New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-10
RACING IN AUSTRALIA.
THE AMERICAN TURF NOT ABREAST OF THE
TINES
MUCH TO BE LEARNED FROM THE COLONIES
TALK WITH ALFRED JOSEPH.

yosenb THOMPSON tie lcviathan bookmaker, mas
partner of the name of Alfred Joseph VINO visited tne
United states few weeks ago. spending most Oh MS
time IN California on business for the firm AS MI.
Thomson informed Tribune reporter ON the DAY OF
b,s arrival this business was examination OF certain
grounds near san Francisco with view to the con-
stuction OF a great racetrack. Mr. joseph was ap-
pareptly much pleased with the prospect, and IL MI
Thompson Is well satisfied the track VIII DO puii'.
Then we Shall have taste of the Australian method
M conductne racing method of which we have been
taught TO expect great things. An nkling OF what
NAV BIO looked given in Mr. Josephs own words
As they appeared The San Francisco Evening
POST:
81 have been twenty years. said he, connected
with the turf and have seen all the great racecourses
of the world In Australia racing is sport for the
people, 1t Is In America. In England the sport is
for the nobility The charges in England for attend
ing meetings are simply prohibitive. VIII tell
YOU for example, what 1t to attend the meeting
at Newmarket, not figuring in my railroad rare Oh
IS. cab to the costs 81 So and SO 80 more
for admission. To enter the paddock to see the horses
saddled taxed So so. TO enter the Tattersalis
ring TO yet IS more, and SIS to see the race-of
rather -. to see it, for in England the races are
ell out Of sight That was 81 so to enjoy the priv
ileges that be had In America for ST.
In the colony OF Victoria where reside, ana OF
which Melbourne is the capital all racing Is uhoer
the control of the Victoria Racing Club Every racing
club i'm the colony has submit TO the victoria CiuD
the Victoria Club appoints the different days 10 te
different clubs TO prevent a clashng OF fixtures IL
any club attempts to on days not appohted 10
by the ruling organization, the offending cIup Is at
once struck of the official calendar, and any horsc'
owner Jockey taking part in the unregistered meeting
Is debarred from the meetings held by inc Ncora
Club.
.The Victoria Club is enabled to exercise uhis
great power, inasmuch as 1t controls thc femns'o"
course MeIborne, where the great cup races are run
and besides it works in harmony with the Randwick
Jockey Club of NewSouth Wales and an oucndef us
oualiied in one colony Is disqualified in BOTH
Il have no hesitation in saying that the Remington
and Randwck racecourses are the finest In the world
The Pennington course Of which have been speaking
more particularly has elegantly appointed grand
stands beautiful lawns level asphalt fo0tpats SHRUBS
and trees and fountains together with maghhceh'
promenades and comfortable refreshment and dining
rooms.
"whcn the horses are saddled they 60 out of the
paddock through passage to the course, ana nave
all 10 do a preliminary can,cr past the grand ssand
before going the post Every horse carries lgit
numbered sadolec 10th corresponding to the number on
the race card so that everyone can identify IL at
glance The clerk Of the course follows the racers to
the post To that every horse Is there on ;me ana
10 point out the place of starting. The starter In
Victoria is George Watson, Irish gentleman of
means lie receives small fee annually as an
bonoraIium from the club, and that places him as an
greatest and tbs world has seen, and
do not lar McGeorse Lord Charles Beresfori Mr.
Watson has thorough control oven the jockeys. His
honor is unimpeachsbe; he never bets on race and
his name is Synonymous with integrity. lie never
takes advantage of jockeys by deceiving them and
telling them to 20 back and then letting the flag
drop. II he reports jockey for disobedence will
full delays the offender is dealt with in the severest
manner by the committee. The result is that we start
our fields with the greatest expedition.
All our horses get a standing start They are
made to toe the line like cavalry. At the post from
which they start u man stands, and the instant the
nag falls hc presses electric BUTTON which sounds
huge gong in the paddock to announce the start and
sets in motion great clock that records the time of
the race.
.When the horses finish the clerk of the scales is
told the winner by the judge and he Immediately
gallOps after the horse charge of the animal
20 sec THAI interferes with touches it, The
winner Is brought back past the judge and is escorted
TO the weighing yard anu Is the rst weighed In; then
the second Is weighed In, tlen ttie tlfa. After the
third Is weighed in nag Is hosted, if there be
a me numbers arr aI ostcd in there IS
only man in the judges stand and he, like the
Victoria is Mr.. Waiiey, of sandhurt, of the most
upright in the world. His decisions never
Melbourne Cup Day is great national holiday,
people paironze the Pennington course on that day
The sight ON the lawn, with the magnificent costumes
the world, and to my mind exceeds Ascot, Epson or
GOodwood You can form some idea of the amount Of
petition when tell you that for weeks prior to the
event every large drapery establishment In Melbourne
apply for special permits 70 scsp open after o'clock
Rp the in eboes the me rees c%y
is experienced by visitors In obtaining lodgings, and
the Streets the night preceding the Cup race For
this great racing event the Victoria Club gives $4,000
awhcn ii comes 10 riding fiat races. must confess
that our jockeys are III my opinion not equal TO such
Watts and Webb, all of whom marvellous horsemen.
Our 'eross.copntry riders are. think, the best In
Burke n wO and RSsS S $ no sec msy
races in England. l saw the Nightingale brothers;
hurdle riding, of the jockeys whipping their
horses on the neck and Others not able TO maintain
of course, having been here but a few days. can
to me that racing were conducted here on the Aus
taan lines that Is where an afternoons racing could
be given 60 tine people at reasonable charge, where
ladies could ind excellent outing and the sport be
conducted on principles OF honest dealing, IL would
given to the venture by the breeders of stock i'll this
country The essential thing mould be horses to com
Ing, and think as many would be at work IN and
nere For the iifo Of me do not understand what the
large ranchowDcrs and breeders have been doing that
class racetrack in this large city before now: Their
horses would find plenty Of buyers here with racing
and Il course can be obtained close 70 san Fran
turn from Australia in January and with my partner.
Joseph Thompson, Will go into the enterprise deter
What we need Is the assurance OF horses to compete.
and we will attend 10 the rest Men OF the highest
standing in the community will be asked TO form them
selves jockey club to see that everything con
Quoted ON fair principles If into the enterprise.
] guarantee that we will have racetrack second To
none in the world
MIR Joseph before lie left Melbourne wss the recipi
ent of banquet in the town hall at sahdhlrst and
MAS presented with illuminated address from the
Mayor and Counsellors Of the corporation. lie was
also banqueted by the Victoria Club.
The season at the Elizabeth track closes tomorrow
Linden Park resumes on Wednesday for a days
meeting after which racing in the East will be at the
mercy OF Clifton Guttenburg for nearly five months.
The Elizabeth programme for to-day is given below.
THE ELIZABETH ENTRIES TO-DAY.
FIRST RACE-PURSE 5000. Two-YEAR-OLDS. SPE-
CIAL WEIGHTS. SIX FURLoNGS.
xame W.T. Name. W.T.
Ton