TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 47

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN CUP MEETING. A considerable_ amount of interest was naturally taken in how owners would respond to the Dunedin Jockey Club's amended programme for the autumn meeting, which includes the Dunedin Cup, of 15O0sovs, and other good stakes. The response is very satisfactory, but does not call for any great enthusiasm, principally for the reason that North Islanders did not pay much attention to the invitation to nominate. As far as the South Island is concerned the Cup nominations leave little to be desired, quality is well represented, even if a little more numerical strength might have been added to the field. The list as it stands includes a New Zealand Cup winner in Menelaus, an Auckland Clip winner in Mascot, and several good performers, such as Rorke's Drift and Margerino (both previous winners of the race), KJhnopn, Onslaught, Punka, Red Ribbon. Marsa, Glendower, Kilrush.. Rose Pink, Almoner, John Barleycorn, and others. The D.J.C. Handicap and Publicans' Handicap also fdlcd well, and there seems prospects of an interesting race in the Hazlett Memorial Plate. The minor events meet with a liberal patronage-, and altogether there is every prospect at the present time of a successful meeting. Handicaps are due on January 27 and acceptances on .February 7. THE NORTH OTA GO MEETING. The North Otago Jockey Club has secured February 20 and 21 as dates for their post-

poned summer meeting-, and as it will follow shortly after the Dunedin Cup meeting, horse-owners patronising Wingatui will be tempted to include Oamaru in their travels. As an inducement to do so, the North Otago Jockey Club has added a 500sovs stako to be the Cup, which will bo run over the popular distance of seven furlongs. Next m value is the Buckley Memorial Plate, of 250sovs, to be run over a mile course. The programme also includes the Flying Handicap, of 200sovs, six furlongs; Belfield Welter, of 200sovs, one mile, and Waitaki Handicap, of 150sovs, five furlongs. Owners of two-year-olds are catered for by the Juvenile Handicap, of 15030V5, and the Nursery Handicap, of I2osovs, both run over half a mile. Hurdlers are catered for with two stakes, one of 130sovs and another of 120sovs. The balance of events carry stakes of lOOsovs or more. Nominations are due on Thursday, January 20, at 7 p.m., for all events. BREEDING GROUND. The question as to what is the beet place to breed a* thoroughbred has latterly been occupying a great deal of attention in Australia. Soil and climate have long been recognised as "matters of paramount importance when selecting a breeding-ground for the thoroughbred, and _ all over t the world it is generally recognised that limestone country ranks second to none. But no matter how suitable the ground and climate may be, it is very essential that the paddocks be kept clean and fresh, and free from the horse-staleness which means sure deterioration of stock if it is not wiped out. One could very probably travel the world and not find a more ideal place for breeding in this country may never see stud and Windsor paddocks. It is for that reason one cannot help expressing regret that the splendid collection of bloodstock now gathered at the Elderslie stud is on the point of being dispersed. The history of bredcing in this country may never see such a choice band of brood marcs gathered together again, or better stallions to mate with them. The Elderslie and Windsor paddocks arc situated in a widespreading valley of limestone country, beautifully sheltered and well watered. The paddocks are kept clean and fresh, and if winners could not be bred there, then it is difficult to say where they could be produced. The records of the stud, however, contain a long list of winners and stud successes, owing no doubt a good deal of their merit to the excellent land on which they or their stock were reared. tStock bred on such, land would very naturally be a very valuable acquisition to any other stud or for raping purposes, as well-bred stock reared on the best of country invariably make good on the turf. THE SOUTH CANTERBURY MEETING. The South Canterbury Jockey Club meeting which had been postponed from November last to Thursday of last week, did not present any particularly bright prospects of success. The fields threatened fto bo small, and were also somewhat lacking in quality, and hence the card could not be considered a very attractive one. It was thus a pleasing surprise to find a really good attendance on hand, despite the fact that the special train provided for the convenience of Christchurch sportsmen was rather poorly patronised. The opinion of the north was evidently the same as that entertained elsewhere. But where little is expected much is sometimes obtained, and such proved to be the case at Timaru ' last week. Good racing, close finishes, and brisk speculation was the order of the day. Large fields frequently provide good racing spectacles, but better sport may come from a small but well-balanced field. In some cases the fields Were not strong enough to supply the first and second dividend, and' in the principal event it was just able to do so. Under _ such circumstances a substantial jncrease in the totalisator investments most prove very gratifying to the club. Racing commenced, with the Jumpers' Flat, attracting a field of five. When it came to business Hylans and Jeannot were the only two to have a say in tho division. F. E. Jones rode a welijudged race on Jeannot, but even with the assistance of really good horsemanship a vigorous call on Hylans.. just about balanced matters, and the latter scored by a narrow margin. Condition was the deciding factor in Hylans's favour, and he required all he could muster. Several were strongly supported for the - Spring Stakes, with most money coming for Bombproof and Bonny Mac (a three-year-old gelding by Bonny Glen and trained by F. E. Jones). Bombproof did not get too well away, and did not have his chance assisted by being at once hunted to the front, with tho result that ho was in trouble at the distance, where Irish Elegance sailed to the front, and won easily from The Sapper. They had some trouble to find a favourite in the November Handicap. John Barleycorn held the position in the early part of the business, but towards the close money came for Subterfuge and Marsa. The marcrin. however, between tho first three was only a little over a " century," whilst Margarine and Bellshiro also received solid support. They were in good line when the barrier rose; but Marsa hung, and both she and Spangle lost ground. The others made matters lively, and ran the first half in 49. At this stage Margerine, Bellshire, and John Barleycorn wore showing the way in lino, with Subterfuge in close attendance, and Marsa (who was making uo ground) about four lensrths away, and Spangle in the rear. Margerine lost her place before reaching the straight, and Mar«i moving up on the outside, landed in second place as heads turned for home. Before reaching tho distance John Barleycorn hnd drawn clear, and, going on. won by nearly two lengths from Marsa, who beat Subterfuge a length. With a better run Marsa would have troubled John Barleycorn, but it is doubtful if she could have bea-ten him. as the Sarto gelding won rather well. Margerine was coming on agam towards tho end, and finished fourth. Subterfuge ran a good solid race, but hnd no chance at the weights over tho last stages of tho journev. The win was very popular, as Mr W. Gardiner, jun., has been somewhat unluckv of late. Another win for the colours was in r .toro in connection with tho Tycho Hack Handicap, in which Barley Bigs staved on much better than suggested by previous form, and won easilv' Neither „Moorahbc or M'ssouri got well away,, and Zophland was kept too busy in the first part to see out his task. Prior to the race Loraino bolted with C M'Greornr. and. getting amongst the trees, knocked him off. M'Grogor escaped with a dislocated shoulder and a general shaking. Five saddled up for the President's Welter, with Bandy going out. favourite in a good betting race. Braid was a bit slow on her legs, and was then injudiciously taken round

her field and on to the front, with the result that she was beaten shortly after reaching the straight, and in a good finish Tyno just boat Bandy. Bondage and Hyten fought out a good finish in the Maiden Plate, and the former redeemed some lost prestige by finishing resolutely and getting the verdict. Bombproof was more capably handled in the Kerrytown Welter than ; n the Spring Stakes, and won nicely. A promising sort in Fabisco finished second, and Radial, after travelling well over five furlongs, stopped badly, and failed to get a place. _ Mortham was a good favourite in the Flying Handicap, in which Spyglass, Pyjama, and Daytime were also strongly supported. _ Mortham led to the but then tired. Daytime looked a winner, but Pyjama, getting a lucky run on the rails got up in a good finish to win by a head. This brought an inteeresting day's sport to a finish, and the meeting ha* to bo considered remarkably successful under the circumstances. The financial results should certainly encourage the club to como out with a good programme in the autumn. THE WELLINGTON" CUP MEETING. Some interesting racing should be witnessed at Trentham this week in connection with the Wellington Oup meeting, where the fields will be made up by some of the best horses in training. Punka has maintained her position as favourite for the Wellington Cup, and has been responsible . for some good work, so that she will very probably be first choice at the barrier. Sho has successfully negotiated the distance under classic weights, and also made a bold show in the Stead Memorial Gold Cup. so that with 7.5 she should give a good account of herself. Heathercote's form has been somewhat patchy, but if he runs to his best may attract notice from the judge; but Kilmoon and Menclaus may be better fancied by the hard-headed punting 1 public. Some smart sprinters are engaged - in the Telegraph Handicap, and it will be interesting to note how the Dunedin-owned pair, Michaela and Kilboyne, act. If up to their best displays at Riccarton, the opposition will have to hurry, A very interesting race should be the Welfesley Stakes, in which Gloaming, Surveyor, Warplane, Crenides, Torfreda, Amaythos, and some other attractively-bred youngsters are likely to bo saddled up. Surveyor will be under a full penalty, and it will stamp him as a very good two-year-old if he can beat a smart three-year-old filly in Torfreda, who will be running at weight-for-age. Gloaming will* also have to take up a full penalty of 141 b; and, apart from the others, it will be most interesting, as far as the trio named are concerned, to note the result. It will supply a test thai, would delight the heart of a disciple of the old William Day school, as weight and trying tackle are far more reliable than a tilfl against the watch. The admirers of Surveyor hold strong hopes that ho will by no means disgrace himself. The minor events, \vith attractive stakes, should help to build up the interest in the meeting. ' THE FORBURY PARK MEETING. Friday and Saturday next will see the Forbury Park Trotting Club onco more in a position to welcome their patrons after being "closed down" since May last owing to the war and the influenza epidemic. At the time of writing acceptances have still to be declared, but there is every reason to expect a most attractive card on each day of the meeting. THE KILRAIN STUD. Mr Bruce Christie has decided to sell off the stock comprising the Kilrain Stud, North Otago, when 20 mares, nine foals, five yearlinsrs, and four two-year-olds w;U o-o under tho hammer. The stallion Kilrain fKilcheran—Grand Rain), which was a good performer in his day, will also be offered for sale. Mr Bruce Christie has been fortunate to create a '-corner" In ,s*"?# Grand mares, and several are included irt the list. The young stock are mostly by Markhope, the imported and attractivelybred son of Marcovil, from an own sister l to Persimmon and Diamond Jubilee. The sale will take pla<:f> on February 8 at 9.3 Q- - day following tho dispersal sale of the Elderslie Stud.