TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY

By Sentinel. THE DUNEDIN" CUP MEETING To-day the Dunedin Jockey Club will present to their patrons one of the best, if not the best, all-round cards issued by them in recent years. Since taking up their quarters at Wingatui the club has made sure and steady progress,. With each succeeding season the stakes have been increased; their course has grown in popularity; improvements have been effected from time to time, and' further ones are contemplated. The result ie that there are now more horses located at Wingatui or within fairly easy distance of the course and claiming engagements at tho meetuig than has previously been the case. As ample proof of that it may be pointed out that a record acceptance of 24 has paid up for the Berwick Handicap, and probably the scratching pen will only be used on two or three names. This will leave a record field for the Wingatui course. Large fields will also measure strides in the majority of the events on the card, and there is an excellent prospect for some good sport. Chief interest naturally centres in the Dunedin Cup, and it is highly probable that all the acceptors w ill go to the post. The general quality of the field is not particularly high, but the same charge can be laid against the nekis which are sometimes found competing for big prizes hung up on other courses. The lack of quality — which form may prove io bo more apparent than real — is, however, fully compensated for by the fact that the class is fairly e\en, and consequently a good race may be confidently expected Each horse hat a strong following, and a good betting- lace is assured if the public maintain the loya'ty which 13 evident at present for several of the candidates. Sir George Clifford's stable is in such winning form that Clanchattan has been a frequently mentioned name. Lapland also has a lot cf admirers, and since Armaniento's gallop of Monday morning the Wa-mriS'ton-bred horse is more highly estimated than v\as previously ihe case. Should a Ti'itinsr horse prove the winner it will not be without a good battle from the local horses, who have each got through a iery solid preparation, which has been backed np by se\cral laces in public Next in monetary importance lo tho Cup comes the Champagne Stakes and the Publicans' Handicap. A fairly good field has paid up for the latter ra«e, and her© again the issue is regarded as being very open, but All Guns has probably the strongest following, whilst Sir

George Clifford's De Witte is regarded as a stiong fighting force. Local sports, however, are not likely to desoit Petro\n:i, who has shown herself in a favourable light on thr Winoaxui course. This is the fir'-t Dune-din Cup decided under the Gaming Amendment Act, and con«cquent'y tho usual suggestion* as to probable winner* cannot be published. The oii'y tiu pdmi^siblo. if c-r-o desires to keep in line Mith the act. is that the fiist uco on each day starts at 12 30, and it one "s an\iou- to be prevent for the initial item on the piogramme — which, by the way. is to be contested b\ a uood field of liurUois — the t.me-tablp published 111 anochei column should be consulted.