OUR SYDNEY LETTER

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 161, 24 August 1893, Page 5

OUR SYDNEY LETTER

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 9. Some people had bad luck at Warwick Farm on Thursday. At least two horses who appeared at times to be certain -winners got second, viz , Waratah and Confidence. McLaughlin on Brisbane in the Hurdles handled him so inexplicably that it must have been a fluke to get up and pip Waratah on the post. Bad riding and a cross, which was palpably derogatory to Confidence winning, gave Rockwell the Holiday Handicap. The Consultations were answerable for three horses starting from one stable for the Bank Handicap, and the ultimatum should be sufficient to show that the sooner this ‘ You take half and I take the other half ’ sort of ‘ legitimate ’ betting was knocked on the head. Everybody did not back W.K.’s opinion, yet to read opinions no one else knew anything about the race. Moorefield on Saturday was far from enticing just before racing commenced, and the sky looked black and ominous. After a short weep and a good blow a brighter look came over Nature’s face, and though cold and nipping the rest of the day could hardly be grumbled at. The attendance was an average one. Money appeared scarce, but perhaps that was a bit of luck for the books, as they got knocked hard in more than one race as it was. Seven hurdlers were soon despatched. Oroya showed a dislike to obstacles by swerving and leaving his jockey. Hegira, the favourite, and Kissing Cup joined issue coming up the hill, and the latter had the best of it and won easily. Yowi (a name that will be well remembered in flat racing) was third. The Tramway Handicap attracted seventeen starters. King Orry (at one time His Majesty) had the betting to himself at 3’s, Brooklyn and Torpedo at 4’s, and Insigna 10’s. The four named had all the racing to themselves, and coming into the straight Brooklyn appeared a cert., but Delaney, his jock, went to sleep, or seemed to do so, and Insigna coming with a wetsail beat him comfortably, Torpedo third. Lord Lovel swerved right across the course coming down the straight. The Kogarah Stakes, with sixteen starters, was a good thing for Monaghan’s Thespian, Chevalier second, and Aulus third. Now the winner is in form he should run forward again in the near future. The Moorefield Handicap suffered considerably from the scratching pen, and with Rosstellan in with 8.7, after his recent form, nothing more than 2’s was available at any time. It was an uninteresting race, as Rosstellan when called upon came away and won easily from Brightlight and Rushlight. Little Bernie, with 9.3, was last from start to finish. Apura annexed the Auction Stakes by a length from Centaur, Elton and two others and was bought in for £6O. Many books closed their bags and would not bet on this race, many more wished they had done the same, for Apura was well backed at evens. There is more than one punter who goes to the races and never lays out a note except on the Selling Race. Suppose he knows something. The Stewards’ Mile was the cause of prolonging the programme. Seventeen mustered at the post ana a lot of crowding interference and over anxiety was shown. Narara on the inside was in danger more than once of going over the rails, and Climax had his chance all but extinguished.

When the flag fell a great race ensued, and excitement was intense as the winning post was neared. Brooklyn lasted out the best and was judged winner from M.L.A. and Torpedo, and Narara fourth. The green flag going up showed a protest had been lodged. It was sustained, and Mr. Hegarty was fined £lO for starting the race in front of the post, and the ‘ go to the post ’ bell rang again. Only seven turned out for a second gruelling (the going was heavy) and Chevalier won all out from Climax and Narara. Torpedo was fourth, Brooklyn next, pretty well pumped after his third go. M.L.A. was last, having been interfered with by Rushlight falling. Five to 1 M.L.A. was the only betting in the socond attempt. Brooklyn’s owner should put a red cap on his jockey instead of that protesting green one. Whether it was the reflection from the flag or not many had a very bilious look on their faces when the * Coster Mimic ’ won. It was a terrible Climax to the hopes of the connection about the second horse also.

Over anxiety or something else was the cause of Luckmoor, Cook, Conlon, Parker, and Wingfield being fined £5 each by the starter in the Tramway Handicap. One or two owners, or said to be owners, of horses were at the meeting and looking a bit blue. It was not all caused by the cold either. Another coincidence. Apura who won the Auction Stakes on Saturday won the same race at the same meeting last year., sth August 1892. He started at tens then in a field of five.

Kelso has had a very rosy times of it at the recent meetings, and he may well look rosy and feel rosy inclined at the sale ring side. His ‘ Oh, I'll give you another five, ’ when Confidence stood at 200 guineas, spoke volumes.