DUNEDIN.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 8271, 23 November 1895, Page 4

DUNEDIN.

Dunedin, November 18. If asked to give the most disappointing three-year-old in Otago I should name Maximilian. Bred from one of Musket's greatest sons and the faste3t mare under "a light weight that the colony has ever seen, he ought to have won a lot of races ere this. As a matter of fact he is yet absolutely a maiden and likely to keep that state for some time, as to day he was taken up to Warrington, there to be run loose till he thoroughly gets over the operation for emasculation, In general reepects ihe youngster is improving and hopes are entertained of his ycfc proving hi 3 value. Lady Evelyn, the mare w!iO3e speed is above referred to, once ran a half mile so fast under a feather weight that James Kean, who then trained her, thought his watch had played him a trick until corroborating evidence from bthers present satisfied him that he had beeiUrieeing a real phenomenal gallop. Yesterday I called in at the Kew stables and made one of a party to do homage to the rising—or shall we say the risen sun— Euroclydon. He looks bright and well, not a shade the worse for the M r ear and tear of his recent gallops on that electric course at Riecarton. Goodman gave him a gallop on Saturday and also the next day, with satisfactory results, and all being well we shall have the champion racing at the Dunedin Meeting. Very few of the ordinary followers of the stable had a sou on Euroclydon in the New Zealand Cup. , Fancy Mr E. Lyons, a staunch adherent, letting the colt go. The preliminary trial down here put everybody off. Goodman tells mc that he himself never despaired. He saw excuses for the Dunedin trial.

I expect to see Euroclydon pay up for the Otago Cup. Whether he can win is another matter. It is a great rise he gets as compared with Prime Warden, equal to a penalty of about a stone and a half; and then there is Gipsy Grand to be reckoned with. This colt would probably have been second in the Cup had he run kindly, and he was giving Euroclydon 61b. Now he receives 61b. Ido not suggest that that is unfair, but it estimates Euroclydon pretty highly, and if he can win from those named and two or three othere he must be pure grit—a second Carbine.

The yarns afloat as to what the stable won over the meeting—l mean the owner and trainer—are for the most part greatly exaggerated. I understand they originally had £500 between them for the Cup, but laid off a portion. There waa, of course, something got from the machine, and one way and another it was a good day's work, but nothing near the amounts mentioned in current rumours. I reckon that a wealthy backing stable would consider themselves badly treated if they did not profit as much over a race of far less importance. I have tried to ascertain whether Euroclydon is definitely going to Auckland for the Derby there, and may inform readers on authority that nothing will be finally settled until the D.J.C. meeting is over, though the chances are in favour of his making the trip. I think the owner would like to see the weights in the Cup before making up his mind. Musket went amiss as the result of his gallop at the Taieri meeting, the joint that used to trouble him showing such an enlargement as to necessitate his being thrown out of work. M. Allan's horses, and Mr G. Smith's Speedwell (Martini-Henry—Spice) were offered at auction on Saturday and passed in. Leinster has once more got into trouble. The course was so treacherous at Winton as to bring Dora down in the Cup, as already related, and also to cause the old Zelica horse to twist one of his fetlocks. He won three races at the Winton meeting last year—the three that the Naseby horse Lobo accounted for on this occasion. Mr J. O'Donnell, of Mosgiel, has purchased the Sir Garnet mare Ulva. E. Hankins has put in an appearance with the four-year-old Salute, by Nordenfeldt — Sweet Afice, (dam of The Dreamer), and the two-year-old Cuirassina, by Cuirassier from Rosarina. On looks they are a bonny pair, the younger especially. They are lodged at the Racecourse Hotel. ' Auckland's champion sprinter, St. Clements, has likewise arrived, and in the best of health. He is quartered at Mercer's. The day that he was landed, the double of Gipsy Grand and St. Clements—Otago Cup and Federal Handicap—was pretty well all taken. The Forbury tracks are now in capital order, and suit-able for work of any sort. Mr Henderson, the new caretaker, evidently understands his work. Dates fall very awkward this year for the purposes of prophesying in connection with the Dunedin Meeting. The necessity is laid upon mc u> speak this week prior to the declaration of the acceptances. I shall do my best, but will ask leave for a final say in the daily Press. In the Hurdle Race I regard. Clarence, Jack Harkaway, Invader, Rebel/ Smuggler, and one or two of the light weights as pretty sure to start. A fair field is assured. - Osman I should have, a liking for if he came to the post fit and well, but it is said he ie a doubtful starter. All things considered, I shall vote for Clarence. For the Otago Cup my present impression is (hat the best of the crowd are—lfr Hobbs , selected (which

many think will be Lady Zetland), Gipsy Grand.and Barmby, and I shall take these three in the meantime, indicating a preference for Mr Hobbs , best, whichever that may be. The Dunedin Stakes may provide a conlost between Bombshell, Mavlin, and Dalliance, and 1 leave a closer selection till giving niv thial tips. t>T. Clemknts and Sakackn read as probanles in the Federal, but this is a pretty open race, and, all in, I should be compelled to include Bannby, Arline, and Einmelinc as possessing good ohances. The task of picking such a race as the Maiden Two-Year-Old Handicap must of necessity be a mere dab in the dark, and in naming"Bouesuasu and Tiaka as having a show. I inav be wide of the mark. Goodwood and Salvo arc to be reckoned with in the Welter. As to the trot, what a show Frolicsome would have if the Frolicsome of old. Apart from her I like Bedale and Count. November 19. Mr J. Stephenson's Outpost was doing a mile and a half gallop this morning on the plough with Gipsy Grand when, after going seven furlongs, he faltered, and, falling a little further on, it was found that the near hind leg was broken below the hook. The horse was at once shot. J. Cotton is now training Fairy, the daughter of Boolka that comes from the South.