SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 52

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Bi Host Poeni.

A.J.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

MELBOURNE, April 27.

The Australian Jockey Club folk had every reason to be on the best of good terms with themselves on the inauguration of their autumn meeting of 1905 last Saturday. The recent rainfall had made the sward a vivid green; the alterations and additions to the official and " other stands — leaving nothing more to be desired — could justify Bandwick as" being one of the best-appointed courses in Australia; whilst the gathering (exceeding that of any previous Doncaster Handicap day) was thoroughly representative, not only of the Commonwealth, but of the whole of Australasia, there being a very fair contingent of Maorilanders- in evidence. In addition to all these things, tlie racing was of a high order of merit; the previous time record for the A.J.C. St. Leger being lowered by Dividend.

A Hurdle Race, of two miles and a-half, opened the proceedings, and of the halfscore who started therefor a Victorian representative named Marie 10.7 was looked upon by her connections as being such a really good thing that she started favourite at 2 to 1. Another Victorian representative, in The Waster 10.2, was in the 10 to. 1 division; but he was running remarkably well until Marie (who had been reefing Hoystead out of the saddle for a mile and a-half, till he gave her her head, when she immediately collapsed) interfered with him and caused him to crash, into a hurdle, his rider (Joe Tonalin) managing to keep him on his feet, .albeit he was cut about badly. Eventually an Anteeus — Problem IV gelding (Probus 10.3), who started at 7's, but was ridden a welljudged race by T. Cunningham, won somewhat easily from Avondale 10.7 and Niebel 9.11 in 4min 46£ sec. The Autumn Stakes, a mile and a-half weight-for-age event, was voted to be a match between Gladsome and Emir, none of the other five starters being taken seriously into consideration in the transaction. Backers of the Seaton Delaval mare, however, were called upon to lay odds of 6 to 4, whilst 5 to 2 was to be obtained about Emir. The latter got home, though, by «. short head, in 2min 40|sec, Overdale, three lengths away, being the nearest rf the others. W. H. Ross was up an the winner, who ran very generously right from barrier-rise. Gladsome and Ovexdale were first away, but Barden steadied the mare co such* an extent that she failed to give Emir a three lengths' advantage from the home turn. Certes, Gladsome did get on terms with the Wallace — Emmie colt inside the distance, but she failed to sustain the effort.

The Sires' Produce Stakes eventuated in the utter discomfiture of the three heavily-backed two-year-olds — Charles Stuart (2's), North Head (7 to 2), and Scotland (9 to 2),— and the victory of an outsider (10 to 1 against eight others), the Grafton — Marvelette colt Binnia, who cantered in four lengths in advance of another 10 to 1 chance (Lady Wallace), the time being really excellent — to wit, lmin 14f sec for the six furlongs. Mutation appeared to be third, two lengths away, but the judge awarded Charles Stuart the position. North Head did not present the strung-up appearance he did at Flemington, but no fault could be found with the condition of either Scotland or Charles Stuart; in fact, it is doubtful if the last-named ever presented such a« well-trained appearance before, and Scobie was particularly sweet on his chance. The Doncaster Handicap once more emphasised the soundness of Frank '" Martindale's" judgment in re Randwick being a perfect bookmakers' paradise. All through the course wagering the overnight favourite — Marvel Loch 8.4 — held her pride of place unchallenged; in fact, as starting time approached she hardened to such an extent that nothing better than 7 to 2 (in a field of 33, mark you!) was to be obtained about her. A three-year-old namedl Mack 7.10, in the same stable as Lord TJUin's Daughter, was -a strong eleventh-hour order, and so consistently did the general public support Mr H. Sadler's colt that his price shortened to 6 to 1. At 12's Ibex 8.12 found favour; as also did Cherson 9.5 at 14's, and P.K. 7.5, and Koopan 8.3 at c point longer. Albeit figuring at 100 to 5 a. pot of money had been secured about the five-year-old Grafton — Vanity horse Famous 9.0 — for some time an inmate of S. Fielder's stable, but recently under the care of W. Austin, at Rosehill. It had been bruited abroad that, owing to being defeated by St. Modan during the preceding week with their Doncaster weights up, his* stable connections were not over-enamoured of Farnous's chance ; but the stern logic of facts showed that he •was backed anost spiritedly by a select few, ■whilst an artist like the Victorian B. Carslake was specially engaged to ride him. Ibex showed the field a clean pair of heels from the start till opposite the Leger stand, when he retired, and Famous, joining Issue with Regio 9.9 and Berthier 7.13, the trio passed tl^e distance post abreast. At this time the favourite was fourth, on the outside, but under the whip, whilst Mack and' young Jim Wilson's three-year-old, Boabdil 7.6, were coming fast. It was a, magnificent finish, Famous eventually getting home by a neck from Mack, who in turn euchred Boabdil for second money by a neck. Berthier was fourth, but only just in advance of a big bunch, at the head of which were Marvel Loch, Zythoa, Medallist, Lucknow, Begio, Saida, P.K;., and 1 Ibex, Mary of Argyle and Fashoda acting A3 ■whippers-in. The time (lmin 40sec), though very good, waa nothing extraordinary, considering the climatic conditions and the fast state of the course.

Notwithstanding the fact that they lmci received a severe facing in the first four races, the publio came " like water" for Dividend in the St. Leger, end. as, Mr J. B. Whitehead's champion had only 1 Lord Fitzroy find The Hawker to beat, the booka declined, ta

ao business under odds of 5 to 2. The black son of Simmer and Lady Trenton went to the front a mile from home, and although Lord Fitzroy got within a length of him in the straight it was only on sufferance, as N. Godby administered one rib-binder to him as si warning not to loaf, whereupon he immediately dashed away, and won by five lengths in 3m in ssec, The Hawker being third, 30 lengths off. Tom Pay ten was somewhat disappointed at Lord Fitzroy not making a better show after his track form ; but that Dividend must have been on the improve ever since the V.R.C. autumn meeting was open and palpable, seeing that he pulled up quite fresh after his record-breaking achievement.

The first d*y's sport was brought to a conclusion with tJie High-weight Handicap, a. six furlong event, run in lmin 15sec. In the hope of redeeming tihe falling fortunes' of the day backers plunged on to Nun Nicer 8.12 (3's), Piojecttire 9.4 (6's), and Hollette 8.12 (also at 6's). Nun Nicer is a nicely-shaped bay filly, bred in England, and got by the celebrated. English horse Common, from Mazurka, being imported by Messrs W. and F. A. Moses, of Ccmbadello. S'ho ran somewhat indifferently in the event under notice, as also did tfoo majority of th© other well-backed candidates with the exception of Hollette, and the best she could do was to finish second to the outsider Sleepar 8.10 (15 to 1), who won comfortably by three lengths, whilst the fast-finishing Trenayr 8.12 was two lengths behind Hollette, albeit only a head in advance of Bridge 8.12. Sleeper, who is a five-year-old gelding, by Metal from Sleep, is trained by his owner (Captain J. Smith) at Chipping Norton, and although no one^excepting the more immediate connections of'^SHe stable were benefited thereby, his victory took a lot of money out of the ring.

Despite the great counter attraction of the show there whs an estimated attendance of ot full 30,000 ait Randwick on Easter Monday — some 4000 w 5000 more than on the second day of the A.J.C autumn reunion in 1904. As on the preceding Saturday the rank and file of backers fared very badly, only two first favourites getting horne — Up-to-Date (2 to 1) in the Steeplechase, and Jargcon (5 to 2) in the First Nursery Handicap.

Th^re were 26 starters in the Flying Handicap, Ibex 9.7 being installed favourite at s's. As usual, the son of Angora flattered his backers to the distance, but compounded there, and albeit . Regio 10.2 momentarily looked dangerous., he was beaten home a length and a-half by the Holbrook — Rowlette three-year-old filly Hollette 7.6, who traversed the six furlongs in lmin 13|sec. Abington 9.4 was only half a length behind Regio. Hollette started at 12's

Of the 14 starters in the Maiden Plate, onehalf of them claimed the slb allowance for having apprentices up, and two of these — Scot Free and Buka — finished first and second, Scot Free being a couple of lengths in front of Buka, three lengths behind whonr~camje Postulate, the mile and a-quarter being covered in 2min 9sec. Scot Free (Loohiel — Scotch Mary) is full brother to Great Scot-t, the Aus111 1 ali an Cup and dual Viceroy's Cup winner. He is the property of Mr Agar Wynne, the Victorian sportsman, who ; however, was not present to witness the victory- He has not raced much, but — like his illustrious brother — bids fair to improve with age. He started third favourite at 7's. Keeper (favourite at 9 to 4), v/ho just missed a place, is a handsome chestnut by Jeweller from Patronage. He, too, is likely to develop into a real good horse, but in the even* under notice commenced altogether too slow to show to advantage. Nine two-year-olds entered the arena for the rich Champagne Stakes, and' of these Mr James Brennan's brown Haut Brion — Trieste filly Istria/ was made favouiite, being backed down to 5 to 2; Lady Wallace, Charles Stuart, and Binnia dividing second favouriteship at 4's; whilst Scotland, x Dantzic, North Head, and Mutation were on the 100 tc 5 mark. Charles Stuart, Binnia, North Head, and Scotland each parried a 101b penalty, but it proved no deterrent in Charles Stuart's case, as after indulging Istria with the lead to the distance, the chestnut son of Wallace and Sweet Alice tackled the daughter of the flying Trieste, and, after a ding-dong finish, beat her cleverly by a long head ; Lady Wallaoe being third, a length and a-half away, with Mr J. C. Williamson's Dantizic (Haut Brion — Dearest) fourtH; the time being quits first-class for the six furlongs — namely, lmin 14sec. Of course, after his inferior display in the Sires' Prodiuce Stakes, with 10lb less on his back, Charles Stuart's performance of eclipsing Binma'a time ia that event by three-quarters of a second was looked upon as a striking reversal of form. In explanation of the contradiction in the oolt'.s two performances, it ia stateb! that in the Sires' Produce Stakes he was nearly over the rails at the turn, and that Ross had' to " take a pull" at him at that critical period of the race. Whether that be so or not, his/ Champagne Stakes win accentuates what I told you after the conclusion of the V.R.C. autumn meeting — that Chartes^Stuart is nearly certain to go into winter quarters a strong first favourite for the next V.R.C. Derby ; and, providing that his rider does not have to take another pmll at him during a critical p-eriod of tihat event, it will take an exceedingly smart three-year-old to " down " him or the Victorian blue riband — if Scobie has him in anything approximating top-notch form.

Lord Fitzroy and Billingsga<t& were the only course withdrawals from the Sydney Cup, leaving a field of 28 for Starter Mackellar to despatch on their two-mile journey — a task he executed as near perfection as possible. Right up to barrier-rise Dividend 8.7 held his place at the head of the betting quotations, and so persistently was he asked for that the metallicians at last declined to do business at longer odds thar 7 to 2. This caused Emir 9.2, Mack 7.4, and Loredano 6.11 to retire to 10 to 1, whilst Lord Ullin's Daughter 8.11 went back to a couple of points longer still. There was a pot of money went on to Tartan 7.13 at 100's to 7 (in Melbourne he was at 12 to 1), whilst Long Tom 8.8 was also the medium of some heavy speculation down to 15 to 1. Blue Spec 8.4, Famous 8.9 (including ft 10lb penalty), and Tatterdemalion 7.8 were at 100's to 4; but Cherson 8.9, at 100 to 2, was almost neglected. And yet Messrs H. E-. and V. White's four-year-old son of Bill of Portland and Nada played a very important part in the transaction, as after Emir had indulged in his old pranks of playing up at the post, and' as scon as the field were fairly in their stride, Cherson began to make play, racing up to the leader (Famous) passing the stand and clearing out for a six-lengths' lead opposite the mile post, whioh advantage he held all along ihe> back s,tr©teh. Four furlongs from li ome Raeburn 7.11, Panama, 7.2, and Emir reduced this> to irwo lecngths, with Dividend and! Tatterdemalion following in close pursuit. Oherson, however, was far from being dpne with, and, coming away again, he swept down to the horn© turn with a three lengths' lead from a big batch, at the he.ad of wnonn were Eton 1 , Raeburn, Tattercleqnalion, Dividend, ana Tartan. When fairly landed in the straight Cherson had two lengths' lead <4 Tatterdemalion, who was barely clear of Baeburn, Tartan, and Opadan. $o they ran for another half furlong, when TattermedaUon closed on th« leader, and, heads ana; ijnilß, they battled past the distance post, with Tartan putting in a tremendous finishing run — only a length away. JThen — but not till then— did Cherson. shoot bia \>s>\ and Tftrtan^weaaas*.

Tatterdemalion down, beat him on the post by a short head, while Cherson was two lengths and a-half further back. Raeburn w?« fourth, with Loredano and Ossian (7.5) next, attended Isy Maivol Loch, Lord Ullin's Daughter, Elvo, and! Mack in close company, the last of the main body being Saida, Green Mountain, and Overdale, with Ninyas acting as whipper-in. The time — 3min 27sec — established a record for the race, and a, Tecord for two miles in Australia. Tartan, a brown four-year-old horse, by Loohiel from Colours, is the property of Mr J. J. Machen, and has been looked upon as being likely to bring off a big coup for some months past. The pace set by Cherson, and the nice racing weight he had on his back, doubtless suited Tartan to a nicety ; but all the same for that it was a remarkably fine performance, and one that sheds a reflected lustre on the dead and gone Lochiel. Mr W. Lynn's St. Hippo — Winnie six-year-old Up-to-Date 11.13 made complete hacks of Skyward 9.8, Young Creswick, and half a dozen v.ore in the First Steepleohase, of two miles and a-half. winning without any apparent effort in smin 43Jaec. The uphill and down dale character of the Randwick steeplechase course enabled Up-to-Date to show what a perfect 'chaser he is, and the style in which he disposed of an approved! good 'un in Young Cheswick (with the veteran M. Glennon up) proved to demonstration that — stiff as the crosscountry is at Flemington — his jumping ability and pace would be bound to make him a most formidable opponent even there.

Mr E. Fraspr's Jargoon (Positano — Jacinth) C.12, Picturesque 8.7, and Grama G. 13 filled the places m the First Nursery Handicap, of a mile, traversed in lmin 42£seo. It wa3 a slashing good finish, though, and stamped Picturesque — who ran well at Caulfield last spring — as being a bit above the ordinary. There was another fine attendance at Randwick yesterday, the weather being simply glorious. After Old Chappie (Gozo — Greeting) 9.0 had defeated a very promising Lochiel gelding named Niebel 9.12, Avondale 10.12, and three others in the Second Hurdle Race, of about three miles, run in smin 50Jsec, and returned his backers B's and 10's, there were five " toffs" lined up for the All-aged Stakes, of a mile, the closing quotations being as follow: — 6 to 4 on Gladsome, 3's Charles Stuart, 10's Famous, 20's Ibex, 25's Sir Leonard. Charles Stuart was first out of the barrier, and never being approached, let alone headed, he defeated the much-distressed Gladsome with the greatest ease by three lengths in the Australasian record time for eight furlongs of lmiu 38sec ; Famous finishing a length and a-half behind the favourite.

The phenomenal times recorded by different horses during the three days of the present A.J.C. meeting has directed attention to the fact that they have been a wee bit " too " phenomenal. Of course, with a man taking the time with a stop watch, and starting his chronograph through the aid of another individual stationed in front of the horses, and who drops his flag as a signal for the timekeeper to " let her go" (the system that is practised at Randwick), that degree of nicety in clocking cannot be obtained which the electric-started Gaunt's recorder at Flemington provides. But, outside this altogether, there is a feeling abroad amongst racing students that the measured distances may be a trifle short, and the A.J.C. authorities are likely to be called upon to certify as to their correctness. No doubt the extremely easy defeat of such, a" pronounced miler as Gladsome would of itself argue a very smart rate of going. That is, if Gladsome were . herself ; but that her trainer is evidently of opinion that she is not herself is placed beyond question by his despatching her back to her Flemington quarters this afternoon.

Mr J. M'Donald's Wallace — Lady Mostyn filly Lady Wallace secured a very meritorious victory over Istria (with a 7lb allowance), North Head (141b penalty), and half a dozen others in the Easter Stakes, the seven furlongs of which were traversed in lmin 27Jsec ; North Head's position showing that he is rapidly returning to his early two-year-old form. Istria was favourite at 10 to 9, whilst 7 to 2 was to be obtained about the winner.

There was another astonishing performance " officially" recorded in the Cumberland Stakes, which Emir won " without an effort" from Cherson by two lengths and a-half, Overdale (the only other starter) being eight lengths away, third, in 3min 27Jsec As Dominie Sampson was wont to say: "Prodigious!" The betting was 7 to 4 on Emir, 5 to 2 Cherson, B's Overdale.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

At the March sales at Newmarket (Victoria), Mr W. Seeming gave 115ga for Zepho, a three-year-old brothei to the Third Futurity Stakes v. inner Palmer (by Pilgrim's Progress from Zeph), bred by Mir James Wilson, jun. He soon got a return for his money, as on Saturday ho won the Easter Cup at Mentone, covering" th» mile and a-quarter in good style and time— 2min BJsec. Zepho is engaged in the Adelaide Cup with the luxurious weight of 6.13. Owing to the continuous rainfall on Sunday and Monday the Onkaparinga Racing Club meeting on the 24>bh resulted in a heavy loss to the albeit there was an attendance of about 14.000. The totalisator put through £12,588, as against £19,278 last year. Despite the sodden state of the going the Great Eastern Steeplechase was one of the best races' of its kind witnessed during the last 30 years, being a perfect exhibition of jumping, whilst very few falls were recorded. Mick Mooney, who has won nearly every big steeplechasing event in Australia, has never been successful in the Great Eastern Steeplechase. He thought he had a- splendid chance on Monday with Cardinal 11.2, but was beaten by a length and a-half by Poster 11.0, Laanond 12.9 being third, half » dozen lengths away, there being 10 ether starters, and the three miles and a-half occupying 7min llsec. Of the £3011 invested on the event in the totalizator, Cardinal was entrusted with £665, whilst £671 was on Poster. The stake amounted to £il6o, £200 going to the second, and £100 to the third. The Cauilfield trainer H. Bellamy had a rather unique experience at Onkaparinga, as after Orlando had run second to a 10 to 1 chance— Ariatos— in the Hurdle Raoe, Tisiphone won the Onkaparinga Cup, antt Poster the Great Easter Steeplechase, in which the fourth representative of Bellamy's team — Lamond finished third. Two -wins, a second, and: a third with a limited team of four is a rather enviable exploit.

Messrs H. Ohisholm and Co. sold 48 lots out of 60 offered at their yearling sale at Rand■wick on Tuesday, the total realised being 0721gs— an average of 140gs. The lots included colts and fillies by_ Grafton, Positano, Sir Foote, Sir Tristrami, Dalmeny, Louis XIII, Wallace, True Blue, Skopos, Jolly Hampton, and! other less known sires. The highest price was brought by * brown colt by Grafton from Lady Trenton, a full brother to Strata-Florida, and half-brother to I/ord Cardigan and Dividend!. .The youngster, who is an exceedingly w«ll-grown colt, fell to the bid of Mr Fred M'Evoy, who bought on behalf of Messrs A. S. 'Ohirnside and Harold A. Armitage If or 1760g9. Mr W. Jkmkes secured' the brother to Kilfera (Orzil — Kettledriim) for 550ga, whilst Mr H. fi.. Dixon gave 500gs for a bay colt by Positano from Jacinth. Mb? J. Turnbull, of Victoria, gave 300gs for a nice-looking black oolt by. Dalmeny from Drummery. The only Wal-

fell to the bid of Sir Rupert and Mr E. D. Clarke for 2Cogs. Ike Foulsham secured a shapely fiVy by Impetus from Djin-Djin iot 150gs, and Dr Ewen Fraser got a beautiful filly by "Skopos from Mersey's Daughter for 30gS. Tom Lamond gave 170gs for a brown colt by Havoc from Devotion — a living image of his sire.