THE TURF.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 19, 6 December 1890, Page 4

THE TURF.

[by

OLD TURFITE.]

The Dunedin Jockey Club Meeting was commenced on Friday, 28th ult. The fields were not commensurate with the value of the stakes, as the committee were most liberal. The first day’s racing was noticeable for the success of Mr. D. O’Brien’s horses. He commenced by running second to AVaitangi with Little Arthur, Spy being third. As he was giving the winner 141 b. and only receiving 31b. from third, who has been in the winning vein lately, he must be looked upon as a fair horse. The Maiden Plate fell to him with Hazel, by Nordenfeldt —• Ouida, but from what I can learn she is a difficult filly to train. Six others were behind her. The Otago Cup, the principal race, resulted in a good race between Freedom, 7st. 71b., and Wolverine, Bst. 81b., the former winning by a neck, four others being behind them. In the New Zealand Cup Freedom had 6st. 91b., Wolverine, 6st. Ulb. This, running proves that Wolverine was a good thing for the N.Z. Cup. D. J’Brien’s Florrie, by Tasman— Rubina, won the Dunedin Stakes of 150 soys., and his Tassie won the Two-year-old Selling Stakes. The only other horse worth noticing on the first day is St. Andrew, by St. Leger — Scottish Lassie, who with Bst. 71b. up defeated eight others easily in the Federal Stakes, six furlongs. On the second day the President’s Handicap, miles, was the principal race of the day, and resulted as follows . Freedom, Bst. 71b., first, St. Malo, 7st. 81b., second, Wolverine, Bst. 121 b. third. Hazel, belonging to the same owner as Freedom, was the only other starter. Won easily by a length, the same distance between the others. St. Andrew defeated Diadem and Pique for the Onslow Plate, w.f.a., 1| miles. This is not much of a performance. For the Criterion Stakes, Lebel, by Nordenfeldt— Pulchra, won from six others, as reported, “ an exciting race ”by half a length. Clifford was up. Florrie won the Musselborough Plate, w.f.a., four furlongs, five others being behind her, including St. Andrew. On the third day the principal race was the St. Andrew Handicap. Prime Warden, 7st., defeated a moderate field of eight. The Commeration Plate of 200 sovs., w. f. a., penalties and allowances. Five furlongs. St. Andrew, 9st., getting the best of a bad start won all the way, Florrie, 6st. lib., 1 second, Lebel, 7st., third. May, Morpheus and Union Jack were the other starters. The two latter were left at the post. The fourth day calls for no remarks, as it was a mixed day,- Trotting, Pony Racing, etc. I will now review the racing. Freedom has proved himself the good colt I always took him to be, but his best distance appears to be a mile and a half. St. Andrew also showed that he was a sprinter of no mean merit, but he does not like over a mile. Without exception the best three-year-olds that have appeared this season are Medallion, Crackshot, Freedom, and St. Andrew. The running of Medallion, to say the least of it. has been curious, but from the recent running of Freedom, and taking in consideration the way that he defeated him in the 0.J.0. Derby when Mr. Stead said he had not recovered from his illness he must be an exceptional good colt, as there was only three weeks between the meetings, and it is not likely that Freedom 1 had improved much, so the Australian handicappers are not likely to forget him. Crackshot is a good colt, but from what I hear, he unfortunately “ speedy cuts.” If this is the case he will never be a safe horse to back, and some day he may strike himself too hard and come down. Freedom’s best distance will be found to be a mile and a half, while St. Andrew will prove himself a real good horse up to a mile. Lebel and Florrie are the best of the two-year-olds that have appeared at present, though I have little doubt that The Workman when fit will be their match.