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©FORTIKG TOPICS.
By "ToutCela."
The Grand Notional Meeting for 1892 ta
now u thing of the past, and, suffice it to say,
in the first of to-day's topics, that a more
complete success in every way ncveratteoded
the efforts of ativ racing club. Tho day
proved lovely, the attcndauce large, the fields
good, the finishes close, and no soddenning
accidents marred the sport ; what more then
could bo desired by tlio greediest of turfites,
unless to win every wager booked — which is
"a consummation devoutly to be wished,"
no doubt, but it never " comes off." Having
given a pretty lengthy report of tho after-
B mi's incidents, and also furnished my
« Grand National Reflections" in the leading
column, there is no occasion to do more in
this place, than place on record the bare
results of the individual contcsle. Don
Quixoto won the Maiden Hurdle Race in
capital style, but Sportsman's excellent second
showed that his party bad had good reason
to be sweet on his chance. Cooiuete scored
the Maiden Steeplechase through honest
jumping, and Spring lost it by bis bad
behaviour in shirking a jump when be bad
the gutne apparently in baud. Rhesus just
spoiled the Loth air certainty for the Grand
National Hurdle Race, iu the last two strides,
and the long vaunted Lady Hampden failed to
get even a place. Great Western just6ucceeded
in placing the Graod National Steepleoha-e
o (he credit of the Dowling Forest stable-
though ouly just— for Chrysalis undoubtedly
ought to have secured the Verdict and " the
mopuses" after the lead she obtained into the
Straight. Io fact, it was Tommy Oorrigan
that won, and not the horss he bestrode.
Glenorvan had the Selling Hurdle Raoe at
his own acrcv all the way, and Liberator
wound up the" prooeedings by very cleverly
defeating a d'izeti goodisb animals m the
mile Flat Handicap.
Tin Melbourne Cup demands attention on
Monday, 7«h August, as on that day, before
4 p.m., declarations of withdrawal mutt be
m«de, or otherwise nominator will be liable
to the eecoud forfeit. This warning is now
given, nearly a fortnight beforehand, in
order that all interested way impress upon
their memories that the V.R-C. have adopted
b new regulation, a declaration of scratching
haviug been substituted for a declaration of
acceptauoo— whioh is an important distinc
tion.
Wyndham Races take place next Saturday,
and the weights for the different events an
published in the usual column. Acceptances
must be declared to-day, and it is to be hoped
that the majority of owners will be sufficiently
pleased to remain in. The usual special twin
will leave Spencer-street for the Werribee at
a convenient midday hour, and visitors will
be eoablod to get back to Melbourne soon
after dark.
The Handicaps for the Geelong Winter
Meeting were issued yesterday, Mr. Barnard
having endeavoured to frame them in accord
ance with tho running at Flemington last
Saturday when dealing with the horses
engaged at both places. Owners and nomina
tors must bear in mind that— -if not approving
of iheir weight or not intending to start
from any other cause— scratching! require to
be made on Tuesday next, 1st August, before
6 p.m., or else the liability of full sweepstakes
is i icurred. The fixture for the always
enjoyable Geelong Races is Saturday week,
6th August; and in next Wednesday's
8 ports man the fields will be reviewed, and
the usual "Tips" essayed.
Entries for the interesting jumping tryst,
to be held at CaulGeld on tbo 19th August,
were received on Monday, and will be found,
upon reference to the list, to be thoroughly
satisfactory, particularly the Sapling Stakes,
and the Amateur and tho National Steeple
chases. In fact the Amateur Turf Club
has now established so firm a position
amongit horse-owners— consequent on the
pains taken by ihe committee and their
experienced secretary to suit all classes of
animals— that still increased success for the
future is assured. The idea of including n
the programme a Grand National Steeple-
chose, with 200 sors. added, waa a capital one ;
for tbo line of jumps on the Caulficld course
is so diverse from that at Flemington, whilst
the distance is half a mile less, that the
placed horses for the one can have no
certainty of " repeating the dose" for the
other. Tho fact, also, of there being another
cross-country affair, confiued to gentlemen
riders, will add greatly to the attraction on
the day, and it will be seen on looking over
the nominat ions that a goodly number of our
amateur Liuraeiiieu are ueteruiiiieil u> " L»c a
cut in" for Mr. A S. Chirnside's liberally
donated trophy MThe -Flat Race for the Oup,
presented by hie cider brother, Mr. Robert
Chirnside, is also to bo contested by amateurs,
and has filled well.
The Campbell town Steeplechase in Tas
mania has secured an excellent nomination
of 28 hon-ee, of which 7 hail from Victoria
and t from New Zealand. The Victorian
contingent are — Collingwood, Stag, Chrysa
lis, S&refield, Abdallah, Squire, and Barcoo,
and some of these will amurtdly visit th»
pleasant bland. I cannot help again begging
the promoters of this genuine oross-couutry
event to postpone the date for a week, iu
order to afford longer time after the Sydney
Metropolitan Meeting.
The monthly raoea at Kensington Park are
announced for Tuesday next, L-t August, the
" card" consisting of Hurdle Race, Handi
cap Flat, Galloway Race, Selling Raoe, and
Free Welter Handicap. Mr. Cox intend,
by-the-bye, to hold an additional meeting on
Monday, 2 let August. Entries will be re
ceived at the Victoria Hotel on Monday
afternoon next, up to 6 o'clock, and the
weights nre to be declared on the following
morning, the day of the meeting.
Hawkbsbuby general entries have to reaoh
Mr. Guest, the H.K.C- secretary, on Tuesday
?ext, lnt August, and the items set forth on
the programme are of so tempting a nature
that 1 fully expect to see a vt-ry leugtby hat.
Judging by the first payment fur the Grand
Handicap, which reach tho baudsoine total
of 57, there must be plenty of horses actively
training in New South Wales, lor out ut ttiis
lot only two hail from Victoria. From this
latter fact it would be etc-n that ibj colony
is not likely to take a very active part ; nor
can the absence of our nags be cither
woudered or grumbled at, for there is uch u
plethora of racing on the home turf that our
Uainiog stables ure fully occupied in getting
ready for local competition.
The Sydney Turf Club's bill of fare for
their uict'Ling at Randwick on the 10th August
has been issued, and will be found amongst
our racing advertisements. The events con
sist of a Hurdle Race for 50 eovs., If nutc;
August Handicap, of 50 sore., 5 furlongs ;
Corinthian Cup, of 50 tovs, or piece of plate,
li utile, gentlemen riders ; Celling i'lale, ot'
GO for., 6 furlongs; uud Winter Handicap,
of 100 sors., 14 mile. Entries are to be
made this day week, 2nd August, and the
weights appear the following Monday.
TjiE South Australian Jockey Club invite
nominations to-iuorrow week, 3rd August, for
enteral of the events to be run ut their
Derby Meeting on 16th Sept-ember. The
programme appears amongst our turf adver
tisements, and every one must grant that it is
as well arranged as it is liberal.
The annual general meeting of the members
of the Victorian Betting Club is to be held on
Tuesday afternoon next, at 4 o'clock, at their
rooms. Besides tbc ordinary business of
passing the year's minutes and balance-ebeet,
there is to be an election for the committee in
place of Messrs. A. W. Robertson and J.
Wliittingliam, both of whom are retiring for
good.
Bowes Tattersall's Cinb bold their annnal
general meeting at 10 o'clock to-morrow, at
the Australian Hotel, and members are
tary, Mr. J. L. Saqui to "roll up." On
Tuesday next, 1st August, the election of
committeemen takes place.
Sydney TattersaH'e announce a Foal
Stake a part of their New Year's Day
programme, and attention is drawn to the
conditions of the same.
Hawkhsburt Handicap first forfeit were
declared lust week, the satisfactory number of
56 horse being left in on tho appointed day.
Since then, liowover, two more names have
had the pen run through — the top weight,
Heeperiau, beiDg withdrawn on account of
lameness, and the imported mare Willow
Wren through having been nominated as a
four-year-old instead of a three-year-old.
The condition for the Fiudon Harrier'
Steeplechase — which is to be incorporated
into the programme of the Amateur Turf
Club's important October Mt-eting — were
decided upon last week at a special gathering
of this private pack's followers, held at
Scott a Hotel; Mr. Edward Miller (the
master) iu the chair. It will be well reool-
leoted that thi cross-oountry competition,
amongst a goodly number of amateur horse
men, caused a deal of interest last vear, and
the rcHult was a head finish. On that occa
sion riders turned out in hunting co-tame —
both ecirletand green being allowable— the
prize being a Gold Oup valued «tmie hundred
guinea ; but a considerable and very attrac
tive alteration has been made for the forth
coming contest. There are now to be three
prises, tbe firat being a costly Gold Vase, the
seooud a Gold Cup, aid the third a Trophy,
o that there will be somethiug to struggle
for up to the last stride by those not lucky
enough to have the sole oomtnaud at the
fiuish. Moreover colour are to be sported
by the riders, as the similarity of onstuine
lost time prevented a sufficient distinction
daring the raoe. The dietauoe has hwn
increased to a little more than twice round,
t>,n start hainir at the bejrinuimr of the
straight-run, instead of at the top of the
hill, and the gentlemen jook will therefore
pass their fair admirers on the Grand Stand
whilst in a body, and the first jump (at the
rie of the bill) will not be taken till they
bave " warmed to their saddles," and chosen
their respective positions. Last season there
wera twenty-one horsemen to charge the
commencing fence, whioh created consider
able confusion, and might have caused a
serious accident. The final change in the
arrangements is that those cavaliers who
have already distinguished themselves by
winning races of a certain value, or statu,
shall oarry 71b. above the handioap weight
of the horses they bestride, and thus better
equalise the ohanoes of those unused to
publicly perform in the pigskin. This is
fair and sportsmanlike, and should largely
increase the field at the poet, for everybody
cannot secure the able services of a W. J.
Martin, J. O. Inglis, A- S. Ghimaide, etc.
Tbs Australian Jockey Olub, as reprs-
sented by their oommittoe, have not finally
settled, after all, to refuse acting under the
rules drawn up by our V.R.O. for inter
colonial turf guidance, but have oome to a de
termination that " second thoughts are best"
The aforesaid body are now carefullv recon
sidering the oode, with the object of reoom-
mn «liwg a few desirable amendments for tbe
geoecal advantage, and to facilitate universal
application ; nor is there now any reaeou to
fear or doubt that the two senior clubs of
Australia will "bitch teams." I congratu
late the A.J.C. on this sportsmanlike readi
ness to recall a probably hurried decirion,
and confidently hope that, before their
coming Spring Meeting, what is law for
Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania,
will also be law fur New South Wales-
The Grassdale Stnd Company— as will be
seen by a well drawn up prospeotus in this
day's Spobtsiun— is the name given to a dis
tribution by art-union of the valuable blood
stock owned, and bred, by Mr. John Cold-
htm at his beautiful westward station.
Many years ago, it will be remembered, the
celebrated studs of Mr. C. B. Fisber and of
Mr. L. Is. Smith were disposed of in a ,
simitar manner, under the conduct of tbe
late Mr. R, C. Bago' — and the present affair
in in the hands of his able successor at tbe
V.R.C. secretariat, Mr. Byron Moore. Thu
important foot is quite sufficient to guarantee
that all matters connected with this legiti
mate speculation will be carried smoothly
ana quickly iu a e»iL-faotory conclusion ; and
fhares should, tbervfure, be applied for ac
once, « - they have been proportionately
allotted to each colony, and are euro to
go off in a very limited time. Tbe sole
reason for Mr. Coldham breaking up an
establishment which has been the pet hobby
— and a profitable oue, too— of his life,
is the non-enj'iyinent of good health,
and the determination to either visit
Europe or to reside near Melbourne,
so that the oharm would be taken away of
watching on tbe spot the development and
tbe traiuing of the animals he had roared.
To myself, I must say, this determination to
retire from breeding and racing has caused
regretful surprise, for few men bave ever
had their hearts more wrapped up in equine
pursuits thau the Grassdnlo squire ; and tbe
records of the Turf Caleudar will plainly toll
how frequently hi colours have been borne
io tbe fore by eueb performers as Twilight,
Greyd&wn, Sunlight, Horizon, Liht. of Day,
Noonday, sud other horses equally well-
named in oider to show at once their family
strain of runuing blood. A reference to the
prospectus will show that tbe share iu the
Grasodale Stud Company consist of 7000 at
£1 1h. each, and that the prizes are no less
than 90, of which tbe first is that most aris
tocratic of sires, St. Albans, by 8tockwtU.
All that I need add is to mention that the
young stock are not pampered or forced, but
have been running on the excellent natural
pasture from which Mr. Coldbam's station
takes its appropriate title.
The newly-elected committee of the South
Australian Jockey Club consist of Sir
Thomas Elder, Messrs G. M. Bairot, R. C.
Baker, W. Pitr. J. H. P«rr, J. Rtahaidauo,
end thr Hon. W. B. Rouusevull. These are
good names, indeed, for they comprise both
turf position aud racing experience.
The Warrnambool Racing Club ere in the
happy position of having reduced their
troublesome debt from about £1300 to lees
than £300, and now ihey mean "lo go in
lemons" with required improvements upon
their sweetly pretty course. A special meet
ing is shortly to be held for the purpose of
deciding the date of the next races, December
being now fancied in preference to the
treacherous mouths of May or June.
The Melbourne Hunt Club are already in
the field with the programme fur their
Rtinuul Spritnr meeting, to be held ot
Fietningtou on Saturday, 30th September.
Tbe iieiiis are nicely mixed aud commit of en
Open Hurdle Race, of 50 buys., one mil© and a
n >It ao«! a distance ; Amateur Hurdle Rice,
of 50 sors , the same dixtance ; Snlliug Flat
Race, ot 50 aovs., five furloutre ; Hunt Club
Steep'chH-e, for a Cup presented by C. A.
Davte, E-q.. and 50 B'jvb. ad led, gentlemen
ridrs, two miles aud a half ; Flying Stakes,
of 50 sovs. (f >r two-year-old-), about half-s
mile ; Open Stecplecbiix", of 100 sovs. two
miles ; and Haudinap Flat Rao, of 50 sovs.,
one mile. Tbie makes seven event- for the
afternoon, a bill of fare wbicb should satisfy
the veriest glutton. Mr. G. Vowlea has
been appointed handicapper to tbe Melbourne
Hunt Club.
An acoount of some Pony Trotting at
Wauganui, New Zealand, has been kiudly
sent me by a sporting collaboratenr, and I
shall feel great pleasure in making reference
th-reto next week, our oolamns being too
crowded to-day.
It will be recollected that Barwon, who
won the Amateur JL'late at warrnamoooi, was
afterwards disqualified— under a protest laid
bv Mr. Whitehead— for not having been
nominated as "late Barwon Park" The
particulars of tbe affair have now reached me,
und I must eay that the objector showed a bit
of sharp practice, which is tbe reverse of
sportsmanlike, and the more so that the entire
meeting was confined to amateur turfitce. It
Beems that Mr. Umphelby, the owner of
Barwon, was too late with his intended
entrance, but the Hon. Sec. promised to
obtain the consent of the other three nomi
nators in writing, and this having been done,
the stake waa re-opened. In Mr. U.'s
memo to the Hon. Sec., however, he hurriedly
forgot to mention the two names, tbe horse
being so well-known to all concerned, Eventu
ally, Messrs. Phillips and Rutledge with
drew their horses, and Mr. Whitehead's Ace
being beaten on his merits, he protested
against the very animal he had previously
agreed to meet.
ftftifg interesting details of the training
work being done at Randwick have bnn
supplied by our Sydney Special, and he also
gives a few useful particulars of what is
going on in the betting market enent the
Hawkesbury Handicap and Sydney Metrop.
Our readers are referred to his l«t«r under
the u-ual headiog of "New South Wales
Sport."
Proctor — whose heavy weights in the
Marvborough (2) Handicaps were referred
to last week, wisi'lv declined to start, although
he accepted. It will be recollected that this
Northern crack is engaged in the Spring
Handicaps at Ranilwick and Flemington.
The number of " HaU-marked" metalli.
ciaos is now 79, nod the total amount of their
fees to the V.RC. reaches the handsome
sum of £1975. This finds the stakes for the
Maribyrnung Plate, Derby, Melbourne Cup,
and Australian Cup — whioh is ".rather
multy 1"
It is very "hard lines" for Mr. Andrew
Town that the first foal of Grand Flaneur's
get should have been dropped in the middle
of tbe present month, instead of waiting
uutil the Ut August, as tbe youngster will
now be rated as a yearling when only 16
days old. Considering, also, that this dis
appointment has arisen to a colt out of eucb
a stand dam as Amethyst, who has given
good winners to the N.S.W, turf, the mis-
bap is doubly annoying. A handioap
career ia, of oouree, alt that is open to him,
unless he should chance to turn out each a
wonder as to be able to give away a year w
weight-for-age races.
In addition to tho afternoon's attractions
at the Wyndham Race Meeting, next Satur
day, the conclusion of a coursing match comes
off on the Werribee Plains, near Messrs.
Chirnside's mansion, in tbe earlier part of the
dev. Those intending visitors who can
spare the time might as well, therefore,
embrace the enjoyment of the "double
event," and leave Melbourne by the ordinary
train, instead of waiting for the special at a
later hour.
The Brisbane Turf Club hold a epeoial
raoe meeting orm Hinting of si events, on
26th August. It is in connection with the
National AaaocUtioa'a Show.
It is very grievous to learn that the
accident to Wheatear and Sir Oliver,
telegraphed to us last Tuesday, has proved
worse than the message intimated, for
Wheatear1 injuries are ao great that Lamond
fears he will never race agaia, and he has
been scratched for both Metropolitan and
Melbourne Cup ; whilst Sir Oliver is also eo
hurt that tbc pen has been run through his
name for all his Spring engagements.
Moreover, poor Gordon, the half-caste
jockey, who will be remembered as riding
Democrat and other horses of the Hon. J.
White's when in Mr. Fennelly's employ, ie
reported to be suffering considerably from
tlie leg which got broken in the contretemps.
Captain Osborne has my sincere sympathy
over tbe untoward affair.
I must bare my little goak whenever the
happy chance, or the happy idea, occur —
and there is an opportunity for a rather good
one (of the sort) in connection with the late
Waterloo Cup. There were two favourites.
Kingfisher and Capri, both being imported
dog, both owned in New South Wales, and
bnt.h nominated by brothers, the Messrs.
Lord — but the former wac at hole the price
of the other in the " Long Odds" before com
mencing. The latter, however, turned out
the winner, thus literally proving the truth of
the proverb that " Fortune is Capri-cious."
(Ahem I) By-thc-bye, had a point-blank
question been a-ked beforehand " which
would win it is very evident that the
well-known retort would not have been given,
of " Lord knows who." (Ahem 1 again.)
Nominations for the Bairosdalo Hurdle
Raoe and the Midwinter Handicap, to be
run on the 3rd of August, have been kindly
forwarded me by the hon. secretary, and
are Included amonvet our "Entries and
Weights." The Jumping Event has einht
horses, amongst whom are Marshall, Little
Duchess, and Black Prince ; and the Flat
Raoe has attracted nine, all of whom are of
local fame.
Our Adelaide correspondent mentions, io
his ample budget this week, that nothing
more in likely to transpire in reirardj to the
"Gualph and Ghibelline" quarrel between
the S.A.J.C and tbe A.R.C. until next
month, when the August calendar will be
due, and the vexed question of inserting the
programme of the latter in the publication
of tbe former again be settled by "aye or
nay." How much longer must we sporting
scribes continue to hold aloft tbe olive
branch f For goodness sake, as the women
folk e&y, let there be an end of it one way
or the other.
A "wordy war" has also been going on
in tbe metallic camp, owing to an opposition
displayed by the local bunbmskers to the
advent in tbe betting rimrof a certain young
Enfflishmao who has been trying to " tteadou
their corns." Of course, I know nothing of
the rights or the wrongs of the dispute, but
tbe story of the aff tir is told in rather a sen
sational manner by our chatty correspondent,
it having resulted in the resignation of the
chairman of TatteraaH's Club.
The S.A. Advertiser menrionsthat Youlh,
a brown horse by Atbos— Modesty (imp ) by
Sweetmeat, whilst being schooled over the
fences on the Old Course last Monday, had
the misfortune to hit a feoce with his ohest,
which caused him to fall aud break his neck.
The accident was very unfortuuato for Mr.
G. H. R-id, who had the hore looking very
well, and thought he bad a big look in for
something good in the comiug Steeplechase.
At the late Deniliquio race meeting Artful
Joe was starred in three out of the five events
contested during the afternoon, and thi-
really seem- to me very much like cruelty to
auimals. " Riding a free horse to ditttb,"
is always held up as a warning adage, and it
is a pity the owner of this good, though
probably over-rated, animal did not bear tho
maxim in his memory. Considering that the
Rid "artful one" carried list. 21b. in the
Hurdle Raoe, and then 12- in the Mem-
ber'a Cup, it is not to be wondered at that lie
failed to win the Midwinter Handioap —
being hi third time of asking— though
under the more moderate allow&noe of Sat.
41b.
The chairman of the WiUiamstown Racing
Clnb, the popular Mr. Croker, visited the
course a few days ago in company with oue
of the Railway Department's engineers, in
order to inspect the route of the branoh line,
which is to be at onoe commenced, and com-
Dleted if possible, for tbe W-R-C.'s meeting
on the Prince of Wales' Birthday in
November.
The balance-sheet of the Wentworth
Jookey Club, for 1882, has been forwarded
me, and although the outlay for stakes and
necessary expenses reaches the large amount
— for a country club — of over £1100, atill
there is a little " to the good" in hand. The
entire report shows that there mutt have
been a judicious commingling of r&oing
energy and business management.
The European Mail, of 16tb Jane, remarks
that—" All the sales of yearlings this year
have been patronised by well-known colonists,
who have bid high for the best blood stock,
and in many cases some very fine aud
valuable animals have been secured for ex
portation to Australia. The Harden Park
sale was held on 3rd June, when tbe Hon.
J. White and Mr. W. H. Long were among
the purchasers. The former bid 500 guineas
straight out for tbe Stratboonan filly out of
Lady Augusta, and as no one evidently
desired to go beyond that price, tbe racing-
like youngster was knookod down to him.
He also purchased a pretty bay colt by See-
Saw, out of The Iuch, for 320 gnineas, while
Mr. Long, after a keen struggle, was success
ful in obtaining the pick of tbe enle— a one-
eyed daughter of Hermit— for 1060 guineas.
At the Beenbam House sale, on 10th June,
the Hon. J. White and Mr. W. A. Lomr
were also present, accompanied by Mr. Lowe
and Mr. Ales Landale, also of New South
Wales. The Hon J. White purchased a bay
filly by King of the Forest, out of Catinka
fur 35 guinea, and after a spirited oonte»t
between Mr. Long and Robert Peck, who
retired at 650 guineas, a filly of beautiful
quality, but light of bone, by Petrarch, out
Botany Bay, was knocked down to tbe former
at 660 guineas."
" AecstMlDBB," the pleasant writer, who
contributes turf chit-chat to the Bairnsdale
Advertiser , say that "the Sale Turf Club
are taking vigorous steps to proceed at once
with the erection of a grand stand and eoang-
ing the course to a left-handed one. The
new structure is, from all accounts, to be one
worthy such an important club, and i
estimated to coat about £1000. 1 am euro 1
heartily congratulate the club on their deter
mination, and shall be delighted to eee the
movement carried out to ft successful com
pletion. Tbe trustees have £300 in hand to
devote to tbe purpose of erecting the grand
stand, and an effort is to be made to raise
£700 by debentures."
Thb Qtelong Advertiser states that it has
been arranged that the novel match between
two diatriot horses, named Royalty and
Moorabool'e Pride, shall take plaoe on the
Geelong racecourse on the 5th August, the
dfte on whioh. the club hold their winter
meeting. The novelty of the race is the
owner of the winning hone claiming, as the
etake to be run for, the beaten animal.
Thb Australian SMI Boole — for tbe care
ful and laborious compiling of which all
breeders and buyers in these colonies are
under lasting obligations to Mr. A. Yuille, of
Messrs. W. 0. Yuille aud Co.— will shortly
be issued, and subscribers should immediately
Ieend in their addressee, as only a limited
number will be published. I am given to
rodentaad that a fund of interesting facto,
in connection with some of the most famous
and most favourite animals in tho Calendar,
hare heen added to tbe mere business details
of pedigree.
Westbcry, the uncertain — who astonished
so many by ranniog second for the Ladiea'
Bracelet at Caulfield, when actually un
named tn the bettinx — has changed hands,
Mr. J. Leek having given Dr. L. L. a good
price for him. I am quite prepared to see
this horse pull off a good stake one of these
days, for he ha greatly improved of late
under my old friend Dan Robinson' care,
and he'd a precious deal rather have kept
bim thau have him taken away when just
" coming on."
Handy little books — containing all nomina
tion made up to 6th June ult., for the
V.R.C. seasons 1882 and 1883— have been
compiled for the information of those
cootvrnM, and can bo obtained at the
secretariat for a mere nominal earn.
The registered bookmakers very reasonably
objected to wear the polioomao-on-duty-Iiko
badge, furnished to them by the V.R.C.
committee, a being absurdly conspicuous.
To a reasonable insignia of their authorised
avocation thy did not object, but "This
mark upon thine arm," as Thiddeus rings in
the opera of the " Bohemian Girl"— did not
not suit the taste or the pride of the ring's
leading members. Accordingly, "they
" kicked over the traces," deputationised the
power that be, aud verv properly were
allowed to put tbe pasteboard, label, and
ribbons into their pocket. The neat Silver
Medallion, however, which formed part of
the originally designed paraphernalia, war
carried on the breast of ,the coat, or on tbe
watch- chain, and fully answered the intended
purpose.
Stino, who showed good form in aoine of
the late autumn handicap, in New South
Wale, has aln-ady been rent by Mr. Rowe
to ,do his wind-up gallop at Haakecbury,
and i h favourite in the betting mirket for
h.jth tbe Hawkesbury Haudieap and tbe
Sydney Metropolitan.
A correspondent informs methatBarber
has arrived at Randwick from his owner's
home at Clarence River, and ia looking in
good fettle for liis spring preparation.
Trie Hurdle Race mare, Annie Laurie, who
performed so creditably on her first Fleming-
ton appearance last Saturday, has been bought
by Chifney, the Newmarket trainer — on
account of a client — the price being 200
guineas. The only reason which caused Mr.
George Pyers, her late owner, to part with
this promising animal was ihe annoyance he
has felt at the constant threat of Annie
Laurie being protested against, iu case of
winning any event, on the alleged grounds of
her having been under the care of George
Goodie, a disqualified jockey, Sir. Pycra
has requested me to state iliut although,
some time ago, he employed Goodie in hi?
elable out of kindness to a young man, who
had a family to support, he discharged him
months ago, when being made acquainted with
the circumstances j und lie assures me Goodie
has hud no more to do with her than "the
man in the moon." Mr. I'ycrs is a genuine
sportsman, who is above prevarication, and
this should settle tbe late gossip.
Moosmie, a maiden jumper bred by Mr.
Henry Philips, and ft sister to the woll-knowu
Phillipinc und Filibuster, was sold on Monday
at Kirk's Bazaar for 115 guineas, the
purchaser being George Cripps. It is rather
singular, also, that. Muriner— a maiden hur
dle-racer, in Cripps' own stable— should have
fetched exactly the same figure.
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