LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS. THE MELBOURNE RACES.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1958, 14 November 1874, Page 3

LATER AUSTRALIAN NEWS. THE MELBOURNE RACES.

By the Adieu we are placed in possession of a copy of the Melbourne "Argue" of the 2nd inst. The English telegraphic news has been anticipated, but there are a few items of interest. The premises of the Bank of New South Wales at Goulburn have been burned down. Capt. Hayes, better known as "Bully Hayes," was wrecked at Strong's Island, and disappeared the same night. He is supposed to have left in a small boat. A horrible affair took place at Carisbrook, a woman having, whilst in a state of insanity during child-birth, cut off the arm of her child. Both died. The following is the account of the racing on the Victorian Derby day :— . The excitement over the races was not strongly marked by outward manfestations, except at the splendid finish for the Derby and the dead heat for the Essendon Stakes* The Derby was a race to be remembered, and even those to whom the triumph of Melbourne mean<jloss could not grudge the yellow and black the victory which had been so well won. The finish between Melbourne, Stockbridge, and Scan Mag, the latter a horse scarcely thought of, was so close that little over a length divided the three horses, and the time, 2min 4.6 sec, was equal to the Derby of 2872, won by the flying wonder, Loup Garou. The followers of Tait will now be more numerous than ever. The intervals between the races were passed in the pleasant occupation of picking out the winner of the next event, and backing your fancy with the bookmakers, or else ; trusting to luck in a sweep. The ladies, too, caught up the prevailing infection, and were ready with all the odds in their favor, to risk a dozen of gloves on the result. It is wonderful indeed how strong : are the attractions of these sweeps, and few can be found to resist the temptation. In the saddling paddock the bookmakers were more numerous than ever, and the hill accommodated a number of the same brotherhood, but of second-rate standing in their profession. On the hill betting was generally disregarded, and sweeps found more favor. The arrangements for the catering was very good. An excellent luncheon was provided by Mr Gunsler, whose efforts in this direction gave general satisfaction. His Excellency the Governor was present at the races, and stayed until the last event was over. With the usual punctuality of the Victoria Racing Club, the bell was rung for the horses to start for the first event of the day, the Melbourne Stakes, and this being the first race of the season in which the true form of some of the principal stables would be exhibited, a great deal of interest was taken in it. The bootmakers appeared for a time to be frightened to operate, and in answer to enquiries, would only lay 2 to 1 on the field, though six out of the eight starters were inquired after. Afterwards they gave a little more odds, though throughout the day's racing the Bame illiberailty was very noticeable, and many persons, disgusted with the odds offered, declined to bet. King of the Ring attracted a great deal of notice as he cantered down the course. He has thickened a good deal since he last appeared on the Melbourne course, and his backers were much pleased with his condition. Lapidist was also much fancied. Gaslight took the field way at a great pace. King of the Ring being as slow as ever at getting off. The filly led till rounding the first turn, where she bolted, as Lapidist and Speculation came up to her. Dagworth went to the front as they rounded the turn, and King of the Ring drew clear of the others. It was expected there would would be a grand struggle between this pair ; but the King died off, and was beaten for Becond place by Haricot, who ran a good race. Lapidist disappointed his backers in the last quarter oi a mile. Dagworth won the race in eight seconds quicker than he took last year. The Hotham Handicap brought out the fine field of 18 starters. A large amount of money was depending on Newbold, who had been heavily backed. The horse was in Bplendid condition, and so eager were the backers to get on him that 2 to 1 was eagerly taken at last. Planter ran in front for a little over a mile, when he retired. Calumny exhibited more pace than she has been credited with ; but she did not show in the front division for more than a mile. Fugleman, who had been held back all the way, went up at the abattoirs, ane for a time it looked as if he would Bave the ring, but Newbold, who had been also held back, came through the field at the turn, and won comfortably. Wollamai came to the front as the horses passed the abattoirs and running very •well,' secured second place. A very heavy shower fell just as the horses came out for this race, and owing to the slippery state of the ground Dolphin, After Dark, and Maid of Avenel fell going round the turn past the stand, but fortunately neither horses nor jockeys were injured. The Maribyrnong Plate brougt out 22 starters, and a handsomer lot of youngsters was never got together in Australia. Many of them for the first time in their lives saw a large crowd, and the expression of surprise and astonishment on their faces as they cantered down the course was most comical. There was a good deal of difficulty in getting the youngsters away, and as usual in this race there were complaints of some being unduly favored in the start. Farceux and Hyperion, in the excitement of the moment, threw their riders and got away. Richmond and Maid of All Work got off with a good lead. The running of some of the colts was difficult to account for. The Spring Blossom colt had a fine chance of winning, but he ran unkindly all the ■way, and lost a good deal of ground, •while the Sylvia colt, who is his equal, if not superior, did not show in the front at all. Magic Lantern, a known good filly, also disappointed her backers. About the diatance-post it looked as if the favorite, Richmond, was going to win, but his stable companion, Maid of All Work, Bhot out, and beat him easily, the pair being well in front of the others. Richmond had been heavily backed by his owner and those who follow that clique of the ring of which he is one, and considerable surprise was expressed to find the polt beaten by a filly belonging to J. Wilson, the trainer of Richmond. Maid of All Worfc was backed some tim.e ago to a moderate amount. The time taken to

rnn the five furlongs was the same as it was dove in last year. The next raco was tho great event of the day, the V.R.C. Derby. Eleven horses came to the post, being the same number that started f<T last year's Derby. As a rule, racing men considered this year's lot very moderate three- year-olds as compared with the usual rnn of Derby candidates. The race, however, was the finest struggle for this prize ever seen on the Melbourne course. Melbourne was always considered only an ordinary colt, and Stockbridge was thought not much better, and in not so good condition. Menindie was reported to be able to beat Blue Peter and King Tom, and the way the colt was backed, and the strange tricks resorted to to drive him back in the betting, were looked upon as proofs that he was in first-class condition. The start was only a moderate one, Polidore being in the act of turning round as the horses went away. He soon made up his ground, however, and dashing to the front as the horses got round the turn, forced the running, while his stable companion Scan Mag remained behind in company with Stockbridge. At the sheds Polidore retired, and Menindie, who had hitherto been running second, also dropped Dack. Stockbridge then came up, and closely follossred by Scan Mag, and soon got his Head in front, Melbourne creeping up as they came round the turn in the straight. From this out the race was the most exciting that can be imagined. Scan Mag kept up with Stockbridge most gallantly, the latter having barely half a length advantage, and both going under the whip. Melbourne was about six lengths behind. | On near ing the distance-post, Ashworth called upon Melbourne, and with a magnificent rush he came up on .the inside, and, by a splendid piece of horsemanship, he snatched the victory on the post by a short neck, amid the deafening shouts of the spectators. Scan Mag kept in the game position all the way up the straight, and was beaten for second place by barely half a length, The race was done in 2min 46s— a time that has only been equalled once in Australia, when Loup Garou won the V.R.O. Derby— and is greatly under the average of the English Derby time. The backers of Stockbridge thought the jockey should not have left an opening for Melbourne to come up, and that had Mr Tait's colt been obliged to come on the outside, Stockbridge must have won. When the horses got fairly into the straight Stockbridge found it so difficult to shake off Scan Mag that if he had moved nearer the rails he would, in stopping Melbourne, have given the race to Scan Mag. In fact, until the horses were some distance up the straight running, every one thought the race lay between Stockbridge and Scan Mag. As Melbourne got up nearly level with Stockbridge, it is said he bit him on the neck. The performance of Scan Mag surprised every one, and so little was he thought of that the greater portion of the ring did not even write his name. Melbourne is a bad winner for the ring, as he has been very heavily backed right out and in doubles with the Gup favorites. Melbourne is a dark brown colt, showing a deal of power, but is not at all taking to the eye. He was bred by Mr H. Phillips, of Bryan O'Lynn, and is by Panic out of Myth by Kelpie out of Miss Lovey by Cossack. He was bought as a yearling by Mr J. Tait for 300 guineas. As a two year old he started four times, but never showed any turn of speed. His temper was not good, and even with Mr Tait's careful management he still exhibits a good deal of obstinacy at times. As a three year old he was beaten easily for the A.J.C. Derby, won by Kingsborough in 2min 50aec, and at the same meeting was beaten by Nea for the Spring Maiden Stakes, was not placed for the Members' Handicap, and won the Squatters' Stakes. The victory of Melbourne, and the time the race was run in, makes Goldsbrough's position in the Cup betting a very strong one, and 4 to 1 was wanted about him on the course. Seven horses came out for ths Essendon Stakes, which was considered such a certainty for Protos that 6 to 4 was laid on him before the start. This race was another surpi'ise; the favorite, to the great disappointment of the followers of the St. Albans stable, could not get up at the finish, and Diver, who ran very well, made a dead heat with Hero. The latter surprised every one by the way he came home after the very moderate form he showed at the Ballarat meeting. The owners of Hero and The Diver agreed to . divide, and the former cantered round after the Footscray Plate was run. The Diver's chance for the Cup has considerably improved after his performance in this race, which was done in 13 seconds leas than Don Juan. won ib in last year. la the Cup The Diver carries only 6st 10lb., and as he was short of a gallop he should be very handy at the finish. The day's racing concluded with the Footscray Plate, which was one of the most wretched exhibitions ever seen on the course. The two horses left in the race came home so leisurely, and there was so little appearance of a race about it, that most of the spectators imagined they were only taking their preliminary canter. The winner was bought in by the owner for L 142.

A son of Mr Grant, of Waikara, Southland, has been found dead under suspicious circumstances. FitzGerald, the Wanganui child assaulter, was whipped to some purpose on November 6, at the Wanganui gaol. The prisoner received three dozen lashes, administered with Buch dexterity, by a " practised hand," that he was severely lacerated, and was confined to his bed.