A LIST OF "HAS-BEENS."

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

A LIST OF "HAS-BEENS."

An esteemed correspondent, who recentlypaid a visit to the West Coa^t of this island, has dropped me a letter, and in if; he refers to a day's racing he participated in during his sojourn on the other side of thi3 island. My correspondent writes as follows: — "I was at a s=mall unregistered! meeting, held about the beginning of April, at a place called Ross, and I thought a line about the meeting might prove of interest, as never before have I seen such a. lot of 'hasrbeen champions' competing at a gathering of this description. Some of. the , :oinpetitors were: — The Miser. Skirmisher (winner of C.J.C. Welcome Stakes, C..T.C. Derby, Canterbury Cup, D.J.C. Birthday Handicap, and several good races), Martini. Rebel (well-known on Ofcago racecourses, s-nd who fell and killed -poor Jack Poole at Timaru some years ago), The Fox. Quiltiri, Rustic, Shekel, and other well-bred! hor«C3 whose names I have forgotten. The Ross Cup, of £20, was won by The Miser, with old Skirmisher second and Qniltiri third, whilst old Rebel (ridden by J. Young, who used to ride in Otago 10 or 12 years ago) toiled hopeles=ly in the reai\ Rebel's connections, however, considered that the screwed -lyi old Duntronn gelding would havo made a much hotter showing had not his rider made the unhappy mistake ;n; n thinking that there was another round to go. His owner was more sanguine the next? time ne saddled Rebel, and I was beguiled into putting a 'modest dollar' on him, but; he again finished half a lap behind. In other important handicaps on the card old Skirmisher and Martini fought out a desperate finish, and the Vanguard horse, and one-time champion, with his tongue hanging about a foot out of his mouth, was beat by half a head. Skirmisher, however, made partial amends for these defeats, for in the Consolation he could not go slow enough for his stable mate, Shekel, and won by a, neck after a small heap of money had been put on the latter at odds on. The stewards are all good fellows, and when they had; anything to decide they were called together by the ringing of a bell. They would then adjourn to the bulhrushes at the rear of the hpoth, and transact their business. The day 'B sport was terminated with a dance, and everyone present made it their business to thoroughly enjoy themselves."