OTAGO HUNT CLUB’S MEETING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22352, 28 August 1934, Page 4

OTAGO HUNT CLUB’S MEETING

The local racing season of 1934-35 will he opened by the , Otago Hunt Club’s programme at Wingatui on Saturday, and promises to provide some very interesting sport. The fields promise to be of fairly good strength and quality, and a continuation of the existing fine weather should bring the track into good order. The opening fixture of a racing season is always doubly interesting, as it frequently serves to show horses (in a light that makes them a profitable venture during the rest of the year. It also serves to introduce some new horses to racegoers and provide the new bloou necessary to enhance the interest in racing. The Otago Hunt Club Steeplechase has attracted an excellent field, containing recent winners in Peterette, Umtali, Night Club, Snowy Dawn, Witui, and others who have shaped very creditably in their races, notably Royal Buck,’who came within an ace of winning at the Grand National meeting, but, unfortunately, slipped up when landing over the last fence. The acceptances, which are due to-day, may reduce the field, but if the majority go to the post it should provide the best race ever staged by the Otago Hunt Club. The fields in the principal flat races contain plenty of material to supply good races. The Tally-ho Handicap has at present a field of 15 engaged, and probably about a dozen will be found at the post. The lengthy list engaged in the President’s Handicap will he made the draw for position at the harrier a matter of importance. At present 25 horses figure in the field, and a winning chance will depend on ability to jump away at the rise of the barrier. Another numerically strong field is engaged in the Vauxhall Handicap, and, although several are also engaged in the President's Handicap, it is not likely that a serious shrinkage will take place. Followers of the light harness sport will have a wide spread selection, as big fields are engaged in the Brockville Trotting Handicap and Wingatui Trotting Handicap, which both contain the possibilities of big dividends. Acceptances are due to-day at 5 p.m.