SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 41

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Ravenswobth. MELBOURNE, September Id. PAST AND FUTURE.

The Australian Jockey Club meeting is now a thing of the past, and though we have not yet got rid of the winter (it has been an unusually severe one), "the Caulfield Spring meeting "is ' close at hand. The great feature of the N A. J.C. • meeting was the success or horses hailing from . "Victoria. Only nine went from here, and three • of these— Private Willis, Berenice, snd Bella, - I were not 'worth sending over. The other six' 1 took ten of the 24 events run during the f our. ■ days, including the Derby, Epsom Handicap, . and all the weight-for-age events: Ths hero of the meeting was Paul Pry, the ancient, Lo- . ■chiel gelding owned by Sir Robert Clarke., He gave 500 guineas for Paul Pry about two years ago, and everybody thought he had made a bad bargain, as Paul Pry was then thought Itobe a worn-out horse; but, like most" of the I Lochiels, he lasts well. He is in fact a eastiron horce. Like wine, lie improves with age. Paul Pry won four w.f.a. events at the meeting. He was no doubt lucky in meeting weak weight-for-age fields, but he is a good horse all the » same. I suppose he will win more races at the Caulfield and Flemington meetings, but he is not likely to carry everything before him in the same way as at Rindwick. Maltster, the A.J.C. Derby winner, did not run again at the meeting. He is a somewhat delicate horso, and will not run again until the Caulfield Guineas on October 13. He will have to carry, a 7ib penalty in that event, but so will Haul! Boy. Maltster should win easily, though he will piobably have to meet new horses in Kinglike, Debenture, and Finland. The latter i^' coming on nicely, and may prove Maltster's most dangerous opponent in the V.R.C. Deiby.' He may, however, on the other hand, not train on, as after showing great brilliancy last yeai as ay early two-year-old, he went right off mi the autumn. Maltstei and Lancaster are now, equal favourites for the Melbourne Cup. While I have a great opinion of Maltster, I think Lancaster, who is a year older, and is getting a pound from him, will bsat him in the Cup. Tom Payten evidently thinks it is no use specially reserving Haut Boy for the Derby, ' and I think this colt will start (and run well) in the Caulfield Cup. At any rate he is being nibbled at for that event at 100 to 3. The Sydney representative Vocalist, backed some , j time ago foi the Caulfield Cup. can have no chance on his Randwick running, but Cornquist continues to do well on the track,' ancLH 1 so does Lowland Chief, who has not, how? ! ever, yet come into the market. At Fleming1 ton Dioptrics, who had to be spelled, is in worlr,' j again, and going well, but it will take.Crippa* all iris time to have him ready for the Caulfiel'd 1,.^1 „^ Cup,/ I shall now get 0:1 to _tiic delsils of tin;, 1 last three days et Rand-wick. I" dealt witki 1 fiist day in my last letter.

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6.J.C. SPRING MEETING— SECOND DAY. The Spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Ulub was continued at Randwick on ■Tuesday, September 11, when the leading han-•dica-p of the meeting, the Metropolitan, one anile and a-half, was rim. There were 31 'iStarters, odds of 5 to 1 being offered on the field, with Dandy 8.12, Paul Pry 9.9, and Cyanide V.12 most in demand. The only one of this lot to get a place was Cyanide, who ran third to Reviver 8.2, and Tarquin 9.6. The victory pf Reviver was a great throw in for the books. ~"£L'he foui-year-old son of Clan Stuart, who is owned by a very ricu man m Mr W. R. Hall, .-was herwily backed for the Epsom Handicap on fthe first day of the meeting, and though he ran ifairly \vell in that race lie could get no nearer ■than fifth. He then passed right out of favour'for the Metropolitan, odds of 100 to 3 jbeing offered against him at the start. He Jvvas a good two-year-old, but only a fair three-Wear-old. Tom Larnond trains him, and an experienced man like this is always dangerous an a big race if he has anything like a decent ihorse. Tarquin caused a surprise by running 'isecond with such a good weight up. Ho is Vwned by a. West Australian bookmaker named 'Phillips, who is not the most popular man on /the turf, and there were not many buckets of ftears spilled by the public over his bad luck. ffi>aul Pry's disappointing running is explained iby the fact' that he got away badly, and noicUy got a -fair run. -This is a usual experience •with Victorian horses at Randwick, more estpecially if the animal 'is well backed. Unless j {he gets well away he has no chance in a lF.ce. .The usual game is for two Sydney riders to ccange themselves one each side of tne bbeked foorse, and there he is pinned in up 41 it is ,rcoo late for him to get out and win. Uhco-e can be no doubt that there is more foul riding '«,t Randwick than on any other course in AusWalia, and yet the stewards never say a word. ! 2fa jockey were to "squeak", he would never, iihave a chance again of winning a race, and [would probably be lucky if he escaped a serious iaccident when riding. It is so easy to bring a ihorse down when he is going at his top. Ampier was brought out for the Shorts, a handicap run. over six furlongs. H& had bsen a-ais&d to 8.12, but was well backed at d to 1 with Myosotis 7.10 at 4to 1. Amyier got away badly, and that meant ho had no cnancc. He was never allowed out. The race went to "Mvosotis 7.10, with Bange BiO second and bir [Rupert Clarke's Ranfurly 9.3 third. The tomer is by the imported horse Metal. The Spring -Maiden Stakes, one mile and three lurloags. came to Victoria, through Sagacity 8.4, who isone of Fouisharn's dangerous team, and has foeon heavily backed for the Caulfield Cup. feaeaoity is by Pilgrim's Progress (imp.), find starting at odds on won easily from Australian Colours 7.9. S?gacity was in the hands of the '■vet two days before the race, but was well enough to win here very easily. The bteepleichase was won by the New Zealander Korowai S5, owned by Mr W. Gullum. She is by ojancaster's sire Hotchkiss, and is a good jumper. /There 'was nob much merit in the win, as ail ■the dangerous horses fell, the new course at fßandwick being a - very stiff one. The New iStakes, one mile and a-quarter, for three-year-Wds, was won easily by Haut Boy, who, though grained at Randwick by Tom Payten, is owned sby Mr William Bailey, of Ballarat, in this ■■colony. Odds had to be laid on the son of £Haut Brion, who carried a 7lb penaltj, and had ' Wvery poor field to beat. 'Maltster would have ihad to put up a 141b penalty, so was not started. 'The last race of the day, the Squatters' Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, proved a good thin" for Centurion 7.4, who is another of the mseful Metals. Ibis sire gets a, lot of good ones. He was bred in England, is by btiraiiig (sire of Isononiy) and before coming to lAustralia raced in India. THIRD DAY. The features of the third clay's racing in connection with the A.J.C. meeting were the isuccess of the colours of Sir Rupert Clarke and (the sharp bit of practice pursued by someone an connection with the Craven Plate. The latter incident was discreditable to some one, and - .iTattersall's Cmb should certainly hold an injquiry into the matter in the interests of the tttirf. The bookmakers, despite the victory of Jthe outsider, Reviver, in the Metropolitan, had &een having a very bad time at the meeting, 'and on the third clay five hot first favourites (ivon and the sixth winner was heavily backed. •As if this was not enough, many of them were ./taken down over the Craven Plate. Betting 'started on. this event before the time of scratchlang had expired, and a few hundreds going on 'jthe West Australian Tarquin (who ran second /to Patil Pry on the 'first day and second to lißeviver in the Metropolitan) odds of 6 to 4 [were laid against Paul Pry. All the' money ; offering about Sir Rupert Clarke's horse was immediately snapped up, and soon after Tar'•quin was scratched. Under the rules of bet,'iting all money invested on the course on Tar.iquin had to be returned, while the books had 'ilaid a false price about Paul Pry, who immediately jumped to sto 2 on. Tarquin' s owner 'ishould certainly endeavour to make it clear 'ito the racing public that he gained nothing by (the transaction. Paul Pry duly won the Cia r <yen Plate which was a weight-for-age event, run over a mile and a-quarter. He did the jourjn'ey in the excellent time of 2min Sisec, Mora, -»vlio is fancied for the Caulfield Cup, following him home, with The Chief, who will strike (form soon, in third place. Later on Paul Pry came out and took the Wycombe Stakes, pne mile and three furlongs, a weight-for-age event, with penalties and allowances. The (son of Lochiel had to put up a penaltj of 101b, ibringing his weight up to 9.11, yet he started favourite at sto 4 against. Tarquin was pulled out this time, and with 9.4 to carry, was well backed at 7to 2. Tarquin was not only ."beaten, but very badly . beaten. Barbarossa )(by Medallion) who is likely to turn out a good • colt, was second, running much straighter than he did on the first clay ; while another promising three-year-old in San Fran was third. In addition to taking the two weight-for-age events with Paul Piy, Sir Rupert Clarke took the Suburban Handicap, a welter handicap, one mile, with Ranfurly, who, though he had Ap carry 10.4, started favourite and won in a ■canter from Lanoline 7.7, Fulminate 8.2, and a big field. Ranfurly is by Eiridspord from .Nina, Ly Panic, and has been a hard horse to "train,, but this has been a, very wet winter, and all in favour of horses with dicky understandings. As James Scobie trains Paul Pry, Maltrater, and Ranfurly, he was quite the hero amongst the trainers at the A.J.C. meeting. ,TTp! has another good one in liis stables at ißallarat in La Carabine, who is also owned by Sir Ritpert Clarke. He will not, however, •I am afraid, take either of the Cups with this anare. Delusion 11.2 took the Second Hurdle Race, carrying the colours of Mr H. C. White, -who is still in England fighting the press over the Old Clo' incident. Haut Boy was only opposed by Haulette and Portland Light in the Duff Memorial Stakes, for three-year-olds, one mile. He had a 10lb penalty, and so had /Haulette. Odds of Bto 1 were -laid on Haut Boy, v/ho won, in a canter. The better the gorrn "shown by Haut Boy the better colt does gilaltster look. He beat Haut Boy in a canter fin the A.J.C. Derby. The Sydney Handicap, one mile and a-half, was won by Johansen 7 JO, by Nordenfeldt — Lady Norah, who disappointed his friends in the Metropolitan. It was a great l'Eice, Johansen only beating- Melodian 7 4, the favourite, in the last stiide or two. JohanBen was well backed at Bto 1. The field was a pretty good 'one, bul only 'three or four weie backed for money.

FOURTH DAY.

The A.J.C. meeting came to a conclusion on Saturday last, when- Sir Rupert Clarke had another good day. He only started two horses, Paul .Fry and Ranfmly, and both won. The race won by Paul Pry (his ifourth for the meeting) was the Randwick Plate, weight-for-age, two miles and a-quarter. It was thought by some people that he would not stay out the disrtance, but nothing could make him go fast enough to test the point, and be eventually won as he liked by six lengths from Tarquin and Barbarossa, with Dandy, the only other starter, some distance off. Ranfurly's race was the Fn.al Handicap, dne mile and a-quarter, in which he carried 9.4 home with the greatest ease, St. Clare 7.12 and Bombshell 7.4 filling the places. Ranfurly started a good favourite.

The two events named were the last on the programme, four otheis being run. Backers altogether failed to pick the Members' Handicap, a race for three-year-olds. The winner turned up in the outsider Bengorria 7.7 (by the Chester horse Bengal), with Lyddite 7.3 and Lord Rudolph 7.7 next. The favourites, Patronage, Australian Colours, and Lanoline, were never dangerous. The High Weight Handicap went to one of the bottom weights, Andorra 8.7, by Lennox, a 10 to 1 chance, with another outsider in Scientist 8.7 second, and the favourite, Myosotis 10.6, third. The Second Steeplechase only brought out five starters. The Victorian Belle 9.12, when holding a good lead, ran off throtigh a dog interfering with her. Tlie vpoe was won by The Toff 10.0 (by The Swell), who went out favourite. 'Ihrougli uceKieau^, bne race was won .by a furlong. Steeplechasmg at Randwick is nob a. success. War God 7.(3 by Carbine, won tho Waverley Handicap. He is six years old, and this is his first win. Mr William Forrester, who owns him, has been very patient, and" he certainly deserved a win. I don't fancy -War God will ever turn out as good as anticipated. He may, however, pick up another race or two.

OAKLANDS HUNT CLUB RACES.

This meeting took place at Moonee Valley, on Saturday last, but as theie were no Cup or Derby horses running, and the results hardly of any interest to your readeis, I shall deal with it very shoitly. Metalloid 90, v/ho won the Jluidle Race by a head from Bmgara 10.7, is a, son of Metal, and trained at Fiemmgtoii by W. Glasscock, who used to have that-nne steeplechaser, Larrikin. Madrid 6.7, by Priam, won the Dunahsler Handicap, five furlongs and a-quarter, ior Mr Alec. M'Cracken, and the Open Steeplechase went to Glendower 'J. 7, by Gienmarkie, who is a stable companion of Chelsea, and was nut expected to win, going ovit at 12 to lin a field of five. He, only beat Wilfred 9.12, the ia\ourite, on the post by a head. Ihere was another close finish in the Warlaby Handicap, eight and a-haif furlongs, Hurrah 6.12 beating High and Mighty 7.13, the favourite, in the last stride. Hurrah nas onJy won four laces during her career — all on this course. There weie two' Hunteis 1 Steeplechases on the card, Sunlight winning one and Meander the other. The former was well backed, but the latter was a lank outsider. ODDS AND,'ENDS.

Massinissa's trotiWe, it appears, is soreness in the quarter. He has been- phy3icketi, and is back again on the' tracks. I cannot say I like his chance of standing a preparation for the big spring events overmuch. If Foulsharn attempts to wind him up for the Caulfield Cup, he will probably break down.

The Queensland rapehorse Archer has arrived in Sydney.

Phillibeg was rather seriously cut about when he fell in the A.J.C. Derby, aud he will not be seen racing again for some time.

The grey gelding Acetine, a half brother to Ainberite, has broken down in Sydney.

Eiridsdale, who broke down on the first day of the A.J.O. meelmg, has returned from Sydney to Tasmania per steamer. The sinews of his off foreleg are severely strained. > % j Tnem had mi shoulder bioken thiough being j crowded on to the rails m the A.J.C. Squatters' Handicap. He is now in slings. An effort is being made to save him tor stud purposes. The imported horse, April Foci, who showed, some foiin m Melbourne last spring, has been put into work again by J. Ah sop, at Randwick. * | Alga, a young mare by Trenton, has foaled a sister lo Hautesse.

J. E. Brewer purchased in Sydney during the A.J.C. meeting the racehorses So Lo.ig (by Splendour) and Inquirer (by Invader). - Both horses have reached Melbourne, and will m iuture be trained by Brewer on the Caulfield tracks. Inquirer is to be put' over hurdles. The New Zealander, Full Charge, who recently joined M. Carmody's team at Caullieid, was found to be ami&s, and he has been turned out for a spell. Lancaster and Sagacity returned fioin Sydney last week, and seen ou the track at Caulfield next morning, Lancaster looked ail the better for his tiip. Sagacity, who was for a day or two in the hands of a vet. while in Sydney, only, walked about in his clothing.

The most successful sire at the A.J.C. Spring meeting was the New Zealand-bred Lochiel whose descendants, Paul Pry and Loch Clieyeclon, won five races between them. Hotchki&s (by Mttsket) had two winners, and Nordeu.eldt (by Musket) oiae. The most successful jockeywas W. Powell (who is attached to the Paul Pry stable) with six wins, F. Kuhn coming next with four wins.

Sagacity was on Monday backed for the Caulfield Cup to win £9000 or £10,000, and is now favourite at 10 to 1. Cyanide was backed at 100 to 4. Merriwee was backed for the Melbourne Cup to win about £10,000 at 100 to 5, and Geoige Frederick to win £3000 or £4000 at a similar price.

.The annual report of the' committee of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club has been issued. Here is a clipping iiom it: "We congratulate the members on the lesult of the past season's racing. It will be noted that eight out of the ten race meetings held show a substantial prolit. The gross revenue received from all sources this year amounts to about £34,000. We have kept tbp club's premiFies and tracks, etc., thoroughly up to date m perfect working order, and at as lightly decreased expenditure (£73 9s lid) as compared with last year. The club has paid away in stakes for the past season the sum of £23,695. Since the foim'ation of the club m November, 1875, the money added to stakes and paid away by the club amounts to £281,525. We arc pleased to be able to show that, notwithstanding the amount paid away in improvements (£1130), the club's assets aie £1426 5& 8d moie than last year, and they now exceed liabilities by £10,665 5 s Bd. J. Williams, trainer of Ampier, and the jockey, C. CoGj>er, have gone to New Zealand for a trip. The Bill of Portland filly, Wigclmar, who was very smait as an early two-ycur-old, is to be turned out for a long spell. At the final settlement of the wagers over the A.J.C. Spring meeting at Tattersall's Club in Sydney on Monday last, Sir Rupert Clarke nnd Mr Phil. Gleni&ter, as representative of Mr Robert Orr, revived the custom of ordering champagne. In response to the toast of his health, Sir Rupert Clarke expressed his gratification at the enthusiastic reception his colours mot with at Ranclwick, and hoped that his late successes would bo followed up on many future occasions. In the evening Mr W. R. Hall and Mr B. Allen celebrated their successes in the MeUopolilsm Stakes aud the Epsom Handicap in. a similar raanr.**.