THIS YEAR'S MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2376, 14 September 1899, Page 36

THIS YEAR'S MEETING.

The meeting last week seems to have passed off successfully, and also pleasantly in most respects. Horses of a good class competed, the weather proved all right, and there was some capital racing, while the betting was brisk, the total handled at the machine for the two days being £4258 10s (£2459 and £1799 10s), as against £3986 10s at last Spring meeting. The Hunters' Hurdle Race found Sub Rosa winning all the way. She has the advantage of a bit of breeding, and may be a fair mare of her class; but to this particular win she was no doubt helped by the clumsy fencing of "Victor 11, who hit one of the fences very heavily. Backers plumped it on to Bristol for the Maiden as though there was going to be no race at all, and they went down very badly, as Bristol simply couldn't race alongside Valentine at the finish. The winner is by St. George — Roseneath, therefore half brother to Sub Rosa. In the Cup, from a fair start, Dundas and Vandyke jumped away' together, and were closely attended by Huku, this order being maintained past the stand the first time. Dundas was making the pace a clinker as they raced to the back, where Vandyke was well on terms with him, and headed him at the mile and three-qiiarter post. On passing this Jupiter moved along from fourth, and coming fast on -the outside, made a great run down the straight, heading Dundas at the distance, and winning easily by about a length ; Vandyke just clear of Dundas, with First Blood fourth, Huku fifth, and Sequin sixth; Social Pest and Daphne together. This was distinctly a creditable performance on Jupiter's part, and I take no discount off on account of his defeat in the Flying on the same day, for there are many good horses that will not race twice a day, and judging by his whole career, Jupiter is one of these. Ben Farley's win in the Shorts deserves notice, as in Rochester he beat one of the fastest horses in the colony. Those who had won on Jupiter in the Cup played up a bit on Abercr,ombie in the Welter, and got done ; Wedlock beating the Otago horse rather easily at the finish. This was the race in which Jack M'Comb got into trouble. Cochrane, rider of Vandyke, complained that M'Comb crossed in violation of the laws of racing, and the stewards, holding the charge proved, suspended M'Comb for the remainder of the meeting. Mr Dowse had his horses brought together very nicely in the Flying, and it was only after a great race that Double Event got home by a neck. Windermere won the Hurdle Race each day. He was lucky in getting home on the second occasion. Glenore fenced badlr, and ran none too generously, and was then beaten by only a length. Phryne, winner of the Gladstone Handicap, is one of Phaethon's stock, and evidently a good sort, since she was able to land the Bracelet later in the day. The Rhodes Memorial Stakes furnished a most interesting contest. Dundas and Abercrombie were at the head of affairs . along the back of the course, with Double Event and Daphne next. On turning for the straight Abercrombie was beaten, and Dundas was in front iust clear of Double Event. The Spinner ran right on the outside at the turn, but once straightened for the run home, came along very fast. Dundas wa° elill in the lead, but at the distance Daphne headed him. and Double Event and The Spinner tried conclusions with the mare. The struggle ended in a win for The Spinner by about a length from Daphne, Dundas three lengths away third. Bristol made some amends for previous failures by winning the Seadown Handicap in fast time, and First Blood had '>i« consolation in the Stewards.' Stakes, while Benzoin made an exhibition of his opponents in the Farewell Handicap. Taking the form as a whole, it perms to me that Dundas and Sequin and First Blnod have not improved their chances for the New Zealand Cup, and, incWd, I can pick only one at the meeting that does read better as the result of racing at Timaru. That one, of course, is Jiipiter, who, by the way, has no penalty for winning.