DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2187, 28 February 1881, Page 2

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

“One of the Members” has recently written to the “ Daily Times ’’ as fol--1 iws: —As one of tho members of the Dunedin Jockey Club, and having a liveiy interest in its welfare, one or two matters have struck me during the present races that I believe are very much against its interest. For one thing, the public, who are not the worst judges, and who, I imagine, are the body the Jockey Club will have to study, wish to know if owners of first-class horses who have won, say, the Oup, and who have accepted for the next big event (the D.J.0.) and other races, and have been backed by the public in doubles, have the right to scratch i their horses at tho last moment, or are they in honor bound, if their horses are fit, to run them on their merits ? To-day tho answer to this query was very palpablein Sir Modred’s case. The great hero of yesterday, who had been supposed to have his chance so fatally injured by a dog a few days ago, but had got over this, and had won the Oup, had been cheered to tho echoby a confiding public. Next day this great hero is scratched for tho next great event (tho D.J.0.) and another race, tho excuse being, it is said, his being sore after his great performance of yesterday, although brought out in tho pink of condition ; he won straight out tho same afternoon a paltry purse of 60 sovs, which well might have been left to some of the smaller stars. Now what I wish to. bring forward is, whether this is a ease in the same category as Mata’s case in Melbourne—fit for the stewards to take up—or are tho public simpletons to be bled by a few ? In which case I prophecy no groat success for the D J.O. Club, the stewards of which, I imagine, are put in charge for the protection of its members. If they cannot look after ita interests, and that well, good-bye to its success.