Coursing Notes.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 311, 9 July 1896, Page 8

Coursing Notes.

[by

SLIP.]

A New South Wales National Coursing Club has been formed. The National Coursing Club (Dunedin) holds a smoke concert on Saturday evening, 11th inst. A private wire was received in town on Wednesday evening that Shylock was beaten during the day’s coursing. This will probably be in the first round of the Waterloo Cup. About fifteen years ago there used to be some rare fun and sport at Whittlesea meetings, England, and at that time the gathering was strongly patronised by the merry boys from Newmarket — and no mistake, in those days, there were some boys daring enough for anything. A certain judge, who used to hold office on these occasions, had a voice that he himself thought was most majestic and awe-inspiring, and, above all, he fancied himself when shouting “ brindle” ; and it is a fact that if, by any chance, he could give a course to a dog of that colour, he invariably did so. No one who had ever heard him shout “brindle” was ever likely to forget it. As to the merits of his voice, listeners by no means generally concurred in his opinion of it, and poor old Vic Haines, who was remarkable for his originality in creating similes, declared it was “ like a handsaw.” This judge was one day following a course contested by a blue dog and a brindled bitch. The dog led, and had done everything, whilst the bitch had not scored a point, nor, in

fact, did she do so throughout the course; but, before its completion, the judge’s horse blundered at a huge dyke, and soused its rider flop into the middle of it. It was so full of water that, on regaining his feet, his head only just showed above the levsl. “ Nobbie” Dennis was standing close to the dyke, and had backed the brindle. Quick as thought he exclaimed, “Why, the brindle has got in, and won the course all ends up! ” at the same time pretending to be intently following it. The next moment he turned to the judge, shouting, “ Give your decision, sir; they are waiting for you to call it.” Blowing the muddy water from between his lips, the judge roared at the top of his voice, “ Bri-i-i-i-ndle 1 ” There was a fine row about it, of course, but the decision was adhered to all the same.