OUR SYDNEY LETTER

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 167, 5 October 1893, Page 5

OUR SYDNEY LETTER

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Sydney, Sept. 26. The A.J.C. Spring Meeting, which commenced on Saturday, must be considered the opening meeting of the racing year. An attendance of over 12,000 persons makes one wonder wherever the money comes from, for with this number of people at least twenty thousand pounds changed hands, if not more. Trade is bad ; rents unpaid ; dividends locked up, and yet the favourite sport of the public suffers but little.

Too many were there on Saturday with the forlorn hope of turning a few nimble shillings into a fortune, but that great pick-me-up of better luck next time will ensure their futile energies being continued throughout the meeting. The course looked perfect. The lawn was like a billiard table. Ornamentations were apropos. The Government collected their 3s 6d and is fares with avidity for the short journey, but if the authorities would arrange for a few ‘ early’ trams at sixpence, and a few late ones home at the same figure, they would be meeting a greatly felt want in the present strained times, do themselves good, and the bootmakers harm.

Two Governors, ‘ ours’ and Lord Hopetoun, with Lady Duff and Countess Hopetoun and suite, gave a tone to the meeting better felt than expressed, and the grand-stand and paddock were well patronised. The Leger stand is apparently three times too large for requirements, and if half of it were cut off as a cheaper stand the A.J.C. would benefit. The flat was well dotted outside the course, and a large number of the * loudvoiced’ trampled up tan dust for the smart breeze to transfer to those on the lawn. The gangs of : ‘ esses’ (sharps, spielers, shifters, and sharks) were plentiful, and their colleagues, the 1 asses’

(softs, sawneys, sillies, &c.), could not keep away. The police took a front stand, and saw that no one removed the fencing or rails, and not a blade of grass was surreptitiously taken without their knowledge. The sister colonies, were well represented, both by those in the laying and taking line. Layers scored on Saturday. The ladies dresses —well, it requires * granny* to write about them in full yet to a looker on the dear ones looked as charming as ever with those baggy sleeves, but not quite such high shoulders as were in vogue lately. Many ladies wore light airy dresses, which they have regretted since to the accompaniment of bad colds, for the wind turned very cold long before the racing was over. The novelty of wearing a skirt about the same length the fair one wore when a little girl, but over the top of a long one. is becoming fashionable. The racing, though so promising from a sportsman’s standpoint, turned out somewhat tame, as with the exception of the Derby and Spring Stakes, all other races were as good as won at the distance.

The Hurdles, with fourteen starters, set the racing ball rolling, and from a good start Fog and Whitefoot cut out the running, with Barzan and Bruce handy. Fog led past the stand the first time, and with Barzan and Bruce held a long lead round the back. The mare was done with at the sheds, and Barzan clearing out from Bruce entering the straight he won easily by ten lengths from Whitefoot and Hilma, who beat Bruce for third place. Bettina blundered at the last hurdles when going fast, and all but came down. Williams, her jockey, made a wonderful recovery. Eleven saddled up for the Trial Stakes. The syndicate Pulvil was backed down to evens, and Jeweller carried big wagers at twos. The Trier and Pulvil cut out the pace to the bend, when Harris sent Jeweller to the front, and it was all over. Ich Dien (a New Zealander) second, and Dickens third.

A more farcical Derby has not been witnessed in N.S.W. than was seen on Saturday. The mediocre five contestants when stripped must have made more than one owner regret scratching his entry, and from all accounts Projectile was another Camoola, and a follow-my-leader race was expected. The brown and pink sleeves elect was made a strong favourite at 6 to 4, with Delaware at 3’s, Solanum s’s, Trenchant 6’s, Pharamond 7’s. A good start set the five cantering, with Pharamond leading, and so they continued round until the five furlong post was reached, when Solanum went up and racing commenced. He drew well to the front, and came round the bend with a good lead. Pharamond was done with, and Trenchant, well up, went for the leader, who appeared to have the race at his mercy, but the son of Trenton —Bridesmaid would not be denied, and beat Mr Oxenham’s colt by a long neck after an exciting finish. Delaware, who was shut in coming round the bend, was third, but would have been hard to beat had he got through. The favourite was last.

The colours worn by Lady Duff would have looked in unison with the stable colours had Projectle won, and had the Blue Ribbon been placed round his neck. The great betting race, the Epsom Handicap, now came on, and it can be favourably compared with previous years both as to class of horses running and the interest taken in the races. The whole of those numbered in the book were starters, and heavy wagering was the order of the last hour. Brockleigh had a very strong following at 6’s. Shamrock was treated as a certainty at 7’s. Sainfoin B’s, Ely mas and Paris 10’s, Little Bernie 15’s, Dan O’Connor 16’s, were all well backed, but Belgiorno, a strong tip throughout the week, was unbefriended at 25’s. Blue Blood, Buccleugh, and Cannon were the quickest away from a fair start, but the latter soon showed most prominent. Buccleugh and Cannon, with Lullaby, negotiated the back, with Brockleigh, Budgeree, Wakawatea, and Shamrock’s colours well forward. Buccleugh faltered at the six furlong post, Cannon still leading, and Lady Trenton coming up. Her ladyship led into the straight, with the three-year-old Lullaby and Budgeree on her flank, and Brockleigh well favoured for position. Once in a line for home Brockleigh sailed out to the front, and all interest in the race was gone, for he won as he liked by three lengths from Little Bernie, who came to the front in a startling manner. Lullaby was third, Lady Trenton fourth, and Melinite last. Time, rmin 4ofsec. * The champions of N.S.W. known to be

contesting the Spring Stakes gave this race an interest and zest very seldom equalled. Alas for the infatuated admirers of Camoola who was backed at 6 to 4 and Cremorne fancied at twos, for through some inexplicable reason (to 99 out of every 100) both these equine wonders went down before the New Zealanders Loyalty and Stepniak in no flukey manner. The race to the straight needs little description, as the pace not having been too hurried every horse should have been equal to winning from the positions held. Oxide was leading opposite the Leger, but gave way to Loyalty and Stepniak at the distance. All the flogging in the world (and Fielder laid it on stiffly) could not make either of the great C’s catch the leaders, and Loyalty won by a length from Stepniak, with Oxide half-a-length in the rear third. Cremorne fourth. Bungebah conspicious by his absence in the lead throughout. Time, zmin 38sec. The Kensington Handicap attracted 24 to the post, and Wabba was pitched upon as real good, and backed at 3 SThe stable provided the winner, which turned up in Antaeus, with 9.10 (J. Fielder up), who was backed for a little at 12’s. After Clinker and St. Blaize had made the running to the bend, the latter collapsed, and Antaeus, holding a good position, came away and won as he liked in 1 min 43sec. Merry Belle second and Aurelius third. St. Blaize completely broke down, and is hardly likely to see the post again. With difficulty he was got home. The Oaks and Metropolitan Day.

Heavy rain in the early morn, and then again from nine to eleven, made matters look very ominous for this favourite racing day in Sydney last Tuesday. At midday the sun was shining as brilliantly as ever, and the people began to move out to Randwick. Considering the state of the ground, the cutting wind, and discomfort of cold, the attendance was good. Again ‘ ours’ and the Governor of Victoria were present, besides many ladies. Wraps and cloaks covered up most of the charming dresses, and our daily describers must have been either tutored or privately interviewed to describe them as they did. The Shorts was the first race. Twentyfive competitors marshalled before Mr Watson, several horses being well backed. Moorefield, whispered as having been readied for the race and in great fettle, was made a warm favourite, and started at twos. Panoply was befriended by the right sort at s’s, and Cameline was trusted with Newcastleite money at 7’s. The start gave Buccleugh, Cameline, and Whakawatea and the favourite a good show, and they kept well forward to the bend, where Whakawatea was leading. As soon as Moorefield was fairly in the straight he settled all opposition quickly, and another uninteresting finish ensued. Messmate was second, Panoply third, and Shamrock fourth. Time, imin J4£sec. The Oaks only attracted four ‘ young ladies’ to the post, and from the saddling bell to the finish there was only one in it. Bessie McCarthy opened in the betting at evens, and finished at 5 to 4 on. The race was another cantering exhibition to the five-furlong post, when earnest business commenced, but Bessie held the others in check, and won easily in 2min 48sec. The A.J.C. Derby and Oaks, 1893, resulted in two of the poorest races for classic events ever witnessed in N.S.W. The Maiden Stakes, with 10 starters, was looked upon by not a few as a certainty for Marechai Ney, and he was backed down to 6 to 4. Ich Dien, who ran such a good filly to Jeweller on Saturday, was also trusted, and not for shillings and crowns, but something more solid at 4’s and s’s. Dickens and Colossus were not running unbacked. The two last named took up the running from the start, which Colossus retained until the back straight, when Ich Dien showed the way. So they ran to the bend, when the N.Z. filly came away and never being greatly hurried won easily by two and a half lengths from The Trier. Colossus third, Dickens fourth, and Blarneystone (the brother to Marvel) last. The great race now came on, and the Metropolitan of ’93 numbered 23 on the board. In such a large field to make Brockleigh, with 9.3, a 2 to 1 favourite speaks volumes for such a good horse. Oxide, the black favourite, carried hundreds of pounds and bobs of the public besides stable money, and started at 6’s. Little Bernie, whose abilities are well known, and Warpaint, the much talked of, went out at B’s, and Jeweller and Sunshine at 12’s. 20’s to 30’s were given about either Paris, Sainfoin, or

Solanum, and any price others. After a lot of frisky work on the part of Oxide the field was sent away to a good start, with Sunshine and Paris quickest on their legs. Solanum was leading past the stands. Elymas went up first rounding the bend, but was passed by Solanum near the mile post, Warpaint next, Sainfoin well up, the others bunched, and Ethelbert last. Little change occurred along the back, except that Brockleigh had taken a front position. Before the six furlong post was reached the sudden disappearance of three or four horses showed an accident had occurred. Pharamond is said to have swerved into another horse, which brought Mr Franks’ horse down, and Brockleigh, Little Bernie, and Salutation fell over him. No serious consequences are entertained. But to resnme the race. At the five furlong post Warpaint was leading, and at the bend showed Sainfoin, Oxide, and Elymas the way, with Paris in a good position. Once in the straight Fielder let Paris out, and going like a true racehorse as he is, he mowed the opposition down, passing Warpaint, the then leader, at the end of the Leger, and eventually won by two lengths. Aureus, who had been unnoticeable to those watching, came through in the straight, and secured second money, just beating Sunshine by a head and Warpaint by a neck. Then came Oxide, and with him the Victorian Sainfoin, the N.Z. Launceston, and the coming horse Jeweller. Sir William, otherwise ‘ Billy,’ was last. The time, zmin 4o£sec, is slow, even in the holding going, and the backers of the favourite and Little Bernie contend that the verdict would have been different had no accident occurred. A truer little horse (although correct in one sense, may not be so in these galloway days) than Paris never looked through a bridle in N.S.W. The First Steeplechase, with sixteen runners, had Frantic, last year’s triple winner over the little and big sticks, as favourite. Ensign, Hilma, and Cardigan were fancied, and carried money of their respective stables. A chapter of accidents as usual marked the race, and with the exception of J. E. Brewer, the jockey who is rather badly injured inwardly, and now lies in the hospital, not much damage was done. Buckley was in front at the first fence, but turning head over heels, Ensign led. Recruit took up the running round the back, but was passed near the sheds by Bruce, who nearly came down at the next fence. Recruit again led over the treble with all sorts of dis ances between the others. Cardigan was going well after the leader along the back, with Hilma sticking too. Ensign and Bassanio upended at the obstacle near the seven furlong post, and Cardigan, Beggar Boy, Frantic, and Bruce passed Recruit. Hilma laid down at the jump near the sheds, and Frantic came a purler at the next (the most dangerous at Randwick), and from there Cardigan had it all his own way, and won easily from Bruce. Beggar Boy was third, with the unlucky Recruit fourth. Thirteen essayed the Squatters’ Handicap, and Antaeus was backed on his Saturday’s running at 3’s. Warpaint s’s, Lady Trenton 6’s, Confidence B’s, Cannon 10’s, and 12’s others. Antaeus held a good position to Bendigo’s lead at the start. Cannon soon showed forward, and La Perouse going well. Thus the back was negotiated. Blue Peter whipping in. Warpaint went up as second at the six furlong post, and Cannon shot past the leaders, but the three came into the straight almost on terms. Confidence moved forward followed by Blue Peter going very fast, and a good race between the leaders ended in favour of the last-named by a length and a half, Confidence beating Warpaint two lengths for second place, and Lady Trenton fourth.

St. George, the sire of Loyalty, the champion New Zealander of the A.J.C. Meeting, is a full brother to Chester. Stepniak and Melinite are both by Nordenfeldt.

Launceston, another New Zealander, ran well in the Metropolitan and second in the Sydney Handicap. New Zealand horses and New Zealand cyclists may be said to have taken the two buns for racing in the Spring Meetings. It is not believed there was any truth in the assertion that the bicycle accident in the championship was readied. They should change Ich Dien’s (another New Zealand winning gee) name if she lives to go to the stud. It is wonderful how steeplechase jockeys escape after some of the terrible falls they receive. Brewer, who received

such a smash when Frantic fell in the First Steeplechase, hopes to be out again in a week or so. Death, although with crutch still, as a friend hopes to be in the saddle again soon, but it is feared poor Kinsman will never have the pleasure of seeing a horse race again. Hors de combat — Pharamond, Little Bernie, Salutation and Brockleigh. Among the rumours concerning the accident in the Metropolitan the following is said to be the truth. Soon after > passing the six furlong post Pharamond endeavoured to have matters a little too much his own way, and pursured a somewhat erratic course. McCarty, his jockey (who declared Ilb overweight and rode at 7.3), endeavoured to pull him together, but the son of Clan Stuart swerved on to another horse, collided, and was thrown completely off his legs and partly under the rails. As he held the position of either fifth or sixth those horses immediately in his wake came croppers over him, amongst them being two of the most fancied in the race — Brockleigh and Little Bernie. Little Bernie was the most unfortunate and received a gash just above the stifle, which will necessitate an easy time for weeks to come.

Buckley, who fell in the Steeplechase, received such injuries that he died the same evening. The excruciating jokes about this little gee-gee chances in the past are, we hope, buried with him. In the grand : ‘ Are you speculating, Miss Linnocent ?’ ‘ Oh, yes.’ ‘ May I enquire which you favour ?’ ‘ Oh, pa is for me.’ And he didn’t see till afterwards that it was the horse she meant, and not her pater. He swore a swear. On the flat: ‘ What price Whack-a-waiter ?’ Sharp, the bookie : ‘ Forty, or seven days.’ They say that if so many ladies had not chosen to wear the brown bodice and pink sleeves the syndicate would have won a race or two. Did it call too much attention to the stable ?

‘ Have you ever kissed the Blarneystone ?’ said Colleen. ‘ No, but I cussed it on Tuesday in—the Spring Maiden language.’ Underwood first over wood again with Cardigan 11. (and the fearless) in the First Steeplechase. This horse owed several knowing punters a bit, and they didn’t forget it.’ ‘ Have you heard the news ?’ ‘ No; what is it?’ ‘New Zealand and Newcastle,’ Get out.’ Brockleigh, it is said, was won in a raffle for a note. How many entries could be ensured if he were put up again this week ?

That good old slave Oxenham (the horse, of course) broke a blood vessel whilst running in the Second Hurdles. Solanum, although by Somnus, displayed no sleepiness when he won the Fourth Biennial, and showed such a bold front to the bend in the Metrop.

The A.J.C. Derby was a farcical affair, but if the many more of the fancied ones in the V.R.C. Derby go wrong, there will be no race at all. Both Light Artillery and Carnage are reported ‘ gonoph.’ A Sydney sporting writer says, ‘ Trenchant’s condition is a monument of Alsopp’s abilities as a trainer.’ Fancy Gardiner, on a monument —weighting. Influenza is in training again. It has been doing easier work since the very warm weather set in, but up to that had put several well-known sportsmen down. Some people thought Rosstillan was spelt ‘ Rustillan. Kelso could have told them different if they had not found it out by experience.