SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 42

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Ravenswokth.

MELBOUENE, November 23. A peaceful quietness, suggestive of religious repose, has brooded over racing circles since I last wrote. One or two race meetings have been held, but they were of no particular interest, and most racing people appeared to be taking a rest for a while after all the bustle of the Cup racing. Things will liven up again with the Boxing Day fixtures. ASPENDALE PAEK EACES. On the day my last letter was despatched, November 14, a lace meeting took place at Aspendale Park. Urbanity, who won the Maiden Plate, is a beautifully-bred filly, being by Bill of Portland from Countess, by Chester from Superba, by Maribyrnong from The Fawn. She has hitherto, however, been a great disappointment. Brighton 9.11, by Sommeil, took the Jumpers' Flat Race, but it was a lucky win, the rider of Goodman, J. Thomas, giving a very poor exhibition of horsemanship. He was suspended by the club for three months for caoreless riding. Anster 7.9, by Mainsail, was successful in the Trial Handicap, and the South Australian filly, Ariadne 8.1, by Thunderbolt, went out at even money, and in a weak field easily won the Aspendale Park Handicap, one mile. Belle 9.3 took the Steeplechase, and Youthess 8.2 the Welter Handicap, six furlongs. VICTOEIAN CLUB RACES. The meeting of the Victorian Club at Cauifield last Saturday was only moderately attended, and the proceedings were very tame. The Stennington Handicap, five furloegs and a-half, went to Mr S. Miller's colt, Duke of Portland 7.7, who is a son of Bill of Portland, possessing a fair share of the family temper. On the day before the meeting, Duke of Portland bolted two miles on the track and after winning his race he did a round of the course "on his own." Mr Miller did not back him, thinking that his exertions on the previous day may have knocked him out, but the public, who knew nothing of this, made him favourite, which is another instance of the truth of the adage that where ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise. Eoscommon 7.4, who is owned by The Grafter's owner, Mr J. G. Clarke, and is trained by Mr J. E. Brewer, ran second. There were only three starters for the Hurdle Race, and one of these, Miss Dunlop, fell. Even then the favourite, Dover 9.10, could not win, lowah 9.8, by St Louis, beating him home easily. The Victorian Club Cup, one mile, ended in a surprise. The Idler, after his form against Clean Sweep and Paul Pry, looked a good thing at 7.4, as the company was poor, Marie Corelli 6.10 appearing to be the only othei with a chance. To the surprise of everyone, The Idler ran a bad and he is evidently feeling the effects of recent racing. Some people accounted for his poor showing in other ways, but uncharitable [ people may always be found on the racecourse. The race went to the ex-Queensland horse Diimb Bell, who won very easily from Keyless 7.0, with Marie Corelli a moderate third. Of the six starting in the Steeplechase, Billy L. 11.6 was in most demand, but he was easily beaten by the Williamstown winner, Sir Arthur, who carried 10.12. Sir Arthur is much better than most people thought. With only three in the Selling Race odds were laid on Martin 6.10, but Prioree 6.10, by The Prior, easily beat him. The other starter was Hopscotch 7.3, who ia a light of other days, and ran poorly. He is now trained by Games Hayes, the ex-jockey. The Guopg Guong Welter, seven furlongs, was won by Bolanos, the favourite. He is a four-year-old gelding by Malvolio from Moggie, by Darebin, and trained at Flemingtcn by James Lynch. Bolanos is likely to turn out pretty good. He has decidedly a smart turn of speed. MENTONE EACES. These races, held laet Wednesday, were favoured with delightful weather, but the sp6rt was nothing out of the common. Backers had a remarkably good day, five of the six winners being heavily supported. The Trial Handicap went to Torment 7.4, who is not identical with the Torment that won at Williamstown the other day. The Mentone winner is by Tormentor, and the Williamstown winner by Mentor. Our racing rules say that two horses of the same name shall not run, but all the same they do. It seems to be nobody's business to stop the practice. It leads to no end of confusion. California 10.5, by Metal, had a narrow win in the Jumpers' Flat Race, Detonator 10.1, by Malvolio ,running him to a head. Youthess, despite her recent good form, only had 7.7 to carry in the Mentone Welter Plate, six furlongs and a-half, and of course she won easily. Chillagoe 8.5, "who was a slightly better favourite, could get no nearer than third. Sealing Wax 9.0, the outsider of the three moderates that contested the Steeplechase, won, and Kruger 9.13, by Gossoon, a hot favourite got home in the Mentone Welter Purse, six furlongs and a-half. Goodman 7.4, the favourite, won the Mentone Handicap, one mile.

RACING IN SYDNEY.

A meeting was held at Canterbury Park on Saturday last, when backers had an excellent time, every winner being heavily supported. Victory, who was recently racing in Melbourne, accounted for the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, carrying 8.4, while Edna 7.10 scored in the Park Stakes, run over the same distance. Bombshell 8.12, by Scots Grey, was successful in the Stewards' Mile, and putting up a 7lb penalty ran Golden Ring to a length in the Canterbury Handicap, one mile and aquarter. Golden Ring is by Jeweller, a good horse on the turf. Tre dOr 10.0, by Trident, easily won the Jumpers' Flat Race, starting at odds on, while Black Metal, by the successful sire, Metal, carried 8.10 tc victory in the Shorts Handicap, six furlongs

ODDS AND ENDS.

Sweet Erina, who won the Granville Stakes sit the last EcsehiH meeting was subsequently.

disqualified on the ground of ineligibility, she having previously won a stake above the stipulated, amount.

The Adelaide sportsman, Mr John Crozier, has purchased privately the well-known performer, Dirk Hammerhand, and has left him and Gunga Din in Melbourne. They will in future be trained by J. £„ Brewer.

The St. Albans clearing sale will take place on the estate on December 5. Amongst the horses to be offered are the stallions, Bill of Portland, Wallace, and Havoc. I fancy there will be very spirited competition for Wallace, who is a coming sire. Seahorse having recovered from his attack of influenza was shipped back to New Zealand, via Sydney, last week. Major George disposed of Labourer privately, through Messrs Yuille and Co., to Mr W. Christian, of Queensland. The Major states that he will return with Seahorse next year.

There is some talk of the added money of the next .Melbourne Cup being increased from 3000sovs to 5000sovs. I daresay some of the minor handicaps at the Spring meeting will also be increased in v.alue.

At a meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee in connection with racing in New South Wales, held on November 14, Mr S. E. Kennedy, further examined, said it was difficult for members to' obtain a clear idea of the financial position of the A.J.C. Where the bigger betting shops were concerned the police, in his opinion, "looked the other way," and as betting could not be done away with it ought to be purified as much as possible by the introduction of tho totalisator. The committee of the A.J.C. seemed to be banded together to fight against the interests of racing. It looked sometimes 'as if racing were instituted for the benefit of the Sluh, instead of the club formed in the interests of racing . As far as he knew, no member of the A.J.C. Committee had been called up for malpractice, but he had known of a man going up to a nierubor of the committee and asking him if his horse was trying, and the member of the committee replying in the affirmative, adding that he had his money on himself. Mr Alex. Armstrong Farthing, late secretary and starter of the Newcastle Jockey Club, stated that he had seen horses barefacedly pulled in front of members of the A.J.C Committee, who took no notice. As regarded racing, Eandwick was about 50 year 3 behind tho times. Sometimes, after a race, you might almost expect to find the horses' teeth on tho course. He was in favour of the totalisator, the stoppage of shop betting, and preventing women and children betting on courses. On the other side and at a subsequent date Mr H. C. Dangr.r, M.L.C. chaiiman of the A.J.C. Committee, said the power held by the A.J.C. in controlling racing had been conceded after years of experience v;ithout any question. He thought it could safely be said that country clubs were satisfied with what the A.J.C. had done. He did not think country clubs were so interested in the control of affairs by the A.J.C. as to be particularly anxious for representation on the racing tribunal suggested in the proposed Racing Association Bill. lie was opposed to th'i appointment of stipendiary stewards, and ho considered if those who managed suburban meetings did their dvity properly there would be- no nocessity for the appointment of sxich stewards. An annual conference of racing bodies might do good in straightening out difficulties, but as regards the general control and racing inquiries, he did lion think a court of appeal was advisable. The committee then adjourned.

Finland, who got influenza at the same time as Seahorse, is all right and is doing mild work again. Hic&enbotham has, however, sent the Carbine horse, Ballistite, back' to his owner. His racing days are probably over. Another member of the team, Fides, has been very sore since the V.E.C. meeting, and has not worked.

Fadladeen, owned by Mi C. N. Kidman, of West Australia, has been left with J. E. Brewer to train at Caulfield.

The stakes at •the V.A.T.C. Boxing Day meeting will amount to £1120, as against £1015 last year. The principal events are the Juvenile Stakes (foi two-year-olds), of 300sovs, and the Hopetoun Cup, of 250sovs, one mile and three furlongs. They are thinking of changing the starting machine at Flemington. It is probable that Jchnstone and Gleeson's machine will be introduced. This is the one in use at Caulfield where it givea every satisfaction.

Mr Alfred Page has been appointed handicapper for the Tasmanian Racing Club for the piesent season, in place of Mr P. Monaghan, deceased.

Messrs Hardie and Gorman submitted the Chipping Norton Estate to auction in Sydney on November 21. A large number of wellknown horse-owners, breeders, and trainers was present. Bidding was started at £5000, and bids of £250 carried the offers slowly to £6000. Another £100 was bid by a well-known trainer, but that figure not reaching the reserve the property was withdrawn for private sale.

Eifle-shooting is occupying a lot of attention in Melbourne this week, the animal Queen's Prize Competition taking place. Some tall scoring took place in connection with the Queen's Prize event on November 21. Private Gargett, of St. Arnaud, who made 49 points of the possible 50 at 500 yards, kept up his excellent shooting by making 12 bull's-eyes and three liners at 600 yards, only dropping three points from the possible 75 points, and bringing his score for the Queen's second stage up to 121 points, which is 5 points above the previous world's record for 25 shots at these two distances. Private Gargett shot with a Lee-Metford rifle, selected for him by ChiefArmourer Colley out of the few rack rifles imported by the Defence department. It is an ordinary Government rifle, made in the Enfield factory. Private Gargett was also top scorer in the first stage of the Queen's, with 101 points out of the possible 105 at 200, 500, and 600 yards, and his total for both stages is 222 points.

The spring racing carnival brings out a plentiful crop of advertising tipsters, who for a trifle will put the poor punter in the way of making tintold wealth. As somebody has remarked, it is really surprising that these men, who have only to say the word and the contents of the bookmakers' satchels will come into their possession, are content to go about with elbows out, and are very often in want of a good dinner. Here are a few specimens of the particular style adopted in their advertisements by the tipster: —

No. 1. A MARVELLOUS PERFORMANCE. A Wonderful Eecord Established.

.1 promised my clients three real good things last Saturday at Caulfield. If I had merely done this I should have put up a Great Record, but instead of that I gave every one of my clients Five Absolute Winners. For Mentone on Wednesday I have Four Real Good Things (one unbeatable). Fee only 10s. Monthly, £2, which includes everything.

My Average, three Winners a day, still maintained, as at Caulfield on Saturday I gave three Absolute Winners and two Seconds. At Mentcne on Wednesday I have something Specially Good. Fee, 5s per clay; 30s monthly. No. 3.

SOMETHING VEEY SPECIAL for Mentone, on Wednesday. Another "fearnought" like Sir Arthur for the Steeple, and two other Good Things. Back these and get a bank for Caulfield. next Saturday, for which meeting there are Several Bottled up Certainties. Don't miss them on any account. E^eal jaio. Fee, 10s dailj, or £2 mOH.thj£.