TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2617, 11 May 1904, Page 45

TALK OF THE DAY

THE ASHBURTON MEETING. The proximity of the Ashburton County Racing Club's wintor mooting, together with the fact that the nominations for the N.O.J.C. and D.J.C. meetings are out, unmistakably heraidrs the approach of the beginning of the end of the present season, as they are th© labt three meetings which South Island sports will have the pleasure of attending, unless they can spare time to attend the winter gatherings held in the north. The acceptances received for th© Ashburton meeting, which commenocs this week, must be considered satisfactory, and read as if the club's patrons will see some good sport. Some of th© winners at the Christchurch Racing Club's meeting on Saturday last aleo olaim engagements at Ashburton, and according to the conditions attached to the A.R.C. programme have earned penalties. The- conditions mentioned read as follows: — "The winner of any flat race after th© declaration of weights to carry a penalty of 10lb, and of every additional race a further penalty of 61b. Horsee handicapped afc 8.10 or over to carry half of tho above- penalties." Consequently Cianburn has incurred a 101b penalty for the Ashburton Haadicap, and hia weight is now 7.4-. Eurus also incurs a 101b penalty in the Longbeaeh Handicap. Potrovna gets a 51b penalty in the Grove Farm Handicap, and Conal and Zealous each incur a 51b penalty in the Fairfield High-weight Handicap. As far as probable winners are concerned, Eurus, on his form at Christchurch on Saturday, should about win the Longbeaeh Hack Handicap and Lady Lillian should prove capable of winning th© Ashburton Haudicap. Petrovna is in winning form, and her penalty may not prevent her from scoring in the- Grove Farm Handicap; next to her, Goldapur should run well. Conal, who should go on iniprorinsy, may continue his recent successes by winning -*he Fairfield High-weight Handicap, and B&aley &Lould about win the Melrcse Handicap.