THE ARROW MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2437, 28 November 1900, Page 40

THE ARROW MEETING.

The annual races of the Arrow Jockey Club took place in Mr James Reid's paddock on * .the 17th November. The weather was miserable, and the attendance of the public marred 1 in consequence. The entries for the various events were numerous, and had \the weather ■been at all favourable a capital day's sport • would have been the result. Mr D. Richardson's mare Hazel was the heroine of the meeting, winning the Arrow and Flying Handicaps and Hack Race. Mr J. L. Jopp got his Belds off very evenly, and his starting throughout was first class. Mi G. H. Romans held his old po|ition as judge to the utmost* satis-

faction of all concerned, but the responsibility at the present gathering was not so great as on previous occasions, inasmuch as the majority of the events were won somewhat easily. T*he course was very heavy on account of the rains, consequently the times were slow. Mi H. B. Smith's handicapping must have given general satisfaction, evidenced by vie number of acceptances and srarters. There were a number of pencillers present, but business was somewhat slow. It it pleasing to know the club will come out v/itn a good credit balance. For the above lam indebted to the Lake County Press. My own comment may be restricted to one pomt — ■ namely, the starting of Hazel four times during the afternoon. We never hear of a valuable racer being started even three times. Such a task is only allotted to the horse that a risk is taken with. This very face condemns the practice. The protection that an owner extends voluntarily to a £1000 horse, lest he do it an injury, ought to be shown, under compulsion if necessary, to the £20 hack. As to iour races in a clay, the ta3k set Hazel: well, all I can say is that I am glad she did not win her fourth race. Such unmerciful treatment, does not deserve to succeed.