THE TIMARU RACES.

Timaru Herald, Volume X, Issue 385, 3 February 1869, Page 2

THE TIMARU RACES.

[By Orange Blossom.] I cm very sorry to say that the meeting ■which is to be held to-day will ndt equal the meetings of the last few years, either m the numbers of the entries or m the value of the prizes. This is owing principally to the recent calamitous fire m Timaru and to the general depression throughout the district, but I think as much has been done by the Jockey Club as could be expected under the circumstances. The time of the year is also against the meeting, for station-masters are busy with shearing, and farmers are m the thi^k of the harvest. Unless, however, more general support is given to the races, another year we muy expect to look upon them as of the past. To give predictions of the probable winners to-dayis not a very difficult task, and I will deal with the races m the order m which they appear on the programme. ..For the Maiden Plute there aye three entries, Bedwiug, Maid of the Mill, and .Burgundy, the two former being from "the Waimate and unkuowu : and Burgundy, though running but an indifferent horse m Cliristchuroli, ought certainly to be good enough to win the race. For the Cup there are only two entries, Old Bird und Miss King, and unless the latter should be specially reserved for the Handicap it must be a gift to her. The Hurdle Race has likewise only two entries, Cruiser and Centurion. This will be an easy victory for Centurion if thoroughly fit »nd well, but the ground is very hard, and the old horse not being very sound, and at times having shown a disposition to baulk, would still seoui to leave a chance to Cruiser who has always been a very sure jumper, though slow. " ' - Out of the eight entries for the Handicap there aye iive acceptances, namely, Miss King, Zohrab, Presto, Burgundy, and Itedwiug. I think Presto is likely to be reserved for the Tradesman's Plate, the distance being butter suited to him. Burgundy and Redwing do not appear to have much chance, which will leave the race between Miss King, and Zohrab. Should Zohrab be thoroughly fit aud well I think, under the weight?, he should have the preference. Shuuld he however be unlit the race will be an eusy victory for Miss King. For the Tradesrnan,s Plate there are four entries, Old Bird, Star of the South, Presto aud Stockman. I think it probable that all four will start for this race, but the real contest will lie between the Star of the Sou«,h and Presto. The latter is not the horse he wus two years ago. Star of the South, who appears to have been specially reserved for this event, ran m very fair form m Christchuveh, and I think will catch the judge's eyn first.