OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 813, 5 October 1905, Page 9

OTAGO.

Dunedin, October 4. In order to advertise their new track, the Tahuna Park Trotting Club are giving away a purse of 20sovs for a horse that can go to the best mark under 2min 23sec in a race or trial at their spring meeting. In addition, the rider or driver will receive a gold medal valued at osovs. The record for the old track was about 2min 23sec, and the formation of the new course should permit of that mark being improved upon. The Tahuna Park Trotting Club s programme for the forthcoming spring meeting shows an increase of 120sovs prizemoney over the amount given away at last year’s. In a discussion which took place last week as to whether interest in racing was declining, more than one present stated that they would give a pound any day to see again such a race as that which took place in the principal handicap m the second day of the Ashburton meeting. It will be remembered that in a note in reference to the meeting it was remarked that not more than a second elapsed between the second and last horses (in a field of nine) passing the P Foalings at Elderslie to date include Stepka (St. Leger—Stepfeld), colt to Gipsv Grand, Fairymaid (Alteng—Titania)/ colt to Stepniak, Armitera (Hotchkiss—Armilia), filly to Stepniak, Britomart (Gorton— Lady Gertrude), colt to Stepniak, Belle Claii' (St. Clair Drone), filly to Stepniak, Gitanella (St.. Clair—Gitania), filly to Stepniak, Arline (St. Clair—Drone), filly to Stepniak, Courcnne (Gipsy Grand —Coronal), colt to Stepniak, Rosella (Seaton DelavalRoie), filly to Stepniak, Far Away (Bill of Portland—Happy Land), filly to Stepniak, Shepherdess (Fitzdonovan —lolanthe), colt to Stepniak, Madder (Gossoon —Madras), filly to Stepniak, Ranee Nuna (St. George—Watersprite), filly to Stepniak, Combe (Tasman —Cobweb), filly to Stepniak, Lady Dalrymple (Pilgrim’s Progress—Kate Dalrymple), filly to Saint Ilario, Coronal (Medallion — Corolla), filly to Stepniak. Veneer and Ability are two of the longest-striding horses the writer has seen about lately, and if they could be muscled up more and made to stride quicker without loss of length in the stroke, they would be more entitled to rank as New Zealand Cup horses.. J. McG’uire, who was severely injured whilst riding last season, was in the saddle .in several races at the Ashburton and Geraldine meetings. His fall evidently has not lost him his nerve, as at both places McGuire was in the thick of the fray when on the back of anything capable of footing it with the opposition. Regiment was taken up to Geraldine for the four-furlong race at the second day of the meeting, but he gave an indifferent display of form. He drew one of the outside positions at the barrier, was slow off the mark, and ran wide until the home turn, where he was hopelessly out of a chance of victory. King’s Guest carried 9.8 and won the Squatters’ Handicap on the first day of the Geraldine meeting, but with 10.5 up he did not appear to get going properly in the Shorts Handicap, for which he was made a strong favourite. Clanburn ran a good race in the Geraldine Cup, but did not act so well over the shorter journey attached to the Spring Handicap. The Clanranald gelding is a great finisher, but he is generally finishing well when the finish is finished. The handicaps for the first day of the Geraldine meeting were compiled by Mr. Chadwick, and the adjustments for the second day were put together by Mr. J. E. Henrys. On both days some fine racing was witnessed, and close finishes were of common occurrence.

The following mares have arrived at the Elderslie Stud on a visit to Stepniak: —Mr. J. Buckley’s Novices (Neckersgat —Trapeon), Hermosa (St. Leger—Lady Evelyn), and Miss Niente (Far Niente— Trilby); Mr. G. F. Moore’s Mantelpiece (Manton —Mantle), and Impetuous; Mr. Friedlander’s Certificate (Avontes — Makesure), Portia (Bill of Portland— Happy Land), Gladisla (sister to Gladsome); Hon. G. McLean’s Ventalero (Lord Rosslyn—Komuru; Mr. Sewell’s Luciania (St. Leger—Katipo); Mr. J. F. Buchanan’s Corselet (Cuirassier —Rubina); Mr. R. Allen’s Walda (Perkin Warbeck ll.—Chiara); Mr. Pharazyn’s Good Intent (Captain Webb—Bonnie Idee) ; Mr. Cain’s Alieen (dam of Kremlin),,and mare by St. Clair—Eileen ; Mr. Hazlett’s Irish Girl (St. Clair—Lady Gertrude); Messrs. McGovern and Hardy’s Waimate Maid (Artillery—Miss George) ; and Mr. J. Wren’s Australian mare Melodious, the dam of Wallace. The Westmere horse Rosemere ob-

tained first prizes at the Dunedin and Oamaru horse parades, which were held The horsemanship of F. Thomson at Geraldine is well deserving of a word of praise, particularly for his effort on Makaroff, the second time the Arline colt scored in that race. Thomson handled his mount with the patience of a vet., and his final call on his mount was well timed and judiciously made with hands and heels. After landing from Sydney L. H. Hewitt did not dally long before he found his way to the racecourse. He reached Christchurch shortly after nine a.m. on Thursday last, and catching the second express to the South he appeared on che Geraldine track when about half the first day’s programme was over. The last race furnished him with a winning side on Black Diamond, and with the s«me mount he captured the first race on the second day’s card, and immediately aiterwaids left for Christchurch. In fact, it vas a case of here again, won again, and cd again before many patrons the nutting realised he was on the ground. Calibre showed a “ reversal” of his Ashburton form when running at Geraldine last week at Ashburton. He ran badly the first day, and won nicely the second day, whilst at Geraldine he i inversed by winning on the fiist and 1’ nning like a cur on the second day. The son of Light Artillery has evidently a will of his own or else the ti ack and weight conditions must suit him before he will display his best galloping powers. Vladimir is working away on the tracks without showing any signs of soreness. Black Diamond is a horse which, prior to the Geraldine meeting, the writer did not entertain a great deal of respect for, hut with Hewitt in the saddle the son of It effector galloped with plenty of vim, and won like a tradesman. A continuation of that form should result in making him a winner again before long.

The Otahuhu Trotting Club has appointed Air. C. O’Connor as startei foi their first meetings, while Mr. R. L. Absolurn will act as judge, and Mr. Selby measurer for ponies.