SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 56

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

By Bavenswoeth.

MELBOURNE, August 10. OAULFIELD STEEPLECHASE

MEETING,

A start was made at Caulfield last Saturday with the Steeplechase meeting of tho Victoria Amateur Turf Club. We have had some severe weather in Melbourne ot late, but fortunately a fine day was experienced for the sport, and there was a splendid attendance. The big race of the day was the Australian Hurdle Race — formerly the Caulfield Grand National Hurdle Race The prize money amounted to 130050v6, aJid th© distance was three mil«v> and a-half, less 92 yardt=. There were 15 acceptors for the race on the previouf Tuesday, and all but Concave went to the post. The field included th© V.R.C Grand National Hurdle Race winner Fossil, who tad been raised from 9.0 to 10.1, and was generally considered to have a lien on the race. It was overlooked thafc nearlj all the others had been dropped a lot iv weight. Owe of Fossil's Fiemington opponents, Nightlight, bad been dropped from 10.9 to 9.13, and he proved the winne'-, while Fossil did not even get a place. Most of the running was made by Fos-il *nd The Sun. The latter is a hard puller, and J. Ryan, who rode him, had a difficult task to keep him in hand. It was the same when R. Koops rods him at Flemington. JJightlig-ht, who had been ridden a nice race by H. J Morgan, ran up to Fossil half a mile from home, and quickly had him in trouble. As soon as the straight was entered it was ssen that Nightlight had the race in hand, and safely negotiating the last hurdle he ran in the winner, with eight lengths to spare. The Sun 10.3, who eaemad beaten at the turn, came again after crossing the last hurdle, and secured second place, three lengths in front of the plodding Louise 9.0. Rogue's March 9.0, who was placed fourth by the judge, was quite eight lengths away, with Fossil just behind

■hirrf. It must l>e admitted t3mt Fossil rau disappointingly, but it was considered by some people that G. Scobie made -too much, of him. He never, however, forced the pace with him, and. Fossil did not jump as well ac he did at Flemington. Staying is undoubtedly Fossil's forte, yet he died out at the end of the race in a way suggesting that he lacked stamina. The faot is that the race was not run to suit him. The show mad© by Bribery 11.11 was poor in the extreme. He bungled several of the hurdles, and lost considerate giround at one of them. He has only proved onoe more that torses do not take kindly to jumpinghurdles after being over fences. He has now made three unsuccessful attempts at winning the event Last year he fell. Kalnuck and Emblem fell in . Saturday's race, and Kelmick broke his neck. His ridei-, P. Cosgrove, bruised .his shoulder, while Emblem's rider, R. Connelly, had his right collarbone broken. Enchanted States pulled up very lame, end is not likely to race Again for a considerable time. Dagoba was I also lame after the raoe. I Nigihtlight, like many other winners of the big jumping races in this State, possesses Panic blood. He is by the Y.R.C. Bagot Handicap winner The Chevalier (son of Loohiel) from Vesta, by Commotion (son of Panio) from Tapir, by Lamplighter from Dolores, by Dodo from Lesbia, by Rory O'More from Nora Creina (imp.), by Sir Edward Codrington, and was bred by Mr R. Gilder in Gippslancf, where two V.R.C. Grand National winners of recent years — Realm and Lady Quiz — were raised. Nightlight has a stud-book pedigree. He is owned hy the popular Western district sportsman Mr E. Manifold, a member of the V.R.C. Committee 1 , and is trained! by the ex-cross-country rider D. Allan,, who recently succeeded H. Harrison as Mr Manifold's private trainer. Harrisor has all along contended that the gelding vas a good one, and that his V.R.C Grand National form was all wrong. .The other evemts provided some fairly in- , teresting racing. Token 8.5, by Alva (son ' of Neekersg-at), was successful in the Crimea , Trial, six furlongs, from the Wallace mar© \ Qween of Soote 7.13. Aberdeen. 7.9, a stable companion of Token (Both are trained! by H. Connelly, and hail from the Western district), was returned the winner of the Moondah Plate, and", like Token, was ridden by F. Clarke. Until Aberdeen cft/ne on the scene Socialist 8.5 looked all over a winner, R. Cameron, as usual, riding a confident raoe. Aberdeen's finishing rum was. •however, .a convincing- one, and he is a very promising horse. He is well bred, being by Wallace from Searchlight, by Far Niente from Bengal Light (dam of Light Artillery), by Beauolere, and was bred by Messrs P. and W. Mitchell, who soldi him as a yearling for 165ga. Aberdeen is engaged in the Caulfield Cup at 6.7, ajid Melbourne Cup at 6.9. The Balaclava Stakes, one mile and a furlong, went to the New 1 Zealand-bred fouir-year-old Nobel 7.5, who is by Seeton Delavai from Problem, and thus half --brother to -Solution. He is trained by ; A. E. Connelly at Mordialloc for Mr W. T. Rowe. He only beat Sweet Bird 7.5 after an interesting set-to, wMIe Eerlie 8.12, with Cameron tip, was third Nobel is .engaged in the Caulfield Cup at 6.13 and Meibotarne Cup at b.%. Several Australian Steeplechase candidates started in the Wilgah Steeplechasers' Flat Race. - Grafn&x 10.13 was in the field, but ran a bad race The winner turned up in the New Zealand - bred Haeremai 9.0 (Freedom — Lergwin) who is trained by W. S. Cox afc Fleminsrton. He had rur> last in a steeplechase at Moonee Valley the previous Saturday, Golden Cairn 8.5, one of*D. J. Price's, was produced for the Mornington Welter. He was not looking so big as in his previous races in Australia, and there was a general expectation that he would win. There wes A surprise in store, however, ac Golden Cairn, with E. Neal up, hung in badly at the distance, and the umthought of Francis 7.2, a four-year-old San Francisco filly, won by * length. RACING IN ADELAIDE. i The Grand National meeting of the ' Adelaide Racing Chib was commenced last j Saturday, when the Grand National Hurdle. Raoe, two miles and a-half, was rain. It was won by Deception 10.3, from Narrinyeri 9.10 and San Tod 9.0. It is rather a. coincidence that Deception, like the Australian Hurdle Raoe winner at Caulfield (Nightlig-bt), is s son of The Chevalier. Deception was bred Jr Gippsland by Mr W. A. Wrigiglesworth, and his dam Ray is by Enfikdt© Glint, b; Emulation from Riuby, by Talk o' the Hill from Amber (imp.l, by 'Sing Tom. Mr J. B. Jaokson, Deception's present owner, bought the gelding as a yearling in Melbourne for 27igs. The first two-year-old wintrier of the season is Tin'brook, who won at this meeting. He is a 'brown colt, bj -'mported Tosti<g (sire of the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race winners York and Sarasati) from Tinmiroe, and is a full brother to The Tinman, who ran third in t!he corresponding event last year. Tinbrook is engaged in the Maribyrnong Plate. The Maiden Plate, six fur'onigs, went to The Greek, by Pygmalion, and the Mayor's Mile to Petrirran 6.11, by Maltster/ The Fullarton Steeplechase, -two miles, produced a good finish between Pastime 9.4 amd Seth 11.9, tho former just winning. Dunoon '/.12, by St. Swithim, took the Stepney Welter, one mile, and Young Fred 8.8, by Gozo, the Lightning Handicap, six furlonirs. SYDNEY RACING. J. E. Pike rode two winners at the Warwick Farm meeting in Sydney on Saturday — Auteuil 8.0, by Voyou, in the Farm Stake?, six furlongs; and Jollymon* 7.11, by Jolly Hampton, in the Warwick Handicap, one mile and a-quarter and 100 yards. Manitoba, wdio is by the New Zealandbred sire Manton, unexpectedly won the Hurdle Race, while the Liverpool Mile was won by Rhoebus 7.12 by a head from Paternatus 7.10 The Three-year-old Han-rlica-p proved a good thing for Gundaroo 7.11, who i 3 by Orzil Oboe 9.6, with'F. Hiokcv up, €-cc.red an easy win in the Woltor Mile fi-on Diabolo &.12. RACING IN QUEENSLAND. Tho winter meeting of the Queensland Turf Club vsas commenced last Saturday, when that fine performer, Warstar, who is by the Adelaide Cup ■winner Warpaint (son of Chester), was again in evidence. Ho won the Jubilee Ptate, one mile, easily from the Birkenhead colt, Mischief, who nad done a good gallop during the week. Tog-o, the ers-t\ihile champion of Queens land, was third. Loch Flavus 8.15, by Flavus, took :Jie Trial Handicap, dx furlongs, and Storm Xin L 9.3, by Stromboli 11, the Flvi-ne Handicap", run over the earns distance. King Falo 9.5, who is by King . Olaf, scored an easy victory in the Heavy- j weight Hanrdicap, one mile and a furlong,

'. but Clytm« 8.13, by Clytus, who wotf th* First Novice Handicap, only got home by | half a head. Beeabah 7.6, by Graftxm— » I Fine Lady, succeeded in the Winter Han.* i dicap, one mile and a diistance. HUNT CLUB RACE MEETING. Last Wednesday the Oaklands Hunt Club held a race meeting on th© Moonee Valley course in cold and showery weather. Tho racing- was noib of muoh interest. The Oaklands Club is the most popular of all the hunt clubs in Melbourne. It was 20 years ago that the first Oaklands Hunt j Club race meeting was held. It took place at Moonee Valley, and the Hunt Club Cup was won by Vowies, owned by tine master, of the hounds (Mr A. M'Douigall), now a stipendiary steward in Western Anstralia-i. Vowles was ridden by Mr J. S. Edge (who afterwards became a professional jockey), ■while Mr Godfrey Watson (tihe. presant starter) finished eecond on Alice. The Hunt Olub Cup was included m the list of events in last week's events, and was wan by Sovereign, a little chestnut By. Bend Or, -who carried 11.11 to victory in tjood style. Another race for hunters was the Ladies' Bracelet, the distance being two miks and 110 yards. A few of tho heavyweight brigade had mounts, and they were considerably winded at the end of "the long journey. Springvale looked -like winning by a street, but both Tider and horse knocked up .in the last furlong, and 1 Rockbound won easily. Rookhoucd is owned by Mr A. M'CSracken, of th© V.R.C. Committee, arid was ridden by Mr Murray M'Cracken, his son. • The riders included Mr A. V. Hiskens, secretary of the Moonee Valley Racing 1 Club. His mount, Soubrette, slipped fell, and Mr Hiskens's collar-bone- was broken. Lord Desmund •9.11 won the Hurdle Race for Mr William Andersen, the theatrical manager. Lord Desmund is by Voyou (imp.), and was ridden by the Souihh Australian jockey, J. "Spooner, now settled in Melbourne. The up-country mare Eunice 7.12, Dy t)ev©n, led all th« way in the Duntaiister Handicap, five -Curloir.igs, and the Open Steeplechase, t>wo miles, went to Falcon 10.?', owned and tradne, by H. A. Bellamy. Winfred and Goshetn fell, and J. Nioholls, rider of- the former, was so badly injured that he had to be taken to the Melbourne Hospital. R. Lewis rod-a Pendower 8.13, by Eminence, to victory in the Warlaby Handicap, one mile and a-qua-rter. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr R. G. Casey has beer re-elected chairman of the -V.R.C. In addition to Captain J. C. Smith* horses Boomey, Mordialloc, Duke of Lancaster, Wicket, and Lancasterifce, several others left for India by the s.e. Itonus last week. Mr Fred! Fountain sent Bright Metal, Wave •Hill, and the pemy Jes£oria> while Mr G. Powell shipped Light Metal. The pony Rocket was afeo amongst the lot to go. Messrs Campbell and Sons sold last week the pony. Kitty Gluten, by Gluten— Kitfcy, to Mr H. Rowe for ll£gs. The winners at the Melbourne Trotting •dub meeting at Richmond kst week Tvere Delmas (by Honeat- Hawild), Fisherman (by Silver Boy), J. G. (by Honesty), Mis» Baker (by Pjrtor), and Rose Huon (by Pr ; aic«. Huon). Seddon, wiho was recently gelded, has made a quick recovery from the operation. Mr S. O. Wood, V.S., has returned the New Zealander to I. Foulsham. Seddon was put in work again this week, and may start in the .Melbourne Cup, if not the CaulSeld Cup. .He was not allowed to lose his condition. It was decided by the V.A.T.C. on Saturday that no horse in future should be allowed ro ran in jumping races at Caulfield in winkers. The V.A.T.C. medical officer Dr Joske examined the cross-country jockey A. Williamson at Caulfield on Saturday, and strongly advised him not to ride for ab least three weeks. Williamson fainted twice after riding in a race at Epsom recently. It will be some time before Wollara races again. He was knocked about by his fall in the Jumpers' Flat Race as Moonee Valley. In the AustraJasiaai statistics for the past season are given. Grafton is again ait Hhe head of the list of winning stallions — foi the third season in succession. Ho had no fewer than 147 of his sons or daughters running, and 86 of them were winners; 182 races, of the total value of £22,833, being won. His best representatives were Peffi* and Melodrama- Maltster was second ott tho list with 33 winners of 69 races, of the value of £13,978; then in order follow: Poeitano (35 races), £12,266; Wallace (74races), £11,752; Simmer (77 races J, £8329; and Bobadil (43 races), £7827. Mr J. Mayof is at the head of the list of winning-, owners. He only had one winner, but it was a good one-rLord Nolan, to wit. . This colt won the Melbourne Cup and three other races of the total value of £7121. Mr Agar Wynne is second wiith six races of the total value of £5734,' and Messrs P and W. Mitchell third with seven races of th« total value of £5269. Mr H. R. Munro (N.S.W.> won no fewer than 27 races, but the valu* of the stakes only a»grecated £804. The withdrawal of Nadir from the Epsom and Metropolitan in Sydney caused somo little surprise. Mr Hunter White's colt is said to be all right, and it ie presumed ■that he is to be given a special preparation for the A.J.C. Derby. Mr W. W. Warren's recent English importation. Sir Robert, is now quartered at Blair Athol Stud, South Australia. Mr Warren will return from England next week, and it will then be decided whether Sir Robert shall got straight to tjbe stud or have a. eeason on the turf. The veteran racing rn>n, Mr Thomas Ivory, who is in his eighty-second year, is in a very delicate state of health at hi* residence at Randwick. Mr Ivory lost his eye^ght some years ago. Mountain King, though he still makes * noise, can gallop fast. He got over Isatf a mile in 50seo on the. Randwick tracks last week. What is regarded as a record ionir iump for a horse was performed by Mr J. Boss's Day star at HoTßham (Victoria). From takeoff to landing over a 3ft 6jn. hurdl« in*' distance covered' was 39ft. As far back as 1847 a. horse nstmod ChAndler coveived 37ft over a brook in England, white in 1887 at Caulfield Lizette, ridden by R. Battyi coven-ed 35ft over a steeplechase fence. Aleido, by Invermay, won -$he principal event at the V&randera jritfYtang in New South Wale 3 last Friday "• Messrs William .0. Yuille anbT Ctf. ax£ \ Messrs Adamaon, Strettle, and Co. (in con? junction) report having sold privately; th«! thoroughbred stallion Mooltan, by Positano from Dilisk, to Mr J. Samuel, who formerly, owufid a,nd raced, the borgg. The price paid

has not transpired, but it is understood to be 2000ga. .It is not intended to race Moolton again. Mr Samuel will use him for stud purposes. Moortan, it will be •remembered, broke down after running a great race under 9.12 in the last Melbourne Cup. After a long spell at Bacchus Marsh the norse was sent to Sydney, and a month "or two ago was put in training again at Randwick, but there was always a doubt as to bia standing a severe preparation. His engagements include the Epsom handicap, Metropolitan, Caulftekl Cup, and Melbourne Cup. A day b&fore the sale was completed there wa3 a good offer — something like 1600gs, I believe— from New Zealand for MooHan. Plot was scratched for the Australian Steeplechase, it may interest New ZsaJandars to know, at 3.30 p.m. on August 6. Concave was scratched for the Australian Hurdle Race at 12.40 p.m. on the day of the race. The Bendicro Coursing Chib Cup, for 64 i all-aged greyhounds at 3gs each, was con- I eluded last Friday, and won by Bald Face j (Senator— Miss Goldsmith), who is owned ] by- Mr F. D. Kenyon, a Sydney member of the ring The "runm<er-up was Fidelis, ! by Milesian— Littk. Nell.. , ! A requisition, signed by three members, Has been presented to the cbyirniain of the '. Victorian Trotting Association asking that j a special meeting of the members of the | aseoeLabion be called for the purpose of ] considering a proposal "to .amend the constitution, in the direction that the qualification for membership must take on a representative character.' ' The visiting American boys (who, by tha w»v, .have bsen compelled to send- th-a hat round, to help pay expenses) played a very fine baseball game in their^ returp maitoh with Victoria at East Melbourne on Saturday, and succeeded in reversing the Tesult, the scores being 5 to 0 in their favour. The Five-miles' Oross-oonntry Championship was brought off at Ballarat on Saturday The interest taken in the event was iwbensified by the fact that the runnc*s included two men who are to compete in the Australasian Marathon Race at Brisbane this month. G. Blake has been nominated by the Melbourne Centre and C E. Suffren .by Ballaiat. Neither of them managed to win the championship for 1909, 'but Suffrer. beat Blake comfortably for places Twenty-seven teams entered, and about 120 individual runner? ©harfced. Half r,h; distance was' run on the Redan racecourse, and half on the opeii oountry. Result:— G. Richardson. Ballarat, 30min I4sec. 1: F R. Kerr, University, 30min 33sec, 2 f ; C. E. Suffren, Ballarat, 30imn 47asc, 3. Victoria beat South Australia at lacrosse | In Melbourne on Saturday by 9 goals to I 5 goals. Ihe Oollingwood Football Club did not j long retain its lead for the Victorian League premiership. On Saturday Essendon beat them by 98 points to 42. South Melbourne and Carlton now lead with a percentage of 71 each, Oollinigwood being next with a percentage of 70, and Essendon following "with a percentage of 66. ' There was no regular Victorian -Association, foofeall in Melbourne on Satur- ( day. The association put forward va team amaimefc South Australia, the match bein*? played o*. the North Melbourne Ground. \ Victoria wonT by 65 points to 38. ! Tins return Rug-b.r match between South' Weles and Queensland was played in Brisbane on Saturday, the visitors winning by 13 paints to 6.