DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 214, 30 August 1894, Page 4

DUNEDIN.

[by

WIRE.]

August 28. Mr R, Allan, owner of Saracen, was a passenger by to-day’s boat for Melbourne. A report was circulated that Saracen was on board, which created a little excitement, but it turned out to be false, although many here still believe that the brother to Loyalty is destined a little later on for Victoria. Mr Allan is a wealthy man and the idea of backing him and afterwards taking him over is not without precedent at any rate. There are no takers of current odds against him to be found in Dunedin at 100 to 10. The weighting for our Kensington Handicap was watched with interest last Friday, as there were eight New Zealand Cup candidates engaged. Mr Dowse adjudged them thus :—Hippomenes 9.7, Skirmisher 9.1, Dilemma 8.3, Captive 8.2, Rangiatea 7.13, Aldershot 7.9, Casket 7.7, Solano 7.2. Immediately on the weights appearing Skirmisher was scratched. The top weight is.considered

very well in, and next to him Casket, who meets his Cup opponents on about a stone better terms, is the best fancied His weighting is looked on as a silent protest against Mr Henry’s adjustment in the thousand pounds event. Casket is considered here as the worst used horse in the Cup. The double, Kensington and Shorts, with Hippomenes for the former and Forbury (8 12) for the latter, was taken to-day. There are nineteen horses weighted- for the Shorts. Gitana, a promising colt of last season, by St. Clair —Gitano, dam of Gipsy King, and a two-year-old brother were added to the list yesterday. They are in Stewart Waddel’s stable.

The pony Lepre Chaune (by St. Clair —Fairy, half-sister to Vortex), who made such a good name in Sydney, will shortly be shipped over here for sale. She is very fast, and like her illustrious halfbrother able to hold her own in springing contests with full-grown brethen. The hurdle-racer Rebel has been purchased bj George Smith, who has had a •lot of experience in training jumpers. One hundred guineas was the price. At a meeting of the D.J.C. last week the committee gave unamious expression to an opinion that the N.Z. Jockey Club as mentioned in the proposed new clause of the Gaming Bill was absolutely unnecessary. The D.J.C. is perfectly satisfied with the present system of totalisator licenses being issued by the Colonial Secretary. 1 was at the Forbury this morning watching the work. The training track is in capital order, and I was agreeably surprised to find our horses so well forwardi the Cup candidates being especially so. I never saw Hippomenes looking better. He is a particular favourite with the touts and the general public. This son of St. Leger and Atalanta is considered by many (myself included) to be the best horse ever trained here. This morning he was full of life, and eager to be let out at top. Skirmisher is fit to race at once. Can this condition be kept on him until November is a query often put by local sportsmen. Dilemma put in a full pace spin with Mariner, going freely and pulling up well. He is in most painstaking hands, and I shall not be at all surprised to see him with the colours up for the Cup. Casket did long steady work by himself. I fancy him more for the “ blue riband” than the handicap, as it will take a man to manage him. From what I can learn he is a sure starter for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas. Captive has many admirers, and a spin at top was given him with Aidershot, the former racer having all the best at the finish.

Rangiatea put in good three-quarter pace work covering fully two miles. He will be the St. Clair stable representative in the Kensington Handicap. Solano did not please me, appearing stiff in the quarters. Beau Brumell looks handsome, but will only gallop when he likes. Rancour may be made to pay in minor races should he fail in arriving at Cup quality. We are well off in fashionably-bred two-year-olds down here. Amongst those I noticed in particular was Maximilian (by Maxim—Lady Evelyn). This colt has a good strain and decidedly good looking, but he was not extended, so that I have no correct idea of his powers. Another Maxim, from the Teredo mare Aqulate, is in S. Mercer’s hands, and joined in a spin with Beadonwell and Britomart, going nearly half a mile in a mile spin with the Cup horse, in clothing. This youngster is, in my opinion, the pick of the lot I have yet seen. Goodman has a big upstanding colt, by St. Clair —Mountain Lily, 15J hands high, and a St. Clair—Lady Gertrude colt, who is half-brother to Blizzard. McGuinness has a trio of youngsters, one being a filly by Nelson—Tres Deuce, who is rather leggy, but promises well when she has more age. The same trainer has also a grey three-year-old mare in hand by Boz, the Caulfield Cup winner. There has been no New Zealand Cup betting during the week worth reporting. Mr Reid makes no secret of the fact that he has not backed his horse Skirmisher for the event, and Mr Curtis informs me that he is in the same position respecting Casket.

The annual report of the Thames Jockey Club shows a credit balance of /45 5 s Mr James McGowan, M.H.R., has been elected president of the club which will give stakes not exceeding at the Summer Meeting.