RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 430, 20 October 1898, Page 13

RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

THE V.A.T.C. SPRING MEETING.

Second Day—Wednesday, Octobeb 12.

The weather was warm on the second day of the Caulfield meeting, and a stron? north wind caused Melbourne to be enveloped in dust. The dust fiend, however, did not reach the Caulfield heath, and the large attendance at that sporting rendezvous was consequently grateful. The sport was good and bookmakers had the best of what speculation was indulged in. The withdrawal of Bobadil in the Eclipse Stakes made the issue an open one, but the public fastened on the winner of the Caulfield Stakes as the one likely to do the trick, but he did not run quite up to his previous form and was beaten by Cocos. Twenty one saddled up for the Moonga Handicap, and, owing to an easy victory that Roscommon had achieved at Sandown Park on the previous aay, he was made a warm favorite, but his confiding backers were disappointed. Nera was the first to show the way, followed by the favorite, whose immediate attendants were Lente and Dowry. On entering the straight Dowry was in front, with Roscommon close up, but at the distance Spindrift passed the pair and won by a length and a half, the favorite getting no nearer than fourth. A field of nine went out for the Second Hurdle Race, and punters this time made no mistake as they pinned their faith to Marazona, who waited on his field until three furlongs from home when his head was let go and he won easily by a couple of lengths, but he could have done much better if wanted. Ten faced the starter for the Eclipse Stakes, and, as Bobadil was an absentee, The Chief —on the strength of his Caulfield Stakes performance —was made a hot favorite, very little better than even money being obtainable about him. Rosebery was the first to break the line, The Chief, Woodlark, and Holster being his nearest attendants. At the end of a furlong Cocos had joined the front division, while Wait-a-Bit was last, but Malua’s son improved his position at the halfmile post. A splendid race was witnessed up the straight between Cocos, The Chief, and Wait-a-Bit. The last-named did not get a good run, but he ran gamely to the finish, Cocos winning by a neck, while Wait-a-Bit and The Chief ran a deadheat for second place. Cordite was fourth and Rosebery fifth. The Australian Hunters’ Cup brought out a field of thirteen, and Silverthorn was made favorite. The race was a chapter of accidents, there being several falls. Silverthorn ran well, but Domino (better ridden by Mr Russell) came with a well timed run at the finish and won by two lengths, while a similar distance separated second and third. Mr Russell was loudly cheered for his display on returning to scale.

Sixteen youngsters sported silk for the Nur aery Handicap, Scorn being elected favorite, while Alice Mostyn was next in demand, lhe lastnamed shot to the front soon after the start and remained there to the end, winning cleverly by a length from Promontory, while the favorite, who, by the way, represented the St. Albans stable, was third half a length behind Promontory. The Coongy Handicap brought the day s sport to a close, twenty-three horses going to the post. Trent was most fancied at 7 to 1, Marusa being a point longer in the betting. April Fool was the quicket on his legs, but was soon deprived of the lead by The Musketeer, and, half a mile from home, Hymettus was nearly last. He then com- ' menced a splendid run, which he maintained to the finish, and snatched the victory from April Fool by a head, while Carbinier was close up third, followed by Catspaw, War God, Robin Hood, and Mischief. The following are the details : — Moonga Handicap of 150 sovs ; second horse 35 sovs, and third horse 15 sovs from the stake. Five furlongs. Mr J. Williams’s b g Spindrift, by Lochiel— Spice, syrs, 7.13, Cooper ... ••• 1 Mr H. Granville’s blk g Carrara, aged, Powell 2 Mr I. T. Carslake’s ch m Dowry, syrs, 8.3, Daniels ... ••• ••• ••• ® Twenty-four ran. Betting—s to 1 against Roscommon, 10 to 1 Safety, 12 to 1 Carrara, 15 to 1 Dowry, 16 to 1 Spindrift. . Won by a length and a half. Time, Imin 4fsec. Second Handicap Hurdle Race of 150 sovs; second horse 25 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Two miles. Mr J. G. Clark’s ch g Manazona, 12.0, J. E. Brewer ... ... ■■■ . ■■■ Mr S. Miller's b g Realgar, aged, 11.7, Mooney ... ••• • •• Messrs Manifold’s b g Soult, 11.4, Smith ... 3 Other starters —Clive, Insult, Iredale, N.Z., Sharebroker, and Nansen. Betting—s to 2 against Manazona, 9 to 2 Insult, 7 to 1 Realgar and Soult. Won easily by two lengths, three lengths between second and third. Time, 3min 50asec. Eclipse Stakes of 200 sovs ; second horse 35 sovs, and third horse 15 sovs from the stake. Weight-for age, with penalties for winners attached. Cre mile. Mr W. Bailey’s ch c Cocos, by Abercorn — Copra, 3yrs, 8.6, R. Lewis ... ... ... 1 Messrs W. and C. Wilson’s br h Wait-a-Bit, by Malua—Lucinda, syrs, 9.3, F. Fielder... + Mr W. Forrester’s b g The Chief, by Gozo— Maori Queen, syrs, 9.2, J. Gough ... ... t Other starters —Rosebery, Clarion, Cordite, Hainault, Woodlark, Holster, Lelamine. Betting—lo to 9 against The Chief, 7 to 1 Cocos and Whit a-Bit, 10 to 1 others. Won by a neck from the dead-heaters. Time, Imin 45sec. Australian Hunters’ Cup of 150 sovs ; second horse 20 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. A welter handicap steeplechase for horses that have been fairly hunted during the season 1898. About two miles three furlongs and eighty yards. Mr G. Russell’s Domino, 13.7, owner... ... 1 Silverthorn, 11.12, Mr T. McFie ... ... 2 Queen B , 10.7, Mr D. Allen 3 Thirteen started. Betting —3 to 1 against Silverthorn, 9 to 2 Whalla, 8 to 1 Ballmahoy, 10 to 1 Queen B. and Domino. Won easily by two lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 4min 56|sec. The Nursery Handicap of 200 sovs; second horse 25 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. For two-year-olds. Four furlongs. Mr J. East’s b f Alice Mostyn, by Neckersgat —Miss Mostyn, 7.11, C Parker ... ... 1 Mr C. M. Lloyd’s b c Promontory, by Bill of Portland —Montalto, 7.9, Lewis ... ... 2 Mr W. R. Wilson’s br c Scorn, by Bill of Portland —Tea Rose, 7.9, Morrison ... 3 Other starters —Tremarden, Lady Lillian, Carinthia, Kooma, Meriwee, My Queen, Catherine Wheel, Chatalaine, Tabilt, Isola, Miner, Habit, and The Ocean Queen. Betting—4 to 1 against Scorn, 5 to 1 Alice Mostyn, 8 to 1 Promontory. Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Time, 52Jsec. The Coongy Handicap of 150 sovs; second horse 35 sovs, and third horse 15 sovs from the stake. One mile and three furlongs. Mr J. Patterson’s ch h Hymettus, by Eiridspord—Busy Bee, 4yrs, 8.12, N. Leek ... 1 Mr F. Foy’s b h April Fool ,4yrs, 7.3, Callinan 2 Mr S. Miller’s b h Carbinier, 4yrs, 6.7, Fisher 3 Twenty-three ran. Betting—7 to 1 against Trent, 8 to 1 Marusa, 12 to 1 Carbinier, 15 to 1 April Fool, 20 to 1 Hymettus. Won by a head, three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, 2min 26sec. Third Day—Saturday, October 15. Beautiful weather favored the third and final day of the Spring Meeting, and the attendance, which was large, included the Acting-Governor (the ever popular and respected Sir John Madden). It is a pity, when everything seemed to be in favor of pleasure, that a most untoward accident in the chief event of the day should have completely robbed the patrons of Caulfield heath of the enjoyable recollections that the meeting would otherwise have afforded. The accident looked even more appalling than that in 1885; when poor Donald Nicholson was killed and the other celebrated light-weight (Sammy Cracknell) was almost done to death. On that occasion the . accident occurred at what was then a rather dangerous bend, but Saturday’s accident occurred opposite the stand, where the going is as level as a bowling green. Acton was the first to fall and six others fell over him, the result being that Flannagan (on Robin Hood) received such in-

juries that he died almost immediately, while Powell, who was riding Aton,was seriously injured. The accident is more fully dealt with elsewhere. The first event on Saturday was the Maiden Plate, in which Heretic in a field of six was made favorite. The disappointing Marusa was the first to show the way, Auriferous, Heretic, The Bohemian Girl, and Gauleon following in the order named. At the five furlong post Marusa gave way to Auriferous and died out of it, and once in the straight Heretic dashed to the front and won comfortably by a length, half a length between Auriferous and War God, while Gauleon was fourth. A r was generally expected after his recent successes Manazona was made a warm favorite in the Third Handicap Hurdle Race, in which there were ten starters, and the punters made no mistake as, after waiting on his field to the home turn, Manazona ran to the front, winning very easily by four lengths from Realgar, who just beat Bell Metal by a neck for second place, with Silver Pines fourth. The event of the meeting next came on, and a splendid field of thirty-three saddled up. Massinissa remained a firm favorite up to the start, 9 to 2 being the latest quotation against him, while Hymettus was second in favor at 10 to 1, then came Cocos, Reka, and Whit-a-Bit all at 12 to 1, and The Grafter at 15 to 1, while prices of from 25 to 100 to 1 could be obtained about the others. When the big field fairly got on the way Rosebery took command, and as they swept up the straight the order was Rosebery, Alemene, Prince Carbine, Hymettus, Holster, The Grafter, and The Chief. Passing the stand, when running tenth in the centre of the field, Acton fell, and Reka, who was in his wake, fell over him, and these brought down Mischief, Majestic, The Musketeer, Superb, and Robin Hood. For a moment attention was diverted from the race, but as the field swept round the bend it was seen that Rosebery was making the pace a cracker and was already four lengths in front of Hymettus and Prince Carbine, who were racing together, with Catspaw, The Grafter, Thunder Queen, The Chief, and Devoted all bunched and blocking the way for Miassinissa, while Bunyan, who had been galloped on, was last. At the back of the course Wait-a-Bit made a good run from the ruck and joined the leading division, at the head of which Rosebery was still sweeping along in great style, his nearest attendant being Hymettus. At this point the favorite had dropped back. Approaching the home turn Rosebery was still in front, followed by Hymettus, who was sticking to his task with dogged pertinacity, and then came Thunder Queen, Wa t-a-Bit, The Chief, and Massinissa, the latter having made a good run from the beaten division, and leading Prince Carbine, Alemene, and Cocos. The latter had been badly interferred with by the accident and had lost a number of lengths, but he was making it up in the gamest manner. Roseberry led into the straight and made a gallant effort to come on, but he faltered for the first time in the great struggle at the distance, and Leek shook Hymettus up for the final effort, and it was required as Massinissa was coming with a splendid run. Hymettus, however, responded to every call and won the Caulfield Cup of 1898 by two lengths from Massinissa, who was about two lengths in front of The Chief. Wait-a-Bit, who had run a good game horse, was fourth, Alemene fifth, Cocos sixth, and then came Thunder Queen, Prince Carbine, Woodlark, Catspaw, und Rosebery The last four were Devoted, t'rincess of Wales. Bunyan, and Australian. The time was 2min 36Jsec, or only three-quarters of a second slower than G’Naroo’s record for the race in 1891. After the race there was lots of talk as to whether the lamentable accident had interferred with the result but the concensus of opinion was that, even bad it not occurred, the real issue would have been between the first two Hymettus was kept well up with the leaders all the way, and Rosebery fairly astonished his friends, for it was not until the distance was reached that he shot his bolt. Massinissa ran a great horse, and did not have the best of luck on running. Wait-a-Bit and Cocos also ran well, and there were few who were inclined to repeat the story that Wait-a-Bit is a cocktail. The bookmakers, as usual, say they have lost, but the bulk of the money that was won goes to Mr John Patterson, the owner of Hymettus, and his circle of friends, which means the wealthy portion of Melbourne society. The Handicap Steeplechase resulted in a victory for the favorite, Nilus, who comfortably defeated Tremolo and eight others. Viscount 11. (by Russley—Fine Lady) accounted for the Nursery Handicap, and the Windsor Handicap (which brought the meeting to a close) was won in a canter by Djin Djin. Following are the result: — Maiden Plate of 150 sovs; second horse 10 sovs, and third horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile. Mr J. Turnbull’s br c Heretic, by Carbine — Fishwife, 3yrs, 7.7, R. Lewis ... 1 Mr W. R. Wilson’s br c Auriferous, 3yfs, 7.7, A. Manning ... ... ... 2 Colonel Campbell’s b h War God, 4yrs, 8.5, F. Fielder ... ... ... 3 Other starters —Gauleon, Marusa, and The Bohemian Girl. Betting—7 to 4 against Heretic, 3to 1 Marusa, 5 to 1 Gauleon, 6 to 1 War God. Won by half a length. Time, Imin 45|sec. Third Handicap Hurdle Race of 200 sovs; second horse 25 sovs, and third horse 15 sovs from the stake. Two miles one furlong and sixty-four yards. Mr J. G. Clark’s ch g Manazona, by Mana — Zona, aged, 12.7, J. E. Brewer ... 1 Mr S. Miller’s b g Realgar, aged, 11.3, M. Mooney ... ... ... ••• 2 Mr E. J. Easton’s b m Belle Metal, 9.10, J. Leek ... ... ... • ••• 3 Seven other starters. Betting—7 to 4 against Manazona, 6to 1 Belle Metal, 7 to 1 Monte, 8 to 1 Realgar. Won by four lengths. Time, 4min 18sec.

The Caulfield Cup, a handicap of 2500 sovs; 2000 sovs to go to the first horse, 350 to the second, and 150 sovs to the third. One mile and a half. Mr Jas. Paterson’s ch h Hymettus, by Eiridspord —Busy Bee, 4yrs, 7.6, N. Leek 1 Mr I. Foulsham’s ch g Massinissa, by Splendor —Algerine, 4yrs, 7.5 (including 71b penalty), A. Foulsham .. ... 2 Mr W. Forrester’s b g The Chief, by Gozo — Maori Queen, syrs, 9.3, S. Callinan 3 ■ Messrs W. and C. Wilson’s b h Wait-a Bit, by Malua —Lucinda, 5yr5,8.6, F. Fielder 4 ! Other starters —The Grafter 9.3, Australian 8.5, Catspaw 8.5, Marua 8.4, Majestic 8 2, Reka 7.13, Thunder Queen 7.13, Mischief 7.10, Ale- . mene 7.10 (including 141 b penalty), Cocos 7.9, ! Acton 7.8, Prince Carbine 7.7, Princess of Wales 7.7, Roseberv 7.7. Devoted 7 6, Superb 7.5, Longford 7.5, Robin Hood 7.4, Bunyan 7.3, Picture | 7.2, April Fool 7.0, Woodlark 7 0, Rosella 7.0, The Musketeer 7.0, Ashton 6.13, Lelamine 6.11, Carbinier 6.10, Holster 6.10, Contrast 6.7. Betting—s to 2 against Massinissa, 10 to 1 Hymettus, 12 to 1 Cocos, Reka, and Wait-a-Bit, 15 to 1 The Grafter, 25 to 1 The Chief, Catspaw, and Majestic, 33 to 1 Rosebery, Prince Carbine, Robin Hood, Carbinier, Holster, The Musketeer, and April Fool, 50 to 100 to 1 the others. Won by two lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 2min 36fsec. The following Table shows previous winners—

Caulfibld Cup, If mils. In 1880 and 1881 the distance was 1J mile and a distance. Year Horse Pedigree A. Wt. Time 1 1879 Newminster The Marquis-Spa ... 5 8 10 2 45| 1880 Tom Kirk... Ladykirk—Spaa 8 3 228 J I 1881 Blue Ribbon Derby—Derelict ... 4 7 3 2 30 I 1881 Mstr Avenel J. Avenel— L. Wallaroy 6 7 12 2 29.1 | 1882 Little Jack King Cole—Charade ...3 6 11 2 41| i 1883 Calma . . Yattendon—Lon. Pride 4 8 22 42 | 1884 Blinkßonny St. Albans—Medea ... 6 7 3 2 40| : 1885 Gr. Darling The Diver—Zoe ... 6 7 10 2 40 i 1886 Ben Bolt ... Newbold—Ly. Baldwin 5 7 6 2 42 ‘ 1887 Oakleigh ... Roodee —Adela 5 6 9 2 41| 1888 Chicago ... Drummer—Corisande... 5 7 4 2 38£ , 1889 Bozßozworth—Hypatia ... 5 7 7 2 43 , 1890 Vengeance Newminster—Vindex... 5 6 13 2 38 I 1891 G’Naroo ... St. Albans—Athena ... 5 7 13 2 36 j 1892 Paris vt ... Grandmastet— Enone... S 8 8 238 J ; 1893 ’Sainfoin ... Richmond—lnstep ... b 7 13 2 38 | 1894 Paris ... Grandmaster —Enone... a 9 4 2 38 I 1895 Waterfall... Niagara—L Wanser ... 8 7 3 236 g : lOuu CH-iiitu .. UiUliuUh L\eil ... « O' 2 I 1897 Amberite ... Carbine—Duenna ... 3 7 6 2 37 | 1898 Hymettus ... Eiridspord—Busy Bee 4 7 6 2 362

•Tim Swiveller (7.6) came in first, but was disqualified for interference, and the race was awarded to Sainfoin. In 1880 and twice in 1881 the race was run over one mile and a quarter and a distance. The Handicap Steeplechase of 250 sova; second horse 35 sovs, and third horse 15 sovs from the stake. About two miles three furlongs and eighty yards. Mr S. Miller’s b g Nilus, by Glorious—Coolyrie, aged, 12.13, M. Mooney ... 1 Mrs J. W. Bresi’s br g Tremolo, aged, 13.5, Curtin ... ... ... ... 2 Mr M. Gason’s b g Sirius, aged, 9.13, Barbour 3 Ten started. Betting —2 to 1 against Nilus, 7to 1 Tremolo and Sirius, 10 to 1 the others. Won by four lengths. Time, 4mm 50£sec. The Nursery Handicap of 200 sovs ; second horse 30 sovs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stakes. For two-year-olds. Four and a half furlongs. Mr T. Lamond’s br c Viscount 11, by Russley —Fine Lady, 8.0, C. Parker ... 1 Mr A. Taylor’s br f Golden Queen, 8.5, F. Finlay ... ... ... ... 2 Mr F. Fielder’s b c Habet, 6.8, F. Fielder ... 3 Betting—s to 2 against Revenue, 7 to 2 Viscount 11., 8 to 1 Lissadurn. Won by three-quarters of a length. Time, 59sec. The Windsor Handicap of 200 sovs ; second horse 30 sivs, and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Six furlongs. Mr L. A. Cooper’s br m Djin Djin, by Forest King —Cumino, 4yrs, 8.1, C. Parker 1 Mr H. Granville’s br g Carrara, aged, 9.3, Guinane ... ... ... ... 2 Mr J. Wiley’s ch g Campaign, 8.7, Holmes .. 3 Twenty-two started. Won in a canter by six lengths. Time, Imin 19fsec.