DUNEDIN RACES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 111, 25 March 1862, Page 4

DUNEDIN RACES.

JSquis quantum aclcst, quantum vi7'is sudoris. ,: .-■; ',■ .. ■ ■:■'. '■ .. .■ ~; > : . HOKACK. Horse racing in one form or another has always held a paramount place among the amusements of mankind, but it has. been reserved for the English people to elevate racing into a special pursuit, in fact to found that wonderful' institution the Turf. Other nations have.made,attempts' to naturalize the turf among them, but it has never flourished but in English hands. The French, in particular," have made great efforts to introduce " le sport," but if we may believe contemporaneous account's, with signal want of success. French racing is described as being a most tame and uninteresting alliiir, a mere galvanised imitation of the hearty English sport, a sham so transparent tlu,t even the eclat of Imperial. patronage lails to re- . deem it from failure.- - ■■ , ■

But although the Turf cannot he transplanted to France; or any foreign country it is a remarkable thing that it, appears to be perfectly independent of climatic, influences, for wherever there is a community of English people in any part of the world, there we may. pretty safely reckon upon seeing regular races established, with all the concomitants of Jockey Club, Tattersall's, etc. Indeed, in proportion to their means we may safely assert that the British colonies even surpass the mother country in the support they i>ive to racing as an institution, and we should not be wrong in placing the colonies of the Australian group in the foremost rank. New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania have magnificently organised racing institutions, and the number and amount of the prizes to ho run for are truly surprising. Jn New Zealand racing has not yet been developed to so great an extent, but nevertheless it is by no means neglected. Each province has its Jockey club and its annual races, besides a variety of country meets, and New Zealand horses have contended noi withouthonor en the race courses of New South Wales and Victoria. Among the provinces, Otago has hitherto been rather hchind hand in racing matters. Although annual races have been held, the amount of the prizes to be run for has been too insignificant to attract good horses from a distance, and the consequence has been that the races have possessed only a very limited local interest. With the large increase of population consequent on the discovery-of gold in Otago, has come the opportunity of enabling the Province to take a better position in racing affairs, ami the Duncdin Jockey Club has shown itself determined to prove equal to the occasion. For the purpose of making the Duncdin Annual Races worthy of the Province, it was necessary that the amount of the prizes should be largely increased, and that a better and more convenient race course should be secured. Both these important objects have been accomplished by the Club. A programme was put forth embracing prizes to the value of nearly £800 ; in addition to which has to be counted the Provincial Cup, given by Mr. S. E. ft. Jones. The ivices also were planned to afibrd three days sport.. With regard to the course, the Club made an arrangement to rent v piece of land at the West Taieri admirably adapted for the purpose. The-spirited conduct of the Club was not thrown away upon the owners of racers, and the result has been that the entries are .very numerous for every race; that some very good horses from Victoria and from the other Provinces, have cmnc forward —and that there can hardly fail to be'three days' firstrate sport. To-morrow will be the first day, and the preparations for the proper conduct of the sport are heing rapidly pushed forward. The course has been fenced in and properly cleared, and the grandstand and booths are being erected with all speed. When all is completed we have Jt-ason •to believe that the Dunedin Race Course will be a very creditable ailhir. The grand "stand is a substantial structure, and is said to be calculated to accommodate 500 persons. With regard to the course itself we visited it yesterday, and were much pleased to observe that notwithstanding the rain, it was firm and springy, and we understand that, trader no circumstances does it ever -become swampy. This is a very great advantage, and is the more remarkable when it is considered that the course is situated

on a low plain. surroundefl"n'ith hills «,f the most approved .-ilipi) 'vy ch:ii-iii-t,i.ir. His to h ■ regretted that th« ro;ul i> the riic"' course fmm Dmicrliu is not of a. siiui sir character'to the cuUi-se itself Unfhrtun.-itclyy only ;i portion of thu road is as yet made-, (ha rest being a mere track, which,' with 'one d-iy's run, heconr.'s so irvmsy and

slippery as lo be iibnost impassable. Jt lias, however, in common with riiost of flic Otago road*, the happy property "if drying very rapidly, and we may, therefore, hope that a. 'fuvr hours' fine ■weather may put if in such condition as to ;>vesent no difficulty to the crowds of visitors to the races that may be expected to flock out of town to-morrow. Wlwf. the road lacks in point of convenience is fully made up in picturesque beauty. In going out towards the Halt-way Bush, many lovely prospects of the Bay and of the country nbont Dimcdiu are obtaints.l, and, after passing' thnt'roint, fine' vitws of the ocean, of Saddle-back Hill, of Flagstaff, ami of Mnngatuu open before" the. wayfarer, until, as he reaches the crown of the.range, ha .sees spread: before hirti the wide expanse of the Taieri Plains, intersected by tho Silver Stream imd the Taieri River; and with 'VVaihola lake in the distance. The wild character of the'snrroun'diri'g'hills gives a pec'uliiu: charm to the peaceful aspect of the plain. Taken altogether the pleusii-ro of the trip to tho racecourse will well repay t!i^ trouble of the journey, even without'the atfcnicti'u.-i'ortlie ruces. '~.,.. .:.■■..■■ ... ;

As rt^.ij-dsj the hor.=es-!that, : are.to. run and their prospect;- of winning, we regret that we' have not a " Vatos " or " Miles's Boy ": to mnuse thopublic with,''(i].'s" for the rditterent events, but:wc'conc.lioiii;pilvc : with tho thought'that tlicse wiseacres- are as often wrong as right. ' ",