OWNERS' REMINDERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 40

OWNERS' REMINDERS.

December 28— Gore nominations. December 28— "Waikouaiti acceptances, also .entries for Maiden Plate. " January 11 — Maniototo nominations. January H— Wairio acceptances, also entries for Maiden Plate.

January 13— Tuapeka acceptances, also entries for Maiden Plate. January 20— Gore acceptances, also entries for Hack Race. New Pkogrammbs. Reference -was made last week to the improved programmes issued by the Takuna Park > Club for the March and May meetings of the present season. Going through these programmes in detail, I find a strong tendency to shorten the limits of the handicaps. This is a source of great satisfaction to all who desire to see trotting prosper, for it means that gradually the prizes are going as bonuses for speed instead, of rewards for tricking the handicapper and fooling the public. This season the Tahuna Cup is restricted to horses that can do srnin 25aec or under. The same principle is observed all through. Hand in hand with this reform we have also an increase in the stakes. The sum of £150 extra is voted to the Match meeting. The Anniversary Handicap is incieased to lOOsovs, the Telegraph and Telephono Handicaps are raised to SOsovs, and the trcphy races are replaced by cash stakes of • fair value. Increases have also been made in. the May programme. The club is, in short, thoroughly wideawake, and advancing with the times, and if owners study their own interests they will enter liberally and trot' straight, ancl tkus please the public and enable the, club to offer even better stakes. I shall not rest content until we establish a championship race in. Otago — a free-for-all, with a big stake. This is coming nearer to the possibilities with everj stride the Tuhuna Club is taking.