THE VICTORIAN RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 449, 2 March 1899, Page 12

THE VICTORIAN RACING CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING.

CBy

Atlas.]

The Autumn Meeting of the Victoria Racing Club will be commenced on Saturday. Of course the spring gathering of the V.R.0., when the Derby and Cup are disposed of, is the most important event, but for all that experiences of the past has taught us that the autumn gathering is more attractive to those who care to watch racing without being inconvenienced by the elbowing of a surging throng. The racing is always interesting at Flemington in the autumn, and, aided by the advices of friends over the water, I will endeavor to anticipate the judge’s verdict in the important events, the weights for which are known to us. The Sr. Leger.

The presence of Bobadil will probably cause a number of absentees, and as the St. Albans’ representative appears to be in form, judging from his performance in the Caulfield Futurity Stakes, there does not seem to be much use in looking further for the winner. I will therefore pick- - Bobadil ... ... ... 1 George Frederick 2 Lee-Metford ... ... ... 3 The Newmarket Handicap. This is one of the most difficult races of the year to pick. Twenty-six of the speediest horses in Australia were left in when the final pai ment was made on Monday evening, and nearly all of thesa will see the post, many of them being influenced by sweep money. Hopscotch and the New Zealand bred Wbakawatea are the top weights, and both in their younger days have shown their ability to gallop. In addition to Hopscotch, the Hon. W. A. Long will be represented by the lightly-weighted Beachcomber, who recently showed such a great turn of speed at Randwick. A horse that has been very heavily backed is North British, who shares favoritism with jHymettus, of Caulfield Cup fame. North British has not done much in public, but he has recently been purchased by Mr W. Mooney, the Brisbane bookmaker. The people connected with Mooney’s stable are not fools, and do not throw their money away. What they back is always worth watching. Stand Off has been been performing well in public of late, and must have a chance, while Regained, Veneda, Alix, and Reaper all look dangerous. In view of his second to Amiable last year, the latter seems to be well treated with only 81bs more to carry. The printer reminds me that the space is limited, bo I will not go through the list of candidates, but place them— Hon. W. A. Long’s Elect ... 1 Reaper ... ... ... ... 2 North British ... ... 3 Sire’s Produce Stakes. Scorn ... ... ... ... 1 Revenue ... ... ... 2 Duke of Portland ... ... 3 Australian Cup. Bobadil ~.. ... ... 1 Wait-a-Bit ... ... ... 2 George Frederick ... ... 3