OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 864, 27 September 1906, Page 8

OTAGO.

DUNEDIN, September 26. After a spell of fine weather, during which the tracks at Wingatui were made into good going order, bad weather set in again on Friday, and has continued off and on since. Our most notable horses, such as Notus (our Cup candidate) and others have continued to train on satisfactorily during the past week. The Oamaru Club have received satisfactory nominations for the couple of juvenile events which they have placed on their spring programme, and the running there may furnish a line as to what is likely to be prominent in some of the baby races to be decided at the N.Z. Cup meeting. The Dunedin J.C. have received good nominations for their spring meeting, and despite the fact that it is generally regarded as almost a purely local gathering, a fair number of visiting horses have been engaged at the meeting. The Southland Racing Club has a membership of 114, and a balance of assets over liabilities of close upon £2OOO, despite a loss of about £4OO over last season’s operations. The spring meeting was responsible for most of the deficit. Sea King, a three-year-old colt by Sant Ilario —Sea Shell, which has yet to make his debut under silk, has been supported for the New Zealand Cup at long-shot prices. As a result of members not paying up their subscriptions, the committee of the Southland Racing Club have

decided that during the ensuing year if the tickets are not paid for within a month of their issue they will be cancelled.

During the past few days Martello, whom some good judges who are conversant with his form have always regarded as a likely Cup horse, came into favour and was the medium of a commission for the Riccarton two-mile race. Martello, who did not race' as a two-year-old, it will be remembered is a brother to True Blue, Screw Gun, and Royal Artillery. Mr. S. Solomon, the ex-vice-presi-dent of the Dunedin J.C., has returned to Dunedin after a three months’ holiday in Australia. The D.J.C. Champagne Stakes of 1908 has closed with a nomination of 40. The total includes youngsters destined to carry the colours of Sir Geo. Clifford,, the Hon. Geo. McLean, Mr. J. St. John Buckley, Mr. G. G'. Stead, Mr. R. O. Campbell, Mr. H. A. Knight, and other well-known owners, whilst the Elderslie and Cambria Park studs are also represented. When Melodeon ran in Grand Rapids’ New Zealand Cup, the Medalion liorse, when about five furlongs from home, raced up to the latter, who was in the lead, as if he were going to give both the go-bye and the good-bye, but he didn’t; instead, he behaved as on other occasions, and finished third. Melodeon was stripped in the Tramway Handicap on the day that Solution scored her recent victory at Randwick, and was last all the way in the race. He was reported to be travelling “ great guns” at the finish, and although it is possible the horse was not ready to race, he has, when fit and well, acted in the same manner when running in this country. On his best form Melodeon is a good horse, but he has also demonstrated that a punter who backs him to make a fortune can build his castle on a foundation of sand or soap or some such unstable substance. A strong anti-gambler was in the office of a newspaper the other day. He opposed gambling in every state and form, and gloried in the crusade that is now being waged in New Zealand. Various topics of conversation came up, and before he left (says “Nemo”), he gave the “straight tip” to purchase a few shares in a certain oil syndicate, as the shares were sure to rise in price, and be saleable at a big profit. He did not see any gambling features about the oil spec., but would have taken a fit of virtuous indignation if asked to purchase a totalisator ticket. Truly orthodoxy is my doxy and heterodoxy your doxy.