THE AUSTRALIAN SIX FURLONG RECORD BROKEN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 339, 21 January 1897, Page 8

THE AUSTRALIAN SIX FURLONG RECORD BROKEN.

When the cable flashed the intelligence to New Zealand that the Australian six furlong record had been broken by Precaution, in the Carrington Stakes at Randwick, there were those who thought some mistake had been made. The Australian papers by the Anglian, however, confirm the cable. It appears that there were twentyfour starters in the race, Vivian and Survivor being equal favourites at 4 to 1 each. Precaution had a select following who backed her for a fair amount, but, nevertheless, 20 to 1 could have been had about her on the fall of the flag. The Sydney Mail describes the race as follows : — “From an excellent despatch Vivian, and True Blue were the first to show out, but ere a furlong had been covered Precaution dashed to the front, and led Moorfield by two lengths past the five furlong post, where Malachite, Dora, and Survivor were next, followed by a crowd, whipped in by Glare and Whakawatea. Dora ran up second to Precaution at the half-mile post, with Moorfield and Malachite next, while Vivian and True Blue had retired to the ruck. As they swept round the bend Precaution increased her lead to three lengths from Dora, Malachite, Telegraph, and Survivor, and so they turned into the home stretch, where Malachite melted out of the leading division and Survivor ran into second place, while Vivian commenced to come through his field. Precaution had all opposition silenced at the distance, and coming on won easily by three lengths and a half. Vivian, who got through at the half-distance, came very fast at the finish, and catching Survivor when half-a-dozen lengths from home beat him by a head for second place. Gozoczar was fourth, Whakawatea fifth, and Sailor Boy next, followed by Dora, Miss Nora, and Moorfield, while the last division consisted of Thespian, Milkmaid, and Malachite. Time, 1 minute 13| seconds.” Prior to this the Australian six furlong record was Imin Msec,

several horses being credited with that time, the latest being Vanitas in the Challenge Stakes two years ago. Precaution is a three-year-old filly, and was bred at Kirkham, she being by MartiniHenry out of Pretoria. Concerning Precaution’s performance “ Delaware” in Sydney Truth remarks :—“ In putting up the Australian record for six furlongs in the Carrington Stakes, Precaution was greatly assisted by a strong gale. The honors of the race were, however, with Vivian, who got boxed up in the field and couldn’t get a good run at the beautiful Martini filly. A short half-furlong run is not long enough for a horse of Vivian’s action, and many good judge’s think he would have tied the filly in a knot had he got a long clear run at her; that, of course, is merely surmising. The filly won with something in hand, but Mr Hordern’s crack came very fast, notwithstanding his 9st 61b. Precaution was, like Vivian, bred at Kirkham, and was bought as a yearling by Mr Harry Chisholm, of Wollogorang. Mr C. leased her to Frank Morris, and Billy Miller took cnarge of her. She is a full sister to Pretence, the crack galloway, and a while back her lessee got her measured and secured a 14.3 certificate for her. He intended running her among the ponies, but she came on very fast lately, and he is the most glad man he didn’t send her to do battle with the little horses. Pi’ecaution is very like Pretence, except that she is much longer. Like all the Martini-Henrys, she is blessed with great propelling power. She is a picture when moving away from you, as her great thighs and second thighs show out, and no horsefancier need wish to meet a sweeter head and neck, set on a capital pair of shoulders. She is a very elastic mare, and stands most truly on her pins.

It is said that Frank Smith, who has charge of the billiard room at Menzies’ Hotel, Melbourne, is the next best player to Memmott and Weiss in Australia. He frequently makes breaks of from 100 to 200, spot barred.