SOUTHLAND NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2295, 24 February 1898, Page 34

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

By Goldspur.

Paru is in good nick. Chao* has been emasculated. Glenelg is eDJojicg a spell at his owner's farm. Mr Dowse has been entrusted with the adjustment of the weights for the Riverton meeting. Jimmy Lawson has Sparrow and Fawn Webster in work in view of the above fixture. I hear that an attempt will be made to hold another trotting meeting about Invercargill. FaUe Impression formed one cf a four-in-hand team the other day in Gore. Sandy Brennan is working away with Barmby. He is being hacked about at present, but it is doubtful whetcer his leg will stand the strain of exercise work. Felina, 3yrs, by Artillery—Titania, was bought lay Jack Clare for 30 odd guineas at the Tapanui sale. A once prosperous and successful club, which included several excellent shot's, has evidently died a death of inanition—died from exhaustion for the want of healthy food. Thrice the secrctaiy of the Southland Gun Club has advertised in an attractive manner nominations throughout the season, and thrice in succession have the matches had to be abandoned for want of entries, in one case hardly a nomination being received. Perhaps pigeons are scaice. Nimblefoot, who so easily accounted for both of the hurdle races at the Inveicargili meeting, canying feather weights on each occasion, will probably compete at the Jubilee meeting next month. Mountebank, the winner of the Midsummer Handicap, is by Medallion from the Miranda mare Vaultress, who used to race in thete parts with marked success, especially in the shorter courses. Both Mr Tennant's colt Glenelg aud Black Pearl are relattll to Mountebank on the •dam's side, and it is to be hoped that the Heddon ' Bush sportsman possesses an animal of his (Own breeding that will outrival the deeds of his cousin. There is a combination of staying power on both sides of the houte in the breeding of Goodanau's colt. Medallion proved he could get over a distance when he won the C. J.C. Derby and the Great Northern Derby in 1890, and Miranda, his grand dam, was full sister to the famous Templeton, whose wonderful turf achievements it is not necessaiy to recount. , Inquiries are being made concerning a horse which quietly disappeared from the public gaze after a glorious distinction earned a short time l>aok. It is rumoured that he is identical with a rteddy who has pulled off sin evrfnt or two in the north under a veiy unpretentious name. Red Lancer on his Gore runumg was supported tere for the Midsummer Handicap. Mountebank liad a few admirers, one follower of the stable coming in for ajjood win Rangiatea, who was asked to carry top weight Su the Flying Handicap at Invercargill, and naturally declined the task, was dropped the following week down the scale a couple of stone by the Gore handicapper, who evidently knew tomething about his abilities, bs he could get no nearer than third in a four-furlong nutter with a light impost at the Tapanui meeting weighted by Hugh Gourley. No wonder there is dissatisfaction amongst owners and trainers when euch incapacity is exhibited. Chaob's treatment was even a more glaring piece of incompetent aa justtnent. The trotter Banshee, by Duntroon, is in foal to Palliser. Her owner expects to get a " lepper' from the old mare. ' ifimmeline's running in the Bunedin Cup will be watched with much interest all over Southland. With 7.7 on her back she will leave more behind than will be in the front of her at the finish. Under all weights and conditions she never seemed inoisposed to try right through the season, and in conssquence of her extreme gameness, together with a good sprinkling of pace, Lady Emma's prettily-shaped daughter will not be unfriended if she starts in the big event at the Jubilee meeting. It appears to be the practice of some clubs, so as to squeeze the last sovereign out of the public, to keep horses and riders an unconscionable length of time at the post —in fact the s-taiter requires to get the office before the race is alkwed to be run. Such tactics should be held in contempt, and it will be a sorry day for sport when every movement of a meeting is to be brought under the yoke of the machine.- Surely the interest of owners, the temperament of horsep, and the comfort of jockeys should have equal consideration from the clubs. The Riverton Racing Club holds its annual race meeting on Easter Monday as usual. The programme is an attractive one, including Maiden Hurdles and Steepkchase, Mile and A-half Handicap, Flying Hanoicap, District Race, Maiden Plate, Hunters' Flat Race, and an Open Steeplechase. Stakes to the amount of JEI9O are offered, to be paid in full.