Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Saturday 13 April 1867, page 6


BALLARAT TURF CLUB. , ? I

' ' AUTUMN STEEPLECHASE.

Stewards : Messrs. Walter Craig, D. Duffy, W. Leonard, N. M'Leod, R. Orr, J. Simson, and Trench. Judge, Mr. J. S. Carver. Starter, Mr. S. Holgate. Handicapers : Messrs. Armstrong, Leonard, and Moore. Clerk of the course, Mr. B. H. Myers.

FIRST DAY. FRIDAY, APRIL 12.

The Ballarat stewards have not always been fortunate in the weather for their autumn gathering, be it on the flat or across country. In 1865, the course was deluged with rain and mud, and horses and visitors were alike halffrozen. Last year the Autumn Steeple-chases took place under happier conditions, and the result was so satisfactory that it may now be looked upon as an annual cross-country treat for the best jumping horses we can bring out to contest the Ballarat Grand National. There have already been several great contests between Ballarat and Ingle-side, rivals for steeplechase fame, and it was expected that Mr. G. Watson's horses, Ballarat

and Banker, or at least one of them, would have put in an appearance to dispute Inglesides pretensions ; but on the handicap being published, Mr. Watson's entry of four, Ballarat, Banker, Comet, and Vathek, were scratched. However, the entries were still sufficiently numerous in the principal races to insure good sport, and some of the events were unusually full of new horses, showing the unabated popularity of this branch of turf studies. The weather was all that could be desired ; a fine bright sunny autumn day, with sufficient of a cool breeze to make things pleasant to the thousands on the course and in the grand stand and enclosures.

However, once arrived on the scene of action, the usual amusements of the race-course, after the manner of our countrymen, were entered into with characteristic enthusiasm, the pleasure-seekers in many instances busying themselves with the attempt to improve their fortunes at the minor and unrecognised spoils mostly to be found in places where sporting people most do con-gregate." The cognoscenti found a pleasant exercise for their fancy in horseflesh in noting the points, qualities, excellences, and shortcomings of the new candidates, which, as has been mentioned, were now introduced here for the first time. It was observed that although none of these were gems of the first water, yet there was a good useful quality generally noticeable in the majority of the fresh horses, which, when they shall have served a short apprenticeship to the cross-country business, will do good service in future years.

There being only three events upon the card, it was not thought necessary to observe strict punctuality in starting the first race, and accordingly it was not until nearly an hour after time that the six maiden steeple-chasers came out for the three miles of the regular course allotted to them (leaving out the jumps into the lane and through the cultivation by the side of the road) ; Idle Boy, a King Alfred horse, from the Western District ; Echo, 5 yrs and London, in Ingleside's stable, were made the favourites ; but after a good race between the two last named and Magnet, the latter, a Mariner colt, won easily.

The Selling Hurdle Race produced nine starters, Yorkshireman, Ivanhoe, Grimaldi, and Ranger, being the absentees. Valentine was made a great favourite for this race, but never showed in the running until the lost half-mile, and at that juncture Surprise had fairly run away with the race: Ninepins, Phantom, and Bobtail, who had formed the front division, having run themselves out.

Of the fifteen horses originally entered for the Grand National, only six came to the post, Babbler having been scratched on the previous evening, and London after hisrunningiu the Maiden Chase. Ingleside was strongly fancied by his party and the public, who backed him freely, and at last eagerly, to beat the field. Mr. Gordon, it was expected, would ride Cadger, and this horse was looked upon as the most formidable opponent of the King Alfred horse. The race, in fact, was left to these two after the first half mile, four of the competitors being placed hors de combat either at the wall or at the fences leading into and out of the lane to the right of the course. Both horses and riders were loudly cheered on returning to scale. Ingle-side made no mistake throughout the running, but Cadger, besides carrying 5lb. over-weight, baulked once and fell once, otherwise the finish would probably have been most exciting.

The afternoon passed off without any accident that came under notice.

THE MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE

Of GO sovs., with a sweepstakes of 1 sov. each

for the second horse. About three miles. Weight for age, with 1458. added.

Mr. F. Tozer's b g Magnet, 4 yrs, by Mariner

(Aspinall) 1

Mr. F. J. Miller's b g Echo, 5 yrs (Grier) .... 2 Mr. R. Orr's ch g London, aged (Dalrymple) .. 3 Mr. J. Wiggins's b g Topthorne, late Portland, (lyra

(Manton;

Mr. J. Fawcett's b g idle boy, aged (Gaunt)

Mr. T. Coker's ch g Topper, aged (West). .

Betting 2 to 1 agst the boy, 5 to 2 agst London, 3 to 1 agst Echo. The winner not

mentioned.

The lot got quietly off together at a gentle pace, the boy slightly in advance over the stonewall, Magnet second, and Pond on third. At the water jump, the boy refused, and London went to the head of affairs, leading over the brook" and by the hill side, Echo, Topper, and Topthorne following at a respectful distance as if under waiting orders. At the back of the course Mr. Tozer's colours were once more in the van, London i maring second, pulling hard, and Topthorne third. No change occurred until coming to the second log fence to the left of the course, which Topthorne struck heavily, and nearly lost his rider, who more than once had the greatest chance of losing his saddle before the second time of asking at the stone wall, where horse and man parted company, and Manton was much shaken. Magnet, after having been temporarily headed by London, passed the stand once more in advance, Pond on running in second place, and Echo, fast making up his distance, looking a dangerous third. The pace mended in the last mile, and London indulged once again in securing it front place over the logwall fence and hurdle leading into the course ; but at the last named, Magnet passed him, and Echo at the same time making an effort for second money, succeeded in landing the latter for his expenses, while Magnet galloped in an easy winner by several lengths. The pace was moderate throughout, except for a short distance in the last round.

THE SELLING HURDLE RACE,

Of 80 sovs. Entry, 2 sovs. About two miles. Weight for age. The winner to be sold for £50. If entered "not to be sold, to carry 7lb. extra; if to be sold for £40, allowed 7lb.; £30, 141. ; £20, 2116.; and £10,

allowed 2616.

Mr. J. Armstrong's br g Surprise, sired, £30, 9st.

lib. (Mitchell Mr. T. Coker's b g Valentine, aged, £30, carried

But. 7lb. (Downes) 2 Mr. F. Tozer's b g Jack Tar, (3 yrs, £20, carried

8st. 111. (Aspinall's Mr. Cahill's br g Bobtail, -1 yrs, £80 (Hoiiragan).

Mr. T. Bailey's gr g Bob Sparks, aged, £30 (Jones). Mr. Arthur's b g The Rajah, U yrs, £30, carried

last. Dib. (Mary).

Mr. F. Tozer's gr g Phantom, aged, £20 (Gallagher). Mr. W. Craig's b g Julo-ouni-Sneozor, aged, £30,

carried 6st. 5lb. f Dalryiuplo).

Mr. J. Gray's b gNlnopliis, aged, £10 (Green).

Betting 2 to 1 agst Valentine ; 4 to 1 agst Phantom ; 4 to 1 agst Surprise ; 6 to 1 agst Ninepins ; C to 1 agst Bob Sparks.

Ninepins took up the running as soon as the flag dropped, Phantom and Bobtail following next in order, Surprise with Bob Sparks bringing up the rear. Except that the second and third places were alternately occupied by Bobtail and Mr. Tozer's grey, no change occurred in the front ranks until getting to the back of the course, where Surprise and Bob Sparks drew forward, the first of the twaiiircachingthcleadinghorses inafew rapid strides, and Nine pins disappeared altogether from the leading division. Valentine made his effort half a mile from home, and Phantom here shut up ; but the issue was no more in doubt, as Surprise, who made no mistake throughout, galloped in an easy winner by several lengths. The pace was not slow during any part of the race, and at the close there was a terrible falling off of the incapables. Jack Tar was persevered with to the last, and finished a bad third. The winner was put up for sale by auction, agreeably to the conditions, immediately after the race, and was knocked down at £35, realising £5 for

the funds.

THE GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE,

Of 200 sovs., with a handicap sweepstakes of

10 sovs. added ; the second horse to receive 50 sovs. from the stake. Entry, 1 sov.

Mr. I). Orr's b g Ingleside, aged, 11st. 3lb. (Pear

Mr. Walter Craig's b g Cadger, aged, 9st. 10lb. carried

4lb. overweight), (Mr. Gordon) .. 2 Mr. F. Tozer's br g Western, 6 yrs, 6st. 10lb. (As

airman. V

Mr. Midge's br g Kangaroo, C yrs, 6st. 12 lb. carried

Olo. Ivor), (Evans).

Mr. Trotter's b g Stranger, aged, 9st. 10lb. (Daly

Gympie).

Mr. G. Watson a big Laurel, 5 yrs, tot. 121. j (Harden).

Betting Even on Ingleside ; 3 to 1 agst

Cadger ; 3 to 1 agst Kangaroo ; 5 to 1 agst either of the others.

Cadger led off at a moderate pace, Ingleside and Stranger running next, then Western and Kangaroo and in this order they crossed the stone wall to begin, and came next to the water jump. Laurel refused at the wall, and could not be got over until the chase was more than half run. The road fence was fatal to the chances of Stranger, who refused repeatedly to leave the race paddock, and was eventually not persevered with. The fence on either side of the lane also brought Kangaroo to grief, as he fell jumping into the cultivation paddock, and lost his rider. Coming out of the cultivation Western refused, and this left the race entirely to Cadger and Ingleside, the former with a good lead round the back of the course, and until coming to the new high fence to the left of the commencement of the straight ran in. Here Cadger baulked once, but was soon put again at his fence, which he cleared cleverly on the second essay. Ingleside then took up the running, and had it all his own way for the next two miles, winning at last by a dozen lengths. Cadger fell on getting into the cultivation paddock. Mr. Gordon was up again in the saddle almost instantly ; but two much ground had been lost, and notwithstanding that Mr. Gordon made a gallant effort he was unable to catch the favourite. Western passed the post third, but a long way behind the others.

This brought the afternoon's sports to a conclusion, at about five o'clock.

The following are the entries for the

SECOND DAY-SATURDAY.

THE HURDLE RACE,

Of 100 SOVS,

Mr. J. Darcy's ch m Lady Clare, 6 yrs. Mr. W. Craig's b g Archer, aged.

Mr. Geo. Watson ns b g Laurel, ii yrs. Mr. T. Bailey's br g her Walter, aged. Mr. E. J. Tucker's b g Ranger, aged. Mr. W. Craig's b g Cadger, aged.

Mr. T. Coker's b g Valentine, aged. Mr. F. Tozer's gr g Phantom, aged.

Mr. F. Tozer's b g Jack Tar, 6 yrs. '

Mr. W. Craig's b g Jule-eum-Sncezer, aged. ? Mr. J. Brown's g g Yorkshireman, aged. Mr. G. Vowles' gr g Grimaldi, aged.

THE TROTTING RACE,

Of 60 SOVS.

Mr. Williamson's b g Pretty Boy aged. Mr. Martin's grin kate, aged.

Mr. Geo. Allen's br g Jemmy, aged.

Mr. T. C. Bowes' gr g Magic, aged. 2 . Mr. W. S. Cox's bug Jumbuc, (i yr.

Mr. R. Orr's b g Sir William Don, aged. Mr T. Vowles' b g Prince, aged.

THE OPEN STEEPLECHASE,

Of 100 sovs. Handicap. <

Entrie to be made on the evening of the first day's races. i