COURSING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 899, 30 May 1907, Page 6

COURSING.

(By

“The Judge.”

The North N.Z. Coursing Club commenced the May meeting on Saturday. It would be difficult to imagine anything more unpleasant than the weather, frequent heavy rain squalls driving across the ground, while the boisterous southwest gale had a very keen edge to it. Desp’te these drawbacks a hardy band of enthusiasts sallied out to Otahuhu and were rewarded with some excellent trials. Unfortunately, owing to two or three “no courses” and “undecideds,” matters were protracted until too late, the last course being run in the semi-darkness. Mr Coombes had a very cold job of it in the judge’s chair, while Mr Brenan had a difficult task with the slips, so many dogs not being sighted owing to the rain squalls. Messrs Tapper and others of the committee worked hard to make matters go well, and all that it was possible for them to do was effected. In the first round of the Otahuhu Maiden Stake there were eighteen dogs. Mr Harper had to withdraw Don, owing to distemper, and Sneaker had an accidental bye. Equilibrate and Battalion were slipped to a rising hare which they could not reach, both flags going up for a “no-course.” In the run off Equilibrate just led up, but smart work and a kill by Battalion just won him the course. Tom Mack led Coo-ee, who had been off his feed, three lengths, and beat him very easily. Golden West led Robin Adair by

three lengths to a strong hare, who gave but little work before she escaped. At Last and Pearlife were unsighted at slips, but enough wdrk was done to give the former a, win. Prodigal easily led Te Aroha Lass, and killing, beat the bitch pointless. Fireman led Shy Girl to a tricky hare, but the bitch doing nearly all the work and killing got a narrow verdict in her favour. Disowned led Royal Blue two lengths and won very easily. Lady Rosette led and easily beat Newmarket.

In the first ties Battalion led Sneaker five lengths and won easily. Golden West led Tom Mack two lengths, but if puss had kept out the fawn might have made it interesting, as he was doing good work. At Last and Prodigal had a “nocourse” owing to the latter not getting sighted. At the next try Prodigal led three lengths, and his opponent had not scored when puss escaped. Shy Girl and Disowned met the latter lead ng up, and the former killing, this bring’ng off the judge’s cap for an “undecided.” It was almost dark when they came out again. Shy Girl led from slips, but Disowned showing more dash at the finish of the run just got the lead, and kill ng smartly got the verdict.

In the First Round of the Middlemore All-Aged Stake, Peter Jackson was too fast for Gipsy King, just getting a turn out of a racing hare. Gavotte led Turangarere, but the latter killing smartly, brought off the judge’s cap. In the next attempt Turangarere took the lead and won fairly easily. Balbye Gran and Tim Doolan were unsighted from slips, but enough work was subsequently done to justify the judge in giving a decision in favour of the former. Robin Hood led Garryclough nearly two lengths and commenced to work smartly when Garryclough dashed in and killed himself out. Major had a bye. The particulars were as follows :— OTAHUHU MAIDEN STAKE. First dog, ;£iB; runner-up, £6; third dog, Two dogs at £2 each. FIRST ROUND. Sneaker beat Don (withdrawn). Baittalion beat Equilibrate. Tom Mack beat Coo-ee. Golden West beat Robin Adair. At Last beat Pearlie. Prodigal beat Te Aroha Lass. Shy Girl beat Fireman. Disowned beat Royal Blue. Lady Rosette beat Newmarket. FIRST TIES. Battalion beai Sneaker. t Golden West beat Tom Mack. Prodigal beat At Last. Disowned beat Shy G rl. Lady Rosette a bye. MIDDLEMORE ALL-AGED STAKES. First dog, runner-up, £4; third dog, £2 ios. Peter Jackson beat Gipsy King. Turangarere beat Gavotte. Balbye Gran beat Tim Doolan. Robin Hood beat Garryclough. Major a bye. The meeting was brought to a conclusion yesterday afternoon, but the results did not arrive until after we had gone to press.