SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1246, 5 March 1914, Page 14

SOUTHLAND.

Trio of Otago Horses for Australia— Southland Failures at Dunedin Meeting—Lumsden District R.C.’s Meeting—J. Olsen’s Success at Lumsden Gathering—Southland R.C.’s Nominations Due Friday.(From Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, March 1The crack North Island jockey, Hector Gray, who sailed for Mel bourne by the Ulimaroa from the Bluff on Monday last, has crossed the Tasman Sea to carry out several special riding engagements in Victoria. Gray paid a visit to Invercar gill to visit some relatives, and wa ■ quite astonished at the size of th) town—North Islanders generally expe.ience surprise when they arrive in the most southern city in the world for the first time. P. McLachlan, of Hawke’s Bay, who- is shakin the soil of Maoriland off his feet, to

gether with Messrs. F. C. Davies anl G. Delaney, of the North Island, were also passengers by the outgoing boat.

It is understood that next week’s beat for Melbourne will take awa-

Otago ho.ses Sister Radius. Pure Gold, and Jack Ashore. The first named is expected to race at Rand wick, while Pure Gold and Jack Ashore will be, asked to negotiate the small sticks in and around Sydney. The Charlemagne 11. mare Sister Radius was on the big side a the Dunedin J.C. fixture, but this did not prevent her scoring in the Hazlett Memorial Stakes (seven f irlongs) in I. —an excellent performance for a course like Wingatui, which is not too fast. The Southland horseman J. Olsen, who rode Mr. L. C. Haz lett’s mare in Dunedin, is to accom pany her to the Commonwealth.

Southland horses fa’led to win a race at the Dunedin J.C. Autumn meeting, but it was pure mi.chanco in several instances that this should be the case. Both Sir Brigid an Gold Sail were unfortunate, and Miss Kellerman and Buller sh’ou’d have g~ nearer the winning end of certain

purses- Miss Kellerman refused to eat an oat after her arrival at the scene cf operations, hence her display of indifferent form is not to be wondered at.

Southern backers were more fortunate than the home-trained horses, and quite a number have no reason to regret having lent their assistance at the leading meeting of the southern season. However, winners and iosers alike are agreed that the fixture was the most enjoyable ever held at headquarters at Dunedin Cup time.

The local horseman, R. Gray, has been engaged to ride Sunbeam in the Open Hurdle Race at the annual race s of the Akaroa County J.C. in Canterbury this week. This will necessitate a journey of about 400 miles to Christchurch, which, with the return trip in view, is something of an undertaking when it is considered that Sunbeam showed signs of soreness at the Dunedin fixture.

The weather in this part of the world has been very dry and hot of late, consequently the tracks in some localities have presented an unyielding surface. At Riverton trainers of jumpers have had an anxious time of it, but their minds should now be at rest as rain is falling at the time of writing. Reports from Riverton are also to the effect that Soldier’s Chorus is standing up to his work, and hopes are expressed that he will be able to race at Riccarton when the Canterbury J.C. Autumn meeting comes round- Another well-known racing proposition in Sombrero is also sticking to his tasks at the seaside in company with others of A. McKenzie’s team, including the Martian horses, Teviot and Punchinello. Several well-known totalisator meeting performers took part in the Lumsden District Hack R.C.’s meeting this week. Miss de Vere, by Obligado— Gladys 11. won two short races, and the Queensland-bred Biarritz, by Ladurlad —Odone, carried off the Lumsden Handicap of £2 2 (one mile and a-quarter) in 2.20 with 9.5 in the saddle, beating Queen’s Pride

trie made a great effort to overhaul Reuben in the straight, but the latter finished up his task in splendid style, winning by four lengths from the grey, which had to be hard driven to gain second honours from Dick l<ly by a length. A half-dozen contestants started in the Ascot Handicap, in which Specialty and Lieutenant were evenly backed on the machine. Specialty had run unkindly on the Wednesday, while Lieutenant Had lost several seconds on the mark, a bad tendency which he has developed of late, but the fact of Julian being given the mount on the former caused her to be sent out favourite. Lieutenant left the mark without trouble, and though Gwelo challenged him going along the back the last time, McNae soon opened up a gap ii om tne latter, and had a good auvuuiajge entering the straight. Kitty's Tux outstayed Gwelo and gamed second honours behind Lieutenant, who won comfortably by four lengths.

ivoyai Albert was pounced upon in the Alexandra Handicap by backers as if the race had been made a gift to tne little son of Albert Victor. Of the other nine starters Miss Dexter, Lady Wilmington, and Special Diamond were fairly well backed. Royal Albert did not run up to expectations, failing to settie down, his form being considerably below previous displays. Special Diamond was the first of '.he limit horses to show out, being closely followed by Baxter, with the favourite lying third. Going out of the straight the last time Special Diamond still held command, and Baxter, •who was going very freely, was still in second position, while the scratch horse, Clive, was closing on the field at a rate that placed his backers on good terms with themselves. Special Diamond gradually shook off Baxter, but Cnve reduced her lead and had drawn on terms with her when the straight was entered. Clive stepped out m faultless fashion from start to finish, and his victory over Special Diamond by a length was a most popular one. The favourite was half-a-dozen lengths away, third. Wallace M. was most fancied of the six candidates which lined up for the Bapakura Handicap, while Sundial and St. Trella earned a fair amount of coin. Sundial let her backers down badly, for she lost enough time at the start to render her chances hopeless. St. Trella led the way the first time round, with Undine in close attendance, while Wallace M. was only a couple of lengths behind the second horse passing the stand the second time. Wallace M. displaced the leaders going along the back, and turned into the straight with a couple of lengths’ advantage from St. Trella. The race looked a certainty for Wallace M., but a surprise was in store for St. Trella threw out a strong challenge, and, drawing level 50 yards from the post, a great struggle ensued. iSt. Trella was going the easier, and Wallace M., being vigorously ridden, broke badly, leaving the former a winner by two lengths. Undine was four lengths away, third. The Exhibition Handicap saw a field of eleven go to the post, and of these Prince Rufus and Master Park were entrusted with most support. Silver Black, Casling, Grampian and Alexandra Park also had many supporters, and the event gave promise of an exciting contest. Casling led past the stand, with Master Park, on whom trainer Norman Cunningham had the mount, in second position, with Alexandra Park and Prince Rufus next in order. Master Park displaced Casling in the lead going along the back stretch, while Prince Rufus could be discerned putting in a great burst of speed. Entering the straight Master Park still headed Prince Rufus, but the latter made a big effort to catch the leader, and was just beaten by a neck. Dick Fly was three lengths away, third, with Casling a neck away fourth.

Lord Victor was made an odds-on favourite in the Farewell Handicap, the only other horses in favour being Barium and St. Ursula. Ben F. led the way past the stand, with Jungle, St. Trella and St. Ursula following in that order, while the favourite was in a good position, but was badly blocked going out of the straight. A little further on the hopples on Lord Victor broke, and he was pulled up. At the mile post Ben F. still headed the field, while St. Ursula looked his - most dangerous opponent. In the run up the straight Ben F. maintained his lead, winning by three lengths from St. Ursula, with Jungle two lengths away, third.

TRIAL HANDICAP (Saddle) of 75sovs; second lOsovs, third ssovs. One mile and a-half. 5—W. H. Patterson’s br h Proud Child, Jun., aged, by Proud Child — Encore, 9sec (Wilson) 1 4— J. Burtoot’s b m Lady Doctor, aged, 4sec (Julian) 2 2—Joan Teddy’s b c Nut Ansel, 4yrs, 4sec (owner) 3 Also smarted: 7 Kotiri lsec (Hird), 9 Bronze Bell lsec (Redshaw), 3 Casket b,..ec (owner), 14 Corelia 9sec (owner), 1 Lucknow 9sec (McNae), 12 lemplel._n izsec (Ison), 6 Burly i2sec (Scott), -x Papatma 12sec (P. Brady), 10 Presently lZsec. (Hall), 13 Special Bloom ....sec (owner), 8 Ayrshiie Lad 12sec s -.xaicolm). Won by half a dozen lengths, a similar distance between second and third. _.me, 4min. FEBRUARY HANDICAP (Harness) of 75sovs; second lOsovs, third ssovs. One mile and a-half. 1— F. and G. Harrison’s br h Mountain King, aged, by Franz —Flower wood, x4sec (Harrison) 1 2— Piintt and Bell’s b g Recommended, syrs, 9sec (Hamilton) 2 5— -J. Cucts’ b m Miss Dulce, scratch (Redshaw) 3 Also started: 11 Bellfounder 3sec (adams), 10 Bincoin Guard 3sec (Hird), 3 Prmce Cliulae lOsec (owner), 12 Franzame lOsec (Saussey), 4 Lady Doctor 13 sec (owner), 7 Rosie Gray 13sec (Lowe, senr.), 9 Merry Huon 13sec (Osborne), 13 Lady Rosier 13sec (McNae), 6 Dimboo.a 14sec (owner), 3 Captain Rosier 14sec (owner), 3 St. Abbs 14sec (Richards). Won by three lengths, with Miss Dulce ten lengths away tnird. Time, 3mm 45 3-ssec. OTAHUHU TROTTING CUP (Harness) oi 250sovs; second 35sovs, third 15 sovs. Two miles. 6 — Richards and Weston’s b g Reuben, aged, by Prince Imperial—unknown, 6sec (Ricnaids) 1 s—MacDonald5 —MacDonald and Reid s gr g Eccentric, 6yrs, lsec (Duiiin) 3 1 — Molloy and Medland’s b g Dick Fly, aged, scratch (Orange) ... 3 Also started: 8 Walnut 3sec (McMaster), 3 Alexandra Park ssec (Adams), 7 Cavalier 7sec (owner), 1 Ludzs.J Osec (ison), 4 Lady Wilmington osec (owner). Won by four lengths. Dick Fly be_ng half a length from Bccentric. Lady Wilmington was fourth and Cavalier with. rime, 4mim 40sec. ASCOT HANDICAP (Saddle) of 100 sovs; second lOsovs, tnird ssovs. One mile and a-half. 2— F. Werne’s b g Lieutenant, 4yrs, by Commander —-Tender, 13 sec (McNae) 1 4 —W. A. Scott’s b m Kitty’s Tux, syrs, lusec (Hall) 2 3— H. Goocn s blk g Gwelo, 4yrs, 12 sec (Richards) 3 Also staited: 5 Kirikiriroa 7sec (C. Hird), 1 Specialty ,lOsec (Julian), (5 Wynotte 15sec (Malcolm). Won by four lengths, a length between second and third. Time, 3min 40 2— ALEXANDRA PARK HANDICAP (Harness) of lOOsovs; second lOsovs, third ssovs. Two miles. 7— J. Burke’s b g Clive, aged, by Cleveland —Peggy, scratch (McMaster) 1 4— W. Douglas’ b m Special Diamond, aged, 16sec (Hamilton) 2 I—T.1 —T. Richard’s b g Royal Albert, aged (Richards) 3 Also started: 10 Vanclare scratch (Guy), 8 Craibwood 2sec (Julian), 3 Bady Wilmington ssec (owner), 6 Gray W. Bsec (Ison), 2 Miss Dexter Bsec (Hird), 7 Baxter 16sec (Price), 5 WaiKino 16sec (McNae). Won by a length, six lengths between second and third. Lady Wilmington went off before her time and was pulled up. Time, 4min 44 2-ssec. PAPAKURA HANDICAP (Harness) of lOOsovs; second lOsovs, third ssovs. One mile and a-half. 3— H. G. Rae’s blk g St. Trella, 6yrs, by Wallace L. —Electioneer Belle, Bsec (Osborne) 1 1 — J. Molloy’s b g Wallace M., 4sec (Orange) 2 4— A. Ley’s b m Undine, 3sec( Richards) 2 Also started: 2 Sundial ssec (Malcolm), 6 Selkirk Bsec (McMaster), 5 wwelo 9sec (Pillinger). Won by ten lengths, Undine being four lengths away third. Time, 3min 41sec. EXHIBITION HANDICAP (Saddle) of 150sovs. One mile. 2— R. Gibbon’s blk g Master Park, aged, by Young McKinney—unknown, 3sec (Cunningham) .... 1 I—F.1 —F. McDonald’s rn g Prince Rufus, 6yrs (Duffin) 2 7 —Molloy and Medland’s b g Dick Fly, aged, 12sec (Orange) 3 Also started: 8 Stop It scratch (C. Nicholson), 9 Bell Gray scratch (Lowe), 3 Silver Black lsec (McNae), 10 Annoyed 2sec (Wilson), 4 Grampian 2sec (Jarden), 6 Alexandra Park 3sec (Adams), 5 Casling 4sec (Hall), 3 Alf. McKinney 4sec (J. Paul). Won by a neck, with Dick Fly three lengths! away third. Casling was fourth, and Alexandra Park fifth. Time, 2min 17 2-ssec. FAREWELL HANDICAP (Harness) of lOOsovs; second lOsovs, third ssovs. One mile. 4— w. Sharp’s b g Ben F., aged, by Franz —Lady Elmo, 9sec (owner) 1 3 — W. Perrin’s br f St. Ursula, 3yrs, Bsec (owner) 2 5 — J. James’ br g Jungle, 9sec (Hird) 3 Also started: 11 Wereoa scratch (Duffin), 7 Phyllistina scratch (Malcolm), lu Alf. McKinney lsec (J. Paul), 10 Prince Berlin lsec (Holland), 9 Royal Victor 3sec (Gladding), 1 Lord Victor 4sec (Julian), 2 Victor G. 4sec (owner), 7 St. Trella ssec (Osborne), 2 Barium 9 sec (owner), 12 Taihoa 9sec (Herbert). Won by two lengths, Jungle being three lengths away. Victor G. was fourth. Time, 2min 31 3-ssec.