THE D.J.C'S WINTER MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2409, 3 May 1900, Page 45

THE D.J.C'S WINTER MEETING.

Mr Dowses handicaps, published on Monday, appear in this issue. Seeing that some of the horses engaged are racing elsewhere deem it unwise to enter in detail upon the individual chances, and rest content with few general remarks. As to the Hurdle Race, Ilex has earned his 13.1, but unless we can be sure of a dry course — and this is hardly to be expected in May — I don't care very much for his chance. Glenore has a handy weight. He, however, has not done much lately. Voltaire belongs up north, and his show must not be calculated till he arm es. lam inclined at present to respect the chances of Waikaia and Seabreeze, and give St. Hiko an outsider's chance. In respect to the Hack Handicap, the top weight. The Serf, is not likely to start, having broken a bloodvessel at Timaru. Far Niente, next on the list, is dangerous, and of those that I know amongst the rest I prefer Galileo, La Reine, Benson, and Gitanella. One of these five should supply the winner. They are a queer lot in the Birthday Handicap when j-ou come to sort them up in a handicap. Reasons could be given for not fancying every horse in the list. 1 don't much care for Jupiter as a top weight ; Ben Farley is treated as if he had not been defeated at the C. J.C. Autumn meeting : Paladin ran last at Timarti : Stratlm-um seems to be cut of form ; Fulmen never had a big heart, and don't care much for a heavy track ; and several of the light weights seem to be hardly good enough at any coneeesion. T am half a mind to take Scottish Minstrel and stick lo him alone — not that he stands out as a particularly good thing, but he is in winning form and may improve. That, however, would be rather daring, and what I shall do is to eouuie Scottish Minstrel with Nihilist and Fulmen as the best that I can pick at present in a peculiarly open handicap. The Tradesmen's Handicap may gve St. Denis a chance, but he will have to gallop his best to keep out of the way of Maremma, First Blood, Brisa. and Gladys 11, and I think the lastmentioned is as well worthy attention as any of them. The Welter is a race that may suit Decoy, though I am not much in love with her, and Black Pool may prove the better on the day. " Old 'WolseleyT at the bottom of the list, is, I suppose, clone for. otherwise he would give them " what for " with 8.0. The handicaps, as a whole, seem to me to be amongst Mr Dowses best, and I have no confidence in trying to pick the winners. The task may be easier aftei we see the acceptances.