SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1570, 27 May 1920, Page 12

SOUTHLAND.

Track Operations Abandoned in Consequence of Heavy Snowfall —The North Otago Fixture—Excellent Prospects for Dunedin J.C.’s Meeting—Successful Owners and Horses in Southland During Present Season —San Sebastian’s Prospects in Otago Steeplechase. INVERCARGILL, Saturday. Following on the Royal vis't snow and sleet have clothed the countryside in a mantle of white, all track work having to be abandoned, .which is unfortunate in view of the important Dunedin winter fixture being now about ten days off. Horses prepared locally are being kept at road work, but the big contingent at present located in North Otago have dry courses to work over, while most of them have been racing at Timaru. Riccarton and Oamaru during the past fortnight.

The steeplechaser Palladio signalised his repurchase by his old owners, Messrs. W. Baird, jun„ and R. L. Begg (Wanganui), by winning the Elderslie Steeplechase at Oamaru. The son of Pallas is again under the care of P. T. Hogan, and it is safe to say that he will present a bold front at Wingatui, where he knows every inch of the trying country. Prospects are very bright for the success of the Dunedin winter fixture, chance having diverted a number of crack cross-country horses from the North Island to compete in the Otago Steeplechase and other jumping events. Had it not been for the jockeys’ dispute it is very likely that Master Strowan, Coalition, Gang Awa’, Arlington and other good horses would have been under orders to visit Wanganui and Ellerslie later. It is fully expected that a new attendance record will be established for June 1, 3 and 5 under the control of tMe Dunedin J.C.

At the present juncture Silver Peak heads the list of Southland winning horses with 157550y5. to her credit, being followed by Burrangong (1537 sovs.) and Eleus (135650v5.). The three gallopers named, w«ho are now trained by A. D. Mclvor,. have thus won during the current season the sum of 436Ssovs. It is interesting to note that P. Hogan’s .Rorke’s Drift Lodge team has already won over 7000sovs. this season, his best runners being: Kilkee, £1111; Almoner, £945; Eleus, £940; and Silverspire, £635. So far the local owner Mr. W. Stone has secured 340450v5. with Silver Peak, Eleus and Primum. The success of Lochella in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui was well received here, where it was known that he possessed more pace than was generally understood in the North Island. It is also satisfactory to find that G*. Feilding rode the son of Grafton Loch, as he is one of the most steadfast young fellows who ever graduated from the ranks of Southland’s horsemen. The double win of Burrangong at Oamaru in the two principal events was fully anticipated in Invercargill, it having become widely known that F. G. Emslie’s horse had shown promising form at the Royal meeting at Riccarton, although he did not get

into the money in the Sandringham Welter Handicap, won by his stable companion, Silver Peak. The Mystification stallion now claims the record of having won the Oamaru Cup two years in succession.

There was joy in the land when Silver Peak scored at the C.J.C. Royal fixture, as the daughter of Adjudge was stoutly supported from this end, while Mr. Stone was very anxious to secure one of the cups which accompanied each stake provided at the Prince’s meeting. Had it not been for unfortunate happenings the local enthusiast might have become entitled to more than one of the trophies referred to. In the Royal Handicap Eleus was knocked right back to the rear of the field shortly after the start by the eventual winner, and then finished up fourth, while Primum, who was expected to run well in the Cornwall Handicap, was severely kicked at the post. He ran a fine race, but collapsed inside the distance, his failure being put down to his injured hock. The useful son of Nassau was very lame .after the race, a fact which may interfere with his prospects at Dunedin. A promising pupil in P. Hogan’s stable won for the first time at the North Otago meeting, when Bengeroop, by Calibre, scored in one of the minor events. He is a big, powerful gelding, and well up to the weights carried in welter contests. It is on the cards that he will do further service for his owner, Mr. H. Woodley, when the Dunedin meeting comes up for decision. This owner was unfortunate recently to lose the promising gelding Orati. The son of Sarto, who was trained by G. J. Thistleton at Riverton, had a leg broken as the result of coming in contact with a

motor car, the accident necessitating his destruction. The Dunedin Jockey Club have decided to support the claim to the Racing Conference by. Wyndham Racing Club for an additional permit. This club has grown into one of the most powerful one-day-meeting turf institutions in the South Island of late years, and it is a fact that their effort is deserving of recognition on the lines referred to. Although the South Canterbury jumper San Sebastian was beaten into third place in the Renown Steeplechase at the Canterbury Royal meeting, he is still greatly admired in the south owing to the impressive manner in which he won over the Southland Racing Club’s country recently. Hence he will be strongly backed in the Otago Steeplechase. Visitors from the North Island will find the Wingatui country harder than it looks, and it will be interesting to see how they face it when the day of trial arrives during the first week in June. When raced at Riccarton in the Welcome Hurdles, Crib appeared to be on the lusty side, but the descendant of Sant Ilario ran a good race, finishing up in fourth place behind Gaylight, Hylans and Seadown. With 10.9 in the Otago Hurdles Handicap

at Wingatui, S. Trilford’s charge should be hard to beat. It is plainly evident that in Crib’s case an operation for throat trouble proved beneficial. There would be marked pleasure in Dunedin J.C. official circles if Crib should score in one of the valuable hurdle races at the June fixture, as he races in the interests of a sportsman for many years associated with the welfare of the club.

land gave further evidence of his usefulness by beating a fair field in the Redcastle Welter pointlessly. He is one of the most improved gallopers seen out at headquarters for some time, and can hardly fail to do Mr. R. E. Hall still further good service. After Marching Order had defeated Nautical in the Fernbrook Handicap his rider, G. Young, was before the stewards to explain his tactics in the race. There was certainly some interference between the pair, and Young received a caution. LATER. King Star’s Overdue Win at Oamaru —Gloaming Galloping with Accustomed Brilliancy—Kilmoon Fully Recovered From Damaged Foot — Jockeys’ Dispute Unsettled. (Telegraph—Christchurch Correspondent) Will Oakland’s place-getting performances came to a conclusion on the second day of the Oamaru meeting. Burdened with 10.3 in the Waitaki Handicap, he showed a bold front in the early stages, but could not sustain his effort, finishing just behind the placed horses. Melee appeared to be all to pieces at the Oamaru meeting, and is badly in need of a spell. After going through two seasons without gaining distinction, King Star managed to get on the winning list by appropriating the Jumpers’ Flat Race at Oamaru. As there is no prospect of Master Strowan or Coalition being able to get to the North Island meetings for some time, their owners have decided to send them to Wingatui for crosscountry events there. Sunart is none the worse for his exertions at the Royal meeting, and on Saturday reeled off seven furlongs very nicely in lmin. 31 2-ssec. It was intended to send, him to Mr. McKenzie’s stable after contesting the Royal Handicap, but he may now race at some of the southern meetings. Gloaming is galloping with all his accustomed brilliancy, and appears to have settled down a good deal. On Saturday he had no trouble in casting four furlongs behind in 49 l-ssec. Kilmoon has quite recovered from his damaged foot, and on Saturday reeled off a mile in lmin. 45 2-ssec., galloping resolutely all through. Clean Sweep • and Wrestler were well matched in a brush over half a mile, which occupied 50 2-ssec. So far no settlement has been arrived at in regard to the jockeys’ dispute, and the outlook for one being come to does not look at all promising. In the meantime the strike is confined to the North Island racecourses. Two of the best-known trainers of trotting horses in Canterbury, Manny Edwards and Ben. Jarden, have decided to go out of the business. The latter intends taking up farming pursuits.