SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 56

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Bt Ravensworth. MELBOURNE, December 27. RACING IN VICTORIA. Yesterday being Boxing Day, race meetings were held at various centres throughout Australia. In Victoria alone there were 18 meetings under V.R.O. rules. The chef fixture was at Caulfield, where the V.A. l .0. H'opjetown Cup meeting was field. 1 ® morning was showery, but the afternoon turned out fine, and there was a satisfactory attendance. The Hopetown Cup, of SOCeovs, one mile and three furlongs, brought out a dozen starters, and it was chosen as the race to baok the New Zealander Gunboat, who iwas in at the nice weight of 7.13. Prizefighter 0.0 opened favourite, but the money came for Gunboat so freely (the stable, it is said, put a.nout £ISOO on him) that he started a red-hot favourite. Lard Kelvin 7.2, another New Zealander, went out for a break at the mile post, and five furlongs from home was a dozen lengths in front. He started to oome back at the home turn, where Gunboat was in hot pursuit. The favourite caught Lord Kelvin at the distance, and ran in an easy two lengths winner from Prince Harold 7.7, who just beat Lord Kelvin for third place. Ipidi fell, and his rider (W. Cody) sustained slight concussion of the brain. This was rthe first time Gunboat had shown; any form in Australia, and it was the first time he had been backed “ for money.” Ho formerly ran here in the nomination of M. T. iM'Gnath, but for this event was nominated by E. A. Connolly, who is 'o spirited backer of his own and other people’s horses. Gunboat was a starter in Jfcho Armadale Cup at Caulfield on November 17, but with 7.7 up and J. Accola in the saddle, was amongst the last lot to finish. His next appearance was on November 25, in the Anniversary Handicap, at ■Epsom, won by Prince Harold, who carried 7.2 to Gunboat’s 8.3. J. Accola was again upon Gunboat, who on th‘s occasion was the absolute la<-t to fin : «h. F. Carke had the mount on Gunboat in the Hcpctown Oun. Both of our handicappers—Mr *W. A. Menaies and Mr R. K. Maitland—were very sore over the improved form shown by the Calibre gelding, and the way he was backed. Connolly had another winner during the dav. This was Glendcok 8.7, by the Carbine horse Bundook. F. Clarke again had the mount. Glendook was not booked in the same spirited way os was Gunboat, but ho was still supported for a good stake.

The Hurdle Race- was regarded os a good thing (or tho top-weight, Battery 12.5. and ho was made favoune. He was kept a long way out of his ground until six furlongs from home, when he was called on to make 'his run, and half a mile from homo ho was in front, and he won easily. Battery is a eon of tho Cartene horse Bundcok. and ib trained at Caulfield by C. Wheeler. Royal Fleet was in front for over a mile, fctft dropped, hack six furlongs from homo, and eventually finished last. She had broken a blood vessel. Yield fell, and his rider, H. New, sustained severe concussion of the brain. Backers were out in their calculations in regard to the Juvenile Stakes, a five-furlong handicap, for two-year-olds. Uncle Matt (by imported Curtain Lecture) who had run so promisingly at Sandown Park, was a very hot favourite, but though he had even- chance, ho could do no better than finish third to Bnrrawang 8.7 and Flask 8.11. At the distance Flnek looked all over a winner, but she failed, to withstand the challenge of Burrawang, who finished very strongly, and won by half a length. Burrawang is owned by the Flomington trainer R. Bradfiekl. and is b'- Simmer (imp.) from Carbine (dam of Bessemer), by Carbine from Azalea (imp.), hv Gall lard, and cost 260 gs as a yearling. This was Burrawang’s first race, and ho was not. ait all fancied. Vanguard 11.5, by Valala, won the Steeplechase, while the ‘Malvern Handicap, six furlongs, went to Peccadillo 6.13. by Prudent King. Peccadillo is trained at Caulfield by M. .1. Carmody for Mr Agar Wynne, of tho V.R.C. Committee. RACING IN SYDNEY. The A.J.C. summer meeting was eonoluded at Randwick yesterday. The chief attraction was tho Summer Cup, with lOOOsovs added, one mile and five furlongs. Britain 8.9 and Crown Derby 7.5, tho favourites, both ran disappointingly. Britain was always well up, but failed to stay. The race proved a good thing for the Simile horse, Baw Bee 7.3. who was successful in the principal event at the Canterbury Park meeting recently. He won by about 10 lengths from Olivo Green 6.7 and Saxmute 7.1. The New Zealand Cup winner. Bridge, w.-s a starter, but with 8.5 he made no show. Carrying a 101 b penalty, the Challenger filly, Golden Gauntlet, who ran so brilliantly at the V.A.T.C. spring meeting. proved equal to taking the December Stakes for two-year-olds. Raitihlea, winner of two races at the V.R.C. spring meeting, was also )>enali?ed 1 01 b. He started a better favourite than Golden Gauntlet. but misled a place. Florentine, and Sa’arino followed Golden Gauntlet homo. W. H. MoLnchlan. who was on Golden Gauntlet, also had the winning mount in the Christmas Handicap, one mile, which went to Orama 7.12. bv Orzil. by a neck Irom Loohano 9.0. Mr W. H. Mato won tho Firing Handicap, six furlongs, with Lady Oliven 8.0, by Ibex. There was a good field, and (there wore four better favourites than Lady Oliven. The successful light-weight, W. H. Smith, rode the other two winners, landing the Nursery Handcaio on Rovigno 7.12, by Maltster, and tlie A.J.C. Handicap, one mile and aquanter, on Kurnell 8.6, by True Blue (son of Hotchkiss). Each started favourite. Kurnell won easily, but Rovigno, who is owned by Mr S. Hordern, only won bv a neck from Former 7.7, after an interesting finish. MOON EE VALLEY RACES. January 2. A quiet meeting was held at Mooneo Talley last Saturday. The chief event was

the Valley Handicap, of 150 so vs, on© mile. The George Frederick mare Rose view 85, was reckoned to have the bcefc char.oe, but she got off badly, and was never dangerous. The winner was the Mimer galloway Daybreak 6.13, who was successful at Sandown Park the previous Saturday. He won cleverly from the San Francisco mare Frances 7.6. The crowd thought that G. Grace on the latter rede a poor race, i nd did nc't forget bo say so. The Hurdle Race went to the second favourite, Inver 10.5, by. Invermay. Rangatira 10.7, with J. N. M'Gregor up, was a hot favourite, but he hit a hurdle hard, and though he finished second he never looked like a winner. A rank outsider in Sweet Narelle 7.6, by Priam, got home by a head from Rose Muriel 8.6 in the Trial Handicap, and there was another exciting finish in the Welter Plate, Rcgabol 9.5, bv Regained, with that smart rider F. Clarke up, gaining the verdict bv a head from Secret 7.13, with Glorify 8.7 half a head further back. The Sandown Park winner Mindae 8.4, by Maltster, ecored an easy win in the Two-year-old Handicap, and the Welter Puree went to Ohovstermiss 8.5, by Chestcrinan V.R.C. RACES. The New Year’s Day meeting of the V. was held at Flemington in fine, cool weather, and there was a good attendance. The chief ©vent, the Bagot Handicap, one mile and a-ha!f, only attracted eight starters, and the Wallace filly Orvieto 7.10 was a hot favourite, with the hurdle racer Battery 7.7 next in demand. There was no pace on in the parly part of the race, and that suited Orvieto admirably. She is probably learning to stay, but is not yet remarkable for her stamina. Lewis rode her a very patient race, ami, though she won nicely, she had not a groat deal to spare from Prince Harold 7.4, who has improved a lot during the past month or so. Battery ran a disappointing race. Ho is more at home when there are hurdles to jump. The time for the race, 2min 59sec. was 53sec slower than that nut up by Iliad when fie won last year. Lewie has now ridden the winner of the Bagot Handicap four times. Hie previous successes were accomplished on Lochaber in 1£99. on The Bride in 1900, and on Annotate in 1903. James Scobie owned The Bride and Annotate, and ho trains Orvieto. so the Bagot Handicap may bo counted one of his lucky races. J. N. M'Gregor ecorcd a lucky win on K, A. Connolly’s Woodlark gelding Bettawynd 10.7 in the Hurdle Race. H. Cairns, on Paymaster 8.11, appeared to have .the race won after crossing the last hurdle, but took things too easily, and Bottewynd, finishing well won by half a head. Cairns usually rides well, but he was undoubtedly caught napping on this occasion. The Brandish Handicap, run up the straight six furlongs, brought out a field of 18, and very open the race looked. Burston 8.12 and the New Zealander Obsono 9.7 settled down as favourites, with Berry Consols 7.1 next in demand. Berry Console, a very small filly by Bobadil from Black Pearl, by Destiny, led all the way, and won by three-quarters of a length from Burston. with the New Zealand-bred C’hniivelin 7.5 (who, as usual, wore blinkers) a pood third, and another New Zealander in Sharpshooter 8.3 fourth. Berry Consols ran the six furlongs in Imin 14s;>o, which is record time for the race. A scot vale put up similar time when ho won for I. T. Carslake in 1893. It took Caret to Imin 15isec last year, and with her extra weight she was never in the hunt yesterday. That smart light-weight H. Leek had the mount on Berry Consols. He rode the marc when she won at Flemington last August. The exhibition of jumping in the Steeplechase was poor, only two of the six starters getting round without a mistake. C. Quinn has Vanguard 11.11 in fine condition, and the grey won easily from United Kingdom 9 7. Alert Dream, one of those to fall, cut his stifle, but it was nothing serious. The favourite, V.M.R., fell at the second fence. The accident was probably unavoidable, but, as was pointed out by a well-known writer next day, more than one racegoer has probably noticed that M'Gregor. who rode him, often fails to give his horse a free rein when jumping. M'Gregor states that V.M.R. jumped the fence all right, bin fell after landing. Tiio horse rolled on the rider, and on examination in the casualty room bv Dr MolHfion M' Gregor’s chest was found to he slightly crushed He was, however, disinclined to stay on the course, and left, for town with a friend in a taxicab. Burra wang followed up his form at. Caulfield bv carrying ton weight, 9.0, and winning the Criterion Handicap, five furlongs with a little to spare, from the outsider The Untie 7.9. The Flemington trainer R. Bradfield owns Burra wang, who is a fine big- colt by Simmer (imp.) from Carbina (dam of Bessemer), by Carbine from Azalea (imp.), hv Gulliard, and cost 260 gs as a yearling. He it?, up to date, unbeaten, but has only started twice. The Welter Handicap, one mile, went to Toronto Lass 8.13, by Voyou. RACING IN SYDNEY. Tattersall’s Club meeting was commenced at Eandwick on Saturday, when the chief event was the Carrington Stakes, a sixfurlong race, with 6Cosovs added. Usually this event is won by a well-backed nurse, but a rank outsider in Melotoi 7.4 prevailed on this occasion. There was a good field, and Royal Merv 7.9 (ridden by W. 11. Smith) and Sylvundcr 3.2 (with W. 11. M'Lachlan up) were the favourites. Sylvande.r ran well, but failed to withstand the challenge thrown out in the straight by Melofci, who is an imported mare, by Sontai (son of Queen’s Birthday) from Broken Melody, by Carnage (ton of Nordenfeldt) from Lady Hallo, by Muncaetor, Another imported horse to win was Sandbath, who carried 7.10 to victory in the Denman Handicap, ran over a mile and aquarter. Sandhath. who i» by tlfo Sainfoin hois© Rock Sand from Tirnova, bv Rosebery, ran very disappointingly in Melbourne in the spring. He is not reliable, and usually races in blinkers. He won rather easily from Crown Derby 7.13. ridden by M'LaCblan, who is not as plucky as he" used to lie. Though Rathlca ran badly in the A.J.C. December Stakes, fo t which ho was favourite, he was equal t<i winning the Juvenile Stakes at. Tntte.rsail’s meeting, his weight being 8.12 Rathlea won a couple of races at the V.R.C. Spring meeting. He was bred; in Now Zealand, and sold as a yeand in Sydney for 240 gs. Royal Fusilier, the siro of Rathjea, is the property of Mr T. H. Lowry, owner of Bobrikoif. and is by the Musket horse Hotchkiss from Janet, by Castor. Rathlea’s dam, Lissadurn. is a Victorianbred mare, by Bill of Portland from Cooya, by Nordcnfeldt (son of Musket) from Radiance. by Fireworks from Suitdiine, by Maribyrnong from %*?’•). b i'

A-rchy. This is etout -breeding. The Hurdle Race went to Grenfel 11.6, by Launceston; the Pace Welter to Grist 10.6. by Maltster; and the New Zeal and-bred Elfbolt 8.5 was successful in. the Chelmsford Handicap, one mile. Elfbolt is by Birkenhead from Elflock. and was ridden by W. Ryan. Eli bolt only beat Odist 9.1 bv a neck.

The meeting was concluded on Now Year's Day, v\en Tattersall’a Club Cup, one mile and a-half, with £IOOO added, was the chief attraction. Public form was altogether upset when the imported horse Son of the Marsh 8.12 won this race from Olive Green 6.10 and Baw Bee 8.8. bon of the Marsh was successful with. 9.9 up in the mile and a-quarter handicap at Rosohill on December 9, and-i starting a hot favourite for tho Grand Stand Stakes, nine furlongs, at the A.J.C meeting on December 23, missed a place in a field of six. This form notwithstanding, Son ef the Marsh started a strong second favourite for Tattersall’s Club Cup. Tho distance, a mile and a-half, is longer than Son of the Marsh has ever previously got success fully, but these who decided to ignore tho Grand Stand Stakes form came out well, as Kelso’s horse won with tho greatest ease, and put up the splendid time of 2min 32isec, which is only a second outside of the Australasian record for the distance, held by another imported horse in Comedy King. " The Novice Handicap, seven furlongs, was won by Paanopa 6.10, by Brakpan, and the Flying Welter by Appearance 9.10, by Fucile (son of Carbine), each being well backed. Lady Medallist’s Caulfield Cup pilot. W. Barnett, had the mount on Appearance, and he also rode Kurnell 8.5. by True Blue (son of Hotchkiss), to victory in tho Now Year’s Gift, one mile. Blairgour 8.7, followed him home, with the favourite. Lady Ruenalf 8.11. third. Arrogant 8.3, winner of the two-year-old event, is a chestnut filly by Orzil (imp.) from Giory. by tho Caulfield Cup winner Amber ito (son of Carbine) from Kirry (dam of The Owl and Zilka), by "Will o the Wisp, and only cost 75gs as a yearling She was ridden by W. H. M‘Lachlan, and started favourite. Alibi 8.4, by boriunatus (imp.), scored an easy win in the vCter Handicap, one milq. from Royal Mot f 81 RACING IN WEST AUSTRALIA.

The meeting of the W.A.T.C. was continued at Perth on Saturday, when the chief event, the Railway Staakee, of ECfteovs, one mile and a-quarter, went to Apple Charlotte 8.9. an imported mare by Sir Geoffrey from Sweet Blenheim. She won by a couple of lengths from the three-year-old Saturate 7.8, with Mousme 7.8 in third place. Artesian followed in the footsteps of Jolly Beggar by taking the Perth Cup and All-aged Stakes. \\ hen Jolly Beggar won the last-named event last year he put up record time for Australasia for seven furlongs—viz., linin 25 3-ssec. Artesian’s time on Saturday was Imin 27seo. The Melbourne light-weight jockey, C. Andrews, was successful in two races, on Brasilia 7.8 (by Simmer) in the Swan Handicap, and on Congo d Eslire 9.6 (by Bobadil) in the Federal Handicap. W. Foulsham, another Melbourne jockey, had the winning mount in the All-aged Stakes The Jumpers’ Flat Race was taken by Boy 12.13 (by Onslotv), while the Welter Handicap went to Flogger 8.9 (by Bundook, eon of Carbine). The meeting was concluded on New Year’s Day, when the leading event, the Imperial Stakes, one mile and a-half, went to Mousme 7.11 (by The Egho), ridden by the Melbourne jockey 'O. Andrews. Mousme finished second to Artesian in the Perth Cup on Boxing Day. S. Ferguson, who leaves for Melbourne at the earliest opportunity, rode two winners at the meeting—Ayrville 9.7 (by Ayr Laddie) in the Coronation Stakes, and Sheen 8.12 (by True Blue) in the Final Handicap. The other winners were Bashful Boy (by St. Alwyne), Utopian (bv Grafton), and Steep (by Murat). Penang fell in the Hurdle Race, and bis rider. Charrington, sustained fracture of the skull. RACING IN ADELAIDE. The South Australian Jockey Club held a meeting on New Year’s Day. The New Year’s Gift, one mile and a-half, the loading event of the meeting, was responsible for a close finish, Kadlunga 8.5 (by Aryan) winning by a short half-head from Lord Alwyne 8.7, w’ho was a close second to Kirn in the Port Adelaide Cup on Boxing Day. Kirn, raised from 7.3 to 8.7, was last in this event. Specimen, who was until recently a stable- companion of Sydney Taton-all’s Club Cup winner. Son of the Marsh, broke down in the Welter Handicap, in -which "he carried 10.0. The race went to Uanna 8.9 (by TLho Leader). The Wallace horse Balmoral had an easy task to win the weight-for-age event, the Keswick Stakes. Puringa is one of the lie-st two-year-olds in South Australia this season. Ho won again here, carrying 9.8 to victory in the St. Leonards Handicap. He is a half-brother to Topedi, and a full brother to Musket Belle. The Hurdle Race wont to Algebuckiwa 9.12 (by Parin ga), and the Marino Handicap to Aryo 7.11 (by Aryan). RACING IN BRISBANE. The Queensland Turf Club meeting was concluded on New Year’s Day, when two of the winners, Glilad and Royal Ned were sired by imported Ladurlad. Halley’s Comet, winner of the Goodwood Handicap, is a full brother to the Flomington-trained Late House. The leading event, the Midsummer Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, was won by Problem 8.6 (by Patrnos), with the imported horse Red Knight 9.7 a good second. The other winners were First Guard (by Grand Guard), Vulegnite (by Gelignite), and Smoko (bV Nonette). MISCELLANEOUS. Beech worth won his first race when he got home in the Welter Handicap at Yarra Glen last Thursday. He only had Mima fo 'beat. Beeohworth is by imported Challenger, and: is owned by Mr S. A. Rawdon. The eolt snibseouently came out and won the Flying Handicap, carrying a 71b penalty, but again had but one opponent. Lady Survivor, who won a race at the meeting, is a half-sister to two A.J.C. Metropolitan winners in Reviver and Survivor. The Melbourne jockey G. Lambert rode three winners.

Messrs H. Chisholm and Co., of Sydney, have sold, on account of M A. G. White, of Bolltrees, Soone, the bay gelding by Flaw us (imp.) from Velox, to Mr A. Kerr, of Coogee, for 600 gs. Safrano has changed hands again since, and may go to India. Morrie Zealand won the Balhaiw=en Handicap at the Ballarait Miners’ meeting last Wednesday in Imin 46 4-ssec, which is the club's record for one mile 75 yards. Memo

Zealand Is by ‘Merrie England, andi hails from New Zealand. Myra Bluan is the fourth mare in succession to win. tlie A.J.C. Yilliens Stakes. In cutting out the mile in Imin 38£seo Myra Bluan equalled Yirtu’s time record for the race. CAlt the Richmond races last Wednesday the consistent little pony Fluten 9.2 scored another easy win from 14 opponents in the 14-hands event. Miss Dale 11.5 (N. D. Godby) again started favourite, only to run third, whilst; the winner was a solidlybacked second fancy. Subsequently Fluten, carrying 6.0, including a 14lb penalty, won the 14.1 hands event. The V.R.C. licensed jockey, W. J. Hall, had the winning mount on each occasion. A field of 10 contested the Holiday Plate for horses, and the Winning Ways gelding Oberon, who ran two good seconds at Ascot last week, wa* made favourite, only to run a poor third. The moderately-fancied Harmonist _ gelding Gowoll (late Geobung), by Harmonist, scored bv a nock from the outsider _ Unspoken. The winner carried s!lb overweight which brought his impost up to 9.2. The Holiday Purse attracted n field of eight, and the Ayr Laddie gelding Ayr Gara, who won at Fitzroy three weeks ago, was favourite. He fought out a desperate finish with the mode-rately-fancied Boos wing 7.5, by Honeymead, and Ayr Gara was only beaten a head. The 13.2 bands event went to a rank outsider in Keep It Dark, and the 13.3 event to Nanny.

Mr A. P. Wilson, keeper of the Australian Stud Book in Sydney, is likely to be appointed handicapper to the Rosehill Racing Club, in place of Mr W. G. Quinton who lias, owing <’to ill-health, resigned bis position as handicapper to this and. also the Moorcfteld and Canterbury Park Clubs. Cisoo, who, after his racing in Melbourne in the spring, was spelled, has again iesmmed training in Sydnev under the care of T. F. Scully. Gigandra is also being put in work again. P. J. Gough has him. After the Hurdle Race at the S.A.J.C. meeting in Adelaide on New Year’s Day, C. Johnson, rthe rider of Royal Malion, wr© ordered- before the stewards for not observing tho riding-out rule. Ho was exonerated so far as that charge was concerned, but wws suspended for life for not attend L ing the inquiry, which was adjourned, and for alleged gross insolence to the stewards. Calmon Wheel, who used to run in jumpers’ flat races in Melbourne, won, tho principal event at the Brighton meeting in Tasmania on New Year’s Day. Thistlebrook, another ex-Victorian, ran in the same event, and finished last. After Rahony had wen th© Christmas Handicap at tho Meander (Tasmania) Racing Club’s meeting at Doloraine last Friday, the owner of Armytage protested, -on the ground that the rider of the winner had been guilty of bumping. The stewards upheld the protest, awarded the race to Armytage, and disqualified M. Dunn, the rider of Raheny, for six months. Dunn gave notice of appeal.

The New Zealand-bred William (by Conoueror) has bean sold by L. Robertson to J. Smith, of Adelaide. A jockey named Hoyflted rode four winners a.t the Chiltem (Vic.) -races on New Yeai’’s Day. Several important race meetings were held in the country districts of Victoria on New Year’s Day. A great picnic meeting is that held annually at Hanging Rock. It attracted 20,000 people on this occasion. The Hanging Rock Cup was won by the Moonoo Valley winner Chesfermiss (by Chestorman). The Dal Dal Cup went to Maltese Cross (by iMalster), the Burrumbcot Cup to Brazil (by Flavus,) the Terang Cup to Daka (by Penance), and the Cheltern up to Thoas (by Argonaut).