TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 46

TALK OF THE DAY.

THE NORTH OTAGO MEETING

A trip made to Oamaru last week for the purpose of attending rhe North Orago Jockey Club's Winter meeting v. as one- o' the mo->t enjoyable journeys made by the writer during the present -eason. The weather on both days of the meeting was beautifu'ly fiiir", and tLe racing furnished good, v. hoie-ome spurt, in which the interest never laggnd from, start to finish. Ihere was a fair numbeer of sport's from the north, but the number of Dunedinitps present did not ar poar to be as large a« what usually attend the meetings held at the White City. The track was in fair order, and the going consequently fairly idot. although the times put tip in seveial races were recorded under favourable circumstance?. The club have no barriers on then course, and Mr Piper started his fields from a walk frequently well behind the starting posi. The timekeeper clocked the races from post t-o post, and sometimes the time wa' taken from a flying start. Mr H. Piper was as successful aj usual in sending away his fields, and he demonstrated that constant practice with the barrier has not diminished his ability in keeping the horses under control without the assistance of the tape fence across the track.

The club adhered to their rule established some time back of sending two stewards down to the home turn to watch proceedings from that coign of vantage. 'The manyraces appeared to be honestly contested, and these special stewards had not any unpleasant repoits to make on their return to t ! ie paddock. Ir.e racing commenced with the Newborough Hurdles, and a field of five went out tar the race. My Lord looked very rough in a long winter coat, but his display in the race proied him to be fairly fit, despite the lack of polish on the First Lord gokling. Old Hex looked healthy and well, but on the big side in condition. He has not conquered the dislike he has lately displayed to the obstacles when asked to race over them, and despite the vigorous riding of George Robertson, the old horse was beaten off very early in the race. Robertson attributes Ilex's> bad showing over fences to the fact that after punching the board hurdles at Riccarton a few times, the Le Loup gelding can now hardly be persuaded to look at a fence. In addition to this, Ilex has a will of his own, and only displays his pace on the flat at his own sweet will. Dartmoor's chance of success was not liighly thought of, and he was only supported to the extent of a fiver on the machine. He looked rather better than he appeared the previous week at Wingatui, and his racing at the latter course quickly worked considerable improvement in his condition. Dartmoor was close up to My Lord when racing a quarter of a mile from home, but could make no impression on the latter at the finish of the race. Vulcan looked the fittest hor'e in the field, but was never capable of seriously threatening the winner's chance. Vanquish appears to have completely lost the form she displayed a couple of seasons back, and would probably be benefited by a spell. In the Tace My Lord was in front all the way, and romped home after he had cropsel the last fence.

In the Winter Welter Naeissus was made a strong order, and he won comfortably, although Brown kept the whip in evidence at the business end of the journey. Narcissus has filled out a trifle since I last paw him, but he "--till bears a =omewhat lathy and leggy appearance. W. Brown has worked .i lot of improvement in hi<* Reflector gilding, and no doubt will in time achieve further success with the hor*e if he is not too ambitious in placing him. Of the quart'it that stripped for the President's Handicap, the first I noticed was Cameo, and I was considerably impressed with the improvement made in the Medallion gelding's appearance since he competed at the last Kiccarton meeting. Cameo lias lo«t the light aud jaded appearance he had at that time, and there was quite a bloom on his coat. On his appearance I was prepared to see Cameo run a good race, but lie did not act up to my expectations, and finished an indifferent third. Dundas carried a rough coat, and Ardnarff's appearance was detracted fiom in the fame way. Magnificent looked well, aud was the wise man's tip in the paddook. Dundas was taken to the front from th& word go, and nothing got near him except Ardnarff, who reached the chestnut's quarters about a hundred yaids from home. But Dundas answered WiLon's call with a gameness that he does not always display in his races, and coming away again won comfortably at the finish. Dundas started favourite, but»the others were al=o well supported, and he went out only a slightly better favourite than Cameo and Magnificent.

The Oamaru Trot proved a good thing for Valeric, and she won pulling up from Waimotu and Joe Chamberlain, who were on the same mark as the- winner. None of the horses near the scratch had a chance in the race. The Redcastle Welter was a fairly good betting race, but punters did not take long in establishing Bill Perkins a faHy strong ord^r in the betting market, lis \\.un comfortably from Khaki at tha

finish. Magnificent put in a surprisingly good run alter appearing to be hopelessly our of the contest when turning into the straight. In the winner Mr Hobbs has a fairly useful colt, who should more than pay his oats bill next season if he trains on. In tie Hack Selling St. Elma was quickest to begin and downed a good favourite in Lady jVledalhst without any great difficulty. The winner was returned to her owner after the race at £33. The day's racing was brought to a conclusion with the decision of the Flying Handicap, and Goldspur carried the conridence and money of the majority of punters. The old fellow won remarkably easily, and nothing in the race had the ghost of a chance with him fiom a yard upwards.