SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 51

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By TUvensworth.

MELBOURNE. August 5

RACING IN MELBOURNE

The Sandowri Park Racing Club held a meeting last Wednesday. The principal event, the Sandown Park Handicap, one mile, went to Jemlah 8.11, by Ibex. There were only live runners, and Scottish Chief, the favourite, finished last. A hot favourite in Eighteen Carat 11.5 was easily beaten in the Hurdle Race by Poornah 9.11, by Mercantile. The programme included a treblydivided handicap. The first division was won by Ethel Buckley 6.7 (by Dorchester), the second division by First Aurate (by Auratc), and the third division by Lady Mooltan (by Mooltan). Ethel Buckley is owned by Mr G. Marlow, of theatrical fame. Mooltan, sire of Lady Mooltan, is a son of Positano, and was twice the winner of the A.J.C. Metropolitan. B. Cain, who rode Ethel Buckley, was suspended for a month for interfering with Field General, who at the home turn was knocked back from second place to last. ; ‘Lou” Robertson won the Jumpers’ Flat Race with Wingarara 8.5, by Moravian. It was the first victory scored by Wingarara since he won the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race over a year ago. The V.A.T.C. jumping fixture was commenced on Saturday. A tearing north wind prevailed all day, and rain fell while the fourth race was being run. There was, despite the uninviting weather conditions, a splendid attendance. The chief attraction of the afternoon was the Australian Hurdle Race, of ISOOsovs, run over three miles and a-half, less 92 yards. Eighteen Carat was withdrawn from the race on the course,

leaving 11 to go to the post—the smallest Hold since 1907, when but 10 started. Wingarara 9.13 (J. O’Connell) was favourite early in the day; but at the close of the betting Forest Prince 11.1 was in most demand, While Wingarara, Wimmera 11.3 (11. Cairns), and Julian 9.13 (F. Cren) were next in request. There was also a fair amount of money for Ballista. Wimmera went away in front, and until the second last hurdle was reached looked tike winning all the way. That obstacle, however, almost brought him down; but ho was so far in front that he did not lose first place, and led over the last obstacle. Almost at once Cloutaft passed him, and just as ho was being hailed as the winner Ballista came along, and, easily cutting him down, won with a length and a-quartcr to spare, Wimmera being third three lengths further back, with Uxbridge and Julian the nearest of the others. Wingarara fell when holding second position at the third last hurdle. The time, 6min 37i?ec, was a record for the race, the previous best being 6.38?, by Uxbridge, last year Ballista is owned by Mr E. Manifold, a member of the \ .R.C. Committee. Ills colours are usually very popular, but the victory was rather badly received. The general impression amongst backers was that they had been fooled by D. J. Price, who trains both Wimmera and Ballista. The public, after his disappointing; running at Moonoo Valley the previous Saturday, would not stand Ballista. Price said after the race that he had always held a high opinion of the gelding. After his race in the Australian Hurdle last rear Ballista’s tendon became affected, and he had to be put by. He was not considered forward enough to run in the Crand

National Hurdle Race t-liis year, and he had the bad luck to injure iris shou.der slightly, lie was physicked, and was idle some tune before he ran in the Jumpers’ Flat Race at Aspcndale Park, on July 25. He finished a close fourth in that race, and on the following Saturday was one of tiro favourites for tiie Moonee Valley Hurdle Race, only to bo beaten by Fiddlestring and Julian. He “blew” a good deal alter that race, and Price states that ho at once recognised that to have any chance in the Australian Hurdle Race Ballista would have to bo sent along on the tracks. He accordingly gave bun plenty of work during the week, and on the Thursday before the race the gelding astonished him by running a mile and a-ouax-ter with his shoes on in the splendid time of 2min 13sec. Ho pulled up well; but even then his trainer thought that Wimmcra, on account of being so much more seasoned, would beat him in the race, and says he advised all his friends to that effect. By Carbinier (son of Carbine) from Phyl, by Hova from Phyllis (darn of the Maribyrnong Plate winner Philio), by Trenton from \ardley (imp.), by Sterling, Ballista was bred by Mr J. Wilson, jun., in 1905. He only had one previous victory to his credit, and that was accomplished in the Jumpers’ Flat Race at Moonee Valley, in July of last year. Mr Manifold had previously won the Australian Hurdle Race with Nightlight, who scored in 1909. Mr Manifold is not a heavy bettor, and he had little or nothing on the winner. G. Yorkc, who was on Ballista, had, as far as is known, never previously ridden the winner of a race of any sort. He is one of Price’s stable boys, and last year met with a bad accident at Wiliiarastown, his skull being seriously injured, but he made a good recovery. Yorke neither smokes nor drinks. Wimmora would have been second or first but for his mistake at the second last hurdle, while Wingarara, with a stand-up, must also have taken part in the finish. Clontaft, who was ridden by J. N. M'Grcgor, shaped much better than he did in the Flemington Grand National; but Arquebuse and Forest Prince, who were greatly fancied, both ran badly. Lord Walla 7.13, who is by Corinth, led all the way in the Crumo Trial. There wore 19 runners for the Moonah Plate, seven furlongs. Averse and Yarron were responsible for all the running. They kept together until well past the distance, where Averse (by Orme) was slightly in advance. She was, however, called upon to answer a vigorous challenge from Andelosia (by Fortunatus, imp.), who finished well on the inside, and got up in time to make a deadbeat with Averse. Yarrien was only half a length further back, and Culma and Avance close up. It was a stirring finish, and the honours wore with Andelosia, who, as a young three-year-old, was carrying the substantial impost of 8,7. Ho looked slightly above himself, but, seeing how well he finished, he must have done a good deal of work. Andelosia is engaged in the two Dorbys, and with Eubulus and other members of P. T. Hoywood’s team will proceed to Sydney before the month is out. Averse is an imported filly, and trained at Flemington for an Adelaide syndicate by C. Quinn. T 1 io Balaclava Stakes, nine furlongs, went to Atora 8.11, by George Frederick (son of Carbine). Atora, who is trained by P. T. Hcywood, gave Mala 8.3 a bump when near the distance, as he did at the same spot in the Murrumbuna Handicap on the same course a fortnight previously. The stipendary stewards held an enquiry, and found that the rider of Atora had made every effort to avoid a collision. Mala is small, and was knocked right back, Pearl King 7.2 securing second place. The New Zealander Antoinette 8.9. was again entrusted with confidence, only to run badly once more. The Steeplechasers’ Flat Race was won by The Miser 11.3, by The Jew, and the Mornington Welter, one mile, by E. A. Connolly’s Lord Tuck 7.7, by Friar Tuck (Imp.).

RACING IN SYDNEY

The Moorefield Club raced on Saturday. The chief event, the Moorefield Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, wont to Pan-Out 7.7., by Brakpan, while the disappointing Sequacious 6.12 followed him homo. Sildrake 9.1, by Mandrake, took the Hurdle Race, while the Flying Handicap went to Moniarjay 8.9, by Maltster. There were 20 runners, and Moniarjay, who was well backed, won by a head from Clanfera 7.9. Irish Figure 8.8, by the Irish Horse (imp.), took the Kogarali Stakes, and the Throo-year-o'd Handicap went, to Quartos 8.3, by Antonio (imp.), W. H. M’Lachlan having the mount. Wirilla, 9.5. by Havoc, scored an easy win in the Welter Handicap, one mile.

On Monday the Warwick Farm Club held a bank holiday meeting, when the majority of the events went to rank outsiders. The Hurdle Race was won by Nonda 9.4, by Dalmeny (imp.), while the Savings Bank Handicap, one mile, was a close thing for Dowdy, 7.7, by Dowdingston (imp.), with Sinceritas 8.4 only beau n by a head. Some smart horses started in the Depositors’ Handicap, one , mile, and Satorino 8.2, by Antonio (imp.), with W. 11. M‘Lachlan up, scored by half a length from Zinita 7.0. Wool and N.S.W. were mostly fancied for the Bank Holiday Handicap, one mile and a-quarter. but the outsider Single 6.13, by Flavus (imp.), scored easily from N.S.W. The other winners were Carna, bv Ave Laddie .imp.) and W ar Star, by Warpaint. TROTTING. The Melbourne Trotting Club held a meeting at Richmond, when for six events there were 90 starters, which affords further evidence of the increasing importance of this branch of sport in Melbourne. The excellent condition of the track was testified to by three of the winners, whoso speed equalled, or excel'ed. their previous best efforts over a mile. Soprano paced at a 2.251, gait. County Antrim (from South Australia) achieved a speed of 2.3C|, whilst Spot covered a mile and a-quarter at a 2.21 gait. The race won by Spot was the Richmond Hundred. There wore 16 starters, and the New Zealand stallion Dillion Bell (135yds behind. M. Edwards) was made a slight’y better favourite than Dustwood and Adelaide Direct. The favourite made up his leeway in attractive style, and looked to have the field at his mercy, when the despised Judge TTuon gelding, Spot (125yds behind), challenged him, and quickly settled bis pretensions. Spot paced in his best stvle. and cleverly beat the other outsiders. Brazil B. and Lively Bells. The winner was vigorously ridden in saddle by J. Farrell. A fine contest was provided in the event exclusively for trotters. There were 15 competi tors’. and Mr Zander’s young Mauritius gelding. Manne M.. on the scratch mark, was made favourite. The Tasmanian horse Dan Alto, who was in charge of the old-tirno

Victorian reinsman, W. Martin, was the only other competitor to receive solid support. A surprise was effected by the South Australian maiden gelding County Antrim, who was allowed to start at forlorn odds. He tackled the favourite in the last halfmile, and, after an exciting struggle, beat him by a couple of yards. Mr Zander had previously won the Flying Handicap, nine furlongs, with the Emulator mare Soprano (45yds behind, M. Edwards). The other winners wore Derby Paul (by Abbey Bells), Almost (by Almont), and Jessie R. (by Silver Boy). MISCELLANEOUS. During the past season 162 days’ racing were held in Melbourne —82 under Y.R.C. rules and 70 by Mr J. Wren’s clubs. The amount of stakes distributee! over the 162 days was £174.248, made up as follows: f V.R.0., £54.558; V.A.T.C., £57,725; Moonee Valley, £11,360; Williamstown, £8855; other clubs (including £33,025 distributed at Mr Wren’s meetings), £51,750. When he fell in the Australian Hurdle Race Wingarara was not injured. His rider (J. O’Connell) escaped with a bruised shoulder. The dual Caulfield Cup winner Paris, who had been pensioned off for many years, died at Mr Hunter White’s place at “Wollara,” New South Wales, a short lime back. Ho was foaled in 1887, and was gelded before he started racing.