SOUTHLAND NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2012, 15 September 1892, Page 28

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Southland Racing Club have now purchased a piece of land, about 125 acres in extent, situated on the East road near to the cemetery, and about two miles from the Invercargill Post Office, as a site for a new racecourse. They have lost no time in calling for tenders for fencing, clearing, and draining the ground at once. The price and terms— viz., L 7 per acre, all to remain on mortgage—sounds very reasonable, but a few members of the club with a thorough practical knowledge of the value of properties generally, and this in particular, 1 protested against the purchase on account of the unsuitability of the ground for a racecourse, and through its not being get-at-able by train. As I said before, it cannot well be otherwise than an improvement on the present site at Myross Bush. Yet there will be, I am sure, many sportsmen in Southland who will think the club might have made a much better selection. The club, I understand, are going to make every effort to have the course ready for the* two days race meeting in December. There is to be a meeting of members of the Southland Racing Club and' the Southland Amateur Turf Club on the 21st inst. to discuss proposals for an amalgamation of the two clubs. At present the management of both bodies is pretty much in the hands of the same individuals, and an amalgamation would meet with general public approval. . Steps are being taken for the formation of a coursing club at Gore. It is thought that the racing club's ground would be admirably suited for this description of sport, and it could be leased by the coursing club. Mr Dowses handicaps for the S.A.T. Clubs races at Myross Bush on Wednesday, 21st inst., were published in the Daily Times and Invercargill papers on tfie 12th inst, and are as follow :— Handicap Hurdle Race. Two miles.— Iroquois 11.10, Robin 10 7, Aparima 10.4, Justice 10.2, Waitai/fel v 9.13, Dandenong 9.10, Maori 9.5, Tally-ho 9.3, Juno £0: < Visitors' Plate Welter Handicap. One mile and a-quarter.— Assyrian King 10.12, Milord 10.0, Kangiora 9.10, Dielytra 9.7, Reflection 9.5, Dandenong 9.3, Juno 8.3, Surefoot 8.0. BmciiwooD Handicap Steeplechase. Two miles,— Kangaroo 12.0, Robin 11.7, Clifton 11.2, Justice 11.0, Golden Moth 10.5. Ladies' Bracelet Welter Flat Race. One mile and a-quarter.— lnchkeith 11.7, Day Star 11.0, Justice 10.12, Surprise 10.7, Echo 10.5, Maori 10 2. Birchwood Hunt Club Cup. Three miles.— Iroquois 12.10, Kangaroo 11.9, Robin 11.2, Aparima 11.0, Waitangi 10.12, Clifton 10.10, Rangiora 10.7, Tally-ho 10.5. ,_ ,_ Southlanders think the handicapper has been too lenient with the Dunedin horses Waitangi and Rangiora, but I know Mr Dowse considers they are both warnout horses, especially old Waitangi. -No doubt the old. fellow is now very slow, but he is such a sure and safe iumper that it is not safe to discard him altogether with only 9st 131b up.in a hurdle race, distance rather under two miles*' If the old horse were out ot it I should look no further than Iroquois, notwithstanding the fact that he is top weight (11.10) for the winnev. I understand the conditions of this raco are that professional riders have to carry 71b extra, and' as Allan, I know, intends riding Iroquois in all of his engagements at this meeting tliis will bring his weight up to 12.5, or just one stone more than the little horse carried to victory in the Consolation Steeplechase at Forbury last If Rangiora (9.10) and Assyrian King (10.12) both start for the Visitors' Stakes I should select Assyrian King, but the owners, who have been training together at Forbury, will have a pretty good idea which is tho better horse under the allotted weights, and whichever of the two starts will be my pick for the winner. Kangaroo, if he keeps sound, and I do not suppose Poole will bring him down if he is dead lame, will, I think, be able to win the Birchwood Steeplechase, notwithstanding the fact that he will carry top weight. For the Ladie? Bracelet I shall select Mr Tapper's Day Star. (Inchkeith was not a sound mare when she came to Southland, and may not bo yet for aught I know.) For the Hunt Club Cup, Iroquois or Kangaroo. I do not fancy Rangiora for any of the jumping events. He may haye pace enough— l think he has— but he is a slovenly and very unsafe jumper.