THE ALEXANDRA MEETING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2441, 26 December 1900, Page 40

THE ALEXANDRA MEETING.

Particulars now to hand show that all the faces- but two at this meeting were won easily. The Maiden Plate was one of, the exceptions. Stepina led from the fair of the flag, closely followed by Matchless, Silver Rupee being last for about half the distance ; but at the three-quarter" mile the latter went to the front, *when "a> ding-dong race ensued, Silver Rupee jwinnmg by- a head from Matchless, with 'Stepina on her flank. The Central, Otago .Trot was a gift to,Thorndean all the way. In Alexandra Handicap the pace was made jby Stockmaid and Visionary for a little over "(half a mile, when Hazel went up and took L charg2, and the result was thereafter never in 'doubt. Wild. West got a flying start in the -Hack Handicap, and none of the others had l a look in. Bosworth led for half the journey "dn the Dash Trot, and then was headed by Southern Queen, Avho won comfortably. The iQFlying was_a moral for Hazel from the jump 'off. In the Mile and a-half Trot Bosworth led into the straight, and was then passed byiWinchman. and Dagmar. Mr Beck, owner of Dagmar, protested, and the protest being disallowed he has appealed. Belligerent had not much to spare in the Ladies' Purse, as Saladin and Felina both ran it out gamely. In this race Rancour (by Gorton — Malice) fell and .broke a leg, and was destroyed. For the above particulars I am indebted to the Cromwell' Argus, which has tliis to say about ffche track: — "The course is abominable. 'Even old Cromwell residents declare i!-at "they will never visit Alexandra races again if the ceurse is- kept in its present position, which is nothing but' a sandbank covered with a thin coating of sorrel, and cutting up so easily that even Cromwell residents were choked with dust. A grimier set of faces could: not be produced in Cromwell after the (fiercest dust storm wo ever had. Te course .jiras fearfully heavy, and horses, trained on hard ground could not get properby going at all. '.iWe wonder why tlie club does not move its, course out to the old Dunsran track, which, may be a bit further away, but is at least . a good track. To keep the present course is, . simply folly, and if, as we hear, it is chiefly the opposition of one prominent member that its removal, deference to his opinion ~ should no longer be allowed to bar a very "necessary change of venue.!'