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PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIAN RACING. Gentleman Conversant With the Turf in Many Lands Says It Excels All. Andrew Robertson, a prominent horseman of Australia, is vistiug in San Francisco on his way to Sydney after exporting twenty -one thoroughbreds from England. Robertson is well known on the American turf for in the last lifteen years he lias taken over hundreds of our thoroughbreds, trotters and pacers to Australia. Be is owner of tbe Allendale Stock Farm near Melbourne, where a aasaber ot United States bred horses are qaar-teicd, says the Sau Francisco Chronicle of January 14. Roberts. ,n says lie is pleased to re| ort that American horses have given a good account of themselves in his country. Only recently be won the Australian Cup with I.cmpi iere. by The Scribe, a horse that was bred and raised in Kentucky. Other local horses, which have been campaigned successfully by BobertSOD are Hamburg Belle and the trotter The Maid, that was taken over two years ago on the advice- of Ben Walker and won the big slake of the season. "Australia is undoubtedly the turf center of the world," s;iys Robertson. "I have witnessed the sport in England, France and this country and they do not compare with the racing in Australia. Why, at Melbourne alone there are thirteen race tracks. Tic- conditions of the races are liberal, too. Take the Melbourne Cup for an example. It is valued at 40,900 and it costs but 0 to make nominations that hold good until the week of the races, Then 50 is required to start, which is done to prevent the starting of horses that stand but little chance of winning and would lie in the way in the big holds. "The attendance at the races has been remarkable, considering that 130,000 men have been sent to the war. The people love the sport and it is run on a high plane-. II is gratify lag to see the increased Interest being taken here. A grand op ponl unity is being offered American breeders to build up the Standard of their thoroughbreds. "I found racing in bad shape in England. It is practically the only big industry that has been hard hit by the war. tiller conditions were as normal as in other times w lieu i ha, been cut there. While there were practically two race meetings every day in the year in Other ye-ars, Newmarket was practically the only place where racing is being conducted and meetings ale held only four days every other week. The rii h men dec not seem to have- the money to keep up their racing stable--and the general opinion is against spending money iu that diiee tiecii when it is neeeled in other cluiu-nels. I think it will be years befoifc tho sport will be- restored, oven though the- war should end at an early date. "Choice Engli-h bred thoroughbreds are selling cheap." ccentinued Robertson. "1 secured some yearlings by recognised sires out of producing dams for less than the price of the stallions sell ices. American breeders should take advantage of this opportunity to build up their Mood lines. They have Imported a number of horses, hut they an-going ah-.ut it in the wrong way. I found that many of t.ie-ir London commissioners knew little or nothing about thoroughbreds. "George Wingneld, your local horseman, made a good purchase when he- secured Honey wood, the In.- year-old by Polymelus --Honey Bird. 1 venture.! lo predict thai Honey wood can beat any horse-in this country ove-r a mile. I look for him to make a name- for himself here. The leost horse in England is Pommera. lie is by Polymeias and a WODder. It is a German name and there was some desire- to change it. owing to the feeling over the war."
