THE OAMARU MEETINC.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 55

THE OAMARU MEETINC.

Although the nominations for the Camay u Jockey Club’s programme are a bit disappointing in some races, the fields generally contain ample material to supply a good meeting. It will be the first meeting held on the new track, and will carry extra interest on that account, and also because the change will mark, it is to be hoped, the start of a new era of prosperity with racing in Oamaru. Set Sail has been awarded top weight with 9.5 in the Presidents’ Handicap, and cannot be considered harshly treated. She has been rated just about on a par with her treatment at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and asked to meet Rotor on 21b worse terms than in the Fendalton Handicap. They did not meet on that occasion, and. as Rotor shaped well in a fast-run race, he reads a well-treated horse. Silvermine need not be considered in the matter, as he merely figures as a complimentary nomination, supplied in a good sporting spirit, which is well worthy of emulation by others who should consider it a duty to lend more support to meetings in the South Island. Gay Sonnet is in receipt of 131 b from Set Sail, but the distance will probably anchor her far more than the

weight. Gay Sonnet is a very hard puller, and on that account bccames a rather doubtful proposition over a mile and aquarter. Royal Saxon, if sent to the post, will be making his first attenmpt beyond a mile, and, as he has been able to finish on at the end of a fast-run seven furlongs, he should not be seriously troubled by an extra couple of furlongs under a handy weight. He was handicapped in the Members’ Handicap at 201 b from Set Sail, and in a different class and distances receives 21b less. Taboo requires a soft track to be seen at his best, and the going is not likely to suit him at this time of the year. Still it should not be overlooked that he ran an excellent race on the final day of the New Zealand Cup meeting when racing on firm going. Taboo is treated on just about the same terms as when weighted with Set Sail in the Fendalton Handicap. Lucy Locket had plenty of racing last month, and showed signs of it when saddled on the second day of the Winton meeting. She, however, soon freshens up again, and on her form at Riccarton in the Otaio Plate is nicely treated at 7.11. She was just able to give Historic 91b, and the latter was rather too good | for Taboo at even weights in the Cressy Handicap. Taboo should thus be in receipt of weight from Lucy Locket instead of giving some to the daughter of Boniform. Lucy Locket proved herself 91b better than Historic, and, as the latter was too good for Taboo at even weights. Lucy Locket must in consequence be 91b better than Taboo, who on that line has about a stone the worst of the weights on collateral form. The scale of weights is rather against those at the bottom of the handicap. For instance. Rotor gave Money Mine 101 b in the Farewell Handicap run at the Dunedin Winter meeting, and Taboo gave him 241 b and a beating in the Tradesmen’s Handicap. At Oamaru Money Mine is asked to meet Taboo at 121 b and Rotor at 91b, and hence it seems as if the Paper Money gelding does not hold a chance on paper. A glance through the form suggests that Lucy Locket should start favourite.