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AUSTRALIAS PRESENT DAY CHAMPION. Duke Foote, a six-year-old bay horse by Sir Foote Ortelle, owned by a man who raws under the nom de course of "Mr. J. Baron." is hailed as the weigbt-for-age champion of Australia. This horse has recently been exhibiting rare form iu the important spring fixtures, and the Sydney Referees racing expert writes of him as follows: "Although it is a weakness of many to decry our present day race horses, even the most pessimistic follower of tbe game must admit that Dnke Foote compares more than favorably with many of the much-lauded giants of the past. There is no doubt as to bis gameness, and though I am not prepared to say he is as good at two miles as at a mile and a half, his excellence up to tbe latter distance is undeniable. In tbe Craven Plate one and one-quarter miles be was in front half a mile from home and, with nothing to fairly extend him from that out, he got within a quarter-second of Son of the Marshs Australian record of 2:05." Ip to the time of departure of the last mail from Australia, Duke Foote had run iu twenty-three races, his first start being in a two-year-old handicap at Caulfield, when, ridden by J. Lightfoot. be finished unplaced. The record of his placed performances follows: At three years Won Rosehill Maiden Handicap :$ 425 At four years Third, Sydney Handicap Randwick. 250 Third, Victoria Racing Club, Coburg Stakes. 150 First, Williamstown Cup 5,000 At five years Won. Warwick Handicap Warwick Farm... 350 Won. Tatts Chelmsford Stakes Randwick. 3,180 Dead beat for first. Australian Jockey Clubs Club, Spring Stakes -- 2.510 Won, Australian Jockey Club, Metropolitan.. 20,345 Won, Australian Jockey Club, Craven Plate.. 7.5S0 Won, Victoria Racing Club, Melbourne Stakes 4,320 At six years Won, Tatts Chelmsford Stakes Randwick, 4,790 Won, Australian Jockey Club, Spring Stakes. 5,750 Won, Australian Jockey Club, Craven Plate. . 7.530 Won, Randwick Plate 7.400 Total 0,0SO
