RACING.

North Otago Times, Volume CIV, Issue 13661, 1 September 1916, Page 1

RACING.

ELIGIBLE AMISS. (Per Cable—-Press Assooinlion—[Copyright.) SYDNEY, August 21). Eligible strained his shoulder while galloping at Randwiek. There is little hope that he will be able to start at the Randwiek meeting, Private information was received in Christchurch on« Wednesday from Mr }Vi]fred Stead to the effect that Eligible had "injured his shoulder and was unlikely to start.", Eligible is a four-year-old gelding by Bonifonn from Class, who. last season, won over £4500 in stakes, and among other races won the Auckland Plate, the New' Zealand St. Leger, the Trentham Gold Cup, and the Haivke's Bay Cup. "l'etronel," writing in this week's Referee, says: "1 have Mr-Wilfred Stead's authority to say that Eligible'* special mission will be the Spring Stakes, the wetghtfor age race of a mile and a half, run on the first day, and it.can be readilv understood that if the ■Bouiform gelding were to win the race, Mr Stead would be a proud man indeed, Of course, Eligible proved himself a very good three-year-old in this country, but' lie has much harder work In front of him than lie was ever asked to accomplish last season. Some of the other members of Mr Stead's team may run in handicap events, but they are not at Randwiek solely for that'purpose, as has been said. I should also .say that neither Eligible nor Sasanof has been backed by the stable for a shilling for any Australian engagement." TJse mishap is greatly to be regretted, because Eligible proved himself a first-class th'rpo-yoar-old, and there was reason for the belief that' ho would hold his own with the Australian horses at weightfor age,