TALK OF THE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 54

TALK OF THE DAY

By Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN OUP MEETING. •The Dunedin Cup meeting of 1908 must be marked down as the most successful gathering held by the Dunedin Jockey Club since the formation of the Wingatui racecourse. On Ihe opening day tie crowds in the enclosures appeared to form a record attendance, and on the following days there was a very satisfactory .muster of racegoers. A notable and pleasing feature of the first day's attendance was the number of visiting sportsmen it included. They came from, all parts of the South Island, and even a few North. Islanders put in an appearance. The ladies turned out in unusually Urge numbers, and supplied the colour in what would have been otherwise a dull pictitte. The fair sex of Dunedin cannot be generally charged with a racegoing tendency, and their .patronage of our race meetings is comparatively poor when judged through the throngs of beautifully-gowned' ladies who brighten the scene at Riccarton and other .northern meetings. It is somewhat astonishing that ye ladye faire is not a more liberal patron of tie sport of kings, as a lawn " parade' i- or "paddock" stroll is a magnificent opportunity to display" beauty adorned In the prevailing fashion. However, a progressive note was struck last week, and it is hoped that the meetings of the future will show a corresponding improvement, as the ladies are undoubetdly a strong auxiliary towards success. The weather on -hand for the first day was -fine, but somewhat boisterous, and the card got off under the most genial circumstances was that of the second day, for which, the afternoon became beautifully fine. Heavy rain overnight and a threatening sky did not look too promising for the concluding day, but once -at the course there was nothing to growl at in the way of climate, as beyond a couple of very mild) showers, the afternoon was fine and warm, although the south end of the Taieri Plain ■at times looked very antagonistic to openair sport. Taking the sport ail "round, it compared very favourably with the best of our meetings. The fields were large, and - some good i*ees were climaxed by close finishes.. The percentage of non^triers appeared to be pleasingly small, and foul riding conspicuous by absence. What accidents occurred appeared to be those which are part of the game. A couple of falls took place in -the hurdle events, Irat both horees and riders escaped without serious injury. In the Berwick Hack Handicap Suttee got on to the rails as the field raced round the far turn, and received injuries which necessitated heri being shot. As far .as could be viewed from the stand, the accident apparently occurred through the large field hugging the rails too closely. The piece .of misfortune cost Messrs Solomon and Harris the services of a very promising filly, which would have, with ordinary luck, show improved form with age, and further added to her list of wins. The track was in excellent order on each day, but the heavy rain which fell on Friday night made the going a bit loose and heavy. As far as general appearance went, the lawns and- running ground were a credit to the caretaker. The flower beds were a wealth of colour, and perhaps the front of the lawn is sufficiently large to permit of a few being installed there. It would undoubtedly create a pleasing effect for the habitues of the grand stand, but perhaps the matter-of-fact sports would consider the idea effeminate. From a financial point "of view — and finance is the predominant factor of sport nowadays — the meeting was particularly successful. The attendance, except on the off day, was very good, and speculation on the machines brisk, despite the opposition of the fielders., -It was only natural that a shrinkage would be found under the circumstances, but tb,e fees received from" the bookmakers more than compensated foi the loss of totalisator money. The amount handled on the three days was £20,301 10s, as against £22,921 registered at the Cup meeting of 1907. The earn, received in --fees from the bookmakers amounted to £880, which represents something like £9000 going through the* totalisator. There was a good deal of money -shut out of the totalisetors owing! to the dilatorineaa of intending investors; but even so, it is clear that the club at least achieved a financial success at their .Cup meeting. The management was excellent, and the staff under the control of XL I>. James worked well to make the machinery of fch« meeting run smoothly. The officials, headed by Mr James HazJett,

vice-president (and who, by the way, ran horses a.t the first Cup meeting held in 1874, and has been a staunch supporter of th© club ever since), were present in almost all their strength each day, and it was pleasing to note that one of the stewards jw'as at- the start for each race on the programme. The various races were generally run promptly to time, and the successful starting of Mr H. Piper gave ample opportunity for the fields to get well away on their journeys, whilst the handicaps compiled by Mr J. E. Henrys were productive of some excellent sport.