SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1245, 26 February 1914, Page 15

SOUTHLAND.

Jan in Work Again—Mr. W. A. Saunders Appointed Handicapper to Southland R.C.—Southland Trotting dub’s Meeting—Notes on Dunedin Cup Meeting. (From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, February 21. 'lhe Charlemagne 11. colt Jan has been taken up again by trainer P. T. Hogan, after a somewhat lengthy retirement from active commission. The ex-Wellington horse was lame away back in August of last year, and an attack of strangles followed, after which he was fired by the skilful Gore veterinary surgeon Mr. Martin. He is now working on the lead, and looks like playing a more or less active part in the near future..

The owner of Obsono, Mr. J. J. McBride, of Queenstown, recently suffered a severe loss in the death of a nice colt foal by Applegarth (brother to Autumnus) from Strathfillan, by Btrathbraan —Falka. The youngster was found dead in a paddock, and it

is surmised that it was kicked by a draught horse, a number of which breed were in the same enclosure.

For their autumn meeting the Southland R.C. have appointed Mr. W. A. Saunders to the position of handicapper. Mr. Saunders is better known as secretary to the club and as a sporting scribe. There were eleven applicants for the position. The new weight-adjuster has had wide experience on the turf, hence there is no reason why he should not develop into a valuable official, particularly as he is one of the most methodical and painstaking of men when it comes to figure work.

At the time of writing local sportsmen are engaged with the Dunedin Cup fixture, a large contingent from this part of the world being present at the scene of action. The three starters for the Invercargill Cup on January 2 were runners in the Dunedin Cup on Wednesday, and in this instance the tables were turned over the extra half-mile of ground. Specialform won easily at Invercargill, but Flora Macdonald outstayed the opposition at Wingatui and set up a new time record for the course, a fact which goes to show the worth of Bon Ton, who lumped his 9.5 in gallant style. Specialform was a great favourite with Southlanders for yesterday’s big race, but many remained loyal to the winner, seeing that she was being ridden by a local jockey. It was originally intended that B. Deeley should ride Mr. Friedlander’s mare in the Cup if he was free, but when Sir George Clifford decided to start Glenfinnan the crack horseman was compelled to relinquish a ride which he greatly fancied, and this is how J. Olsen came to score in the leading event of the Otago turf world for 1914. Olsen rode well, as when H. Gray sought to give the favourite, Bon Ton, a breather at the hill the Southern jockey sent Flora Macdonald along and thus gained position, and at the same time - forced the hands of his rivals. The daughter of Boniform is a very fine stayer, and there are many expert racing men to be found in the South Island who will contend that she is a better racehorse than Anna Carlovna, who was bought out of the same stable last year and subsequently won good races in Victoria. The rather unique happening has to be recorded in connection with an important event of the three placed horses in the Cup all claiming Boniform as their sire.

The hack racer Tommy, who is trained at Riverton by Thistleton, made his debut as a hurdler at Wingatui yesterday, but failed to, get near the leaders at the business end. He lost ground at the start, but it was noticeable that he afterwards kept his place well. The son of Legerton (by St. Leger) is a useful-looking animal.

The Invercargill gelding Sir Brigid, by Canrobert—St. Brigid, ran a fine race for Mr. W. T. Hazlett in the Gladbrook Handicap yesterday. He was only beaten by a short head by RevaL after a strenuous race. The full-brother to Daringdale is a very courageous racehorse, and it is safe to say that he will win good races later on in his career. He is a big fellow, and should build up as a four or five-year-old.

Southern visitors to Wingatui fondly imagined that they would very easily find one winner from home, and thus they supported the veteran Gold Sail, who was known to be in form, very heavily for the Apprentices’ Plate. The horse got away well enough, but his rider at once lost one of his irons, which parted from the saddle, the consequence being that he very nearly fell off. The lad practically pulled up his mount to enatie him to regain his balance and then set out in pursuit of his field. The old horse had something like twenty lengths to make up and did the work well, but the effort was too much for him, and Pepin won by two lengths from Baron Lowburn, while Gold Sail was only a length further away. It was a good but very unfortunate performance.

It has often been said of horses that they would not win if turned loose, but this remark cannot be applied to Icilma, a Southland gelding by Obligado, who took part in the Publicans’ Handicap yesterday. He fell and lost his rider shortly after leaving the barrier, but at once scrambled to his feet and set out riderless. Before the straight was reached he was at the head of affairs, and he subsequently raced first past the post with about a length and ahalf to the good. During his guideless career Icilma troubled several of the runners, including the winner, First Glance. Icilma is a very fast horse, and would probably have played a strong hand in the race had all gone well with him. He gave his connections a great gallop before leaving for Dunedin, and with 6.8 in the saddle would have troubled the best of them.

It is rather a curious fact that in a field of ten for the Dunedin Cup no less than five of the contestants carried overweight—Specialform lib. over, G'lenfinnan 31b., Odessa 3%1b., Parable 41b., and St. Petersburg 21b.