SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 1 September 1909, Page 56

SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA.

Bt Ra.venswob.th. MELBOURNE, August 24. V.R.C. RACES. Heavy rain fell throughout Victoria on Thursday, and we have had floods in various localities. The Flemingfcon course was affected, the Saltwater River, alongside, overflowing its banks and portion of the track was under water. The V.R.C. August meeting was in consequence held on Saturday last on the Caulfield course, granted for the occasion by the V.A.T.C. authorities. The "change of venue did not affect the success of the meeting, as the racing

was very fair, fields kept up, and the attendance was satisfactory. The Caulfield course is sandy, and while the going wa3 perfectly safe it was soft, and times were slow. The unconquerable F. Burn rode One ol his best races on Concave 11.5, and landed him a clever winner in the Hurdle Race. Concave is owned in Adelaide, but is trained at Fleming-ton by R. Bradfield. There were 18 runners for the Ladies' Bracelet, six furlongs, and the winner unexpectedly turned up in Miss Bobby 8.3, by Bobadil. She is a small but strongly-built mare, and went well in the going, whereas her stable companion, Ristori 8.3, who was expected to beat her, shaped badly Socialist 8.5, with R. Cameron up, was second. He was not fancied at all on this occasion, and caused a surprise by getting so close. The August Steeplechase showed the Australian Steeplechase winner Confederate again in winning colours. He was raised a stone — to 11.9 — for his victory the previous week, but won just as easily. Snob 10.9 (S. Howie up), who looked like making a race of it at the bottom of the straight, quite failed in the run home. Pilot 11.4 was given another run, but once more disgraced himself, and, to make matters worse, pulled up lame. He will probably b« given a good spell. lolaire 9.9 was given a run in the August Handicap, one mile and a-half, and led for a mile, when his* condition failed him. He looks a perfect picture, and should this season, all going well, add to his already fine Record. The race went to Trelo Vouni 6.11. who was advantaged in the soft going by the fact that he is a short-striding: noise and had a light weight. He is an uncertain customer. P. T. Heywood trains him. Heywood trained the sire of Trelo j Vouni. Hymettus, with whom he won two Caulfield Cups. White Eyes 6.9. by Light Artillery, was second. The Three and Four-year-old Handicap, seven furlongs, was a good thing for Thistlebrook 8.9, by Brakpan, Perilous 7.4 and Brookong 8.9 being in the other places. Brookong is a Derby and Cup candidate. He has not gro.vn much since he won the Maribyrnong Plate last season, but is a slippery cus tomer. The field included that fine colt Aberdeen, by Wallace. The stewards held an inquiry into his running, and cautioned his rider, J. Thomas. They considered he had ridden a very injudicious race. In the concluding race, the Welter Handicap, Thomas, who rode Belle Sebreiohf 8.13, was complained against by C. Bolton. rider of Akim Foo 9.8. Bolton asserted that Thomas struck him across the back with his whip during the race. The stewards disqualified Thomas for six months. The race went to -j3elah 9.3, by Seneschal, who only beat Akim Foo by half a length. RACING IN SYDNEY. The Rosehill Racing Club held another meeting last Saturday, when a few interesting horses were seen. One of these was the Derby candidate Sunny South 7.12, who was given a run in the Dundas Handicap, six furlongs, and acquitted himself fairly well. There was a numerous field, and he managed to beat all except Maltose 7.8, while Master Foote 8.5. who ran third (just beating Irishman 10.3), subsequently wcv the Carlingwood'Mile, in which he carried 9.1. Sunny South showed good form in Melbourne last autumn, but subsequently shaped disappointingly at Randwick. From all accounts, he was not himself when he ran at Rand>viek, and his spring prospects may possibly be better gauged by his form in Melbourne than by his form in Sydney. There can. be no doubt that he is a fine galloper, and he may turn out as smart as any of the three-year-olds this season He is in the Caulfield Cup at 7.1, and Melbourne Cup at 7.3. Maltose, who is a full brother fcj Malting, is in the Epsom Handicap at 6.12 and Metropolitan at 6.10. He is trained by his owner, F. E Mayo. Arizona 9.5, by Grafton, was successful in the Hurdle Race, and Tabu 8.4, by Oscillator (son of Hotchkiss), in the Granville Stakes, one mile. The Maiden Handicap, for thiee-year-olds, went to Sheen, who is by True Blue (also a son of llotchkis9). Lord Hampton, who is a halfbrother to the Melbourne Cup winner Lord Nolan, ran second to Sheen, but was beaten half a dozen lengths. Flavel 8.1, by Flavus, accounted for the Rosehill Handicap, one mile and a-quarter. He is well engaged this springRACING IN WEST AUSTRALIA. The Boulder meeting was commenced | last Saturday, when the Goldfields New- j market Handicap, of 350so\s, six furlongs, unexpectedly went to Lady Agnes, who is by Niagara. She won easily from Medal 7.2 and Agnostic 8.6. Trenwith 9.0, by Trenchant, accounted for the Hurdle Race, while Prominence 10.7, who is by the Bill of Portland horse Eminence, scored in the Mile Welter. Carnama'h 8.3, by Gossaire, won the Trial Stakes. The City Stakes, of 200sovs, w.f.a., one mile and a-qifarter, proved a good thing for the imported mare Oi, wljd is by Worcester (son of Saraband) from St. Cicely. Baerami, who was a . good deal more fancied, was second. The Imperial. Handicap, seven furlongs, went to Severity 9.1, by Grafton. THE TROTTING DISPUTE. I am afraid all is not going well with the Victorian Trotting Association, of which the ex-New Zealander Mi C. L. Russell is secretary. There has been dissatisfaction with the association for some time owing to its constitution being in no way liberal, and an impression got abroad that it was beinfr -worked by a clique. The Melbourne Trotting Club Has broken away, and intends to form a separate association. Fhi3 will be a serious blow to the prestige of the Victorian Trotting Association, which will only be left with the country clubs, which are of very little importance. I am sorry for Mr Russell, who since he came from^New Zealand has done wonders in lifting the eport from the low position to which it had fallen. Last week the Victorian Trotting Association over Mr Russell'o signature, published a notice aa follows : — '• A circular over the name of W. J. Beckett, hon. seeretaa-y, having- been extensively circulated, that a proposal ie on foot to form a n&w controlling body for trotting in the State of Victoria, and b&ing so worded as to possibly convey the impression that the present association, will be absorbed in such body, registered owners, riders, drivers, and trainers are hereby notified that the Victorian Trotting Association is in no way connected with the movement, and are warned against placing themselves in a false position, which may lead to disqualification under ' the rules of the Victorian Trotting Association." Notwithstanding- this notice 60 entries — a record for one trotting event in Australia, I fancy, — was received for the Trot which was run at Mr J. Wren's meeting at Fitzroy yesterday This event was not under the auspices of the Vie- ' torian Trotting Association. | In a manifesto to the trotting public Mr ; Wren makes tho following remarks.: —I ;

• T " The provisional committee of the new t | movement, which has for its object the imi I provement of the present conditions under i which the sport is being jeopardised, has s consulted me as to the attitude I intend adopting to the proposed mew contro'ling body. I have answered that I will race with, for, and under such body, providing it is fully representative in its formation, i constitution, and general policy. Under the altered control which it ie promised will prevail I anticipate better conditions I — better in every proper sens© of the word 1 — for it means the greatest good for the greatest number. I welcome a sound, ' strong, controlling body — one that assists 1 with its authority and strengthens while it ' controls With such a body I am willing to serve, and to such a body I will gladly tender the allegiance which is its due; for I fully recognise the absolute necessity of such" a ruling power ; but it must be one ' far removed from the possibilities of petty I personalities arising from jealousies and cliquism." i Mr T. R. Hardman. vice-president of the 1 Victorian Trotting Association, has purchased about 46 acres of land adjoining the Kensington railway station, only about ! two miles from the city, and a club is to j be formed to hold trotting races here under the auspices of the Victorian 1 rotting Association. MISCELLANEOUS. A two-days' race meeting was to have I been held at Bendigo last, week, but after ] beautiful weather on Wednesday heavy I rain fell, and the course being in parts , covered with water the second half of the j programme was abandoned altogether. The w inner* were Consulate (by Grafton), Bsresford (by the Vice-Admiral), Comus (by Dagobert). Carl Zena (by Positano), Decider (by Mana), and Prizefighter (by Havoc). Beresford is a half-brother to the Melbourne Cup winner The Victory. C Andrews rode Beresford and Carl Zena, while F. Burn was on Comu?, who won the Steeplechase. Madame Melba has registered her colours with the V.R.C. In her application to the V.R.C. authorities (made from Brisbane) for the registration of colours — olive green, mauve sash, and white cap — she mentions that she intends to race a horse or two for amusement. It has not transpired whether she has yet secured a horse, or wnat her intentions are in regard to a trainer or a jockey. Probably "sti2 has no immediate intention of running horses. At tho annual meeting of tha members of the A.J.C. last we?k it was fefated that the questions of the registration of racehorses throughout the Commonwealth and the purchase of the Australian Stud Bcok had not been lost sight of. It was suggested that a further conference should bo held in Melbourne during Cup week, and the hope was expressed that then the movement would be put on a sound footing. Of tho £51,376 to bo carried forward, £25,000 has been earmarked to assist sport in the country and a reserve fund of £10,000 has been created. The report and balance sheet were adopted, and the retiring members of -the committee were reelected. The club made a profit of £17,547 on the season's transactions. | Several a'terations have been made by tho V.R.C. the programme of meetings to be held this season. In connection with the spring meeting the Encourage Stakes, foi two-year-olds, oj Cup Day, will bt dropped, leaving six events as on the other days of the meeting. On the fourth day the Second Nursery Handicap, with 300sovs added, will give way to the Mimosa Stakes, of lOsovs eaoh, with 500sovs added, for two-year-olds, special weights, with penalties and allowances. The last autumn meeting of the club was hold on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, but as the Wednesday half holiday has beer practically abolished the old order of things is to be reverted to, and the next autumn gathering has been fixed for Saturday, February 26, Tuesday, March 1, ThtirSclay, March 5, and Saturday, March 5. The sweepstakes of tfos All-aged Stakes on the third day of the meeting lias been reduced from 20sovs to lOsovs. and the swoopstakes of the Champion Stakes, on the fourth day, from 25sovs to 20sovs. The conditions of the Loch Plate on the third day have been simplified. The April meeting has never been ! a great success, and noxt year it will be i dropped altogether, and the Prince of Wales' Birthday meeting will be made a two-daye' fixture. Hitherto there have been five races only on each of the three days of the Grand National fixture, but next year there will be six events on the first and third days, the new races being the- Iramoo Welter Handicap, of 2sovs each, with 200?ovg added, one mile, and the Trial Handicap Hurdle Race, of 2sovs each, with 200sovs added, two miles. The cross-country horseman, J. Tunncy, , who had been suffering from pneumonia, died in the Adelaide Hospital last week i after an illness of about a week. | At a recent committee meeting- of the Western District Racing Association of Ne-,v South Wales, held at Orange, it was de- ' cided to call for applications for tfhe position of stipendiary steward, at a salary of £300 per annum and a free railway pass. Mention was made last week of the dnath of Mr T. Ivory. He was 83 years old, and had been blind for some years. A native of the Hawkesbury district, New South Wales, Ivory, like his contemporaries of over 60 years ago, was imbued with a love for horse-racing. From 18 years of age ' until his failing eyesight compelled hie retirement from the turf about 14 years ago he was a prominent figure on Australian racecourses, his colours having been carried ' with success on every important track in '■ New South Wales, as well as at Fleming- < ton, Caulfleld, and other Victorian sport- i ing centres. In 1885 Ivory went to Sydney, > and had command of a good string of ' horses, among whom was Jonathan Wild, * who won the firet nine races in which ho J started. Ivory owned Sultana (dam of i Sultan, Sterling, and Sweetmeat), who won 1 him several races. Her eon Sterling ' numbered amons his victories the Hawkcs- i bury Guineas, Wagga Gold Cup, and the 1 Metropolitan Stak.es. Altogether Ivory made < nine attempts to win the Melbourne Cup. i He was n-cver successful. He won the ' firsi Caulfield Cup in 1881 with -Master | < Avenel. A complimentary meeting was ten- < dered to him at Randwick on his pcrma- 1 nent retirement Crom the turf. J Besides the stallion Sir Robert. Mi- W. i W. Warren, of Blair Athol Stud, South -\ Australia, secured while ;n; n England tho i two-year-old filly Venrnata. by Veronese l from Sumac, by Springfield. Venenata { will reach Adelaide in about a fortnight. j Messrs Campbel and Sons, of Kirk's z Bazaar, have* sold piivately for export three i mares, all to be used for breeding pur- t

poses, viz. — Tor ere (by Sou' -Wester — Urv dine), Miss Pressy {by Preston — Slanderess), and Pexie (by Gluten — Mecca). "Tim" Hegarty, the one-time featherweight champion of Australia, died at his residence, Fitzroy (Melbourne), last week from consumption of tho throat. Hegarty, who was 35 years .of age, leaves a widow and one child He had a brilliant career as a boxer, and paid a visit to America, wher<_ he appeared in the ring with some success. Jack M'Gowan, the present light-weight champion, was an old opponent of Hegarty *s. The competition for the amateur golf "championship of Victoria was, concluded on. the Sandringham links on Friday, and resulted in a win for M. Scott, witn the las■manian, Clyde- Pearce, second and W. M Morgan third. The weather was unfavour able and the ground very heavy. Th& return interstate hockey match between Victoria and New South Wales was played on Saturday in Melbourne. Tho conditions were again exceedingly unfavourable, the ground being very sloppy. Th& bell i*ang with the score at 6 goals to 4in favour of New South Wales. The Malvern (Melbourne) Harriers conducted a seven-mile open race last Saturday. There was a field of 91, and 89 of the competitors finished. The winner was A. Harcreaves, of Carlton, wiho had 4min start. His actual time was 44min- 55sec. D J. Price is talking about sendinsr Bribery to England to compete in the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase. Mi % John Conway, manager of i-he first. Australian eleven to visit England-, diedl at Frankston (near Melbourne) on Sunday. It is recalled that on the occasion -of the* first eleven visiting England there was some public controversy as to the ama*ite-r status of the players. An English cricketer wrote to The Times asking that Mr Conway should afford the public some enlightenment as to the domestic affairs of the team. Mr Conway replied in a few words, informing the writer Ihat the members of iho Australian Eleven had taken chops " and tomato 6auce for breakfast that morning. So the controversy closed with a laugh, and the> question, which promised to be delicate, if not difficult, has never since been raised. After his active career as a cricketer closed Mr Conway became a sporting 1 journalist. He was a member of the Australasian staff, and wrote the cricket and football notes for that journal. His successor in that po?t was "Felix," who was also a member of the first Australian team. Afterward* Mr Conway spent some years in Sydney on the staff of the Sydney Mail and MorningHerald. He also did journalistic work in New Zealand. He acted as manager for some of the professional English teams that visited Australia years ago, and which were» chiefly organised by Messrs Shaw, Lillywhite, and Shrewsbury. Mr Conway was one of the guests at the jubilee dinner of the Melbourne Grammar School held last year, arid even then it was evident that his health was fast failing, as ho had suffered for scmo time past from an- affection; of the" heart.