SOUTHLAND NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2413, 31 May 1900, Page 37

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

By Goldspuh.

Mr J. H. Kennedy was voted 7gs for his services as handicapper to the Riverton Racing Club. It is reported that the Ike gelding, Johnny, will be nominated in the steeplechasing events at the Grand National meeting. Lexington is being trained at Riccaiton by Jack Taggart. The Nelson — Sweet Alice mare, Seabieeze, has changed hands and is to be treated fco a wcllde?crved spell. A modeiate sum will purchase the fa&hion-abiy-bred mare, Red Banner, by Chuinshot — Red Ensign. The trotting mare, Duchess, by King Cole is in foal to the standard-bred Marnbrino Abdallah. Her &on, by Barnego, has been a very consistent peiformer in the pony class. I refer to Aquinas. The Riverton Racing Club, a very popular institution with all racegoers, made close upon £190 over the Easter meeting. Although lather late in the day, a word or two of praise for the completeness oi the arrangements is well deserved. The fixture was a pronounced success, and had the weather been more •favours ble a much larger gathering would have ">cen attracted on both days. As it was, the club piit through a record amount — over £4500 — ?nd it is evident that the sport of racing is in a flourishing condition in the Western District. An amusing incident occurred at this meeting in connection with the Hack Race o/l the first day, which Mr Kennedy could well clfoid to chuckle over. Sfcrongbow, an unsuccessful performer at the Invercargill meeting a week before, and who was given every chance to van by being placed at the bottom of the list, was immediately put hi to the premier position of top wgigbt by. the Riverton ha-idicapper, and justified his elevation by winning the race very easily, although asked to concede as much as 2.0 to some of those he had met the y,eek before. Little Jane has been mated with Kentucky. Mr Swale, of Liniehills, nominated Mercury for several events at the Dunedin meeting, but the horse going sore after the Riverton meeting was thrown oiit of work. With a good preparation there is no doiibt that the son of Merry Heart will shape better than any foim he has yet shown us. The breeding of Meicury is worth noting, he being by Merry Heait out of Aurora. The sire is by Hilarious (son of Goldsbrough'l, out of Gazelle. Gazelle was raced many years 'ago by Harry Goodman. Aurora was bred by Mr Harry Redwood, being out of Awatea by Papapa. The trotting of the pony Edith was much admired at the Tahuna Park meeting. 1 imderstand that the Birchwood Hunt Club has asked Mr J. M. Kennedy, of Winton, if he will act as secretaiy for the curient season.