The Question of All Others.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 27

The Question of All Others.

We come at last to the edge of the subject we are yearning for. " What do you think of the chances of the Australian colts ?" " Aye 1 " says Mr Dawson laughing, " I canna say yet ; it's too soon, and we've got nothing much so far to judge by; we haven't thought of trying them yet." Then he tells us they are both remarkably fine colts, sound as a bell, and never a moment amiss; very different in nearly all points to the typical English racehorsestronger aud sturdier — but whether they have got more pace remains to be proved. " Afraid of their chances ? Not a bit. Nobody knows," he continued " what they may not be capable o£ doing. From their looks and style they are good enough to meet anything, and to hold their own in any company, but they have not yet been asked any important questions. There's time enough for that, Mr Dawson thinks. " Have they shown much improvement since their arrival ?" " Wonderful " is Mr Dawson's reply, " simply wonderful. I didn't think I should get much out of them six months ago, bub they have come along wonderfully since, and I think," he adds cautiously, " they won't disgrace their country." He confirms the characters we have already heard of the two colts — Kirkham being rather a sluggard, and Narellan full of life and spirit~*plenty of go in him. Mr Dawson does not attempt to disguise his preference for Acme's brother, and in his admiration be tells us he thinks Narellan is without doubt the finest looking colt in England. "We haven't anything here like him," he says. And then we learn that when going he has a terrible stride, and has a most determinrd way about him ; whereas Kirkham is much shorter in hia stride, and altogether less interested in his work. " But there's no knowing," he says, " what those quiet ones won't do when they get into racing condition, and find themselves in company with the colours up."