Coursing Notes.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 302, 7 May 1896, Page 10

Coursing Notes.

[by

SLIP.]

FIXTURES. May 13, 14—Auckland May 25—Ashburton June 3,4, s—National C.C., Dunedin June 8, 9,lo—Waterloo Cup June 10,13—Auckland Rose’s patent slip-boxes were tried recently at Dunedin. The Weekly Budge* sa y S The dogs slipped from the box in no single instance got away on even terms, gaps of six and seven lengths between each pair being the order of the day.” In view of approaching meetings, greyhounds are now accorded some attention. Out Avondale way there are one or two fair-sized kennels comfortably tenanted by the “ long-tails.” One trainer has a baker’s dozen, which is just about enough to engage the attention of one man. Several of the greyhounds I have seen seem a trifle above themselves ; a raking good course or two would open their pipes for the 13th and 16th. The hope of Auckland in the Dunedin Challenge Stakes, Shylock, went lame before the real coursing commenced. I am sorry to hear this for the syndicate s sake, as they have “ played” plucky with this dog from his purchase up to the present time, and they deserved better luck. However, the owner of Bloomer, Mr Bladon, was very plucky in coming back to New Zealand, after being put out in the first course last year. It is a decent journey from Melbourne to Dunedin, and he deserves every penny of the £2OO stake Coursing men in Auckland would like to see Mr Bladon and Bloomer before they return home. It is just possible he might nominate for the Auckland Club’s meeting if he were reminded. Coursing having been prohibited in the New York State on the plea of cruelty to animals, a large proportion of the local sportsmen, including a number of prominent wealthy men, have gone in strongly for whippet racing. It may not be generally known (says an exchange) that a first-class whippet of about 281 b weight can cover 200yds in 12sec. Whippet racing has long been a favourite pastime in the North of England, especially amongst the pitmen, and recently it has gained some footing in the South, several whippet clubs having been formed in and near London In the matter of “ straight going ” the sport has an advantage over horseracing, in that the unridden dog may be depended upon to do his best, whereas the horse, with the nobler animal on his back, is not always allowed to do so. It is only in “ stuffing ” that the superior intelligence of the human being can make its influence felt in connection with dog racing, and this,it must unfortunately be admitted, is an art in which some whippet trainers are believed to be adepts. Many people are wondering what is the meaning of “ "Wahoo,” in connection with the “ Wahoo Stakes,” one of the events decided at the Dunedin coursing meeting. I may say that “Wahoo” is the name given by Mr Loasby, of Dunedin, to a preparation he and all the chemists sell for indigestion, and it is said to effect a cure whenever tried.