JOTTINGS BY "HOTSPUR."

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9704, 17 April 1897, Page 4

JOTTINGS BY "HOTSPUR."

[By Tele_raph.]

Dunedin, April 12. Duuedin folk expect, and certainly not without justification, the Forbury-trained contingent to more than hold their own at the C.J.C. meeting. The most encouraging reports come to baud in regard to the doings of Belle Clair and Black and Red on the training ground. It is the present intention that both start for the Great Easter, and Belle Clair is a geuuine little filly and will doubtless run a good race,* but I rather suspect to stay out seven furlongs with over Bst is a little beyond her in the company she will meet on Easter Monday, fler' stable companion stays better I fancy, and as a horse must be possessed of staying ability to win such a race as the Great Easter, I take the son ot Maxim to bo the best for next week's contract.

McGinness with Lord Rosslyn, Maremma, and Felina would reach Riccarton on Monday night. The Dunedin Cup winner is looking a much-improved horse to when he was seen at the Dunedin Autumn Meeting. When reviewing the weights for the Great Autumn Handicap I remarked that, if Lord Rosslyn were to get through his preparation without interruption, he would be my first choice. Well, he having done so, I fully expect whatever beats him to be the one enrolled next to Bellicent in the list of winners. McGinness's Easter Handicap candidate has been going satisfactorily and should run well, and if the going be heavy •his prospect of "success would be hinproved. Though Musketry was withdrawn from his Riccarton engagements, he has nob broken down. His new trainer was more than ever pleased with him during his preparation for Christchuvch, but the development of a splint on the knee caused him to decline immediate engagements.

Goldspur, accompanied by the evergreen Stockfish, ieavesDanedin for Christchurch on Wednesday, and Riccarton racegoers will hardly recognise Goldspur for the same horse that they saw at the Midsummer Meeting. He is still plain, but has fined down a lot and looks more what he is, a really good one. I have some little misgiving as to whether he will quite finish home in the Great Easter, but I am satisfied he will give an excellent account of himself, and anything to beat him will not have to loiter on the way. Missfire is not going north, but will be a competitor at the Taeri.

Goodman's tide of ill-luck has not yet turned, Rancour having given way on his hitherto sound leg. He and Aldershot, who has now a very big leg, are on the swimming list. If Goodman has a representative at all at Christchurch it will be Tiara, who may be taken North on Thursday. As has been stated, Goodman has bought out Mr Hugh Craig's share of Euroclydon. The colt has been blistered on both legs. He runs out in a little paddock adjoining his stables during the day. The big colt appears in fine health and Goodman does not intend that he snail get gross in condition. There is no fear but that he will come up quite sound again, and he will make a magnificent five-year-old. As ib is his owner's intention to hold a sale oi stock, bar the champion, after the D.J.C. Meeting, it is on the cards that, if a. clearance can be effected, Enroclydon will be taken to Australia to race.

The Riverton gathering, the most popular fixture in Southland, is engendering a lot of interest in the far south, and good racing is anticipated there on Easter Monday. Huntsmart or Peter Simple should account for the Steeplechase, the piece de resistance of the card. St. Patrick appears to be rather leniently treated in the company he is called upon to meet in the flat races, and he should win whatever he is sent for. The Riverton Club is a wealthy institution, and another year may be expected to launch out in the way of stake giving.