A SUGGESTION TO THE JOCKEY CLUB.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2468, 15 April 1880, Page 2

A SUGGESTION TO THE JOCKEY CLUB.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — For the purpose of giving tho trade of tho town a lift, for inciting a love of ft noble English sport among the people, and encouraging out? farmers to brood a useful class of horses, I hope that our Jockey Club, which has bo successfully pulled through our spring and autumn races, will take tho initiative in providing the district with a one day's steeple-chaso mooting during the winter. Wo have a capital course, which was proved at our Autumn mooting, to bo none tqo exacting for avorago jumpers, and tho sporting tenants of the course will doubtless givo their willing assent to its use for tho purpose Tho host lime for the meeting would bo in that week in June in which the coursing of the Iforth Otngo Club takos place ; Friday suggests itsolf as a suitable day, as. it would pleasantly wind up a week dedicated to sport. lam prepared to hear it said that it would be unwiso in the Jockey Club to risk any of their accumulated means on steeplechases, when they may require all thoy have for helping through their spring meeting for legitimate racing in November next ; but I am of opinion that the suggested winter mooting will pay for itself, and thus I estimate the costs and the way to meet ttyom, 1 should reoommend tp load ofi' with a Af aiden stooplo-ohaso of L4O, welter weight for age 5 two miles ; and follow it with a Hack hurdle-selling stakes of L 35, same distance. Then I think a LlOO may bo added to a handicap at three miles, and that L4O may bo given for a hurdle race handicap of two miles, and wind up, what would, I feel assured, be a fine day's sport with a steeple consolation of L3O. The prizes would absorb L 235 — and I am prepared to contend that the nominations, acceptances, and course privileges would provide that sum. The egpenoes nood not exceed L3O, and this amount may surely bo collected among tho sportsmen of the town and district. I trust tho Club Committee will not deem mo presumptuous in making suggestions on this subject. — I am Obntauu.