SOUTHLAND.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1572, 10 June 1920, Page 12

SOUTHLAND.

Notes on the Dunedin Meeting—Jock Wins Birthday Handicap—Master Strowan’s Otago Steeplechase Victory—All Talk Fails in Jumpers’ Flat—Gaylight Accounts for Otago Hurdles — Crib Wins Wingatui Steeplechase—Success of Southland Horses at the Dunedin Fixture.

INVERCARGILL. Monday

With the previous bleak day’s rain and snow in their memory the public would not turn out in force for the opening day of the Dunedin J.C.’s winter meeting. Consequently the attendance was poor and the machine figures showed a big drop. It was a chilly, damp day, but the rain held off. Some interesting racing was witnessed, although the going was deep and holding. The second day. was favoured with bright sunshine,, with the result that there was a great holiday attendance, and that enabled the club to make up lost, finances. The ground was in much better order, while the racing was close and interesting. After Jack Symons had scored in the first event, the Trial Hurdles, on the opening day of the Dunedin fixture. in bold style from the promising jumper Golden Prince, the turn came for the Southland five-year-old gelding Bengeroop (by Calibre —Alumini), who won the Brighton Handicap after a strenuous finish with Sir George Clifford’s Checkmate. The winner is a stoutly built horse, owned by the Southland settler. Mr. H. Woodley, who is a patron of p. Hogan’s stable. The Calibre gelding promises to develop into a useful horse provided he stands up to training and racing demands. Silent King and Checkmate

grievously disappointed an army of admirers.

' The principal flat race of the meeting, the Birthday Handicap, resolved itself into a duel between the Southlanders. Jock and Tin Soldier, but the former never looked like gettingbeaten and won with ease. At one period of his career the son of Glenculloch —Follicle, by Casket —Paroula, by Apremont, could have been purchased very cheaply, but of late he has classed as a very useful horse with wins in the Southland and Ashburton Cups to his credit. He is owned by Messrs. Traill Bros., the well-known sawmillers of Riverton, and there were a very large number of enthusiastic bushmen, miners, and other outdoor workers from the western district present to back and cheer their representative, whose victory was confidently anticipated. Melee ran a good race, but had no chance with the Southlander, Tin Soldier, who scored in the same race last season, and again ran well and thoroughly deserved second money. Considerable disappointment was expressed when Gang Awa’ and Coalition were withdrawn from the Otago Steeplechase, but the spectators soon settled down to see the crack cross country horse, Master Strowan perform. After Manawapango had spoiled his chance by clouting a stiff fence on each circuit. Master Strowan looked to have matters all his own way until the Southlander, Zarkoma. put in a strong run. The son of Sarto could not sustain his effort, however, and Master Strowan won easily by half a dozen lengths. Considering that he had been practically broken down several times this sea-

son. P. Hogan’s charge performed well. Master Strowan jumped. in a perfect manner after warming to his work, and the loud cheers with which the jockey (H. Lorrigan) was greeted were thoroughly deserved. Manawapango was third. Palladio finished a very tired horse.

Silver Peak was winning the Tradesmen’s Handicap very easily, when Radial can 1 ,? along and very nearly deprived her of the honours of the race. G. Young realising in time that he had been giving his mount too much latitude. The Invercargill mare is not a beauty to look upon, but she is a very consistent galloper, and has won a large amount of money this season for her owner. Mr. W. Stone. Radial ran a fine race in the deep going.

The Winter Cup winner of 1912, Magdala, opened his account as a successful cross country performer by winning the First Hack Steeplechase with something to spare. The son of Comedian —Minaret was chased home by two fine fencers in Grafton Tot (carrying the same colours as Lochella. the Great Northern Hurdle Race winner) and Glenisla, a perfect pony fencer. On his showing Magdala, who is trained bv J. Thistleton at Riverton. looks as if he will succeed in better company in the near future. The Gisborne gelding, AH Talk, had a big following for the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap, but could not do better than secure fourth berth, that solid jumper and flat racer. Hylans, winning nicely from the unthought of Whipcord and Spyglass. All Talk gave a disappointing display. There was an exciting 'finish for the Winter Welter, the All Red gelding, All Ready, just getting up in

time to head off Primum. The son of Nassau is likely to be heard of to advantage next season. The winner. who is owned by the Oamaru mentor, R. McKay, is very well at present and was nicely handled by H. Young. Proceedings on the second day at Wingatui opened with the Silverstream Handicap, an exciting finish being witnessed in which the Advance —White Shield gelding, Clean Sweep, just topped off Carmine and Marching Order. The winner, who comes from Riccarton, was reared by the late Mr. A. W. Rutherford, and now races for Messrs. Clarkson and Pearson. He was ridden by the imported English lad, T. Metcalfe. Carmine. an All Red gelding, hails from South Canterbury. The leading flat contest of the afternoon. the Provincial Handicap, provided a great, finish, heads separating Meibe (Martian — Formless), Royal Star, and All Ready. The last-named was unlucky in getting a somewhat interrupted passage. Melee is now owned' by a well-known Dunedin sportsman and is trained by G. Reed at Wingatui. Had Hylans been made more use of in the big batten event of the meeting, the Otago Hurdles, he would probably have beaten Gaylight. As it was he came from an almost hopeless position at the tail of the field, Gaylight (by Gay Spark, by Clanranald —Catherine Wheel) only defeating him by a head, the Southlander Wild Pilgrim being third. All Talk settled his chance by striking a fence heavily. Wild Pilgrim also hit the second to last jump very hard. The winner is owned in Christchurch and is trained at Riccarton by R. Longley. It will be remembered that Gaylight also won the Welcome Hurdles at the C.J.C. Royal fixture. Eight Bells (Vice-Admiral — Midnight), who ran third in the open event on the first day. easily scored in the Waiaonga Handicap from Mortham and Pyjama. The little mare, who has been up against Silver Peak for the greater portion of the current season, has been a very consistent place-getter. She is owned by Messrs. Grieve Bros., of Invercargill, and is trained on the Southland R.C.’s course by R. Berry. The soft going suited the game 'five-year-old, who has been sore off and on since November last.

The South Canterbury trainer S. Trilford. had a turn when the rich Wingatui Steeplechase came up for disposal. Trilford’s charges, Crib and San Sebastian, had the finish to themselves, the former leading to the judge by three lengths. Crib (Sant Ilario —Cryde), who was operated upon for throat trouble at this time last year by Veterinary Surgeon Martin. of Christchurch, recorded a verv

popular victory, as he is owned by Mr. J. Smith, a steward of the Dunedin J.C. J. R. Kane rode a good race on Crib. The Invercargill pair, Silverspire and Zarkoma fell together at the same fence, a most unusual happening with this clever pair. Gang Awa’ ran off. Silent King, a half-brother to that good horse Silent Way, who is now in Australia, won the Janefield Handicap for a good supporter of the turf in Mr. W. Kain, and the Second Hack Steeplechase fell to another of J. Thistleton’s pupils in St. Cletus, by Bombardo. The Southlander was ridden by C. Dawson, who also steered Magdala on the first day. The Invermay Welter brought the day’s sport to a close with a head finish. Golden King, one of the veterans of the Southland turf, just lastinglong enough to stall off the unlucky Primum, who got a bad bump at a critical stage of the race. Hot Air, who was knocked right, back , half a mile from home. finished third. Golden King, who runs for Mr. J. Graham, is prepared by P. Hogan, and how he keeps the old fellow on his legs no man can understand. During th e two days Southlandowned horses won £2342 10s. in stakes —a verv respectable total considering the widespread opposition encountered.