OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 356, 20 May 1897, Page 6

OTAGO.

Umpromising’ weather for Forbury—The form of horses, and prospects of the meeting—Betting. Dunedin, May 18. After an exceedingly lengthy spell of fine weather I am afraid we are to have quite the contrary this week. It rained heavily to-day, so it is about certain it will be very heavy going at Forbury f or our races next Saturday and Monday. The big acceptances is quite a record for here. I never knew of our local horses, all round, to be in a better condition at this season of the year than they are at present, so our Birthday Handicap is a very open race and difficult to pick. I fancy Black and Red, Strathbraan, and Missfire, in the order named. The former has improved considerably this last fortnight, and he is well favoured in the handicap. Missfire may be reckoned dangerous, for he also has come on a good deal lately. Lord Rosslyn has done some good trials, but his weight, 8.5, will stop him, 1 fancy. Skirmisher is reported on his best behaviour. Chaos is doing pretty regular work, interspersed with swimming, which I do not like. Neither Marlin or Lady Somnus were ever better, and the Otago Goldfields representative, Don Joseph, is calculated by his owners and friends to have a big chance. The general fancy for the Tradesmen’s Handicap is of course Goldspur, but if the going is to be heavy his 10.5 must certainly be felt, although he is a picture of health and condition. With anything like decent going it is my opinion he will win, but I doubt if they will start him if it is too soft. Next to him £ like Maremma, Arline, and Telemeter. There is not the usual amount of double betting that has been the custom in former years, the one horse, Goldspur, having spoiled it completely. The public are afraid of him, and do not care to couple him, as the price is too high. I fancy Belmont should about get home in the Hurdle Race, for which Highlander was scratched to day. Mr J. Loughlin did not remain long out of harness as he has bought the Union Hotel, Dunedin, which will in future be called the Goldspur Hotel. The hurdler, Ilex, has been purchased by Mr George Robertson, of Oamaru, who trains for the lucky syndicate of the white stone city. Vandyke is going at his best and will, I fancy, win a race at the approaching meeting, which may be the big handicap on the second day.