RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 43

RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

V.R.C. MEETING. AUSTRALIAN CUP WON BY DEFENCE. First Day—Thursday, March 7. The day held beautifully fine, with a gentle breeze. There was a good attendance, >but it is doubtful if there were as many as would have been present Cup been run on Tuesday. In the big race Wallace Isinglass held public fancy strongly until an hour before the race, when he was replacel in the betting by Red Pennant. Defence and Prince Bardolph were always in the running. The latter tried his Sydney Cup tactics, when he led throughout. With memories of that race, and seeing him leading by six lengths less than a mile from home, many already proclaimed him unbeatable, but Defence, splendidly ridden, caught him in the straight, and headed him at the half-distance. The winner was loudly cheered. A splendid performance was put up by Dunwil, who was ridden by Dempsey. He ran away with the first race, never being headed. Dunwil came out again in the last race, and, ridden by Bullock, took command. at the and won 'easily by three lengths, carrying only 7lb less than the fancied Queen Comedy. Palm Leaf, who had won five races in succession, was fancied again to-day for the second race, Tragic Start being fancied as having a chance for second money only. The f was badly beaten. Red Fox, who seems lo be developing into a Derby colt, beating both the more fancied horses. The Bourke Handicap provided another splendid race. King's Bounty, who was lying fourth on entering the straight/ put in a fine strong run, and landed the race by half a length. As with most of the other' events so far, this race must be considered a tribute to the handicapping. Results: STEEPLECHASE— Tinto, 9.3, 1; Artillery Bill, 10.10, 2; Fleet Lady, 10.12, 3. Eleven starters. Flash Bob and Bonny made most of the running. At the mile Tinto led from Bonny and Artillery BillT Tinto and Bonny took the last fence together, then followed Artillery Bill and Fleet Lady. Tinto won by two lengths. Time, 4min 12sec. BOURKE HANDICAP.—King's Bounty, 8.8,, 1.; Petracia, 7.7, 2; Aska, 6.7, 3. Nineteen starters. Remmon took command after a few strides, and led round the .turn from Hoprig, Lucky Malt, and Petracia. _ Remmon led in*to "the straight from Hoprig and •Head Wind. King's Bounty put in a strong run, and getting through 'on the rails, won by half a length, a neck between second and third. Time, lmin 28sec. JUNIOR HANDICAP.—DunwiI 1, Fitness 2. Democracy 3. Eleven starters. Dunwil headed the others at the distance, then cleared right away, winning easily by three lengths. Time, lmin U HOPEFUL STAKES.—DunwiI 1, Girrlong 2, ; Cragrose 3. Twenty starters. Eastern Star showed out first from Girrlong, Dunwil, and Cragrose. Dunwil headed at the distance, and won comfortably by one and ahalf leneths. Time, lmin 2Jsec. ASCOTVALE STAKES.—Red Fox 1, Tragic Star 2, King of the Sea 3. At the distance Palm Leaf and Red Fox were together. Palm Leaf was, however, beaten in a few strides by Tragic Star, who, coming fast, made a great finish, both neck-and-neck. Time, lmin lojsec. AUSTRALIAN CUP. Defence (Harrison) 1 Star Comedian (Browne). 2 Prince Bardolph (Frankih) .. .. J» Scratchings: Lingle, Sir Amyas, and Black Wood. Prince Bardolph immediately headed the field, and led after six furlongs had been covered from Telecles, Rosanna, Escombe, Two Blues, and Red Pennant, Wallace Islinglass being last. A mile from home Prince Bardolph led by four lengths from Telecles, Rosanna, Escombe, Defence, Two Blues, and Red : Pennant, Wallace Islinglass' being still last. Prince Bardolph, going strpngly, increased his lead to six lengths, Wallace Isinglass giving up. Pour furlonsrs from home Prince Bardolph was still leading from Rosanna, Telecles, and Defence. Rounding the turn, Red Pennant moved up into fourth place, then Telecles and Star Comedian. Prince Bardolph led into the straight, Defence challenging, then Star Comedian and Rosanna. At the halfdistance Defence caught Prince Bardolph, and won by a neck, a length separating second and third. Red Pennant was fourth. Time, 3min 59sec. Second Day—Saturday, March 9. The weather was fine and warm until just before the last race, when there was- a heavy thunderstorm. A big crowd assembled and expected a great mile race with Desert Grold." 1 When it was found that Desert Gold was scratched there were plenty who voiced the opinion that the owner's, object in withdrawing Hhe mare was because he did not wish to/ risk defeat. Desert Gold was' a hot favourite for the Plate, with ,Lanius in next demand. The New Zealand mare covered the last, half mile in 50&ee. The first half was slow. Results: HURDLES.—Nicbajack, 10.0, 1; Sir Carl, 9.0, 2; Rivernook, 3. Eight starters. , Blue Victor made all the running. A mile from home he had a 20 lengths' lead. Nicbajack caught the leader oh entering the straight and won by two and a-half lengths. Time, smin 512 sec. LLOYD STAKES.—Cetigne 1, Whitefield 2, Wedge 8. Also ran: Panacre and Prince Viridis. Wedge was in front after a furlong had been covered, but at the end of the next furlong Prince Viridis led by half a length from Wedge, Cetigne, and Panacre. At the half mile Prince Viridis was still in the lead from Cetigne, then followed Wedge. After the turn had been negotiated Whitefield, on the rails, moved up rapidly, but at the half distance Cetigne commenced to draw away, and won by a length, a neck between second and third. Time, lmin 41sec. AUTUMN HANDlCAP.—Blackwood, 9.5, 1; Wishing Cup, 7.13, 2; Bronzetti, 8.3, 3. Nine starters. Ashview made the running to the six furlong post, and led from Wishing_ Cup, Rosanna, and Bronzetti, the latter having moved up from last. Wishing Cup led into the straight from Ashview and Bronzetti. Blackwood took command at the half distanco and won by half a length,

half a neck between second and thir; 1 . Time, 2min 533 sec. MARCH NURSERY.—Eusebius, 8.11, 1; Stratus, 7.6, 2; Whitadder, 7.12, 3. Ninoteen started. At the distance the orde"r was Stratus, Cragrose, Cielo, and King of the Sea.. Eusebius out down Stratus in the last furlong and won by a neck, half a neck between second and third. Time, Imin 9£sec. GOVERNOR'S PLATE. Desert Gold 1 "Wallace Isinglass 2 Lingle •. 3 Lanius was the only other starter. Desert Gold wais first away, with Lanius next, and Lingle last. At the mile Dest Gold was out with two and a-half lengths' lead from Lanius, who was two lengths ahead! of Lingle and Wallace Isinglass, who were together. At the end of another furlong Desert Gold still maintained her lead, Wallace Isinglass being one and a-half lengths behind Lanius. At the six furlong post the mare increased her lead to three and ahalf lengths, the other two being two lengths further back. Entering the straight Wallace Isinglass flattered his supporters by running up to Desert Gold's neck. The latter wa; shalwfi up by MLaohlan, who drew away, and with a two lengths' lead at the distance had ihe race won. Lingle passed Lanius, but Desert Gold, going on with the greatest of ease, finished three length's ahead of Wallace- Isinglass, the same margin separating second and third. Time. 2min 55£sec. Cheering broke out long before the winning post was reached, and was renewed again and again when the winner was led in. RIVER HANDICAP.—Sir Amyas, 8.4, 1; Sauci, 8.2, 2; Wayland Smith 3. Sixteen started. Farivale and Bopntree made most of the running. Boontree led rounding the turn from Wayland Smith, Sir Amyas, and Sauci. Sir Amyas then made a run and won by half a length, a neck between second and third. Time, 2min 10|sec. Disappointment was expressed at the scratching of Desert Gold in the C, M. Lloyd Stakes yesterday. Many good judges assert that Cetigne would have beaten the New Zealander. Mr T. H. Lowry, her owner, explained that he wanted to test the mare's staying powers in view of her Sydney engagements, therefore she ran in the Governor's Plate, when she was never really extended. She ran the concluding half mile in 50|sec. Third Day—Monday, March 11. There was beautiful weather and a large attendance for the concluding day of the V.R.C. meeting. Results: ELMS HANDICAP.—Mazarron 1, Royal Reserve 2, Pah King 3. Twelve started. Pah King led to the half-mile post. Mazarron assumed the lead at the turn, and won by a head. Time, lmin 422 sec. GIBSON CARMICHAEL STAKES.—DunwiI 1, Fitness 2, King of the Sea 3. Sixteen started. At.the end of the first furlong Duriwil and Fitness were together in the lead. The led round the turn from Mento and Tragic Star. "At the distance Dunwil was clear of the field, and won by three lengths. and Liquid Fire-crashed through the barrier. Dunwil was recaptured, but Liquid Fire collided with a fence, and was badly injured. NORTHCOTE HANDlCAP.—Blackwood 1, Telecles 2, Escomb 8. Twelve started. Prince Bardolph led) to the mile post, fromRosanna, Blackwood, Telescles, and Red Pennant* Prince Bardolph was first into the, straight from Telecles, Rosanna, and Blackwood. Telecles assumed the lead at. the distance, but was cut down by Blackwood later, winning by a neck. Time, 2min 33|sec. STEEPLECHASE.—FIeet Lady 1, Artillery Bill,-2, Bonny 3.. Seven starters. Bonny and Pin on made all the running to the last mile, where Fleet Lady took eharge, and won by three lengths. Bricks and Tinto fell_ after going a mile. Time, 6mui 19|sec. KING'S PLATE. - Two miles. Wallace Isinglass .. 1 Desert Gold 2 Lingle .. 3 The only starters. Desert Gold jumped out, and soon established a lead. A mile from home the mare was leading by 20 lengths, but Wallace Isinglass then began to decrease the gap, and at the five-furlong post was within a couple of lengths of her. Wallace Isinglass drew up to Desert Gold on entermg the straight, but the mare failed to respond. Wallace Isinglass drew ahead, and won by a length and a-half. Time, 3min 26isec. FAREWELL HANDICAP.—Pah' King 1, TJska 2, Petracia 3. Eighteen started. Petracia made the running to the distance, where Pah King drew to the front, and won by a head. Time, lmin 40sec.