Sport in Australia,

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 819, 16 November 1905, Page 11

Sport in Australia,

(By

“ Atlas.”)

Sydney, November 8. The great spring carnival of the V .R.C. was commenced on Saturday last in fine but gusty weather. The attendance was large and thoroughly representative, there being visitors present from every State in the Commonwealth and New Zealand. The big programme was opened with the Maiden Plate, one mile, the small field of five being attracted. Paraloch was favourite at evens, but Elysium was solidly supported at 2 to 1. The race was between this pair, Elysium winning by a nose, with Alsyke third_ The rich Maribyrnong Plate, a sweep of 25sovs each with 1200sovs added, five furlongs, was the next item on the card, attracted a field of thirteen, and Oriellet and Port Arthur were equal favourites at 3 to 1, the next best backed being Ebullition at 6to 1. Punters had made a pretty fair estimate, as Oriellet won by two lengths from Ebullition, with Port Arthur third. Although beaten, Ebullition was not disgraced, as he carried a 101 b penalty, and so far is the best two-year-old of the season. The big field >n the Hotham Handicap, one mile and ahalf, was reduced to ten, the Melbourne Cup candidate Aurate going out favourite at 5 to 2, while Demas was at 3 to 1. The second favourite again came to the fore, winning easily from Panama, who was second, and the favourite (Aurate) third. This paved the way for the V.R.C. Derby, the field for which was unusually large, ten going to the post. Lady Wallace, who had been favourite since the A.J.C. Derby, remained so to the end, and the closing price being 5 to 4, while Scotland was at 3 to 1, Thackeray 7 to 1, and the at one time much fancied Charles Stuart at Bto 1. The pace was made pretty solid by Pius, and then The Infanta took a turn in front. She retained tlie lead to the distance, where she was two lengths to the good, and looked like the winner, but the favourite, followed by Grama, came with a rattle, and both passed the leader, Lady Wallace winning by three parts of a length from Grama, who was a’ similar distance in front of The Infanta. Smith, who rode Grama, states that the colt was interfered with during the race, otherwise he thinks he would have won. Grama is by Grafton out of Drama, and certainly made a bold bid for the blue ribbon. His starting price was 15 to 1. The contest for the Melbourne Stakes was probably the most interesting event of the day, as a number of Cup horses were engaged in it. It was a good betting race, the New Zealand mare Gladsome being made favourite at 6 to 4, while Marvel Loch was at 5 to 2, Maniopoto and Torah 7 to 1, Emir 8 to 1, Tartan 10 to 1, and Warroo 14 to 1. Maniopoto did most of the leading, with Tartan running last, but the latter made his run below the distance and smothered everything in the race, winning comfortably by two clear lengths from Marvel Loch, who beat Gladsome by three lengths for second place. Emir was fourth, Maniopoto fifth, and Torah sixth. Tartan’s pronounced victory caused his price in the market for the Melbourne Cup to harden, and 3 to 1 was difficult to obtain. Seventeen saddled up for the Coburg Stakes, one mile, which was won by Debenture, who was an outsider. Newmarket and Mani States ran a dead heat for second place. The day’s l acing was brought to a close with the Encourage Stakes for two-year-olds, four and a-half furlongs. In a field of 12 the good-looking son of Wallace, True Scot, was made a warm favourite at 6 to 4, and he justified this confidence by winning easily, his nearest attendants Leirg Baerami and Scramble.

The Sydney stay-at-home sportsmen were catered for on Saturday by the Canterbury Park Club, but the racing was tame. Waikato, who has lately heen in a winning mood, won the principal event, the Canterbury Handicap, one mile and a-quarter. With 7.11 up she cut out the distance in 2min Ithona (7.11) and Lifebelt (7.7) filling t he j laces Fine weather favoured Melbourne Cup day, and there was a tremendous attendance at Flemington. It was a ‘-core reminiscent of the boom times, and a splendid day’s sport made the triumph of the V.R.C. complete. The proceedings were initiated with the Cup Hurdles, for which eight started, Florin at 5 to 2 being entrusted with most money, and he won a nice race from Adjuster, with Neglect third. The Railway Stakes brought out a big field of fifteen, and once more the punters were right, as they elected the winner, Billingsgate, favourite, he going out at 2 to 1. He won easily at the finish from Mairp and Decollette Fifteen saddled up for the Nursery Handicap, and True Scot was sent out favourite. but Port Arthur, who ran well in the Maribyrnong Plate, was solidly supported

at 7 to 1. At the distance Port Arthur, who carried top weight (9.3), was iaken to the front, and won easily by two lengths from The Castaway (7.4), and Yillah (8.7)-. Port Arthur, who is by Simmer out of Bliss, is undoubtedly a vriy fine colt, and should have something to say in the next Derby. The way was now cleared for the absorbing event of the meeting, for which 27 went to tLe post—seven less than last year. Tartan remained favourite up to the start, his final price being 3 to 1. He looked bright and muscular. Scot Free was very fit, and his trainer (Tom Payten) was confident. Blue Spec also looked well, and carried a lot of West Australian gold. He was one of the latest horses backed, his starting price being 10 to I Maniopoto looked well, and was well supported at 8 to 1, a point longer than Scot Free. Warroo and Fabric were at 10 to 1. A splendid start was effected. The first to break the line was Scot Free, while the colours of Maniopoto, Grand Rapids, Waroo, Marvel Loch, Fabric, and Canteen were prominent in the first furlong. When they reached the course proper Scot Free and The Infanta held a slight advantage from Cluster, Overdale, and Maniopoto. At the distance Cluster forged ahead, and with Overdale almost on terms, showed the way past the judge’s box, followed by Scot Free, Pius, Grand Rapids, Fabric, and Maniopoto, with Emir last. Going out of the straight Cluster dropped back, and Overdale took up the running. Overdale made the pace solid, and he led along the river to the bridge, followed by Grand Rapids, Fabric, Cluster, and Waroo. Along the back Grand Rapids, Pius and Overdale were together just in front of Scot Free, Blue Spec, Grama, Maniopoto, and Tartan. At the abattoirs Scot Free, followed by Maniopoto, dashed to the front, their immediate followers being Grand Rapids, Blue Spec, Grama, and Fabric. Going round the turn Maniopoto faded out of it, and Scot Free on the rails, Blue Spec in the centre, and Grama on the outside, swept into the straight almost together, Tartan, Fabric, and Marvel Loch being close up. Scot Free was still slightly in front at the distance, but just here Blue Spec put in a brilliant run, followed by Tartan and Fabric. At the half distance Blue Spec was in front, and although Scot Free finished gamely, Blue Spec won by three parts of a length, while Tartan, who also finished well, was on Scot Free’s girth, while Fabric was fourth, Elvo fifth, Grama sixth, Marvel Loch seventh, Proceedoi’ eighth, Aruates ninth, and Maniopoto tenth. The race was cut out in the splendid time of 3min 27|sec. The winner is a six-year-old horse, and is by the Wellington Park-bred True Blue out of Specula. He was bought by Mr. P. A. Connelly, a West Australian squatter, a couple of years ago for £l5O, and since there he has won the Perth Cup and several good races. Recently he won the Moonee Valley Cup, and has since been so solidly supported for the Melbourne Cup that he was not a good horse for the ring. Scot Free ran a great race, and so did Tartan. Mr. Connelly is said to have won £15,000 outside of the stake by Blue Spec’s victory. Bosun did the ring a good turn by winning the Steeplechase. An excellent contest for the Yan Yean Stakes ended in favour of New Market (7.9), with Paraloch (6.12) second, and Step Out (9.3) third. The day’s racing was brought to a close with the Juvenile Stakes, which resulted in a good race, Disaster (8.0) just winning by a length from The Surprise (7.9) and Arcturus (8.0) third. Last week was what is called among our cricketers country week. The metropolis was visited by country teams from different parts of the State, but the country cricket shown was, with one exception, poor. That exception was in the match between the representatives of

the Hunter River district and Waverley. The country men went in first and put together the fine score of 451 for six wickets, when they declared the innings closed. L. Moore, son of an old InterState player, made 222 not out, and Norrie 103 not out. Waverly lost six wickets for 179, MacKenzie making 117 of the number. North Sydney amassed the large score of 506 for three wickets against Mudgee. A. B. S. White made 215, R. Minnett 114, and L. McMahon 101 not out. Playing for Paddington against the Southern Districts, F. Gow contributed 188. In the match between Gordon and New England, C. Macartney, for the first-named club, made 125, and G. Black 102. Balmain, for the loss of nine wickets, totted up 567 against the South Coast, Whitting, with 174, and Finneran 111 being the highest scorers. Burwood made 359 against the Western District. Mackay, who has already made several centuries this season, retired when he had made 121. Central Cumberland scored 594 against Lithgow. That good batsman L. Pye made 213, and Cranney 129 There was more big scoring in the Redfern and Dubbo match. The former made 505 for nine wickets, Barnes, with 192, being top scorer. Dubbo replied with 206, to which N. Hives contributed 101 not out. He went in first and carried his bat right through the innings. Jim Stanbury, the champion sculler of the world, has, it is said, developed into a sprinter of no mean ability. He is to compete in a handicap next Saturday night after the sculling contest between Ford and Artie Towns. The New Zealand mare Levant created a bit of a surprise at Canterbury Park on Saturday. She went out unbacked in the Jumpers’ Flat Race, which she won easily. The cycling carnival, under the auspices of the Summer’s Night Entertainment Committee, was started at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November 1. The ground was brilliantly illuminated, and the attendance was large. The Australian Handicap, one mile, opened the proceedings, and was run in six heats and a final, the winner turning up in C. E. Glencross (N.S.W.), who was on the 160yds mark. J. and R. Arnst, of New Zealand, were in the final, and J. Arnst. 40yds, secured third prize. Farley and MacFarland were starters in the fourth, but although they were close up they failed to get a place. Five heats for the Sydney Wheel Race, one mile, we’e disposed of. The prizes for this event are £5O, £7, and £3. The final will be disposed of on King’s Birthnight. The winner of the heats on Wednesday night were D. J. Plunkett (N.S.W.) 140yds, R. Hird (N.S.W.) 160yds, B. Goodson (N.S.W.) 80yds, O. H. Brook (N.S.W.) 80yds, E T. Lesberg . (Inverill) 150yds. The fastest time, Imin 56 l-ssec, was recorded in the second heat. The Rutt, a five miles scratch, which wound up the night’s sport, was one of the finest races ever seen on the ground. As was anticipated, R. Arnst, the big New Zealander, got away with a break once or twice, and at three laps to go led the field by 100 yards. The crowd was wild with excitement, and cheered the New Zealander enthusiastically. Suddenly Megson and Plunkett together shot from the rear of the field after the leader, and in an instant all the riders were going at their top, and, sweeping round the track at a Imin 52sec gait, closed with Arnst just before the bell. There half a dozen men looked to have a chance, and as the crowd rushed lor positions it was impossible to say what would happen. Don Walker was buried in the ruck. The red jacket of Bye showed m front in the back stretch, and MacFarland, riding like a champion, was in the middle of the track handy Fariey, Mutton, J. Arnst, Clark, Harder, and Brook were all handy, and as the northern pavilion was reached the excitement was at fever heat. Pye was still

in front, and despite the most strenuor efforts of MacFarland and Farley, h crossed the tape a winner, amid the cheei of the crowd. MacFarland was a clos second and Farley was third. The pul no went away delighted with the finish t the night i sport The carnival was continued on Satuj day night in delightfully fine weathei The Coogee Handicap, half a mile, n suited in seven heats and a final, ihe lai ter being won by Leseberg 30yds, I Thompson, 65yds, 2 ; and W. A. K. Haris, 40yds, 3. None of the crack ■ i:dei competed in this event. Two . heats < the Sydney Wheel Race were then d< cided, the sixth heat going to E. A. Py< 10yds, and the seventh to A. J. Clarl 20yds, with R. Arnst (New Zealanc 75yds, second. Arnst is therefore qual fied to race in the semi-final. The mos interesting race of the evening was th Farley five-mile scratch race. Thei were seventeen starters, including Ma< farland, the American. When thei were four laps to go Mutton and J. Arm shot out from the bunch, Walker, Meg son and Glencross falling soon aftei wards. After a capital finish Pye wo by half a length from Clark, who finishe just in front of MacFarland. The. fn miles were cut out in the excellent tim of lOmin 2 2-ssec.