TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2685, 30 August 1905, Page 50

TALK OF THE DAY.

A CRACK HORSEMAN. It is somewhat remarkable that P. Johnson, who has been one of our leading cross-ccuntry horsemen for many years jDast, and who is at present paying his initial visit to Dunedin, should have been, riding for over 18 years in the colony without previously visiting this end of the island Steeplechasing has been in a languishing condition in the south for many years, and as far as Otago is concerned cross-country fixtures are «on-existent, and even hurdle racing was in danger of being deleted from the metropolitan club's programmes owing to the paucity of patronage given tlnse events by horse owners. Consequently it is net altogether strange that Johnson's visit is not paid during the currency of a race meeting, but it is regrettable that some oi our southern racegoers will not have an opportunity of seeing such a finished horseman display his prowess in the saddle. Johnson was unfortunate enough to receive three falls at the recent National meeting, but, fortunately, without receiving any serious injury. He, however, was entitled to a. ia ell-earned respite from business, and, taking- advantage of 1 a lull in racing matters in the north, re-

solved on paying a short visit to the south. | Tho iSoddei.3 of Fortune has not beon unkind, and has bestowed Johnson many a winning turn of her wheel, hence the records arc liberally bestrewn with his. name as the rider of many winners over small and big country. As far back as 1890 he rede Jenny to victor in the Great Northern Steeplechase, and since then ho has successfully piloted Muscatel (1898). Dummy (1899), and Kiatere (this year). In 1893 he rode Mutiny first past the judge's box in the Great Northern Hurdles, and also scored in the same with Cavalier in 1900 and Battleaxe in 1903. Johnson had a winning ride in the Grand National Hurdles with Dummy in 1896, and aho rode the same horse when he won the Grand National Steeplechase in 1898. The Hawke's Bay Steeplechase was won on > Jenny in 1890, and with Muscatel he won the Wanganui Steeplechase in tho two consecutive years of 1898 and' 1899. When Whalebone dead-hoatcd with Oeo in the Wellington Steeplechase of 1891 Johnson was up on the first-named, but he went one belfcpr in the years 1896 and 1897. w r hen he had winning mounts on Nat and The Friar. It would be astonishing! if one who has succeeded so well in big things did not i also catch some of the small fish, which are ' said to make up in sweetness what they lack in bulk, but the races quoted will serve to show how Johnson's career has been punctuated with well-deserved rewards. His capabilities as a horseman aiv also well known in Australia, where he j rode Battleaxe in tie V.R.C. Grand Na- ' tional Hurdles. Johnson has enjoyed his trip south, and during- his stay here has been seeing the show spots of the place. On Friday last he was one of a small party who were hospitably entertained by W. M'Donald, who has charge of the " Hon. Geo. M'L-ean's team, some of winch, favourably impress the northern rider. And a brief visit wa<s also paid to J. Rutledg-e's, who also kindly slipped his charges for inspection.