SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1361, 25 May 1916, Page 13

SOUTHLAND.

North Otago Cup Fancies—The Otago Steeplechase Gandidates —Southland Successes at Forbury Park—Marsa and Lady Trent Galloping Well — Mclvor’s Team for Dunedin Meeting. INVERCARGILL, May 19. At the time of writing the South-land-owned horses Magdala and Rorke’s Drift are in high favour for the North Otago Cup, the former haying been extensively coupled with his stable companion Red Charm. Rorke’s Drift has been galloping well on the Invercargill tracks since his return from the C.J.C. Great Autumn meeting. The handicap list for the valuable Otago Steeplechase, to be decided on the first day of the Dunedin J.C.’s winter meeting on June 1 and 3, has made its appearance, and some surprise was expressed when it was found that Heatherlea topped the poll, as compared with Black Sea. The former certainly won three races in succession in the heme province of late, but the luck was with him in the most valuable event —the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton —in which Recharge fell a few yards from the post when victory appeared to be within his grasp, while Black Sea started on the big side and has shown improved form with every gallop. At the same time, the friends of Heatherlea like his chance, but both he and Black Sea will require to be in the pink of condition to head off Recharge and The Brewer. The last-named was not seriously trained prior to the Riverton R.C., at which he ran prominently, but is now being asked to do his best at Wingatui by C. Geiseler. There was some disappointment in Otago and Southland when it was found that the valuable prizes on offer by the Dunedin Jockey Club did not attract several North Island crosscountry performers, but there is sufficient material in evidence to provide interesting competition between the nags. The contestants may not be up to Grand National form, as far as galloping is concerned, but who is to know this if they jump cleverly and reach the judge in close order. The connections of Gunrest were greatly concerned when they found that their gelding had been loaded upT.with weight by Mr. J. E. Henrys aL Oamaru, but there is some reason on the side of the handicapper. The Calibre gelding had a great run of success-at the Gore, Southland and Riverton fixtures, and as form in the South of late has been of considerable merit, Mr. Henrys has to be excused if he has tried to find out where Gunrest really belonged. At the same time, the wild stories current as to Mr. Swales’ horse being fully the equal of Rorke’s Drift are not to be given a shadow of credence. The local* horses visiting the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s winter meeting last week were not as successful as was anticipated, but the principal event each day came this way, the Wyndham-owned Moorland, by Wildmoor (sire of Country Belle), paced a dead-heat with Bergan, and several other performers gained minor places. On the opening day Mr. J. B. Thomson, owner of the Auckland Trotting Cup hero Cathedral Chimes, secured the Kitchener Handicap, the leading contest of the gathering, with Muricata, the best free-legged female performer now in commission in Maoriland, while on the concluding day Mr. W. N. Wilson, of Gore, was credited with the Winton Oats Handicap by the aid of a very promising colt called Matchlight, by Four Chimes, and it is safe to say that he is a pacer of whom more will be heard in the days to come. A large number of Southland-owned horses are being got ready for the Dunedin J.C.’s June meeting, the last Hat race fixture of the current New Zealand season, and there is every reason to believe that a big crowd of dwellers at this end of the Dominion will journey to the capital of Otago to witness the races and the annual Winter Show. The successful Pallas—Bealey geld, ing Brooksdale has joined A. D. Mclvor’s string at Riverton. This trainer could command a record number of horses for preparation if he so desired, but the scarcity of stable help is a handicap which he finds it almost impossible to overcome. It is reported from Riverton that the two mares Marsa and Lady Trent are galloping well at present, and both are likely to be heard from at Wingatui next month. Mclvor’s team for the D.J.C. fixture will probably comprise Gunrest, Neuroma, Buller, Spanish Princess and

Brooksdale, all of whom are in blooming shape. It is understood that investigations are still being carried out by the authorities into the death of Sombrero in the Farewell Handicap at Riccarton. It will be remembered that the son of Simmer and Toque dropped dead instar.fly after running about a couple of furlongs in the race.