DUNEDIN J.C. BIRTHDAY MEETING.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7871, 23 May 1891, Page 6

DUNEDIN J.C. BIRTHDAY MEETING.

Thia meeting seems to be as full of interest as meetings held at the Forbury usually are when Canterbury horses are engaged, and a large number of visitors have gone South to take part. As the fields are food there should be some interesting racing, 'he following are "Spectator's" predictions :—lf Ahua is beaten in the Hurdle Race I fancy Wairua is the. most likely to effect his overthrow, and aa Wairua will likely be a starter in that event The Idler will about win the Maiden from Crown Jewel. In the Birthday Cup a splendid race should be witnessed, but of the trio Blizzard, Hazel, and Palliser, I think Blizzard most likely to prove successful. Kulnine has done a gallop or two at Forbury, and is considered likely to act well in the going there, and I take him to win the Tradesman's Handicap, and Inez may follow him home.

(By Telegraph.)

(_BOH OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

DUNEDIN, May 22.

Owing to the broken weather the work during the last three days has been intermittent, gallops being brought off whenever opportunity served. A full account of the exercise is therefore out of my power to procure, but I can give you an outline of Friday morning's work, which will perhaps be sufficient, the fact being that nothing sensational has ever been seen by anybody, and the satisfactory fact may be recorded that so far as observed not one horse has gone wrong in training this time. One of the best spins this morning was that between Yon Tempsky and Wairua, who proved their fitness in a good gallop twice round at a strong pace. Wairuais pleasing everybody and if it be true, I have just heard that he will go for the Maiden instead of the Hurdles, he should just about win. Lady Bell and Dunmore went about the Maiden Plate distance at three-quarter pace, the former having the best of it. Retina was associated with Miss George and Assyrian King in a sound spin twice round, during every part of which Retina was Suiting over her companions. Occident and 'empest travelled the same distance together, the horse leading by courtesy. I think Tempest would have been in front if they had been racing. Hazel was considerably better than British Lion in a gallop at a rattling pace, but please bear in mind that the Lion's chance, whatever it is, will be improved by the course being heavy. It was on a miry course, was it hot, that he won his Metropolitan ? Crown Jewel went with Dragon in what "the boys call a " messed up sort of spin," the meaning of which could not be easily understood, but m y own opinion is that Dragon held the mare safe.' Hector and Cora did a useful mile, both going well Tired and Trimolite went two- miles at a nice steady pace. The latter is fit. Lady Mab worked by herself in rugs. She will strip in good condition, and may get a place in the Tradesmen's if well ridden. Carronade had Bay Bang for a mate in a working gallop twice round. Idler disposed of Jenny Lind without an effort. Leinster, whose tenderness is decreasing, and does not seem to stop him from galloping, was associated with Forest King and Wayland in steady work. Wayland is ready to race. Lady' Darling, Little Arthur, and Lady Zetland formed a procession at an easy pace. Lord Aston cantered two miles with rugs on. He is on the big side. Palliser went the same distance, going one mile like a steam engine. Among the others that stripped were SStonehenge, Pique, Dormeur, Galtee, Miss Ann, De Trop, and Langley, and the trotter Victor put in a splendid three-mile spin, moving like a bit of machinery. I nave not yet seen anything of Quibble.

The rain seems to have taken off now, and if no more falls, the course will be not so bad after all. No scratchiags are announced excepting Maori Jack for the Trot. There is a slackness in the betting caused by the fact that Palliser is such a prime favorite for the Birthday Handicap; 25 to 2 is, however, obtainable about the double Birthday and Tradesmen's, and with anything but Palliser to begin, with, a better, price is obtainable, there being lots of nags left at 50 tol.

As to the probable results, my opinion is that the Hurdle Race lies between Ahua and Wairua, and if, as hinted;, above, Wairua is reserved for the Maiden I shall expect to see him win that race. . Ahua will then be my selection for the Hurdles, but it will be bad betting to take anything like level money about the top weight,. as. the heavy going must give Trimolite a show, and Inch Keith is by no means out of it. The race is, in fact, an open one, as between those mentioned.. Next to Wairua for the Maiden, and, therefore, my pick if that horse is an absentee, I fancy Idler, while Crown Jewel is pretty sure to gain a place. As to the Birthday Handicap, Occident will be ridden by Leeson, Blizzard by Tommy Buddicombe, Hazel by Fred Holmes, Palliser, I think, by Bowie, British Lion by Burns, Coinage by Kingan, and Tempest by Thomas, if she starts. As for the others Retina's people seem not quite sure whether to have a go for the mile and a half or to keep her for the Tradesmen's. If she does start in the Birthday I fancy that either White or Brown will have the mount. Leinster will be steered by Allen if he starts, but I think he will be kept for the Selling Race. As to Stonehenge Ido not know who will have the mcrunt, and I am sure it does not matter. My fancy in one is Palliser, and discarding the rumor that Occident has done a startling gallop on the quiet, I think that Tempest is the member that must do the trick if a boil over comes from that quarter. She is very well and could certainly get a place, if not win straight out, if she could be depended on to try, but it is about .10 to 1 that she will chuck it up. The best advice I can give for the Trot is Victor or Telephone, with Cloud as worth watching, bnt I fancy Victor after his spin this morning. I shall discard Lord Aston for the Selling, and, as Quibble's starting is doubtful, my election is Lady Darling or Leinster. If Retina is kept for the Tradesmen's, I tip her in one, but, as she may not be reserved, I couple her with Knlnine to supply the winner, and Moraine may be dangerous. The heavy going makes the races more open than they would otherwise be.

(VBOM A CO__REBPO-_>_K_.) DUNEDIN, May 22, •'The Admiral" selects the following to Win the various events:—Ahua, for the Hurdles; Palliser, for the Birthday Handicap, with Hazel dangerous; Kulnine, for the Tradesmen's Handicap; and Peerswick for the Selling Rase. The weather is cold and threatening.