RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 432, 3 November 1898, Page 11

RACING IN AUSTRALIA.

THE V.R.C. SPRING MEETING.

First Day—Saturday, October 29.

The spring meeting of the Victoria Racing Club was opened on Saturday, aud there was a splendid attendance, including the Governors of nearly all the Australian colonies. Flemington was looking at its best, and although the sky wore a threatening appearance no rain fell. A strong wind prevented any records being oroken. The carnival was opened with the Maiden Plate, in which there were twelve starters, and Ike Earnshaw’s St. Blaize colt, Stand Off, on the strength of previous good form, was made an even money favorite. The punters were right in their estimate, as the favorite ran to the front in the straight, and although he was only half a length in front of Roscommon at the finish, he could have made the gap a pretty big one. The Melbourne Stakes is a race that always creates a lot of interest, and the race this year was no exception to the rule. Although only eight horses lined up at the barrier the field was full of quality, and included such prominent candidates for the Melbourne Cup as Amberite, Battalion, The Grafter, Rosebery, Wait-a-Bit, and Clarion. The Grafter was made favorite, but Battalion was almost as well supported. The favorite was first away, but he was soon steadied, and Battalion led the way. The game old gelding repulsed the challenges of Rosebery and Eleusinian, and finally won a great race by a neck from The Grafter; Amberite was third, Clarion fourth, and Wait-a-Bit fifth. Fourteen went out for the Hotham Handicap, Sweet Marie and Prince Carbine being favorites. Owing to the fractiousness of Princess of Wales the start was delayed. When the barrier was let go Contrast shot to the frcmt, followed by Hainault and Princess of AVales. The latter soon fell back beaten. Entering the straight Dick Wooten’s Cup horse, Plutus, came with a fast run, which he maintained to the end, and won easily by a length. Trapper was the last to finish

Eight started for the Derby, and despite the fact that it had been whispered that the brilliant son of Bill of Portland was not quite himself, Bobadil started the hottest favorite that has gone out for the Victorian Blue Ribbon. It is possible that he may not have been quite himself, but when he did hi.- preliminary he certainly looked in great buckle, and he started at 7 to 4 on. Cocos was wonderfully well, and had the services of W. Delaney. He had friends at 7 to 1, while Cordite waa a point longer. When the field was despatched Bobadil showed in front, followed by Cordite, Weodlark, Gauleon, and Heretic. -After travelling a furlong Cordite took command, and along the back was half a length in front of Heretic, Bobadil lying third, closely attended by Woodlark and Lee Metford. At the half-mile post the favorite ran to the front, and the cheers of the spectators indicated that they thought the race was all over. He turned into the straight two lengths in front of Heretic, but at this juncture Billy Delaney, on Cocos, began to put in his claim. Dp to this he had ridden a patient race, and when he called upon Abercorn’s son the coltresponded gamely,but the pursuit of Bobadil appeared hopeless. However, after passing Heretic, he soon got on terms with Bobadil, and the pair ran locked together until approaching the box, when the gameness of Cocos caused him to get an advantage, and the judge’s verdict was Cocos by half a head Woodlark was only a length behind Bobadil, and then came Heretic, Cordite, and Gauleon. Although a great favorite had been beaten, the victory of Cocos was well received. Thirteen started for the rich Maribyrnong Plate, Fleetfoot and Viscount 11. going our. equal favorites. The race was a pretty one until the entrance to the straight was reached, and then Scorn came away and won easily at the finish by three lengths. Twenty.three started for the Coburg Stakes, Rowdy and Watercolor being the best backed. Relic was left at the post. Once fairly in the straight, Sailor Boy, the representative of the popular bookmaker, Mr H. Oxenham, shot to the front and won very easily by four lengths. The following are the results : — The Maiden Plate, a sweepstakes of ssvs each, with 200 sovs added; second horse 40 sovs, and third horse 20 sovs from the stake. Weight-for-age. Six furlongs. Mr I. Earn-shaw’s b g Stand Off, by St. Blaize —Conceit, 2yrs, 7.10, W. Delaney ... 1 Mr J. G. Clarke’s b g Roscommon, 3yrs, 7.10, R. Lewis ... ... • •• -•■ 2 Mr J. Wilson’s b or br f Grizzle, 2yrs, 6.13, N. Turner ... ... • •• ... ••• 3 Other starters —-Courage, Balisite, Auriferous, Canada, Misrule, Model, Madam, Sunny Morn, and Condiment. Betting—Even money on Stand Off, 7 to 1 Grizzle, 8 to 1 Auriferous, 10 to 1 Roscommon. Won easily by half a length. Time, Imin The Melbourne Stakes, a sweepstakes of 10 sovs with 400 sovs added ; second hone 80 sovs, and third horse 40 sovs from the stake. Weight for-age. One mile and a quarter. Mr J. G. Clarke’s ch g Battalion, by Battalious —Nancy Till, aged, 8.13, R. Lewis... ... 1 Mr W. Forrester’s br g The Grafter, by Gozo — Industry, sjre, J. Gough ... _ ... 2 Mr W. Duggan’s b h Amberite, by Carbine — Duenna, 9.0, M. Harris ... ... 3

Other starters — Eleusinian, 9.4; Rosebery, 9.4; Wait-a-Bit, 9.4; Clarion, 9.0; Eleusive, 8.9. Betting—2 to 1 against The Grafter, 5 to 1 Battalion, 5 to 1 Amberite, 7 to 1 Rosebery. Won by a neck. No time given. The Hotham Handicap, a sweepstakes of 5 sovs each, with 200 sovs added ; second horse 40 sovs, and third horse 20 sovs from the stake. One mile and a half. Mr R. Wootton’s br g Plutus, by Gozo — Johanna, syrs, 7.0, E. Crockett ... ... 1 Mr W. Clark’s ch c Hainault, 3yrs, MeI Namara ... ... ... ... ... 2 Mr J. B. Pearson’s br m Contrast, syrs, 7.0, W. Burn ... ... ... ... ... 3 Other starters —Trapper, Prince Carbine, Sweet Marie, La Carabine, Surge, Onslow, Princess of Wales, Trent, Grisella, Tapioca, and Pelissier. Betting—4 to 1 against Sweet Marie and Prince Carbine, 7 to 1 Peilissier, 8 to 1 Plutus, 12 to 1 Contrast, 14 to 1 Hainault. Won by a length. Time, 2min 38|sec. The Victorian Derby, a sweepstake of 25 sovs each, with 1000 sovs added; second horse 200 sovs, and third horse 100 sovs from the stake. Colts, 8.10 ; fillies, 8.5. One mile and a half. Mr W. Bailey’s ch c Cocos, by Abercorn- — Copra, W Delaney ... ... ... ... 1 Mr W. R Wilson’s br c Bobadil, by Bill of Portland—She, H. J. Morrison ... ... 2 Mr R. Craven’s br c Woodlark, by Gozo — Procella, J. Delaney... ... ... ... 3 Mr J. Turnbull’s br c Heretic, by Trenton— Fishwife, R. Lewis ... ... ... ... 4 Other starters —Holster, Cordite, Lee-Metford, and Gauleon. Betting—7 to 4 on Bobadil, 7 to 1 against Cocos, 8 to 1 Cordite, 16 to 1 Heretic, 25 to 1 Holster, 33 to 1 Woodlark and Gauleon. Wod by half a head, a length bet ween second and third. Time, 2m in The following Table shows previous wim er.-*:-—

The Maribyrnong Plate, a sweepstake of 25 sovs each, with 1000 sovs added ; second horse 300 sovs, and third horse 150 sovs from the stake. For two year-olds. Five furlongs Mr W. R. Wilson’s br c Scorn, oy Bill of Portland —Tea Rose, H. J. Morrison ... 1 Mr M. H. Devlin’s b f Heiress, by Sunrise— Inheritance, E. Piper ... ... 2 Mr T. I amond’s br or b c Viscount 11., by Russley—Fine Lady, C. Parker ... ... 3 Mr J. Wilson’s b f Nitre, by Off Color — Mitrailleuse, C. Moo’e ... ... ... 4 Other starters—Tabilk, Kalingo, Lowland Chief, Skylark, Hurrah, Lady Lillian, Oceanic Fleetfoot, and Alice Mostyn. Betting—3 to 1 against Fleetfoot and Viscount 11., 5 to 1 Scorn, 12 to 1 Heiress, Nitre, and Skylark Won by three lengths. Time, Imin The Coburg Stakes, a handicap sweepstake of 5 sovs each, with 250 sovs added ; second horse 50 sovs, and third horse 25 sovs from the stake. One mile. Mr H. Oxenham’s b g Sailor Boy, by Gozo — Kathleen, syrs, 8.13, A C. Delaney ... 1 Mr L. A. Cooper’s b m Watercolor, syrs, 7.8, C. Parker ... 2 Mr J. B. Pearson’s ch m Seasong, 6yrs, 6.8, W. Barn ... ... ... ... ... 3 Twenty three started. Betting—3 to 1 against Rowdy, 5 to 1 Watercolor, 12 io 1 Sailor Boy. Won by four lengths. Time, Imin 41jsec. Second Day—Tuesday, November 1. The weather on Melbourne Cup Day was insufferably hot, but the attendance was very great. Proceedings were opened with the Hurdle Race, in which nine started. Lord Gresford was made favorite, but be failed to run up to expectations. When fairly in the straight The Provost, who had been patiently ridden by Williams, cut hia field down and won by two lengths. A big field of thirty-one went out for the Railway Handicap, for which the Sydney horse Blair was made a strong favorite. At the distance the St. Albans filly, Symmetry, came away with a brilliant run and landed the stake by three.quattersof a length. This is Symmetry’s first victory since her unfortunate accident, just prior to the Maribyrnong Plate last year, when she was favorite. The Nursery Handicap brought out a field of seventeen, and the public pinned their faith to

Revenue, the stable companion of the winner of the last race. They made no mistake, as the favorite came away from his field at the half-dis-tance and won very easily. The race of the year (the Melbourne Cup) was the next event, the twenty-nine lining up in front of Mr Watson. Massinissa maintained his position as first favorite to the end, Clarion being a point longer at 6 to 1, and The Grafter 7 to 1. Merloolas was quoted at 10 to 1, and others to receive good support were Plutiis and Cocos at 14 to 1, Amberite and Wait a-Bit 15 to 1, Dreamland 16 to 1, The Chief, Battalion, and Manfred 20 to 1. When the barrier went away, the colors of Thunder Queen and The Grafter were seen in the van, the most prominent of the others being Eleusive, Plutus, Battalion, Merloolas, Relic, and Syerla. Thunder Queen held command up the straight, the order past the stand being Thunder Queen, The Grafter, The Chief, Manfred, Cordite, Wait-a-Bit, Longford; Contrast, and Amberite. Going along the river bend War God became associated wb h the leading divison, and at the mile post had established a lead of a couple of lengths. Along the back Relic took up second position attended by the stable companions, The Chief and the The Grafter. Entering the straight War God was clear of his field, and Relic begin to fail, while Cocos and The Grafter made a forward move. At the distance this pair seemed to have the race in hand, but Wait-a-Bit suddenly appeared upon the scene. Young Fielder, however, made a blunder in endeavoring to come up between the leaders and Wait a Bit’s brilliant run was blocked. He, however, came on gamely but just failed to catch The Grafter, who won by half a neck, Cocos being three quarters of a length behind Wait-a Bit, War God, two lengths away, fourth. Then followed in the order named The Chief, Plutus, Thunder Queen, Amberite, Toxteth, Mischief, Battalion, Clarion, Massinissa, Elusive, and Longford. Dreamland and Contrast w ere the last to finish. The time was 3min 29Jsec, a splendid record considering t> e conditions under which the race was run. For the Victoria Steeplechase thirteen went out, and Domino, the favorite, won by half a dozen length s, the victory being a popular one. Thirteen started for the Yan Yean Stakes, which was won cleverly by Staffa from the Sydney pony, Corrie Roy. The following are the results :—

The Hurdle Race, a handicap sweepstake of 5 sovs each, with 250 sovs added ; second horse 50 sovs, and third horse 25 sovs from the stake. Three miles. Mr E. G. S. Hare’s br g The Provost, by King of the Ring—Cruiskeen, aged, 10.4, A. Williams ... ... ... ... 1 Mr A. Miller’s b g Realgar, aged, 11.7, Mooney ... ... ... ... 2 Messrs J. C. and E. Manifold’s blk g Soult, 6yrs, 10.11, Smith ... ... ... ... 3 Other starters—Pat, Lord Gresford, Sheoak, Clive, Podacres, and Lucid. Betting-—3 to 1 against lord Gresford, 5 to 1 The Provost, 6 to 1 Soult, 8 to 1 Realgar. Won by two lengths. Time, 6min 18£sec. The Bailway Handicap, a sweepstake of 5 sovs each, with 200 sovs added; second horse 40 sovs, and third horse 20 sovb from the stake. For two-year-olds and upwards. Six furlongs. Mr W. R. Wilson’s b f Symmetry, by Trenton —Buttercup, 3yrs, 7.3, Manning ... ... 1 MrR. Wootton’s ch g Sunflower, syrs, 7.9, Johnson ... ... ... ... ... 2 Mr I. T. Carslake’s blk g The Don, 7.0, Daniels ... ... ... ... ... 3 Thirty-one started Betting—7 to 3 against Blair, 6 to 1 Kerry, 10 to 1 Sunflower, 20 to 1 The Don. Won by a length and a half. Time, Imin 15Jsee. The Nursery Handicap, a sweepstake of 5 sovs each, with 200 sovs added; second horse 40 sovs, and third horse 20 sovs from the stake. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. Mr W. R. Wilson’s b c Revenue, by Trenton —Waterlily, 7.10, H. J. Morrison... ... 1 Mr W. H. Mates’s br f Catherine Wheel, 7.0, Crockett ... .. ... ... ... 2 Mr T. Lamond’s br c Viscount 11., 9.0, C. Parker ... ... ... ... ... 3 Other starters —The Golden Queen, Badge, Promontory, Kalingo, Gipsy Bill, Grizzle, Equipoise, Merriwell, Sunny Morn, Chatelaine, Far Away, Habet, Architect, and Isola. Betting—s to 4 against Revenue, 6 to 1 Viscount 11., 7 to 1 Habet, 12 to 1 Catherine Wheel. Won easily by a length. Time, Imin 2Jsec. The Melbourne Cup, a handicap sweepstake of 25 sovs each, with 3000 sovs added; second horse 500 sovs, and third horse 250 sovs from the stake. Two miles. Mr W’. Forrester’s br g The Grafter, by Gozo —lndustry, syrs, 9 2, J. Gough ... ... 1 Messrs W. and C. Wilson’s b h Wait-a-Bit, by Malua —Lucina, syrs, 8.0, F. Fielder ... 2 Mr W. Bailey’s ch c Cocos, by Abercorn— Copra, 3yrs, 7.10, W. Delaney ... ... 3 Mr S. Campbell’s b c War God, by Carbine— Hera, 4yrs, 7.6, A. Manning ... ... 4 Other starters —Amberite 9.11, Battalion 9.11, Merloolas 9.10, The Chief 9.0, Clarion 8.5, Eleusive 8.4, Catspaw 8.3, Trapper 8.3, Syerla 8.2, Manfred 7 12, Cordite 7.10, Thunder Q.ueen 7.10, Mischief 7.7, Massinissa 7.s,Longford 7.5, Dreamland 7.2, Toxteth 7.2, Plutus 7.0, Woodlark 6.13, April Fool 6 12, Pelissier 6.8, Holster 6.8, Contrast 6.7, Relic 6 7. Betting—s to 1 Massinissa, 6 to 1 Clarion, 7 to 1 The Grafter, 10 to 1 Merloolas, 14 to 1 Plutus and Cocos, 15 to 1 Amberite and Wait-a-Bit, 16 to 1 Dreamland, 20 to 1 1 he Chief, Battalion, and Manfred, 25 to 1 Woodlark, Eleusive, and Toxteth, 30 to 1 Longford, 33 to 1 Syerla, 50 to 1 War God, Contrast, Relic, Cordite, and Thunder Queen, 100 to 1 the others. Won by half a neck, three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, 3min 29Jsec. The following Table shows previous winners:—

V.B.O. Dhbby, 1} Mils. Colts, Sst 101b; Fillies, Sst 61b. Year Horse Pedigree Time 1860 Flying Colour® Dolo—Sheil-na-Guira. a 2 1861 Camden . Conrad or Warh’wk-Calliopa 2 63 1862 Barwon . Boiardo—Jeanette 2 59 1863 Oriflamme . Boiardo—Tricolor ... 3 3 1864 Lantern Muscovado—Nightlight ... 2 58 1865 Angler Fisherman —Marchioness .. 2 51 1S66 Seagull . Fisherman—Omen 3 4 *1867 Fireworks Kelpie—Gaslight 2 56 *1867 Fireworks Kelpie—Gaslight 2 53 1868 My Dream Fisherman —Nightlight ... 2 48 1869 Charon Ferryman—Juliet 2 55 1870 Florence Boiai’do —Rose of Denmark 3 0 1S71 Miss Jessie Maribyrnong—Musidora ... 2 49 1872 Loup Garou .. Lord of Linne—Hebe 2 46 1873 Lapidist Fireworks—Chrysolite 2 51 1874 Melbourne T. Panic—Myth 2 46} 1.975 Kobin Hood .. Fi reworks —Sylvia ... 2 48 1876 Briseis ... Tim Whiffler —Musidora ... 2 431 1877 Chester Yattendon—Lady Chester 2 43 1878 Wellington Panic —FrouFrou ... 2 47 1879 8 u warrow Snowden—Pbizgig 2 43 1880 Grand Flaneur Yattendon—First Lady ... 2 44 1881 Darebin... The Peer —Lurline 2 41} 1882 Navigator Robinson Crusoe—Cocoanut 2 41} 1SS3 Martini-Henri.. Musket—Sylvia 2 39 1884 Rufus Kingof Ring-Princess Alice 2 415 1.885 Nordenfeldt .. Musket—Onyx 2 482 1886 Trident. Robinson Crusoe—Cocoanut 2 39 1&S7 Australian Peer Darebin—Stockdove 2 40 188.8 Ensign .. G randraas ter —Formosa ... 2 45} 18«9 Dreadnought .. Chester—Trafalgar 2 41 1S90 The Admiral .. Richmond—Footstep 2 46| 1891 Strathmore Nord enf el dt —Onida 2 41} 1892 Camoola Chester —Copra ... ' 2 42 18'13 Carnage Nordenfeldt—Mersey 2 39 1894 The Harvester.. Sheet Anchor— Springtimo 2 40} 1895 Wallace Carbine— 2 46 1896 Newliaven blew minster- Oceana 2 39 1897 Amberite Carbine—Duenna 2 39} 1898 Cocos Abercorn-< opra 2 41}

Mumoumb Cup, f Mims. Yeai 1861 • Horos if Archer Pedigree A. Wm. Tell-Maid of Oaks 5 wt. 9 7 Timo 8 52 1862 Archer Wm. Tell-Maid of Oaks 6 10 2 3 47 1863 Banker Boiardo —Jeanette 8 5 4 8 44 1864 Lantern ... Muscovado—Nightlight 3 6 8 8 52 1865 Toryboy . •. Woolaton—Fair Ellen a 7 0 3 44 1866 The Barb ... S. Hercules-Y. Gulnare 8 6 11* 3 43 1867 Tim Whiffl’r New Warrior-Cind’r’lla 5 8 lit 3 39 1868 Glencoe Lord of Hills-Q.of Clubs 4 9 1+ 3 42 1869 Warrior ... N. Warrior —A. Laurie 6 8 10 3 40 1870 Nimblefoot Panic - Quickstep a 6 8+ 3 37 1871 The Pearl... New Warrior —Ida 5 7 3+ 3 39 1872 The Quack P. Wilkins—Quickstep 6 7 10+ 3 39 1873 Don Juan... Lucifer —Levity 4 6 12 3 36 1874 Haricot Ladykirk—Saucepan. . 4 6 7+ 3 37} 1876 Wollomai ... Ace Clubs-FleurdeLis 6 7 8 3 38 1876 Briseis Tim Whiffler-Musidora 3 6 4 3 36} 1877 Chester Yattendon-Ly. Chester 3 6 12 3 33} 1878 Calamia ... Maribyrnong—Luna... 5 8 2 3 35} 1879 Darriwell ... Tim Whiffier—Norna... S 7 4 3 30| 1880 Gd. Flaneur Yattendon —First Lady 3 6 12 3 311 1RR1 Zulu Barbarian-Mdns-Bltum. 4 5 10+ 3 32} 1882 Assyrian ... Countryman—Tinfinder 5 7 13-r s 40 1883 Martini-Hri. , Musket—Sylvia 3 7 5t 3 30} 1884 Malua St. Albans —Edella ... 5 9 9 3 31| 1885 Sht. Anchor St. Albans—Qn. Mary a 7 11 3 291 1866 Arsenal Gol dsbrough—Powder 4 7 51 3 31. 1887 Dunlop Neekersgat--Etta 5 8 3|| 3 28} 30| 1888 Mentor Swiveller—Nightmare 4 8 3 3 1889 Bravo Grand Flaneur-Orphan 6 8 7 3 32} 1890 Carbine ... Musket—Mersey 5 10 5 3 28} 1891 Malvolio ... Malua—Madcap 4 8 4 3 29} 1892 Glenloth ... Glenmarkie —The Gem 5 7 13 3 36} 1893 Tarcoola ... Newmi nster —Imogene Grand Flaneur—Olga a 8 4 3 30} 1894 Patron .«... 4 9 8 3 31 1895 Auraria ... Trenton—Aura 8 7 4 8 29 1896 Newhavcn .. . Ne*minster —Oceania 3 7 13 3 l-b.> 1897 Gaulus . Gozo—Industry 6 7 8 3 31 1898 The Grafter Gozo—Industry 5 9 2 3 292