OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 899, 30 May 1907, Page 8

OTAGO.

DUNEDIN, May 29. The North Otago Jockey Club held a very successful meeting last week, and their success is well deserved as they are one of the most go ahead clubs we have. Some capital sport was witnessed, and despite the antagonistic weather which was on hand, the financial returns can be safely calculated to make the largest addition which has been added to the club’s coffers in recent years. Mr. R. O. Duncan, of Christchurch, occupied the judge’s box at the N.O.

J;C. meeting, and it was a pleasure to ’note the prompt manner in which he gave his verdicts at the close of the several close and interesting finishes which occurred during the two days. Fandango and Uarita are to be given a spell. Both these horses should prove a bit more than useful when they are again placed in commission.

Grandstand’s win in the concluding event at Oamaru was a financial shock to the S.P. merchants. One of our fielders laid 80 chances, and it is understood that the Wellington men will also have reason to remember the race.

By winning the Oamaru Cup Lapland broke a long series of non-suc-cesses, and many were pleased to see his trainer Dan Roberts lead him in a winner at last. Lapland has been a frequent place-getter during the year, and was in danger of being a proverbially unlucky performer when he caught the judge’s eye as a winner last week. Many were inclined to stand off the Finland gelding on account of the heavy going, but it will be remembered he acted well on a soft track when he won the Hopeful Stakes at Wingatui last season. Lupulite continued in the winning vein last week by scoring on the first day of the Oamaru meeting, but finished out of a place after stumbling in his race on the second day.

Apollodoris has been the oats winner for the Hon. G. McLean’s stable during the fast-dying season, and has been the means of keeping the Zetland spots out of an altogether unlucky groove by his consistent form during the past couple of years. The followers of the colours would like to see them carried by another pampero, but there does not appear to be one in sight just at present. Astrakhan ran a couple of good races at Oamaru. He lost a lot of ground at the start of the Cup, and at one stage must have been about 20 lengths away from the leaders. Still he finished a fairly close second, and on his form he was elected favourite on the second day, but Apollodoris defeated him by a short head after a splendid race. Don Orsino displayed a continuation of good form by scoring a meritorious win in the Warareka Hack Handicap on the first day of the Oamaru Meeting. He also ran a good

race in the Redcastle Welter, considering that he had the steadier of 9.12 on his three-year-old back. Probable and Fireiron were the chief fancies for the Oamaru Cup, but the heavy going apparently settled the chances of the pair, as both were in trouble fully half a mile from home.

Harvest also ran badly, and was never dangerous at any stage of the race.

The Stepniak filly Miss Gal, the first foal of the New Zealand Cupwinner Tortuela, opened her winning account by scoring in the Trial Plate at Oamaru. She was first out, and ran home in a business like manner, which suggested she may be heard of again.

It is understood that 200sovs. was refused for White Cockade some little time back. The Finland gelding was never in the danger zone in the Trial Plate on the first day, but on the second he came out and won from end to end. White Cockade is a well-bred three-year-old, as his dam was got by Lochiel out of the Grand Flaneur mare Miss Russley. Finland has not been a violent success as a sire, nor has anything wonderful been produced by either Miss Lochiel or her dam; still, White Cockade may be one to help the argument that blood will tell.

The fiat racing season will be brought to a conclusion with the Dunedin Club’s Winter Meeting. Astrakhan and Ivanoff should run well in the Birthday Handicap, and Silkweb may prove hard to beat in the Tradesmen’s Handicap.