RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 43

RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

v.a.t.cTraces. desert gold's first win. kilflinn also successful. MELBOURNE, February 17. The autumn meeting of the V.A.T.C. was begun at CaulfLeld yesterday. The principal events resulted as- follows: OAKLEIGH PLATE. Five and a-half furlongs.—Portrina 1, Dclmacre 2, Blue Cross 3. There were 24 starters. Won by a length and a-half. Time, lmin 6Jsec —an Australasian record. ST. GEORGE'S STAKES. , . Nine furlongs. Weight for age. N • Mr T. H. Dowry's Desert Gold (MLachlan) 1 Cetigne (Wood) .. .. 2 Wallace Islinglass (Barden) 3 There were eight starters. Cetigne was first to move, but Desert Gold took charge after a furlong had been traversed, leading from Prince Bardolph and) Cetigne. Passing the turn she was two lengths ahead of Cetigne, "who had displaced Bardolph. After entering the straight Cetigne made a desperate effort and' neared the favourite, who, when called on, came away and won by a length. Wallace Isinglass was four lengths behind Cetigne. Time, lmin 52,25 cc. WELTER. Seven furlongs. Kilflinn 1, Bourlang 2, Sauci 3. There were 28 starters, including Red Signal and Killern. Won by a length. Time, lmin 2S|sec. Beltane ran unplaced) in the Bond Cup. A POPULAR WIN. SYDNEY, February 18. Commenting on Dessrt Gold's win on Saturday, the Daily Telegraph states, that she won most decisively, the time constituting a course record. There was never a more popular win at Caulfield. [Desert Gold is to take part in the Caulfield Futurity States 3 seven furlongs, on Saturday next, in which she will carry 9.13. Cetigne is top weight with 10.2.]