DUNEDIN NOTES.

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

DUNEDIN NOTES.

Our Third Challenge Stakes was brought to a conclusion last week. The number of hounds competing was smaller than in any previous year, and I may definitely say the sport is not gaining ground here, which, in my opinion, is attributable to the want of good dogs. A few are so immeasureably superior to others, that owners get disheartened, and there is no possible chance of handicapping them the same as in a horse race. More than two-thirds of the seventy competitors were, at the calling of odds, offered from 100 to 1 to half a sovereign, and the greater part to the latter figure. I bis, of course, led to a lot of speculation, and quite as much betting took place in the aggregate as m former years; but about £4OO was the maximum any one hound could be backed for, which is a great falling off compared with previous stakes. Very few of our local bookmakers go in for the business, and if it had not been for the presence of Messrs Proflit, Davidson, and Taylor, the meeting, from a speculative point of view, would have

been a failure. I may here note that Martin Taylor took 100 to 10 Bloomer from the JNapier sport. There are plenty of hares at Forbury, but they are a mighty poor lot. Keeping them to an enclosure evidently does not improve their condition. The reared ones are too tame. This is an item that other plumptons may find useful, that it is cheaper to procure them than to breed them. The weak hares favoured Bloomer throughout, for she killed quickly in each course. Had the hares been as strong and good as when coursing first took place at Eorbury, I fancy the honours would have gone to Kingdom, the same dog that put out the celebrated bitch last year, and defeater of Shylock this time Staying is Kingdom’s forte, and he has the honour of having defeated the winners of the last two Challenge Stakes ; but taken altogether our local candidates were a very poor lot. The National Coursing Club have got their much-talked of Challenge Stakes meeting over, and everything went off splendidly. Tht weather was fine, but very cold, typical coursing days. The attendance averaged fully 300 throughout the meeting. Mr McAuley was judge, and if he erred it was on the right side, as he was very cautious, and gave several undecided courses. Some thought the slipping too short at times. Over twenty hares were killed in the first round, which greatly favoured those greyhounds that have the turn of foot in running up. The Auckland favourite, Shylock, broke one of his toes, and I don’t think he will run again this season. Bloomer killed six hares out of her seven courses. Wallace and Deceit are two coming dogs. The owner of Bloomer did not back his bitch. She is no doubt a wonder. The only way to beat her is to have a “ long-winded” hare like she met when Kingdom put her out last year, but she rarely misses her quarry. She makes some tremendous drives at times. The management of the meeting was very good, and the National Coursing Club made every effort to give satisfaction. There was some dissatisfaction expressed about the judging, but as long as I have known coursing such has always existed Mr McAuley is a real good man, and makes few mistakes. Nothing could have won but Bloomer, considering the poor class of hares she had to chase. For tho June Cup, first and second in the Challenge Stakes are not eligible, also winners Of Wahoo and Wairongai Stakes.