GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 237, 13 March 1875, Page 3

GREYMOUTH JOCKEY CLUB.

“Old Sport” writes as follows, regarding the Greymouth races, to the Argus : When I last week wrote you some epistolary remarks, and prognosticated the arrival of certain horses, other would-be prophets sneered at my statements of the horses coming, as well as my expectations of the number that would accept. Who, however, is right now ? Out of seven nominated five did accept, although I fancied Kingfisher, instead of Tommy Todd, would have been the one sent. Mr Walters, however, is such a knowing turfite, and has had such a lengthened experience in these matters, that he in all probability is reserving him for the Gold-fields Handicap and such minor fry as he can pick up through him. As he is by Dainty Ariel, out of Fanny Fisher, and is only four years old, and as sound as a bell, while when in condition he has a more than average turn of speed, I felt justified, I consider, in making him one of the acceptors, and in a race run to his bking he might have helped his stable companion, old Yat, very well. His Auckland running is no criterion of his capabilities, as he was said to be in very bad form. The press there spoke well of him, and since seeing him, I think him, although rather small, a neat compact little horse. Of Tamburini, I need not speak much, as he is so well-known, and as he is in grand form, and shepherded by his owner Dan O’Brien, I will only add that he will make those big hindquarters of his cover the ground on the 17th instant, to the delight of, I hope, not a few. I have not before me the different times when and where old Tam has met his present opponents, but at Wellington, when he met Guy Fawkes, he was carrying 9st 131 b to Guy Fawaffl’ 7st for the same distance, at which he meets him here, and then won easily. Even then Fawkes got second place only through Premier, the second horse, running inside a post. Here Tam carries 9st 101 b and Guy Fawkes 6st 41b, and thus the latter meets him at 71b better advantage, and also upon a quicker course, and one not so telling to the light weight. Let it be borne in mind, however, that next day at Wellington Tamburini, carrying lOst 31b, again beat Guy Fawkes with 7st. The latter was said not to be in good racing form at the time, while the fact of his winning two good races since at Blenheim favors the belief expressed in Nelson that he is now a different horse to what he was. I grant that the horses beaten there (in Blenheim) were not first-class, being such as Remnant and a few others of like character, but as they were from the crack New Zealand stable, and “ running upon their own ground,” the probabilities are that some of them were able to raise more than an ordinary gallop. To show the estimation in which the only three of the five now here that were nominated for the Dunedin Cup were held by the public there, I will give their weights and betting price . —Tambourim, 9st 71b ; Yatterina, Bst 121 b; Guy Fawkes, 7st 51b, The first was quoted at 100 to 10, while the second and third were at 100 to 8, Here the weights are Tam, 9st 101 b ; Yat, Bst 61b ; and Guy, 6st 41b ; and surely if there is any virtue in handicapping it should make a race between the three. The old mare is as well as can be expected, and taking her preparations, as she always does, in good part. She, however, as yet does not seem to the eye quite as big as lasc year, while she appears to be the same kindly dispositioncd old woman as ever. With her to prepare is only half work as compared with others, and, besides, the rider knows that as soon as she goes on the ground she knows as well as he does what she has to do, and, better still, tries to do it, Tam, Yatt, Tommy Dodd, Kingfisher, and Nero, are hard at work on the training ground, while Guy Fawkes is undergoing a severe preparation at Nelson, along with Monarch, and, 1 hear, some others also I would not be at all surprised to see Mclvor dropping in upon us again without warning, as he did last year. These Wairau natives have always a dark good thing for cross country meetings, and as they never make mistakes over timber, so they never enter anything unless he has both foot and jumping powers. Septimus takes his work at Hokitika, and will be here about Monday or Tuetdiy next. As 1 said before, he is both big and game according to all accounts, and Dickey Barton says he does not care how many Richmonds are in the field, the winner will have to gallop as a racehorse to win the money. This horse has been very well wintered and cared for, and is altogether pounds better than he ever was before, and with 6st 121 b on his back, and Dick says he will ride him within a pound, Septimus is not to be put easily away. He never was in half fettle at any former meeting, and it was only at Christmas, at Hokitika, that it was seen what good stuff the little horse was made of. The course is in excellent order, but the approaches are not good, and want repairs badly. I noticed some men at work there putting up fences and doing other work—work that is most necessary, namely, clearing the under patch in front and rear of the grand-stand of broken debris of bottles, &c. When all the horses are doing their fagwork I shall again inform you of current events, while at present I will only add that from horses here and horses to arrive, the 1875 meeting promises to be the greatest success in horse-flesh and horse-racing ever held upon the West Coast.