OTAGO.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9812, 23 August 1897, Page 2

OTAGO.

DONEOIN-, August 16.

The Dunedin Jockey Club's committee have settled the important question of dates for the season in a way rather different to what had been expected. The proposition to push the Spring Meeting on to Christmastide had been freely discussed and rather forcibly advocated, and the public were quite prepared to see effect given to such a scheme. What the committee did, however, was to let the spring dates stand and make a change in the time of the Dunedin Cup meeting, altering the days to the 23rd, 24th and 261h of March. This was the time at which the Cup meeting- used to be held in the early period of- tho fixture. When February was chosen instead of March it was because the March season had been found rather risky in regard to weather. This season tho committee elect to take this risk for the sake of making use of the holiday at which Otago will celebrate her jubilee. I think the change is a wise one. The seasons have so far altered in late years that March has become one of the most reliable of months in regard to weather, so the risk is not very great, and on the other hand the advantage of participating in the jubilations is obvious. Presumably the following season will see a return to the February date. Another point about racing in March instead of February this season is that the delay will give a month's more time for preparing the Wingatui course. I expect this will be the meeting with which the new track will be opened. The committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club have also decided to do away with trotting racing so far as the club's programmes are concerned. This is a determination for which there is room for difference of opinion. Personally I am rather pleased that the club has given trotting best. The recent trotting at the Forbury has not added to the club's dignity. On the other hand, there is no doubt that trotting races pay the club very well, and some may argue that the club should have retained them aud supervised them properly and kept them as a source of revenue. With this, however, we have no concern now. The fiat has gone forth to dispense with trotting, and it only remains to chronicle the fact that the D.J.C. was one of the early promoters of trotting in New Zealand, and up -to - date has steadily fostered the sport. Now that trotting can walk alone its supporters may appropriately remember with gratitude the help the D.J.C. gave to the game when the word " trotting" was derided by the majority of racing men. The lightweight rider Toomey was taken from Oamaru to Ashburton last Wednesday, there to remain with his friends until he has thoroughly recovered from the effects of his fall while schooling Vanquisher over hurdles. The lad is still weak and shaky.

Auckland's total of totalisator money for last season is not the record for the oolony. The Dunedin Jockey Club put through £104,000 odd in the season of 1889-90. In this total I include the takings at the Hunt Club meeting, which was at the time really one of the club's fixtures.

Missfire was genuinely backed for both his races at the National meeting. Mr Curtis told his friends that he had a good chance on Saturday, and but for Umslopogaas the party would have had the pleasure of receiving a £40 dividend. Tho performances were certainly promising for a

beginner. Nat also had the support of his ewner, and many seemed quietly confident that this chestnut would run well. They say now that he could never have won, out that he would have been closer up but for smashing into a hurdle.

Another of our horses that had a backing from here was Ulster, though this was by no means a general move. Maremma was spiritedly backed when it was found that he was being reserved for the Islington Plate.

One of our trainers had the winning National double backed for £100, but I think tbe books generally got off fairly well. The Dunedin men could hardly have escaped a hit if Mutiny had got home. At the last meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club the following dates were selected for the different race meetings for the ensuing season :—-Spring meeting —Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, November 24th, 26th, and 27th, 1897 ; Autumn meeting—Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, March 23rd, 24th, and 26th, 1898 : May meeting—Saturday and Tuesday. May 21st and 24th, 1898. It was resolved—"That trotting races be not included in the season's programme, and that the Programme Committee be empowered to issue the programme—stakeß not to exceed £7,000." It was resolved —" That the added money for the Second Eclipse Stake, be reduced from 1,000 to oOOsovs, the second horse to receive 50sovs and third 25sov. from the stake."