NORTH OTAGO TURF CLUB RACES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 578, 9 March 1878, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO TURF CLUB RACES.

■ — -«> By Tut Whifflf.u. On Monday next the finest race meeting that has ever been held in this part of the colony will be commenced on the Oamaru course, and should the weather prove fine, as it is to be hoped it will, an excellent day's racing should be witnessed by those who visit the course. The fields are likely to be large, and the quality of the horses engaged in the different events is undeniable, "it is seldom indeed that such horses as Templeton, Ariel, Titania, Fishhook, Foul Play, Hippooampus, Bide-a-Wee and others engaged in our meeting are found contesting events on any but the principal courses of the colony, and the fact that so many really good horses are to try conclusions on our course should bring together an immense number of people. I expect to see at least half-a-dozen horses face the starter in both of the principal handicaps of the first day, and there should also be a very fair number start in the other races. The Hurdle Race, to take place on the second day, has as fine a lot of jumpers engaged in "it as has ever been brought together in Oamaru. With the exception of Kildare, whose owner does not apparently think his chance good enough, the whole of the acceptors are now in Oamaru, the list comprising Banjo, Eclipse, Theodore, Shark, Shillelagh, and Merry Monarch. Nearly the whole of the horses to take

part in the meeting are now in Oamavu, and the balance, including Fishhook, will be here this evening. No less than eight horses arrived by the north and south trains last evening. Bide-a-Wee, Maritana, Merry Monarch, and Shark arrived by the 5.15 p.m. train from the north, and were followed by the arrival of Ariel, Foul Play, Eclipse, and Luna from Moeraki. The whole of them appeared to be in line condition, as far as one could judge by seeing them in their clothing. Hippocainpus, Izaak Walton, and Oberon have not yet put in an appearance, but 1 understand they will arrive this evening. The Maiden Plater Flirt arrived in town this morning, and is looking very well. The course did not present so busy an appearance this morning as I expected it would. Nearly the whole of the horses in Oainaru were out, but the majority of them only did walking exercise. The most noticeable feaature of the morning's work was a splendid gallop done in company by Titania and Bide-a-Wee. Both were sent once round at a rattling pace. They looked lit to run for any man's money, and got over the ground in beautiful style. Lady Anne did a fast spin, and Mistake was sent for a mile and a quarter pretty fast, while another Maiden Plater—Nelly—was contented with walking exercise. Blue Peter did a quiet gallop of a mile and a half, and Unknown had some gentle exercise. The two hurdle racers—Shark and Shillelagh—-had a moderate gallop together, the former's stylo of going pleasing me most. Miss Elswick was sent for a moderate gallop, and Jack the Flat did a serviceable gallop, but was not extended. Just as I was leaving the course, Mr. Lu mi's pair, Maritania and Merry Monarch, arrived, Imt 1 did not see them work. Banjo also put in an appearance about the same time. I had an opportunity of inspecting Pay's team during the morning, and 1 must certainly congratulate him on the excellent condition of his horses. The hard work done by Templeton in Dunedin does not seem to have had much effect upon him, and were it not for tin; extremely heavy weight imposed upon him, I should say that nothing would be able to touch him in the big handicap. Titania is also in grand form, and the same may be said of Bide-a-Wee. I tiknown is looking well, but seems to be rather line for a horse of his breeding. J am informed that after I left the course Ariel and Foul Play operated, the former doing a ''sweater" twice round, and Foul Play went once round the course in splendid style. A number of Calcutta sweeps were drawn last evening, when the pries brought by the different horses in sweeps ranging in value from Lls to Ll'.l were as follows": Ariel, from ]/J IDs. to Lt 155.: Bide-a-wee, LI 10s. to LU : xMaritana, LI 15s. to Lll: Templeton. LI. ss. to LI 10s.: Fishhook, Li. ss. to L'J 10s.; Blue Peter, LI 10s. None of the others obtained above a few shillings over the upset price.

MY Tll'S. I suppose I must now give my tips for fcho iivst day's racing. I fool .sumo ditliculty in tln/matter as I have not had an , opportunity of seeing the whole of tin; horses at work. 1 shall therefore he compelled to judge to a certain extent upon previous performances, added to what little I actually know. The lirst race on the programme is, of course, the Maiden Plate. For this I shall pick Flirt, whose performances at Duntroon and Kakanui entitle her to consideration, and put Mistake 2 and ISKi.LY .". For the .Selling Mace Jack tub Flat is my choice, witu Ci;i/kn<) 2, and .Mj.ssEi-swick '■). The big race of the meeting comes next, and hero is the greatest dillieulty, as two of the principal horses engaged in it, Fishhook and Hipooeampus, 'nave not yet arrived. The latter I shall at once dismiss from my calculations, as he is known to have heen queer in Duuedin, and 1 have nothing before mo to warrant my believing that he ha 3 properly recovered. There lias been a considerable amount of mystery in regard to Fishhook's condition, but I have received tolerably reliable information that he is in very good form, and shall not therefore lie surprised to see the put boil over considerably. 1 have previously said that 1 think Ariel's lOst. lib. will | prove too much for him, and J am still of i the same opinion ; while I. do nut think Pido-a-Wee's quality is good enough for the winner in such company. Templeton will not, 1 believe, be found amongst the starters, and of Unknown and Blue Peter the least said the better. My tip therefore will be—Fishhook, 1; Aiukl 2, and P.idk-a-Wef, It. I. know that in this I am not following public opinion, and many will call my judgment into question. I am acting in the dark to a certain extent, and your readers must, not blame me if I prove a false prophet. For the Novel I shall select Ft.ruT 1. Jack tut. Flat 2, and Mis.s Elsvick'."». The Tradesmen's Handicap is the last item on the programme for the day. and for this I shall vote—Foci. Flav 1, Titakia 2, and Jzaak Walton :;. BKT'J'INO. There is little alteration to note in the betting market, except that Ariel, llide-a-Wec, and Fishhook have eaelt hardened a. point, while Templeton has receded to S to 1. The. following are the quotations : 2 to 1 agsfc. Ariel 3 1 P>idc-a-Wee .-, _ i Fishhook r, 1 Maritana 8 1 Templeton 8 ]. Hippocampus ]0 1 Unknown 10 1 Blue Peter.