SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2416, 28 June 1900, Page 41

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Ravenswobth.

MELBOURNE, June 11 MOONEE VALLEY RACES.

The postponed Moonee Valley races -took place on "Wednesday, May 20, and, contrary to the usual experience of postponed, meetings, was a success. There were four jumping events m the programme, and these are the events tc attract the public. If there is a spice of danger the crowd will come. The Maiden Hurdle Race went to Paradox, who is in J. Cripps's stable, and is by The Serf (son of St. Albans). He started a good favourite, and won easily fiom Grey Siaa\ Backers were again on the mark by picking Haxit-Ton to win the Trial Steeplecase, the son of Mercury going out at evens, and carrying 11.0 to victory with the greatest ease. The Federal Hurdle Bace was appropriated by Colonel Shiliuski 9.12,, who at the last niornent was a slightly better favourite than Borderer 12.2. Colonel Shilinski, who is by the Nordenfeldt horse Zahnski, won nicely from Bathursi Burr 10.12, while Bfcrderer, who was looking somewhat bxuiy, was a 'bad third. Gardner 7.0, by Malua — Lesbia, took the Langwarrm Handicap, five and a-quar-ter furlongs, with Omrah (who was about equal favourite with Eileen) second. The Commonwealth Steeplechase ended in a surprise. There was one good horse in the race, Chelsea 11.9, but the going was exceedingly heavy, and Chelsea is not half ready yet. In a field of six ho wont out at 7 to 1, and yet won easily from Riccarton 9.11, the favourite. Chelsea is a dark grey, by Portsea, the V.R C. Champion winner, and he has been for some time mentioned in a Grand National connection. His people did not look too pleased over the win. The meeting concluded with the Valley Handicap, which went to a rank outsider in Landscape 6.13, by Richelieu (son of Richmond). The Favourite, Hurrah 7.5. ran badly, yet she is supposed to like heavy going.

EPSOM RACES

The meeting m Melbourne on_Sattirday, June 2, was on the Epsom course. It rained all the morning, and it was showery in the afternoon. Racing is, however, as much a business as a pleasure in Melbourne, and despite the unfavourable weather conditions there was a fair attendance of the regulars. Bathurst Burr 10.9, the favourite, won the Hurdle Race from Jubilant 9.9. The latter is in Whitty's stable, and shaped in a style which piornises something very good later on. I don't know what would have lia-piDened had uot Jubilant blundered at the last hurdle. The Trial Handicap attracted 17 starters. This class of event is very popular. It is confined to horses which have not won more than a certain amount in any one race. Melodeon 8.3, the winner, is by the Champion Stakes winner, Melos, who has not been quite the success at the stud that might" have been expected, as he was undoubtedly a good horse on the turf. Atbara, by Carnage, who finished close up will win a good race shortly. He is in P. T. Heywood's stable, and Heywood as a lule does noi, keep bad ones. The Welter Handicap, six furlongs, went to Ilfracombe 7.9, who is by Wycombe, the promising Emperor 7.9 being second. The Williams.town winner, 8.8. 10.0, took the Steeplechase, in which Rosebud 9.6, who recently won at Flemington, started favourite, and shaped very badly. Mr Albert Millei scored in the Epsom Handicap, five furlongs, with Slatin 8.6, who has come down a lot in the weights. He beat the favourite Spindrift 7.12 easily at the finish. Gcspott 6.10, the winner of the Moidialloo Handicap, is by the Champion winner, Portsea, and is owned by Mt Sam Bloomfield, who in his day was a fine footballer. Gosport went out eb 10 to 1. Tritantus 7.6, the favourite, cut up badly.

A.J.C. RACES

One of the A.J.C. "off" meetings was held at Randwick on Saturday, June 2. The Deemster started favourite and won the Hurdle Race cleverly from Donald. The winner is by Invader, who has sired many useful horses. Duke of Kent (brother to Carrara) 7.9 was the Exeter Stakes winner, and he also was favourite. Taipo 10.10, Brokerage 11.0, and Crusado 11.6 were backed in the order named for the Steeplechase. It is very hard to follow the cioss-country form in Sydney. The horses seem to win turn and turn about. It was the turn oE Brokerage to win here, while CmsrcJo took second place. The principal pvert oi the afternoon, the Ellesmere Stakes, one mil© and a-auaxter, was taken by the Louhiei mare Cre-

monsk 8.8, considered a likely winner for soms time. She was a slightly better favourite than. Dandy 9.5, who ran second. Dandy has not yet learnt to stay, but he is shaping much-bet» ter in this direction than lie did a little whilet back. There were only five races, the High, weight Handicap, which concluded the programme, going to Glenore 8.0 Ac,e of Diamonds was in the field, but he found 10.10 too much. Glenore is by Ruenalf (son of Grand Flaneur).

ADELAIDE RACING CLUB.

The Autumn meeting of the Adelaide Eacing Club was concluded on Saturday, June 2.- The leading event was the Alderman Cup, one mile and three-quarters. The distance just suited La Carabino 9.7, who came with a paralysing run at the finish, beating Gunga Din 8.4 and Dirk Hammerhand 8.7. Some surprise was expressed at La Carabine being run so soon after the death of Mr W. R. Wilson. She was run in the Birthday Cup on the day of his death, but that was in accordance with his dying wish. It appears that Mr Wilson leftinstructions in his will that the breeding and racing stud at St. Albans should be carried on as when he was alive until a suitable opportunity of selling presented itself. Tho other •events only need passing reference. Carl BJ.O, the Coalbrook Stakes winner, is a full brother to the Newmarket Handicap winner, 'Carlton, new in India. The Hurdle Race was won by Carbonate 9.5, Jay Coronet, paying a dividend ' of £11 7s. The winner used to race in Victoria. Affable 7.2, by Trenton from Courteous, was successful in the Marryatville Handicap, paying the fine dividend of £18 Bs. The field for this race was a good one, includirg Fleet , Admiral 9.5 and Veneda 10.2, Fleet running thkd. The Duke 10.0, by Wellington, waa^aucceasful in the Steeplechase. ANOTHER MOONEE VALLEY MEETING-. '

A race meeting was held at Mconee Valley on Monday, June 4. The feature of the a-acing was the dual success of the Lochiel gelding Horonda, trained at Flemington by James Lynch, who prepared Forest for t"he Newmarket Handicap. Horonda won the Welter Handicap, carrying 9.7, and the May Handicap, carrying 9.3. He started at odd 3on for the former event, but was little fancied for the other race. His condition just now is superb, and it takea ~ a lot of weight to stop a horse when really well. Wideawake 7.4, who is by the New Zealand hoise Somrneil, from Polly (dam of the hurdle racer Borderer), took the Trial Handicap. Wideawake is four years old, and very promising. Poraciox 10.7 was successful in the Hurdle Race and Milan 9.3 in the Steeplechase, both being trained at Flemington by J. Grippe. An "outsider in Loma G.lO, by Day Dream, won the Valley Handicap, eight and a-half furloaga-. Day Dienin is> a well-bred horse by Newminster. from- Commotion's sister Nighteipre, but lia does not seem to have had many chances at the stud.

RACING AT BENDIGO

There are two good race meetings every year at Bendi^o, 'the great quartz-reefing city of Victoria. The Wintex meeting took jjlace on Juue 5 and 6, and was a success, though, considering the extent of the prizes, the fields were very disappointing. There is no accounting for this. It often happens that a field of 15 or 20 ruai;ers will be got for a suburban prize of ±jO, whereas at the Bendigo the big Steeplechase, of 22550v3, only attracted four runners, * and rather moderate ones at that. There were only three or four events of general interest at tha * meeting, and I need se>3 nothing of the others'. The Grand Annual Hurdle Roce on the first day was worth £165. and there were but eight starters, with the betting confined to two — Goldfinder 9.2 and Greystar 9 0. and they had the 3 ace to themselves, Goldfinder, who is by the Bagot Handicap winner All Gold, and is owned by M' Jamas Paterson, the shipowner, winning easily. Tvaloola 9.0, a smart upcountry jum-oer, who would do well in Melbourne, took the Sandhurst Steeplechase, Spieler being a moderate second. Next day Spielei SXO won the Grand Annual Steeplechase, which, as T have said, only attracted four ranners, Kaloola not being amongst them. Gladys 10.4 ran second, and she will do better later on. Flint (by Gang Forward), who had taken the Bendigo Plate on the first day. was made a hot favourite for the Winter Handicap on the second day, but he was verysore. and shaped badly. "His ovner, Mr J. Hefieraan, a leading figurs in th" Eefternan-Harper embtojriio, compliined to the stewards that he was dissatisfied with S. G. Thomson's riding, but the stewards; did nothing. Some owners taka defeit b»rliy. The race v/ent to Hativood 3.13. an outsider Gre;>' Star 9.10 won the Second Hurdle Ruce fiid Vespevus mit up a good performance by winning the Half-mile Handicap with 10 5 ur>, but he was lucky in beating the favonnte Malacca 8.6, who was left several lengths at the post. MELBOURNE HUNT CLUB RACES.

There was not much interest in the Melbourne Hunt Club races, ma at Flemington en Saturday. June 9. There was a fair attendance, simply because 'the members of the V.R C. have the right of entree to all meetings at Flemioglon, and they do not, as a rule, like io miss a chance of getting fun for their money. The leading event was the Oakicigh Handisap, run over a. mile and a-quarter. This went to a rank outsider in Estuary, by EsciVtcheon. She had the minimum weight, and few even knew she was in the race, Jt is pretty safe to say that the race was fluked. She was allowed to g,et a big break on her field, tho other riders watching each other tint 11 it was too late. It cannot 'oe said that our iockeys are remarkable for the quality of hiring. Tf a race is inn out of the- ordii.-'F.ry tha majority of them are at sea. The Musketeer 8 S was seco id. and Borrorneo 6.7 the favourite, thirc 1 . All three horses were sired by New Zealand-bred hordes, Estuary, as I have said, being by Escutcheon, and ihe other two by Enfilade. The Hurdle Race went to Goldfindex, who, with a, penalty for his Bendigo win, only had 9.7 to cary. He was lame after Ben-dig-o, but the going at Flemington was soft, and he was sent out favourite. He only baat Vancouver 9.0, by Tradition, a head, with the improving Cintra. 10.5 third. The Dingley Handicip Flat Race, six furlongs, brought out 13 moderates, with Silverrnoor (by Town Moor, son of St. Leger) favourite- She was nicely handicapped at 7.9, but made only a moderate show, the Toce going to Veloce 8.7. who was well backed This is the first time she has scored for several months. The Melbournp Hunt Club Steeplechase, a welter race, for hunters, was taken by Snowden 11.10, trained by R. H. Frew, and the Tnllyho Welter Flat (amateur riders) by Loch Fad 11.5, the son o£ Lochiel scoring very easily from his three opponents.

MARIBYRNONG RACES

This meeting was held Wednesday, June 13, and was highly successful. It was the first meeting on the course at which increased stakes were given. In one of the races, the Riverside Purse, five and a-quarter furlongs, there were no fewer than 23 starters, and yet backers picked the winner. This was Donalda, 6.7, an aged Lochiel mare, trained by J. Ciipps, and who started at 9to 2. Mr S. Miller's Borderer 11.10, who is in the C4rand National Hurdle Race at 10.10, won the Hurdle Race, and it was a slovenly pprformance, a* ho only beat Thistle 9.9 by a.h^rt, raid I should :oi fancy Borderer., miK.li ii? G.K. eon-pany. Mr S. R. Bloom--field took the iMiuden Plate with Tuiban, who. is by imported Hindoo, one of Mr S. Hordern's; stallions. The Riverside Plate, 41 five anci! a-quartcr furlongs, was won by tie ex-QaA4JWf

lander, Liberty 7.8, who was equal favourite with Gardner 6.8. Milan 9.10, the Moonee Valley winner, was successful m the Steeplechase, having a very poor field to beat, and the Maribyrnong Handicap, one mile, went to The Skipper a four-year-old colt by Newmaster (son of Newminster), trained at Cauifield.

THE GRAND NATIONALS.

"Weights for the V.R.C. Grand National Eurdle Race and Steeplechase were declared by Mr F. F. Dakin to-day. I fancy the following include the winner in each case : — G.N. Hurdle Race.— Wait-a-BU, Loch Pad, Bethnal, Eedeemer, Goldfindcr, The Provost. G.N". Steeplechase.— Blucher, Hayseed, Euro, Hostile, Pirate, Grusado.

THE JUNE ENTRIES

Owners made a splendid response on the first Monday in 3 une to the invitation of the different clubs to nominate for the Cups and other important events. - There is a record entry for both the Melbourne Cup and Cauifield Cup, there boing 171 in the former event and 170 in tho latter. The best previous total for the Melbourne Cup was 165 in 1385, an 4 for the Cauifield Gup 160 in 1894. A glance over the entries will probably lead one to the conclusion that the quality is very poor. There are no horses of the calibie of Carbine, Abercoxri, ox other past chamuioas engaged, btyt we know not what a few months may bring forth. Owners have a knp.cfe of reserving their nags for "the - Cups, and the horses which, on any form shown, must at present be considered moderate may develop into cracks. There are six New Zealanclers in the Melbourne Clip — Hengist, Seahorse, Advance, Tortulla, Malatuft, and Military; and Eeaigisl is also in the Cflulfield Cup. The presence of a team from New Zealand would add^ greatly to the interest taken in the racing here next spring. Merriwee, the winner of the last Melbourne Cup, is' engaged again; so is Wait-a-Bit, who ran The Grafter to half -a hength the ye?r previously. La Carabine, Bundook, The Chief, "War God, Tarquin, and all the good rising three-year-olds have been ente-jjed for the same event..

ODDS AND ENDS

Watercolour, Gauleon, Blair, and Lygon have been put into work again at Randwick. Vain Hope, by Vespasian— Gr&y Esperancc, was recently destroyed in New South "Wales. jEe had been doing duty as a stallion, and injured his leg in some way. A coursing match for J2OO a side, the best two courses out of three, has been arranged to take place in Adelaide on August 15 between the Victorian dog Confidant (Confidence—Suavity) and the South Australian dog, The Grafter (Acton— Priscilla). The pair met in the final of a stake -n Adelaide recently, an* Tho Grafter won, but the owner of Confidant (Mi F. Kenyon, a bookmaker, and a keen courser) contends that Confidant was then unsighted.

The T&smanian racehorse Alveston has arrived in Melbourne.

There are now close on 80 jumpers in work ftt Flemington. The majority are of the moderate kind. Owing to the heavy and continuous rains the track's at Fleming-ton have for a considerable time been in a very bad state. The course and track are in low-lying grouad. It is almost impossible to drain the nlo.ee. Auric, formerly in the late "W. R. Wilson s stable, is now in training at Flemington. J Cripps has got him in hand. Chatelaine (by the English sire Janissary) has left the track for the stud. She will be mated with the St. Simon horse Haut-Brion. John Roberts, the billiard champion, is at piesent in West Australia. He will come on to Melbourne shortly. The bta Mr W. R, Wilsen's horses in training are to be offered for sale! next August. The Tbreeding stud will be offered in December. A man in the countiy with a desire to cut a dash on the turf sent in a number of entries ior -the Rational and Cups, giving some highsounding pedigrees. He forgot to enclose entrance money, and on inquiries being made it ■was found that the gentleman was in that undesirable state known as "balmy." His entries, it is needless to say, did not appear in the published lists Suburban racegoers have at last received Borne consideration from the Railway Department. Hitherto theyjiave had to pay in some oases three times the ordinary fares, but after August they will only be charged ordinary fares by the specials. This will not apply to FleinirLgton, where the exorbit=nt charge of 3s first class return is made for a four-miles' journey. Mr John Crozier's sale was a frost. The reserves on Gunga Din and Bloodstone were too high, and they did not change hands. He wanted 600gs for Gunga Din.