PAST AND PRESENT RACING IN DUNEDIN

Evening Star, Issue 20983, 23 December 1931, Page 7

PAST AND PRESENT RACING IN DUNEDIN

Photographic fidelity is not claimed for this picture. But it gives a fair idea of the country over which the first steeplechase in the district was decided, at Anderson’s Bay; it is, moreover, the' most ancient of the pictorial relics of our racing in these parts; and it brings to the memory of some greybeards who are still with us a thought or two about a man who in one capacity or another had a very early and practically continuous connection with the Otago Jockey Club and its successor the Dunedin Jockey Club. The reference is to Arthur Smith, who had a horse running in that steeplechase, and in later years, the ’seventies and ’eighties, nearly always had a rod in pickle for any selling race that was worth his while. He had English experience, and knew more about racehorses and their ' running than most of his contemporaries, though he seldom aspired to costly ventures. A man of the same period who did launch out a bit and had a long run for important stakes was John Stephenson, who raced • here on ' a track

at Montecillo with a horse named Poison, and in after years was a partner with James Hazlett in the ownership of some famous racers, as Gipsy Grand, Hippomenes, and Occident. It was a somewhat remarkable racing firm, in that it never bought at high prices, hut picked its horses very wisely from time to time, and, though never troubling the betting ring, it paid its way in stake winning. John Stephenson counts as one of the D.J.C. patriarchs, and its president from the foundation for eight yeax - s. In its career of sixty-two years the D.J.C. has_ had but eight presidents. The one with the longest hold of the presidency was George M'Lean, who occupied the chair from 1885 to 1916. He began ownership in association with Sir Hercules Robinson, and continued on his own account. Lady Emma and Lady Evelyn were two of the first horses to carry the Zetland spots. Subsequently these colours were mostly seen on horses of Sir George’s own breeding. Enroclydon was perhaps the best of the Warrington breed, hut that colt was bought' as a youngster by

Hugh Craig, of Lawrence, and raced fay that gentleman. Pampero and Vladimir were aniongst other good ones that came from the same stud. It was almost entirely because of George M'Lean’s insistence that the Dunedin Jockey Club moved from Forbury to Wingatui in March, 1899, after occupying the old course for thirty years. At some stages of the discussion about shifting he stood almost alone in_ advocating the purchase of Wingatui. Events have proved his wisdom. At the time of the negotiatinos the Forbury rental was keeping the club poor. Moreover, the course could not be extended. The track was only a mile round—such as would be sniffed at nowadays. The transference has given us a wider track and a longer one. A mile and a-quarter suits striding horses, and it also suits the crowd, since they can see a race all the way. Moreover ; Wingatui has become a recognised ideal spot for racing picnics, there being abundant space in picturesque surroundings. It is quite the fashion now to make up family parties who go to Wingatui pri-

marily for the outing, and make the racing an adjunct to the day’s pleasure. For persona so inclined it is a cheap outing. The return train fare is only Is fid second class, 2s 5d first, and the gate fee Is 6d. Nowhere else can metropolitan racing bo witnessed at less expense. The shift to Wingatui was in the public interest, the readjustment of transit fares is the most recent bid for further popularity, and in time to come, if the D.J.C. perseveres in catering for the wants of the people at large—a line of policy that the present president (Mr A. C. Hanlon) advocates—our club may line up with the foremost clubs in New Zealand. It deserves such a destiny, having weathered severe difficulties and learned by experience that the true support of racing clubs is tho confidence and goodwill of the crowd. Those who go to Wingatui for' the Christmas meeting now in preparation will be satisfied that the course is one of the very prettiest, and that the control of the racing is such as to ensure a fair spin for owners and the public.