SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18990, 11 October 1923, Page 2

SPORTING.

DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING. Notes or Sentinm.. A fairly sharp frost was in evidence early yesterday morning at Wingatni. but a drying wind soon improved the course, which in consequence provided faster going as the day advanced. 'I he outside of the course proper was thrown open, and the trestles placed fairly close to the middle of the track. Purple. Spur travelled seven furlongs in Imin 39sec. Wild Hind reeled off five furlongs in Imiu Bsec, and Firestick covered the same ground in Imin. 8 l-ssec. Owlscombc and Barn Owl did strong work. Parody and Goldtown also got through useful tasks. Limelight covered a couple of circuits steadily, and Revel was treated to n short sprint. Tiff did useful work. Guucase and Uleaborg ran the last six of seven furlongs in Imin 24sec. La Rove. Jackaroo. Stream, and Waetea also worked, 'the going was improving about 8 o'clock, when Pickaninny cast six furlongs behind in Imin 22 2-Ssec, The Polymuian did a couple of half-pace circuits. Orange Bitters led Olympia and Red f-ol over five furlongs in Imin 9 2-ssee. Boadicea ran tho last six of seven furlongs in Imin 23scc. with a good weight up. Silver Peak reeled off a quarter along the back in 25aec, and half a mile in 53sec. She then cantered up the running. Angelo broke away a couple of lengths in front of Roscday, but the latter was in charge at the end of seven furlongs in Imin 36sec. Baldowa and Overproof were together over half a mile in 55sec. run from the four-furlong post home, which is rather slower ground than along tho back stretch. Golden Light ran a-half in 55sec. lie shows a suspicion of trouble in tho respiratory organs. Rorke’s Drift jumped a flight of hurdles, and after galloped half a mile with Balasor in 55 3-ssec. Dame Straitlaco got over six furlongs in Imin 24sec, a task equalled by Prince Ferouz. Rod Admiral jumped three flights of hurdles and shaped well until h c rattled tho last jump. In the Pink covered half a mile along tho back m 51 2-sscc. Bachelor Gay, with the assistance of Royal Wink, who appeared to be staying on bettor than the youngster, sprinted from tho three-furlong post in aft g-ssec. irilk Rein did a round over the schooling hurdles. Silent King did steady work, and afterwards jumped the pony hurdles a couoie of times pleasingly. Count Cavour cme over three furlongs in 40 3-sseo. He was travelling well, but showed a tendency to unbalance when negotiating the ttcavv ground in the straight. Youngsters as a. rule requrie a run or two over the ''round before they can stride right out in their fast work' over the Wingalui straight. Longhrea did a useful task and was then cantered on the inside track. Enaro and Lava, who were amongst those only some two or three hours off the train, were cantered. Pilliewinkic, Corn Rigs, Warhaven, Paphian, Mantua, All British. Frivol, Tainni 11, Valdamo, Eaton Bells, Falstaff, Miss Muriel, Tho Parisian, Avispado, Sir Otway, Frenchman, and, a few others go* through useful tasks. With a continuance of the good weather in evidence during the morning the track should furnish fairly sound going for the opening card of the meeting. There should he some interesting racing at Wingatui, not only because some of the runners may shape well during the meeting, hut. also because quite a number claim important engagements in tbe near future. .1 he going promises to be much firmer than what might have been anticipated during the past few days of broken weather. In fact, judging by recent track work on tho course proper, the ground will provide excellent going, although it will not assist fast records. Tho track will, in other words, bo devoid of sting, but not firm enough to be fast. Final gallops frequently place an entirely different complexion on a handicap, and sometimes lack of condition completely offsets a chance on paper. The unsatisfactory train arrangements have been responsible for a rather belated arrival of some of the northern visitors, and without having an opportunity to see them extended it is rather a guess as to how they will act in a race. Falstaff is sure of strong support in the Spring Hurdles, but Rorke’s Drift and Red Admiral should both give a good account of themselves—particularly the last-named, if allowed to stride into his jumps. Some regard Silk Rein as being the best of tho light-weights. The Maungatna Handicap is regarded as a fairly open race. Dame Straitlace, on . tho strength of her win at Ashburton, is sure to. bo fancied, and so will bolero and Firestick, but Baldowa will probably start favourite. Tbe M’Loan Stakes will probably be regarded as a duel between Count Cavour and Bachelor Gay. Both Silver Peak and Roseday look on the big side, but they are shaping well over short courses in their work. There is, however, just the chance that in a solid-run race a mile and a-quarter might find them lacking. Boa dicea. shaped well in her final gallon, and may, in fact, start favourite. Purple Spur at his best should run a good race. Warseer’s Grand National form will find him friends for the Trial Stakes, and the strong following Sir George Clifford’s colours invariably find will not allow Barn Owl to. start friendless in tho same race. Limelight .will prohably start favourite in the Electric Handicap. and it will be interesting to. note how Longhrea shapes in tho best sprinting field ho has tackled up to. date. Kilfane will ho the ponular nick in the Taioma Handicap, and Solero will find support if reserved for tho race. Owlscombe ha s plenty of weight for a three-year-old in the October Welter, but class may tell tho right story at the end.