TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3400, 14 May 1919, Page 44

TALK OF THE DAY.

By Sentinel. THE FORBURY PARK MEETING. The Forbury Park Trotting Club's luciey star was well in the ascendant- in connection with last week's meeting. A raco meeting could not have taken place under more ideal conditions. The weather was beautifully fine on both days, and there was practically no breeze to stir up and carry the dust during the running of a race. It has generally been found a rather risky experiment to trust the weather to be in favourable mood in connection with the winter meeting at Forbury Park, but for once in a way the powers controlling wind and rain were in kindly humour. One result was what appeared to be a record attendance on the second day, and the very excellent response made by the pubho clearly stands as most encouraging to the club's efforts to cater for the sport. It at least showed that the public will muster strongly, and lend their very necessary assistance to the game when it is carried out under favourable conditions. The track presented a- beautifully level appearance on both days, but it did not take long to realise that -the going was as hard as flint beneath a veneer of dust on the surface So much so was that the case that wheelmarks showed a very faint impression after anything had been driven along the course. The absence of cushion may have suited some horses, and helped them to goto a good mark, but if there was much racing and training on such going only the very soundest of horses would be left on the scene. The card for each day provided some very interesting racing, but in some cases the betting and running, suggested that the dodgers were at worn. Albert Cling went a very meritorious race when he scored in the Victory Handicap, m which the luck of the run was all m bis favour, as he got a beautiful passage over the final half-mile by gaining two openings on the rails. It is, however, highly probable that he could have come round Trix Pointer and Vice-Admiral over the last quarter and then beat them homo, as he showed far more pace than either of them when taking advantage of his opportunities. One could not wish to see a better race than the Winter Oats, which formed the star item of the second day's card. The field ran in close order throughout, and anything seemed to have a chance when they were coming down the running to commence the last lap. Stockade had been in charge all the way, and Pringle was holding his place with him without, however, over-driving. Shortly after passing the half-mile peg from home the roughgaited son of Wildwood Junior and Susanna commenced to tire, and was well beaten in the next furlong. Trix Pointer had been always well placed, and she took charge racing to the far tarn three furlongs from home, and Albert Cling was also on the premises, and ready to put in ms final claim. Albert Cling was proclaimed as they straightened for home, but Trix Pointer held him at bay, and _ won by a shade over a length. Nancy Stair went one of her best races bv finishing close up, and Cello Sydney Wilkes, finishing fast was fourth, about two lengths away, and then came Vice-Admiral and Stockade. It was a very fine race, but it was a pity that the track was not sprinkled and levelled an hour or so before it cam© up for decision, in order to tie up the dust and make the track conditions as perfect as possible. It is very obvious that the dust forms a serious handicap to the backmarkers, as well as imparting an unnecessary danger in a close-running field. It was a well-deserved win on the part of Trix Pointer, as she has run some very solid races without gathering the money. She was very well handled by F. Holmes, who ranks secoi.'d to none as a reinsman when he is sitting behind goods with a winning chance. It was also pleasing to see Albert Cling going up to the mark he made on the first day, as in far too many cases owners of the light-harness brigade no sooner get on a good winning mart than they display anxiety to get off it again. The meeting taken all round was very enjoyable, and one of the most successful ever held on the course. Mr W. F. Dunne controlled his fields well, and got them away to fair starts, ann" in that respect achieved his highest standard up to date. Mr IT. Brinkman set punters some tough problems in the handicapping department, and the other officials were busy doing their best to make the meeting a success. WONDERFUL WISDOM. Watching the betting is not the least interesting part of racing. The chopping and changing of the odds and the trend of the market makes at times much food for reflection, and one can occasionally find which way the wind is blowing without it being necessary to fly a kite. Punters show wonderful wisdom at times as to what they support and what is left alone. Take, for instance, the fact that Dandy Chimes only carried 387 tickets when he lost easily on the first dnv, but when he won easily there wi« 3000 tickets invested on his chance. The band, it may be. by way of a tip. remarked In passing, did not strike up "See vho conquering hero comes" when he landed on the track to take part In the winning race. The reverse was t.he case with Matty's Bov. He was a fairly hot chance with 1619 tickets when he jogged home on the first day, but despite the fact that there was a lot more money about oh the second day, his supporters only raked np 566 tickets when he on the mark in the mile race. It is clear that a lot of people displayed wonderful or luok or something in not following winning form on- that occasion. Quadroon stood on the mark, but, fortunately, only drew the com> paritively light support of 566 tickets. Despite such a display, he wa3 on the boom

next day to the extent of 2971 tickets, and the hottest favourite at the meeting. Why so? On this occasion, however, the market did not find tho winner. Quadroon was oloso up third for over half a mile, and then dropped away. Madeline was another that stood on the mark when supported to tho extent of 195 tickets, and when she made a winning effort £7lO showed on the totalisator. There was also a big rise on Jack Arrah. He, however, went a good race on the first day, and there was somt< reason for according him increased support;; but the nronounced change in connection with some of the others oreates the question, "Why is this thus?" THE SOUTH CANTERBURY MEETING. Tho South Canterbury Jockey Club hold their autumn meeting on Thursday and Friday of this week, and, although tho fields do not promise to be on the large side, they at least show indications ot providing interesting racing. A held ot nine acceptors remain in the Timaru Cup, of 400sovs, seven furongs, and stands as a rather disappointing repiy from owners. No fewer than 10 horses dropped out of the raoe, and what remains, is not particularly strong in point of quality. Eleus won the Final Handicap at the Great Autumn meeting with 8.10, and ran the journey in i 40 4-5, and now meets Melee on 71b worse terms for a three-length beating. Eleus was ridden right out, but had his race won a long way from home, and he should be able to account for Melee again. Jiuller does not stay too well, and, although he has a handy weight, may oe troubled by t&e distance. He should be held safe by Kedshire, who has latterly been showing # a return to form, and won in impressive style at both Gore and Riverton Indus won the Autumn Plate with 8.4 up in 1 42 2-5, and the subsequent form of Hurry Up and Fabisco go to show a good deal ot merit in the Danube gelding's performance, as both the last-named won on the second day of the meeting. Indus also ran second with 8 11 in the Yaldhurst Welter, won by Hurry Up in 1.28 2-5. Both these performances appear to give him a chance, hut both Redshire and Caverock will read more attractively to those who witnessed their form in the south. Caverock showed fairly good winning form at the Southland autumn meeting, and is an improving sort, apparently training on to do better things than he has yet accomplished. John Barleycorn scored his last win on the limaru track, and, although some are inclined to regard him as a back number, it may be worth remembering that he finished third in the Courteney Welter to Gamecock 813 and Sisyphus 8.0 when carrying 9.9. Gamecock won by four lengths m 1.43 1-5. Marianne will be suited by the track, aa she acts best where there is plenty of room to stride out. Subterfuge has not raced for some little time, and may not be quite tuned up, but at her best has a fair chance on paper, as she gave weight and a beating to Marianne when they met over a mile at the Southland summer meeting, and now meets the Australian-bred mare on 51b better terms. Eleus, Melee, and Redshire are also engaged m the Smithfield Handicap, which precedes the Timaru Cup on the card, but, taking the latter field as it stands, it will probably be found that Redshire and Eleus will go out about as strongly supported as anything in _ the race. Only five figure in the Otipua Steeples, and as Nita generally shows pace over country she should keep the .*°Pweights busy. Nita ran a fair fourth in the Beaufort Steeples, run at the. last National meeting, to Coalition, Yellow-and-Black, and Sylva. Cattach will probably start favourite for the Maiden Plate, and Fabisco would only have to reproduce his latest form at Riccarton to entitle him to favouritism in the Gladstone Welter. He won the Addmgton Handicap with 8.12 in 1.40 4-5, after running second to Indus in tho Autumn Plate. Mortham and Belair are both smart beginners, and no doubt backers will be found going for them in the Smithfield Handicap on that account. Radial has a pull on paper over the majority in the Electric Stakes, and that should elect him first pick in the race. Backers will probably go for Jingo and Kilbarry in the Rosewill Handicap, but the top-weight has not much the best of it with The Sapper, who finished third to Cerberus and Post Haste in the Gimcrack Handicap, in which Jingo was unplaced. Burragong will probably start as well backed as anything in the Doncaster Welter, and Fabisco would also be sum of support if reserved. In his absence All Ready may start second favourite.

THE GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. Kauri King lias received a substantial rise in weight in the Great Northern Hurdles to what he carried in the Grand National Hurdles, which he won with 10.1. On that race he meets Art on no less than 251 b worso terms. Such a severe difference should tell a tale at the end of two and a-half miles. Kauri King beat Art at a difference of 41b in the Sydenham Hurdles, run over one mile and three-quarters, and now meets him on 71b worse terms. Art. was not quite at his best last August, and Kauri King will find it a very difficult task to give the Sarto gelding so much difference in weight and a beating. Sleight of Hand was another not at his best last August, and is now apparently a better horse at present. He meets Kauri King on 311 b better terms, and. as in the case of Art, such a marked change in poundage should make a difference in the running. In fact, the Auckland handicapper has formed a rather too flattering opinion of Kauri King despite the fact that he showed such good_ form over hurdles at the last Grand National meeting. If ho goes to the post right and readv SJeight of Hand should be found disputing favouritism with Art and Kauri King, whilst Master Lupin and Uynic may find friends. Yellow and Black shaped in very promising style when he raced at Riccarton, and should have beaten Coalition in the Beaufort Steeples, in which he was galloping twice as fast as the winner after laying too far away in the first part. Yellow and Black has only to reproduce that display to bring him into strong favour for tb» Great Northern Hurdles: WINCATUI RACECOURSE. EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS TO BUILDINGS. The Works Committee of the Ihuiedin Jockey Club visited the course on the sto, for a general inspection. It was decided to make certain alterations in the retiring rooms connected with the tea rooms, and also to instruot the club's architect to submit plans covering considerable alterations to the tea rooms. It was also deoided to obtain plans for

tho proposed robuilding of the stewards' stand. The intention is to place this stand between the inside totalisator and tho fence abutting on the course proper. The birdcago will be shifted so that it will be between the outside and inside enclosures. Patrons of tho outside enclosure will not then require to come along the course to look into the birdcage when the horses are being paraded. To enable the stewards' stand to come In between the totalisator house and the front fence it may be necessary to shift the totalisator back a little towards tho railway side of the course.