COURSING, NOTES BY MASTER M'GRATH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1891, 1 May 1890, Page 25

COURSING,

NOTES BY MASTER M'GRATH.

FIXTURES. May 29. — Oamaru, July 10, 11, la.— Dimediu Plumpton. Nomination* for Waterloo Oup and Ladies' Bracelet, June 26 ; balance of aweepa, July 8. August 13, 14.— Nominations for Maiden, Champion, aud Sapling Stakes, August 1 ; balance of sweeps Augußt 11.

I should be obliged if secretaries or others connected with country coursing meetings would follow the example of Mr Procter (of Oamaru) and send me a marked card of the sport; after the meeting is over. The Viotorian Coursing Olub was to open its season on the day the mail left with a Bracelet Stake, The club is making an altogether new departure in holding a meeting in the open country. It is not intended, says the Argus, to altogether give up enclosed coursing and to take to the sport in the open instead, but only to hold occasional meetings outside the enclosures. Though coursing was once an ex ceedingly popular sport, and though it was the system of enclosed coursing under which it rose to the zenith of its popularity, it has ap« peared during recent years that even the most consistent supporters of the sport have grown tired of it in enclosed grounds, and hence the determination of the clubs to go in for coursing in the open as well as in the en< cloßures. Whatever doubts may have existed — and they certainly did seem to exist in some quarters — as to the future of the Waterloo Cup must have been effectually dispelled during this meeting. Thus writes "Vindex" in the Sportsman. It was shown quite conclusively that the great Altcar contest is still one of the chief institutions amongst our national pastimes. And not only did the general public muster in greater force than for several years past j those identified with the sport seemed to have made a point' of endeavouring to give tone and impart kudos by their presence. It may safely be said that few coursers of note throughout the length and breadth of the land were absent. That Fullerton's excellence constituted an extra attraction may be taken for granted, especially when the large company that mustered at the finish is borne in mind ; both the love for a good greyhound and the popularity of the sport are clearly as great as ever. The preliminary skirmish was marked by much of the old Waterloo fire, both at the short and long odds, and a dog could be backed to win a considerable amount of money. Such well-known members of the ring as W. P. Greenall, George Cooper, C. Hibberf;, Joe Thompson (of Australia), Sam Hodgson, J. and W. Millard, H. Haughton, T. Russel, and Bell (of Redcar) were each layiDg to lose a thousand or more. George Cooper laid Colonel North 9 to 2 to £400 against Fullerton, and then offered £4500 to £1000. which the colonel declined to take. Had Sir Robert Jardine'e two bitches, 1 Gwenna and Gladiola, kept all right the night jof the draw would have been even more animated than it was, for they would each have had plenty of ardent supporters. As it was all confidence waa lost, as it was well known that they had (l gone to pieces " under the attack. But viewing the battle from the aspect it presented after being won, it is not likely that any altered cond tions with regard to any of his opponents could have robbed Fullerton of victory. He has proved himself a grand greyhound, out and out the best of bis day, and comparisons will be made between him and giants of the past. Many of my readers will remember that I boldly advanced the opinion in those early September days of 1888 that Fullerton was the hest greyhound I had sees since Master M'Grath. Present-day coursers will think it impossible that the immortal black could have been better ; but although their styles are quite opposite in character, my own opinion is that the question hardly admits of doubt. M'Grath covered the ground with far more telling force than Fullerton does, and his power and quickness on the acuis could [only be described as electrical. There was no " puss breaking short round " in the description of any of M'Grath's courses. He followed the movement of his hare with such lightning rapidity that the instances were rare in which she was able to break round. At any rate, this was so in his second season, when he aofaieved by far the most brilliant of his Waterloo victories. In one respect Fullerton quite expels the great Irish celebrity, and that is with regard to appearance, Masfcey M'Gra.fo w9, ra^r email,

plain-looking square-built dog, whilst Colonel North's crack is cast in rather a large and yet [ splendidly symmetrical mould. Indeed, he is i the finest specimen of a greyhound (of his own j sex) I ever saw, and he is the best big 'un there has been in ray time. j The Oamaru Club commenced its season last Thursday, when the President's Cup was run for on Mr John M'Lean's Waitaki Plains estate. The weather was beautiful. There was a large attendance of coursing men from Dunedin and ! other places as well as the home district. The hares were plentiful and strong, only four being I killed in the 17 courses that constituted the day's work. The decisions of Mr D. M. Ross, of Timaru, as judge were absolutely unquestioned, excepting by way of joke, when owing to a misunderstanding Eveningside's flag was put up bb against Calliope's ; and Messrs G. M. Proctor and W. Gardiner performed the slipper's duties to everyone's satisfaction. The results of the coursing are as follow :—: — FIRST ROUND. Mr A T Price's w b Ualliope bent Mr X W Beale'u b f Water Babs Mr B W Beale's blk b Rveningside beat Mr W W Finlinaou'a blk w d Dribbler Mr H Shnlderß' br d Scud beat Mr R Marr'a br d Skiddaw Girl Mr W Gardiner's f d Market Day II beat Mr A T Price's r d Searook Mr W Gardiner's blk w b Stormy Night beat Mr J Cameron's w b Lassie Mr A T Price's f d Watermark beat Mr G Grimabaw'a w ( b Milkmaid Mr R Harris' blk b Lady Godiva beat Mr B W Beale's blk w b Rising Storm Mr R Harris' br d Nimrod beat Mr R Marr's br d Simon. BKCOND ROUND. Calliope beat Eventngaide Scud beat Market Day II Stormy Night beat Laiy Godiva Watermark beat Nimrod. THIRD BOUND, Calliope beat Scud Stormy Night beat Watermark. FINAI,. Mr W Gardiner's blk w b Stormy Night, by White Squall— lrish Girl, beat Mr A T Price's w b Calliope, by Sea Foam— Bonnie Scotland, and won the Cup. Water Babs aud Dribbler were the favourites at the outset, but both went down first pop, Water Babs meeting a good laster in Calliope, and the long course being in favour of the latter; wbile Dribbler, who was certainly fafc and big, scored very little off Eveningside. Searock was unlucky enough to get unsighted until the course with Market Day II was half over. In the final, Stormy Night scored five points before Calliope got in, and this advantage was never lost, though Calliope put points together as soon as she got warmed up, and might have had a show had the hare not escaped when be did. This remaik, however, must not be interpreted as dispraise of Stormy Night, who performed well throughout, though she was perhaps a little lucky in having three easier courses to begin with than Calliope had. The winner was brought to Dunedin for the last meeting by Mr Martin Taylor, and sold on the station, just as the train was leaving, to Mr Gardiner for £4. The first prize of £15 and a handsome cup was taken by this gentleman (owner of Flora) ; Mr Price won £11— that ip, £7 for Calliope, and £4 for Watermark ; and Mr Shalders £4 for Scud. The next meeting of the club takes place on May 29, when an all-aged and puppy stakes will be run.