The V.A.T.O. spring meeting openod to-day. Tho morning broke overcast, and clouds of dust wore flying about, bub juat before tho first race n heavy shower of rain fell. The weather then cleared, and tho remainder of the day was pleasant} and agreeable, rendering the outing very enjoyable. The attendance was quite equal to that of previous years, and among tho .spectators were His Excellency Lord Hopotoun and suite, Great) inter est was centred in the first race— the Caulfleld Stakes— in which Marvel and BungeWh ware to measure strides whh ono another. A large fleld faced tha starter, and Marvel, after chopping aboub in tho market, eventually settled down a firm favorite, and ho never once gave his backers any anxiety, as ho drowned tho straight-logged chestnut oasily in *i tim« which is only a couple of seconds over tho Australian record. Bungebah's do* feat caused him to recede in the betting for the Caulficld Gup, and 100 to U was on otfer in the paddock. In the last race — the Toorftk Handicap— Merriment did not got away with the field, and his 1 owner (Mr D. Greenaway) had the jockey (Rainsforth) called before the stowards to explain his conduct. The startor ad mitted tho ridor was not to blame for tho horse being loft, and the stewards rery properly dismissed the protest. The fol lowing are tho results : Caolfield Stakhs. One mile and x fur long. Marvel (including 71bs penalty) (Herrii) 1 Hungebah (including Gibs ponalty) (Rainaforth) 2 D>"on .. [(LewU) 3 Sixteen horses started. Betting— 2 to 1 against Marvel, 3 to 1 Bungebah. The latter was first into tho straight, bub Rainsforth, not making evary use of his advantage, the worthy son of Marvel Losis, gradually got on terms, and com ing full of running won with the greatosb ease by a length, Dillon being half a length behind Bungebah, Malvolio fourth. Time— lmin 67isecs. Handicap Hurdles. Two miles. Sundowner, lOst 4Iba ... (Gardiner) 1 Fire King, lOat (Young) 2 Leroy, Hat lOlbs ... ... (Fergiuson) 3 fourteen horses started. Botting— 5 to 1 against lxion, 6 to 1 Sundowner. Won by half a length. Time— 3mins 54£sccs. Great Foal Stakes. Four furlong*. Trieste (Huxley) t p;ly (Ray) t Molba (Morrwon) 3 Eleven horses started. Betting— 5 to 2 against Lily, 3 to 1 Trieste. 