THE VICTORIAN NEW YEARS MEETING.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1143, 20 January 1874, Page 2

THE VICTORIAN NEW YEARS MEETING.

THE TWO-YEAR OLD STAKES.

The Australasian report says : For the Two-year-old Stakes the numbers of seven youngsters appeared on the board, aud the crack Stockbridge attracted the linn's share of public atten'ion, though to our mind he was bigger and fuller than when he so easily disposed, of the field that opposed him in the Maribyrnoug Plate. Nevertheless the supporters of Harding's stable thought it good enough to take even money, and in several instances odds of 5 to 4, that he did not lose his character. Discretion, a full sister to Maid of Avenel, is a second edition of her relation, but somewhat bigger. Gaslight struck us as being in better condition than when she last figured at Flemington, but as she was reported to be coughing, the friends of the Williamstown stable refused to make an outlay in her favor. The most improved animal, however, was The Hook, who looked a different colt altogether, and as well trained as anything in the race. His improved appearance did not escape the observa-« tion of several good judges, who made their investments accordingly, and being backed for more freely than anything else, he soon trod close upon the heels of Stockbridge in the wagering. As was the case last year, there was a filly whose claims to consideration were totally disregarded, and that was Blink Bonny, nor did Explosion, who struck us as being in better trim than when she contested the Maribyrnoug Plate, receive anything but lukewarm support. The actual struggle today was a most uninteresting one, for after leaving the training ground the despised outsider shot to the front, and increasing her lead, eventually defeated The Hook easily by four lengths. This was a rare turn-up for the layers of double and treul • events, as the winner had never been selected, and had not been backed for a shilling out right. Blink Bonny is the property of an old and respected colonist, Mr J. R. Harper, of Woodeud, who during his career has bred more than one good horse, notably Barwon and Banker, sons of his favorite mare Jeannette, the heroine of many a hard-fought contest on the Victorian turf, and sticking to this fine old line of running blood, he has at last been rewarded with another substantial victory, Blink Bonny being a granddaughter of Jeannette's, as her dam was by High Sheriff out of Barwon's dam. This clever victory was a feather in the cap of the departed Boiardo, to whom Mr Harper returned because of the successes he had achieved with his sons Barwon and Banker, and that the cross " nicked " again was fully exemplified, for the result of the union between the Orlando horse and Miss Constance was Blink Bonny, who won her race with ridiculous ease in very fast time,. Several of the youngsters pulled up ver footsore, owing to the adamantine state of (he ground. The places were as undernoted :

Mr J. E. Harper's b f Blink Bonny, by Boiardo Lady Constance (Haughey) ... ... ... 1 Mr B. Jellett's br c The Hook, by Fishhook—Juliet (Jellett, jun.) 2 Mr W. Fisher's ch f Explosion, by Fireworks—Lady Manners Sutton (A. Davis) ... ... ... 3 Mr T. Henry's b c Morang (late Eesult), by Union Jack or Talko' the Hill—Empress (Levis) ... 0 Er James's Gaslight, by Talk o' the Hill—Gasworks (E. Davis) ... 0 Mr J. Bathe's b c Stockbridge, by Stockham—Granny (Batty) ... 0 Mr J. Bathe's ch f Discretion, by Stockham Mary Avenel (J. Cripps) 0 Betting.—Even on Stockbridge, 2 to 1 agst The Hook, 4 to 10 to 1 the others.

Distance: five furlongs. Time: lm. Gsec.

A telegraph operator named Weston committed suicide in Stephen Street, Melbourne. He had been suspended from duty on account of irregularities, and according to the evidence of a girl, with whom he lived, the deceased bad risen from his bed and asked witness if she had got bis money, and she had said she had not; he replied, " Then I have not a red cent in the world," and taking a phial from his waist belt, he swallowed the contents, falling back immediately as if dead. The phial contained prussic acid.

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