TALK DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2812, 5 February 1908, Page 54

TALK DAY

OFJTHE Bir Sbntihei;. MORE ABOUT THE SOUTHLAND TURF. There is another Richmond in, the field, and he, like "Sir Modred," of the Southland News, ia after " Sentinel's" scalp. The latest man in the arena is the sporting scribe of the Gore Standard, who, in the same spirit a* "Sir Modred," attacks " Sentinel," noj because the fetter has made miretatements, but because the adverse criticism was levelled at the clubs raofng In their particular district. The Gore Standard scribe states that "Sentinels" remarks are "a little tiring." The train is bom painful and tiring to some ' people, and hostile criticism particularly i painful to those who nave by connivance Or ignorance neglected to perform their duty to tibe public. They attack " Sentinel" not because his remark* are untruthful and cannot be substantiated, but because they ipolUhly claim that he has not assailed the Dunedin Jockey Club and Tahuna Park Club when alleged camping has taken place on their ooursos. In connection/ with the Gore meeting-, " Sir Modred," in commenting and reporting on the Grandstand Hack

Handicap, stated that Coo-ec led until she ran wide at the home turn, and as a result Poet-card went 'on and won. As & matter of fact that is not true. From the rise of the barrier, Post-card and Flavour ran together, with Coo-ec third, until turning for home, where Flavour dropped back. Coo-ec ran to the outside of the course, and by doing so materially weakened her chance of beating Post-card. I have no further comment to make on tbis particular race, hut leave the matter to be discussed by competent judges of racing who were present. " Sentinel " is well aware that some few pounds were put on Coo-ec for the race by her rider or owner, still, that does not twist " Sentinel's " opinion of the race one iota. The Gore Standard scribe claims in his report that Notus was out in front in the Gore Cup, and was only beaten in the run home. As a matter of fact Notus was never out in front. He was at one time close to Jack Ashore and Speculate, but he was the -first horse beaten in the trio, and it is quite clear that the southern writer confused Jack Ashore with-JNotue. Here are two -glaring errors which clearly demonstrate that both the southern writers are not reliable in the first thing about race reporting. Still, they have the temerity to attack "Sentinel.'' Both the southern scribes attack Otago racing more from ' hearsay than personal knowledge Their knowledge of racing is evidently very small, and consequently they are too apt to pay attention to the street gossip of " wiseacres " like themselves.