OTAGO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 953, 11 June 1908, Page 8

OTAGO.

NOTES ON THE DUNEDIN MEETING.

DUNEDIN, June 10

The recently-concluded winter meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club will no doubt be looked back to with a good deal of pleasure by the moving spirits of our metropolitan racing body, because it marks the most successful back end fixture ever held on the Wingatui course, and the club’s patrons will also have reason to think well of the meeting, because of their comfort, which was never better provided for than it was last week, except, perhaps, in the train arrangements. The newly asphalted enclosures are a decided improvement on the dusty gravel of former meetings, and the dust of fine weather and the mud and water following a fall of rain are now hanpily things of the past. The sport, taken as a whole, was very interesting, although at times disappointing to those whose investments were the means of electing of the favourites. The running of one or two horses was somewhat inconsistent and open to question, but there appeared to be an absence of the palpable pulling which is not unknown at some of the meetings held in the South Island. That, however, may be attributable to the fact that a lightmouth horse does not require a palpable pull to keep it in a position which makes victory difficult or practically impossible of achievement at the finish of the race. As far as inconsistency of form is concerned, it must be said, however, that the bulk of the front division (that is, those in the places or close up) were generally in the van at the finish on both days. A remarkable instance occurred in connection with the hurdles in which the first five finished in the same order each day, and an analysis of the form of the other events also shows a pleasing proportion of consistency. The course and enclosure never looked in better order. The going was naturally a trifle dead, but nevertheless fairly fast, and the attendance on the first day rivalled, if it did not excel, even that of a Dunedin Cup gathering. Prominent racing men and officials of other clubs were present in unusually large numbers, and this was particularly gratifying, because it went to show that they do not take a purely local interest in the sport. There is, however, a great deal to be desired in the direction of reciprocal patronage of race meetings by racing officials, and until an improvement is brought about in this

respect, those who travel from meeting to meeting with a tendency to arrange matters, will never garner the reward they merit, unless, of course, stipendiary stewards are appointed, and that is another question. The success achieved by Chief Lochiel and White Cockade last week is doubly pleasing to their owner, Mr. J. R. Hart, of Ashburton, because this gentleman owns Miss Lochiel, the dam of the pair. Miss Lochiel is one of the few Lochiel mares in this country, and she was got by the son of Prince Charlie from Miss Russley,. a daughter of Grand Fla.neur. Miss Lochiel is being spelled this season, and next will be bred to a St. Simon horse. Restless showed to advantage in a ten-furlong gallop with Paragon, Field Gun, and Probable prior to the D.J.C. meeting, and was well backed for his races in consequence. He got a bad passage in the Tradesmen’s, but would in all probability have run a good race in the Provincial Handicap if he had been sent for that race instead of the Welter. Cannie Chiel, carrying the familiar chequers of Sir George Clifford, was a runner at Wingatui, but although he finished close up each time, he failed to gather any more prize money. He still looks loaded with beef, but pulled up well. It was rumoured, by the way, that Sir George paid 700 guineas to get his old standard-bearer back to the Chokebore stables, but probably 250 guineas is nearer the mark. Slow Tom ran a couple of good races at Wingatui, and was galloping on at the finish of the second day’s race. He appears to be quite sound again, and with a bit of luck may figure again over country during the winter campaign. Mr. H. Piper was in excellent form at the barrier last week, and invariably had his fields well in line when he gave, the word. It is understood that the Wanganui Jockey Club offered Mr. Piper the position of starter at its meetings, but it is doubtful if his engagements will permit him to accept the position. During a conversation with two prominent officials of the North Otago Jockey Club last week, the writer was informed that the club will reduce the fees for their races next season. Stratagem, who won the Birthday Handicap in a very convincing manner, was produced in 1903. Nelson, her sire, was foaled in 1880, and Dudu, her dam. was Fame’s first foal, which came to light in 1884. Dudu has produced twice since Stratagem was contributed to the equine world. Mr J. C. N. Grigg purchased Bay Lupin during the currency of the D.J.C. Meeting, and the gelding ran in the familiar black and white on the second day . Grandstand looked to hold a good winning chance in the early stages of. both hurdle races at Wingatui, but apparently when he is done pulling he is done going. Octave was allowed to run herself to a standstill in the Tradesmen’s Handicap, and the fact that she ran away from horses like Lupulite and Petrovna suggests that the Obligado mare is a particularly smart sprinter or the others did not get a clear run in the straight. Octave stopped at nothing, and was not started on the second day owing to cutting herself. Mr. G. Ruthven purchased Cockleshell from Sir G. Clifford during the currency of the D.J.C. meeting. Cockleshell’s form is only moderate, but the price paid is understood to be £5O.