OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 693, 18 June 1903, Page 14

OTAGO.

June 17. With the conclusion of the Annual Winter Meeting held by 7 the North Otago Jockey Club last weel, the curtain was rung down on racing this reason as far as the South Island is concerned, as with the exception of one or two hunt club meetings our field glasses can be put in lavender until the saddling up bell rings at Riccarton in August next. Last week’s gathering at the White City was not the least enjoyable attended by your Otago correspondent during the just dead season, and with the exception of the Riverton and Winton Meetings he has attended every meeting of note held between Riccarton and Invercargill during the' season. The Riverton and Winton Meetings clash with the principal meetings held at Riccarton, but one is, however, In dutybound to attend the New Zealand' Cup Autumn and National fixtures, to witness the form displayed by the cracks of the year who may be found bearing silk at Riccarton, and also to make the acquaintance of the juvenile aristocrats who make their debut in the Welcome Stakes and other races for youngsters. Some very interesting racing was witnessed at Oamaru, and the totalisator receipts for the meeting compared favourably with previous totals. Red Gauntlet, who raced with more determi-

nation than I hare mr previously seen Mm display, won a race each day, and had he not been badly left in the Waitaki he would have undoubtedly been returned the winner instead of being beaten a neck by Gold Spur. The Lochiel colt was protested against on the grounds of alleged inconsistent running after he won the Flying Handicap on the first day, but those who are capable of judging a race quite concurred with the decision of the Stewards in dismissing the protest. Fighting Mac, the aged gelding by Vanguard, won the principal race on the first day, after a good race with Antigone, St. Elma, and Red Gauntlet. Sir G. Clifford had two representatives running at the meeting, in Dirk and Goldenmere. Sir George was present on the second day of the meetir but, although Goldenmere was sent out favourite for the Waitaki Handicap, his colours failed to catch the judge’s ey. in any of the races. Despite thd fact that all the handicaps at the recent Oamaru Meeting were compiled on the welter weight scale, one rider put up 201 b overweight in one of the races. H. Emerson takes Beauclere in hand again this week, and the Fiske gelding Bellini also goes into Emerson’s stable. One of the races run at the Oamaru Meeting last week appeared to be honestly contested by the field engaged in iti but it is said that those who knew most were going for the gloves on one, as it was understood that the balance of the field would not seriously menace the favourite ones. Unfortunately, the selected horse was running out of his distance, and fading away to nothing failed to find a place at the finish. A few similiar experiences should teach owners to embroider on their colours the legend,,“ honesty is the best polio Sir Geo. Clifford, racing some of his horses at Timaru, Ashburton, and Oamaru during the just closed season', has set an example which some of the other leading owners of the South Is. land would do well to imitate. It is said that the reason that' one of the horses engaged in the second day’s Selling Race at Oamaru did not start was because a flattering offer for tte horse was made to the owner, and the latter .(becoming afraid of losing his steed, at once withdrew him from the race, which was all the pretending purchaser wanted. Gold Spur, through being beaten by a neck in the Fij i Handicap at Oamaru last week bj r Red Gauntlet, just missed landing the double Flying and Waitaki Handicap three times. In 1900 the Rubezahl gelding scored his first double, and repeated the dual win last, season, and just missed landing it again last week. Prior to winning the C.J.C. Great Easter .n 1897, Gold Spur ran second to Telemeter in the Flying at Oamaru, . and afterwards won his first Waitaki Handicap with 9st 21b on his back. W. Brown was a few years back considered one of the smartest horsemen in the Colony in getting a horse off the mark, and the manner in which he handled his mounts at Oamaru last week showed . he still possesses the knack of ■tealing a march on his opponents at the fall of the flag. At Oamaru last week a well-known trainer was seriously thinking of investing a sovereign on Phaetonitis in the

Winter Handicap, but meeting the jockey who rode the horse in one of his races at the recent Dunedin Meeting, asked his opinion, and was informed that the horse had not a thousand to one chance in the race. When the dividend of £lB 12s was hoisted, there was one exceedingly angry person on the racecourse, who vowed he’d be so and so’ed, and . such and such’ed before he asks another jockey’s opinion about a horse.

The Stewards of the Oamaru Jockej Club at last week’s meeting occupied alternately a crow’s nest at the post of the straight, and although it is impossible to state how far their presence influenced the racing, it must be stated that the sport during the two days bore a very healthy appearance. The Forbury Park Racing Club have decided that the terms for a lease of the Park asked by the Forbury Park Coy. are not such as they would care to accept, and the land co. have accepted the Club’s offer at a rental of £5O per racing day for next season. The terms were £Boo for the first year, £450 for the next, and £550 for the third year. In addition the laud Co. wished to reserve the right of letting the inside of Park for football, coursing, etc.

Canteen was put into active commission at the latter end of last week, and afser his spell is in a fine healthy condition to be prepared for next season’s campaign. All the Dunedin owned horses who claim engagements in the New Zealand Cup are now in work.