DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 26 May 1898, Page 11

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

[By Our Dunedin Correspondent.] Fibst Day—Saturday, May 28. We had a miserable day on Saturday for our races, consequently the attendance was very small, only £2,882 going through the totalisator. Belmont broke down in the Hurdles, or I fancy he would have won. They were a poor lot. Supplejack is a poor jumper, but with a bit of pace on the flat succeeded in winning. Fulmen had rather an easy task in the Maiden, but-he had nothing behind him. . Sequin looked all over a winner in the Birthday Handicap, but was collared by Starshot on nearing home and beaten by a short head. Starshot had been looked on as a non starter, but appears to have come to life on Thursday. She is. reported to be the property of a well-known Christchurch bookmaker. Pitch and Toss appears to have lost the form she displayed in the Dunedin Cup, as she tired plainly at the finish. Barmby was made favorite for the Welter, but Vandyke had rather an easy win from the old horse. Hippamenes bad a comfortable victory in the Selling Race, and was bought back by his owner . ■*' for only £5O. Arline showed what a good mare she is by winning the Tradesmen’s Handicap, with Maremina a fair second. There was some trouble about Arline drawing the weight, and it was not until several minutes had elapsed that the backers looked for the magic word “right” was declared. A protest, however, was entered, and, strange to say, the Press representatives were refused admission. It transpired afterwards that the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club, at their last monthly meetings rescinded the resolution admitting representatives to an enquiry. I need hardly say it has given much dissatisfaction, and is another of those peculiar and unaccountable actions of the club. The enquiry was adjourned till 8 o’clock on Saturday night, the Press representatives still being excluded, consequently only the bare results of tne enquiry are procurable. The protest was dismissed, but the following strange resolution was passed : “ That the stewards are of opinion that as the clerk of the scales states that the rider of Arline weighed in correctly, and that he declared it to be so, which fact was eorroboaeted by several witnesses, they must, dismiss the protest. They wish, however, to express' their strong disapprobation that Mr Fleming, as the owner of Arline and a steward of long experience, should have committed the grave Impropriety of touching the scales.” This speaks for itself. The fact of touching the scales is thus very slightly paseed over. Plotter won the Auction Stakes, and was bought in for £l6. Messrs Stephenson and Hazlett submitted their horses for sale by auction this (Tuesday) morning, but as there were no buyers no sales were effected. I learn to-night that Mr McGuinness, the owner, of Maremma, second horse to Arline, has appealed against the decision of the Dunedin i: - Jockey Club regarding the case, and I may here state that at the enquiry there was only a bare quorum present. Mr Fleming was present, but aid not vote. I regret that our worthy president, the Hon. G. McLean, was absent, as he only left for Australia on a trip a few days ago.