OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 758, 15 September 1904, Page 9

OTAGO.

Dunedin, September 13. The writer journeyed to Timaru last week, and took part in one of the most unpleasant gatherings it has been his lot to attend for some time back. The weather was simply atrocious, and one was compelled to wade about in a sea of mud. The racing was fairly interesting, and was at least some recompense for being on the ground. The race in which the principal interest centred was the Timaru Handicap, owing to the presence of New Zealand Cup candidates in the field. Secret Society ran a good horse each day, but when Oblivion 11. is fit, on his showing last week he must defeat the Tempest gelding if there is any reliance to be placed on one’s eyesight. It is very likely that in the near future a protest will be lodged by the Messrs Ellis Bros, against Bulawayo’s owner being allowed to retain the stakes attached to the last Dunedin Cup on the ground that Beal, an apprentice attached to J. McGuinness’ stable, who rode the horse, did not hold a license to ride. Mr J. McKenzie, owner of Phaetonitis.

is also seriously thinking of lodging a protest against Mr Friedlander’s being allowed to retain thestakes won by Catherine Gordon at the last Dunedin "Meet-

ing. The ground for his objection will be that the mare was incorrectly entered for the race.

Clanburn swerved when finishing in the President’s Welter, at Timaru, and when straightened he was going faster than either Ability or J uniper, who finished in front of him. In the race on the second day over the same distance he was meeting Ability on 71b better terms, and looked to have a great chance on paper, but could not get near him at the finish. Another proof of the glorious uncertainty of racing. Magnificent displayed a decided reluctance to take part in the first day’s hurdle race at Timaru ; he refused to leave the mark when the barrier was released. On the second day, when there were no tapes to disconcert him, he jumped away and was in front when he came down at the first fence.

W. Brown, who lately has not been seen much in the saddle, had several mounts at Timaru, but failed to catch the judge’s eye on a winner. Brown was riding very light last week, and as he rode with all his well-known dash and remarkable cleverness in getting off the mark, he should get a good deal of patronage from owners during the season. Mr C. A. Jefferson, who acted as starter at the South Canterbury Spring Meeting last week, displayed a considerable amount of ability in despatching his fields. In ond or two instances when horses were left the fault could hardly be solely attributed to the starter, whilst the majority of his starts were really excellent efforts.

It is rumoured that the people behind Crichton had a decent win over the colt’s victory at Timaru, and it was achieved at a comparatively small risk on account of the horse starting at such a splendid price. All sorts of nice things have been said about Crichton as a result of his win in the Flying Handicap, but it should be remembered that Petrovna just failed to concede the colt 331 b on a very bad track, and that does not make the youngster’s form read very high, albeit there is no gainsaying that he is a very promising horse at present. The Southern trainer, James Lawson, has five horses in work, Meditation, Pallet, Dublin, Wairere, and Shield (by Sou’Wester). The latter pair of geldings are recent arrivals from the North Island, where both were raced.

Beau Seaton, the well-bred son of Seaton Delaval and Multiform’s sister Tres Belle, raced disappointingly at Timaru, and will have to improve considerably before he can be given a chance in the New Zealand Cup. The Medalion—Ta Ta gelding, Oblivion 11., ran very promisingly nt Timaru, and when ready should land a decent stake, judging by the determined manner in which he races the horse has been done a great injustice by being branded a waster. The following mares have foaled at the Elderslie Stud to Stepniak :—Fair Maid, a brown filly ; Coronal, a chestnut colt ; Madder, a bay colt ; Shepherdess, a bay colt ; Whirlpool, a brown colt ; Ranee Nieva, a brown colt. Roseshield, the sister to Royal Artillery, presented a very hunted appearance last week, and her looks and track form strongly suggest that she should be thrown out of work. The Lochiel colt, Crichton, who won the Flying Handicap at Timaru, was bred by Mr R. Rouse, jun., of New South Wales, and was imported from Australia as a yearling. His dam, Melissa, was got by Marvellous out of the Grandmaster mare, Mavourneen. Crichton is a promising colt, and is out of the same mare as Survivor and Reviewer, two winners of the A.J.C. Metropolitan’Handicap. During the Timaru Meeting last week bookmakers were allowed to bet without hindrance from the club, owing to the fact that as yet no decision has been given by the Appeal Court re the right of entry to racecourses laid out on public reserves. The judges, by the way, are very dilatory in giving their decision. Blackstone could not act in the loose going a| Timaru. nor could he negotiate the turn out of the straight as smartly as the balance of the field, and the black son of Grafton, who is as long as a boat, got chopped out and lost a lot of ground which he could not regain. An enthusiastic sportsman and breeder from Wanganui was in Invercargill lastj week in the person of Mr F. Walker. This gentleman was originally connected with the greatest of Maoriland sires, Traducer, and has since owned Sou’-Wester, Chain Link, Musketry, and Vanguard. The latter, when under offer to America at 3000 guineas, accidentally injured himself and was destroyed, a serious loss to Mr Walker.