OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 351, 15 April 1897, Page 6

OTAGO.

Dunedin horses for the C.J.C. — Their prospects — Euroclydon — Casket — Sharp’s body — Death of Van Duren. Dunedin, April 13. Local trainers are making for Riccarton for the C.J.C. Autumn Meeting Mercer has been up for a fortnight with Black and Red and Belle Clair, and both are doing well. The latter is regarded here as the stable representative on the day for the Easter Handicap. McGuinness left yesterday with Lord Roslyn, Maremma, and Felina. a trio in real good trim. The Dunedin Cup winner has considerably improved since our autumn meeting, and he will take a lot of beating in the Autumn Handicap next Tuesday. He put in a capital mile and a half spin at Forbury last Saturday morning, nearly meeting with disaster during it, as the horse he was galloping with crossed him after a mile had been done, bringing Lord Roslyn down, but he quickly recovered and, going strong, covered the distance in 2min 51sec, which is not bad for our plough. Maremma is well, but I fawcy he has quite enough weight, and his chance will be greatly favoured should it be heavy going, for he revels in mud. The foregoing is a somewhat contradictory idea, but I reckon him at home in going that would stop almost any ordinary horse. Laughlin leaves tomorrow with Goldspur and Stockfish. The former is favourite here for the Easter Handicap, and considering the satisfactory work he has been doing on our track it is no wonder he leaves everything that is pitted against him, and whatever beats him will win. Stockfish is also really well, and is good in his class. Goodman is going up with Taiara and maybe another. The half-share of Euroclydon, Aldershot, and another has been disposed of by Mr Hugh Craig for £5OO, Goodman retaining the training of our champion. Casket is getting quite sound again, and he will be nut into work once more if not disposed of before our May Meeting. W. Sharpe’s body is to be brought to Dunedin, from whence I learn it will be taken to his native place, Clinton, for interment. Truly a wasted life his has been. A great horseman a few years ago, with every chance of a fortune in prospect, but his liking for the “ drams” was too strong for his physical and mental capacity. Poor Billy was a great favourite in Dunedin. Van Buren, by Vanguard —Wild Rose, dropped dead last week after a gallop at Forbury. He was owned by Stephenson and Hazlett, who have been singularly unfortunate in losing horses suddenly in this manner.