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RACING NOTES
The training operations for the time being are virtually over, and the numerous candidates will receive the nishing touches to-day. Up to yesterday morning the weather conditions were simply perfect, and nothing occurred to war the East- pleasure of the expeditions to the track. ern sportsmen generally observe the day of rest more completely than their brothran elsewhere, and as a result work on the course is usually suspended on that day. It is always imperative however to gallop two days before racing, and in consequence the usual rufe was not observed yesterday morning. As sort of protest the cle- ments indulged in a wet escapade, and in a most objectionable way damped the jackets and the spirits of everyboʻly interested. Rain fell in tor rents before the work was over, and the ponies and riders who were out in it presented a sorry spectacle as they returned to the enclosure, Fortunately the Derby cracks got through beforehand, and their final gallops were accom- plished satisfactorily.
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General regret was expressed when it became ku wa that Rampant Rose bad gone amiss, and would be au unlikely starter in the classic race. His trainer has hopes of bringing him to the post, but even should he succeed the chances of the pony's success are very remote indeed,
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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Should the weather prove unpropitions the best laid plans and the fine calculations will be rudely upset, and many of the hitherto des- pised competitors will come in for a meed of unexpected attention. Ponies of the sturdy Strathcona typ, will probably share fancy with one of the Kings and Bulbul, whilst the more aristocratic iu app arance will lose their posi. tion in public favour. In dealing with the momentary chances weather conditions must be ignored, aud consequently Thunderstorm, Strathcona, and Modder will be mentioned in the order named. Modder did an extraordinary | gallop yesterday, apparently stopping at every quarter, but his fiuish was quite satisfactory. He lugs out a good deal, and unless in a good hamour will be troublesome in this respect when racing. His varius times have been so good however that they compel his inclusion in the probabilities.
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One of the very best gallops clocked sinc# Thursday last was Sandstorm's mile in Lafu fourteen. Charger, who accompanied him, was hopelessly boaten before half a mile had ba covered, and toiling in the rear finished ten lengths to the bad. Sandstorm kept going in the most resolute manner, and his name pro- mises to figure prominently in the list of win-
ners.
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If the information obtained from a contom- poraneous source is correct, Messrs. Flower xad Higgins have been unfortunate in the naming of their griffen. The river after which pony is called rises at flood tims with great rapidity and is said to inspire fear. Tugela has not succeeded in instilling the same spirit into his racing op- ponents, neither has his track form trighten ed owners into the belief that he possesses & chance of wresting any of the namerons trophies from the grasp of other likely competitors.
course.
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Number one race on the card for tomorrow is the Wong-nei-choug Stakes, over a half-mile Tube-Rose. Beechuat, and Yellow Dwarf forin a likely trio for the event, at all times a hard one to pick. Esperance, although small can gallop, aud may win the prize for Mr. Hart Back.
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more coa-
The first mile to be discussed is the Victoria Stakes, aud nothing stands out spicuously than Saudstorm and Forrest King. The latters stable-mate Dessert King will be a hard nut to crack in the Maideu Stakes, al- though he will be stoutly opposed by Diplomat and Dot Rose. The latter has a bigger foliov- ing for this raga than either of the others, uut Dessert King, assisted as he will be by one of the best horsemen in China, commends himself to those who have followed form closely.
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Impahla may be reserved for the Comprador's
Cap, and in his absence the chestnuts, Orange | Blossom and Sarton, shouli fight but the finish in the Valley Stakes. Both ponies have done wellheir iu t training, and their defeat is very doubtful. The ultimate winner of this race will be worth watching in subsequent events.
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The Foochow Cap has attracted a rattling filed. A mile and three quarters should just su the Shangha' crack Shannon, and the task of winning should be a comparatively easy one for him. Rose de France is one of the nicest inovers in the colony, but to lower Shannon's colours he will need to put np a performance p apari. Pluto, who sooms to hire beyond his
amortgage on the Lusitano Cap, will probably be reserved for that raco.
The shortor coursi
will be to uis liking, and it seems aim at impos. sible to locate a probable conqueror.
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The second mile and a half race to be decided to-morrow is the Hongkong lub Cup. All the best old ponies are engaged, as well as some of the others, but their starting will depend to a material extent on the earlier performances. The programine cou ludes with the Encourage. mout Stakes for defeated subscription griffons of this season.
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IRIDENT.
HONGKONG JOCKEY CLUB.
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[ February 24, 1900. The Victoria Stakes oame consummate ease. on for discussion within a half-hour of the initial ovent, and farnished an exciting finish. The favourite Forest King was backed as if the race were virtually over, but the consistent littlo Sandstorm upset the calculations of the sanguine followers of Mr. Potts' stable und landed the stake by half a length, and Beechnat and Standard Rose were locked together at the end of the journey. The former however secured the second place verdict by a head. Forest King's defect did not prevent his fanciers from supporting Desert of that ilk in the Maiden Stakes, and he more than compensated them for their early discomfiture by winuing handsomely, Diploma and Dot Rose filling the places.*
The Valley Stakes, practically the fore- ranner of future classic events, attracted more attention than any of the previous races, and excitemgut simmered through the crowd as the starters facel e post. Surtow and Orange Blossout werd the elect of the cognoscentis, the latter boin moro generally fancied. Sirtow's chances were settled in & very short time, and the other chestnut was BO indifferently handled that Mr. Cumming had no difficulty in beating him with the outsider. Raseal. Orange Blossom's rider rehabilitated huaself on Rose de France in the Foochow Cup Riding with judgement that would have stood him in good stead in the Valley Stakes, he beat Sin ad on the post. The race was looked upon as the best of good things for the winner, bus it required all his rider's ingennity to land him in front. Loug before the Derby oleot were out, every point of vantage was taken pos- session of and the dilatory were compelled to content themselves with ordinary stands. Tinderst rm retained his position in the bittin. market, and a general impression pre- vailed that he would at least get a place. The race was exciting in the extreme. Storm King, running on the interests of his stable companion, out the ranming at a raro pace and established a lead of many lengths before one quarter of the journey had been accomplished. The favourite was the first to decrease the distance between the bunch and the leader and Judge.-C. P. Chater, C.M.G.
in doing so probably spoilt his own obances. Assistant Judge.-The Hon. F. H. May. He jumped to the front a half-mile from home, C.M.Q.
STEWARDS.
His Excellency Sir Henry A. Blako, G CMG; His Excellency Vics.Admird Sir Edward H. Seymour, KC B.; His Excellency Majo -General W. J. Gascoigne, C.M G.; Com- molore Francis Powoll, R.N., CB ; Major M. M. Morris, R.A.; A Babiuztan. Esq; The Hon C. P. Chater. C M G ; D. Gillies, Esq.; R. M. Gray. Esq.; Sir Thomas Jackson, K.; The Hon. J. J Keswick; J. II. Lin, Esg The Hon F. H. May, C.M.G.; and The Hon. T. II. Whitehead.
Clarks of the Scale —Major M. M. Morris, R. A., and J. H. Lowis. Esq.
Starter-A. Babington, Esq.
Ser md Starter-Ronald Hutton Potta, Esq. Hon. Treasurer.-J. C. Peter. Esq. Clerk of the Course.-I. F. Hough. Esq.
FIRST DAY, TUESDAY, 20TH FEBRUARY.
WAN
from the fact that the course À pare rather sodden, the conditions were all in favour of a successful outing, and the i augural dy of the race-meet attracted an attendance quita up to the most saugaiuo expectations. Shortly before the flag fell for the introductory event, His Ex-Aloney the Governor and suite arrived on the ground, and from that tim» until well into the afternoou the gathering increased in exigut. The arrangemouts were almost perfect, and every detail had received the careful atten. tion of the Clerk of the Course whose efforts combined with those of the Committee, were crowned with the most complete success. addition to other innovations in the shape of conveniences, the Press poople were provided with a special stand and room. sud they work not slow to show their appreciation of the Club's thoughtfulness.
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Both the stands were attractively decorated, and the calmness of the atmosphere, combined with the protty surroundings and excellent racing, made the day a particularly enjoyable
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fue band of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers played an important part in the entertainment, and their music added charm to the general | effect. The course was absolutely sodden when
the racing commenced. but it improved o
the siderably as the day advance and i weather holds up it should be in excellent cou dition for to-day's racing. Punctually at half past eleven the signal gong announced the readiness of the officials to look after their charges, and shortly after noon the contestants in the first race were despatched on their momentous journey. Mr. Hart Luck's neat little Esperance started favourite, aul justi- fied the confidence reposed in him by jamp. and winning with 'ing off in the
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but was only allowed to remain there on suf. ferauce. Modder Bulbul and Strategist had | «viloutly bongfitted more by the solid pace set than the one for whom it was intended, for the latter tailed off hopelessly defeated just at the momeat that the other three moved to the front. Bulbul had been ridlen with excellent care, and when Modder tackled bim ho was able to stall off his rush and maintain the lead. Strategist come from the ruck at the distanco post, and looked like winning until within a hundred yards from home, where he failed.
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A dismal drizzle set in just after Bulbul had had settled the pretensions of the other aspirants for blue ribbou honors, and the poeple made a gueral rush for shelter. he rain ceased before the Lusitano Cup was run, and the course goon re-assumed its anim sted appearance. Plato made his debut in the last mentioned event, and sustained his Amoy reputation by easily annexing the winning bracket, The Comprad re's Cup gave Mr. Burkill a second lfis mount, chance to distinguish himself. The Robber, was Wa nucousidered chance, but he succeeded in defeating his more popular rivals. Shannon was almost unopposed in the second mile and a half, and the Hongkong Club Cup was added to his list of victories in short ordør, The concluding event was won in good style by Minor, who was handled in admirable style by r. Gresson. Sartow, despite his in- glorious exhibition in the early part of the day, had a good following in the last race, but either his rider or he are sadly out of form,
Mr. Hoe or Sampson, of Shanghai, success- fully conducted the `Pari Mutuel The dividends were promptly paid and the whole business was conducted to the entire satisfaction of every. bly concerned. Appanded aro the detailed re- sulls of the racing.
The WONG-NEI-CHONG STAKES; a sweepstakes of $5 each with $109 added; second pony to receive $50; for China ponies; weight for in- cles as per scale; grifßns on date of entry allowed 3 lbs.; subscription griffins of last sea- son, non-winuers, and of this season, 1899-1900, allowed 7 lbs. Half a mile.
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