back to the field. There were 18 starters for the Hill Handicap, six furlongs, the race going to a rank outsider in the exQueenslander Liberty 7.7, who won cleverly from the Malua mare Neva 8.4, the latter having made nearly all the lunmng. Foret 7.11, in Foulsham's stable, was the favourite, but he was a disappointment. The stable, however, scored in the April Handicap, one mile and a quarter, which went to the Trenton gelding Wild Raven 7.12, who was very little more fancied than when he won at Aspendale Park. The field was a very moderate one as regards quality — a fact indicated by two moderates like Sedge 7.3 and Adjuster 6.12 being the favourites.

The Steeplechase was responsible for some unpleasantness. Spieler 9.0, the outsider of the seven runners, won, but was disqualified for interfering with Tangiers 10.7, the second favourite. The interference took place near the judge's box, and was very palpable. Not only did Spieler bore Tangiers out, but her rider pinned the rider of Tangiers with his knee. W. Wilcox rode Spieler, and the stewards disqualified him for foul riding during their pleasure. Mr S. G. Cook, who is one of the quaintest and most popular of Victorian racing men, won the Two-year-old Handicap with The British Admiral 7.11, a colt of his own breeding, by The Admiral (winner of the V.R.C. Derby) from Marie Louise, dam of The Officer, now ill New Zealand. The British Admiral is a very nice colt, and though the field he had against him this time was not of much account, I think he is destined for better things. At any rate, for his owner's sake, I hope so. The meeting concluded with the High-weight Handicap, one mile, which was won very easily by Amourette 9.12, aloto 1 chance. She is now owned by Mr S. F. Reynolds, and is under orders for Singapore. The daughter of Lochiel ran poorly in the Hill Handicap, -and she was taken off her legs in that event. The race which she won was run to suit her. Gunbar 9.0 was favourite, and after a bad run he got second. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN TATTERSALL'S RACES.

This meeting took place at Yic.toria Park, Adelaide, on April 21. The G leading event, Tattersall's Cup, of 375sovs, offe'inile* and a-half, was appropriated by Hymettus's 'brother Viking 7.6, by Eiridspord — Busy Bee, who curiously enough won the same event in 1897 and 1898. ~Th.e only other events of interest were the Breeders' Handicap, for two-year-olds, won by Royal Artillery 9.8, and the Pile Handi-' cap. six furlongs, won by Tarquin 9.10. Royal Artillery is a half-brotller, by Trenton, to Dirk Hammerhand. Taiquin is the West Australian whose market movements in connection with the last Newmarket Handicap were so mysteiious. The bookmaker, Bob Phillips, has the control of Tarquin, who is no doubt very good : some people regard him as the best sprinter in Australia.

WARRNAMBOOL RACES

One of the chief towns of the Western District of Victoria is Warrnambool — a seaport— where three days' racing took place last week. The'middle day was in charge of the Warrnarnbool Amateur Turf Club, the only purely amateur club in Australia. All horses running have to be the properly of members, and only members, their sons and honorary members are allowed to ride. The chief event during the three days was the Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase, of £180, three miles. Euro 12.5, the Onkaparinga Steeplechase winner, was favourite, but he was beaten by Butler 10.10, who led all the way. Butler is by Boolka, who sired any number of good jumping horses. The Warrnambool Cup, of 60sovs, one mile and a-quarter, was won by Dictator 9.4, who is by Lord Bun,doora. During the thr-eo days Top-p-i (by Highlander), Victor (by Wellington), Verne (by Bill of Portland), Aquarius (by Niagara), and Witchery (by Somerset) each won a double. Verne is a two-year-old sisfcsr to Bobadil, and cost her owner, Mr J. N. M'Arthur, M.L.A., 300gs as a yearling. Aquarius is the gelding that James Redfearn used to own, and which was heavi]y b» eked foi Carnage's Derby. On the morning of, .the race Aquaiius was found to be injured and he had to be scratched.

ODDS AND ENDS

The unbeaten Grand Flaneur is dead. He had been suffering from rheumatism for some time, and died three or_ four days before Ihe time he was to be submitted to auction, along with the remainder of the Chipping Norton stud. Grand Flaneur was only two seasons on the turf, and was never beaten in any of his races, which included the V.R.C. Derby, Melbourne Cup, Champion Race, and St. Leger. At the stud he got Bravo, Ruenalf, Merman, Patron, Hopscotch, and other good horses.

There were no sensational prices at the Sydney yearling sales last week. The highest price was 700gs. which was given by Mr Robert Orr (owner of Maltster) for a filly by Haut Brion from Spite, bred by Mr 9. Hordern, who got 500gs for another of his, a filly by Gossoon from Trieste, purchased by the Sydney trainer, Mark Thompson, probably for Mr H. Oxenham, the bookmaker. At the same sale Mr "W. Bailey, of Ballarat, gave 480gs for a colt by Haut Brion from Narara, and Mr F. Gaxieu (wEo used to own Fucile) paid 410gs for a colt by Hatrt Brion from Novelette. The Haut Brions are no doubt very smart, but we have yet to learn whether they will train on. The Bill of Portlands certainly do not. Amongst Mr W. A. Long* yearlings a colt by Grand Flaneur from Dovecot brought 450gs, Mr Robert Orr being t!»» purchaser.

The Chix>ping Norton stud belonging to the V«n. 3V. A. Long vu sold by public auction

on Friday. 8o&T goo. prices were realiscc for the raaxes— a yLrticultuly high-class lot-} but even better prioes, it is stated, were anticw pated. The highest was 650gs, given Ly, Mr S. Hordern, of the Wilton Park stud, foe Archeress (d".m Parthian), who had been served by G ,*«n j Flaneur. Dovecot, „.th a Grand Flaneur colt at foot, realised COOgs, ancs was bought by Mr A. Yuille, of Melbourne. H« n was, it is stated, buying for an English client. Mr Yuille also got Gloria (Trenton— Aareolaf for 450gs, and her full-sister Goldlike (with a; Grand Flaneur colt at foot) for 250gs. Th< Trenton mares (Archeress is by Trenton) ara pioving very valuable at the stud, and are O ways much sought after. The stallion Seneschal (by Splendour from Dame Agnes) wa* purchased by Mr H. M'Kellar for the Russley slud for 350gs. , Mr R. H. Dangar, of Sydney, has sold a batch of eight of his Neotfield yearlings foj a total of £460. Fleet Admiral, Veneda, Stagelight, Piornontory, Lyddite, Amourette, La Carabine, and Palmerston will be sent to Adelaide on Monday. There will be important racing there nex( month.

The Carbine horse, Clarion, who has 'been a great disappointment, has been thrown up bj his lessee, Mr W. Forrester.

Parthian will, it is said, be sent to England by the s.s. Nineveh, leaving Melbourne on May 16, accompanied by Sweetheart, The Tola, and Fifeshire. They all belong to Mr T. G. Muir, who has more than once previously announced that he was going to take a trip to England with a team of horses. Mr Muir,- it i« stated, will leave Melbourne for England on May 15. His horses will, on arrival in England, go into the hands of J. E. Brewer. It was stated a liitle while back that Brewer was returning, but since he has won an event of the importance of the City and Suburban Handicap with The Grafter, he will now probably remain in England.

A jockey, named T. Marriott, was killed larj a fall fiom his horse in the Welter Handicap at the Macleay Rivei (N.S.W.) races recently.

At the Onkapaiinga Easier Monday meeting* in South Australia a sum of £22,705 was puf through the totah&ator. This is about £2000 less than last year's total, which was a record for one day's racing in Australia. The A.J.C. stewaids were not quite satisfied with the running of the New Zealander Crusado in tho Steeplechase at Randwick on Easter Monday. They held, an inquiry, and, while considering tli3 circumstances suspicious, did nothing. Saturday, April 21, saw three horses killed m Australia. In the Steeplechase at Randwick, Arctic, who hails from Adelaide, was so badly injured by a fall that he had to be destroyed. At the Naganibie meeting, in Victoria, Strathallan, who used to be, trained at Ct-ulfield, fell in a flat race, and received injuries which rendered his destroyal necessary; while at South Australian Tattersall's meeting Ini oce'nee, vhile taking a preliminary canter for the Pile Handicap, bolted and ran into a pest. Innocence sustained a broken leg and was destroyed. All to'talisator money on Innocence was returned.

Meribah, by Realm, has been sold in Sydney to the Brisbane trainer, C. Jones, for £200. Tangiers, who got the Steeplechase at Flemington on Saturday last on protest, pulled up very lame. The racehorse Tramp, by Far Niente, will be shipped to Singapore next week. A meeting of about 40 owners and trainers was held in Melbourne last Monday, when it was decided to petition the V.R.C. Committee to get stakes at the suburban meetings increased. Mr S. G. Cook read some statistics at the meeting, which showed that 13 suburban meetings >*were held between January 18 and March 31 this year, at which owners and, trainers contributed £1544 to the prize money in the shape of entries and acceptances, and the club only £1085. The Sandown Park Club have since announced that they intend to increase their stakes, but the increase is not material — £25 at week day meetings and £50 at Saturday meetings. Dr Spooner Hart, of .Calcutta, has recently purchased several^ horses jrn Sydney for export to India. , „ , Mr W. R. Wilson is stilT,seriously > ill. Hi 3 life was despaired of a few days ago. Mr J. G. Clarke, owner of The Grafter, lei'o for England by the^s.s. Australia on the day that news of The Grafter's victory in the City and Suburban Handicap reached Australia.

The Victorian trainer, A. Ferguson,' purchased m Sydney the other day California (by Metal) and Buttanda. The latter he sold afterwards at a profit, but he is bringing Calif oima to Melbourne.