SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1327, 30 September 1915, Page 15

SOUTHLAND.

Winners at Otago Hunt Meeting— English-bred Mare Wild Oats Sold —Winton Trotting Club’s Meeting— Camaisu’s Narrow Escape from Injury. (Emin Our Own Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL, September 24. The Southland-owned horses produced at the Otago Hunt Club’s steeplechase fixture last week fared badly, but this was only to be expected, as the competitors sent forward were of a moderate class and the condit'ons were unfavourable for the jumpers of the local Birchwood Hunt. The hurdle contest and crosscountry races were held on the schooling area on tlie inside of the course proper and training tracks and this did not suit the Southlanders accustomed to open country or extended racecourse tracks. However, the two hunters’ steeplechase events were secured by an enthusiastic Dunedin hunting stable with the aid of Wellwood and Alilo (said to have changed hands a short time back at the munificent figure of 305.) respectively.

Tlie starting at the Otago Hunt meeting was not too gcod, and in the principal flat race the New Zealand Cup candidate Palisade slipped his He'd and was never afterwards headed, so that a line could not be got on his form, but he galloped resolutely throughout. T'he Invercar-gill-owned Giralda was supported for this race, but he was badly left, and, as he is also a slow beginner, he might as well have been at home in his box for all the chance he had. In addition to winning the Kitchener Handicap with Palisade, Mr. L. C. Hazlett also won the Jellicoe Handicap (five furlongs) with the aid of a very nice Downshire —Decoy filly called Take Down. She was making her first public appearance on a very light preparation, and it can be said that she afforded a display which will be borne in mind by those who witnessed it. Take Down is a half sister to Cute, who was a good winner in the North Island some years back for the Messrs. Johnson, of Oamaru.

It was fully expected that Mr. J. Nestor, who recently arrived in Southland from India via Australia with three English-bred and one

French-bred racing mares, would start at least one of his team at the Otago Hunt meeting. In fact, he took the French-bred mare Fondrette, by Rossy—Foudre-dig na, to Wingatui for that purpose, but a cracked heel and the uncertainty of cbta ning the necessary registration certificate in time accounted for the pen being passed through her name. The delay in issuing the certificate on the part of the New Zealand Racing Conference authorities was probably due to the fact that a cablegram had to be sent to Calcutta inquiring as to the antecedents of Fcndretta and her companions and an answer received before the papers could be declared in order. Mr. Nestor will probably start Fondrette and Rosa Chamberlain at the Kurow gathering next week.

It has to be announced that Mr. Nestor has disposed of the Englishbred mare Wild Oats, by Bachelor’s Button from Lola, by Surefoot, to Mr. J. C. N. Grigg, of Canterbury. The chestnut mare was sent through to Longbeach last week and will be retired to the stud. It is understood that she will be mated with Calibre at Mr. Nestor's wish, and as part of the bargain the mare’s first foal will become that gentleman's property. Wild Oats, who is a beautiful mare, was successful on the turf, and, if looks go for anything, should prove a valuable acquisition to Mr. Grigg’s stud. The first meeting of the Winton Trotting Club under totalisator conditions will be held on December 1, when .£750 will be distributed in stakes. There is little doubt as to the success of the gathering, as the Wintonites will command the support of trotting folk from all parts of the home province, while it is fully expected that Otago and Canterbury owners will also lend a helping hand. After a lengthy retirement from the racecourse Daringdale, by Canrobert —St. Brigid, has been placed in work again under the care of his owner (Mr. W. T. Hazlett), but it will be some time before he is forward enough to appear in public. Mr. Hazlett also has the three-year-old colt Dorian, by Martian —Greek Maid, in commission, but he too is not ready. It is expected that two Winton horses from George Hope’s establishment will be nominated for the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring meeting, viz., Bob West, by Canrobert —Wild West, and Orderdown, by Glenculloch —Order. Both are galloping well and the trip should season them for racing at Gore and Winton shortly afterwards. Hope has done well with several maiden performers recently entrusted to his care, the result being that one or two new patrons have sought his services during the past few days. Quite a number of southern-owned horses have been engaged at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting, and the very satisfactory nominations received for the gathering should tempt many people from this part of the world to visit Wingatui next month. The fact that six New Zea-