COURSING

Evening Star, Issue 23378, 22 September 1939, Page 4

COURSING

NOTES AND COMMENTS

GOLD MEMORIAL SHIELD

[By Plumpton.]

The South Otago Coursing Club is to bo congratulated on the manner in which its stewards controlled its meeting. Dunedin owners spoke highly in. praise of the committee for the way in which tho arrangements were carried out. The hares raced in excellent heart, proving very fast and elusive. Mr E. C. Robinson’s (N.S.) Fairy Divot (Divot’s Pride, imp.—Fairy Terms), winner of the Gold Memorial Shield stake, showed superiority over all his opponents, but was not racing with the same dash as ho did at tho Dunedin Club’s meeting. To win the shield he heat in tho first round that good dog, Big Smoke, and in tho second that one-time notable performer, Even Money. In the final he again met a one-timo outstanding performer in Away. All his opponents on the day gave him good courses. Fairy Divot is now racing in his third season, and can still more than hold his own with the best performers. This is a credit to his owner-trainer, Mr J. Wilson, of Dunedin. Nowadays it takes a dog out of the ordinary to race successfully into his third season of racing. A noticeable feature of the racing of Fairy Divot at recent meetings is his muchimproved ability to work the game cleverly, especially the fast hares. Messrs Marshall Bros.’ Away, a topnotcher two seasons back, continues to race fairly well. In the first round of the shield he heat Pot Luck, and after receiving the bye in the second round wont a great course with Fairy Divot in the final. Although beaten, he did really well to occupy the position of runner-up. Away, though not a fast dog, is still a very clever worker. Mr .T. T. Jarvis’s Even Money (Even Lad—Electric Alma), who had the bye in the first round, showed that he is by no means a spent force by going a great course in the second round when narrowly beaten by Fairy Divot. Mr D- Sinclair’s (N.S.) Big Smoke (Omar—Black Velvet), although beaten in the first round by Fairy Divot, went a good course and again proved that if given the proper opportunity she would rank among the best performers in the South Island. Mr James Gold’s Pot Luck (Why Worry—Gay Parade) has shown much better form than lie produced at this fixture. When right this dog takes a power of beating. MAIDEN STAKE. Master A. Low’s Pap Eye’s Slate (Grand Laddie—Lady Diana), winner of tho Maiden Stake, meed in great form, showing much improvement in pace and working ability. To win the Stake he beat in the first round Gnu Play, in the second round lie Lad a bye, and in the final lie defeated Janet Gayuor. Pop Eye’s Mate, in winning this event, scored one of the most popular wins recorded on the South Otago Club’s enclosure at Balclutha. With this dog tho youthful owner should win big money next season, as the dog certainly has class. Messrs Marshall Brothers’ Janet Gaynor (Just Paddy—Mirial), runnerup in the Maiden Stake, meed better than ever before. She has improved in pace and working ability. In the latter she has always been above the average, and in all her courses on the dav she went well.

Miss P. Collins’s Atna Rere (Invader—Sylvandale) on the day proved herself to be a very fast and clever performer, and at the end of four hard runs was still in great racing heart and looking for more. Only 14 months old, this bitch is a credit to her trainer, Mr Wilson. In Atna Here Miss Collins has one of the most promising bitches that has been seen in action for many years. _ * Miss Sinclair’s (N.S.) No Takers showed little or no form to recommend him. If given the opportunity at speed racing ho may do well oyer hurdles.

Mr J. T: Jarvis’s (N.S.) Gun Play (Bold Brigand—Electric Alma) raced much below expectations. He is only a young performer and may make amends at some later date.

The Gold Memorial Shield was presented to the South Otago Club by the Gold family to be run in memory of their father, Mr John Gold, who was one of the best-known coursing personalities in New Zealand and president of the South Otago Club for many years, a position now filled by his son, Mr James Gold, of Balclutha.