The judge’s decision is final

Heavy rain was falling as the field lined up for the Mosgiel Handicap. Tarleton was elected a rather better favourite than the coupled pair, Limelight and Tiff. The favourite could not, however, handle the going, and was never near the leaders. Boadicea carried the field along as soon as they settled down, with Mountain Lion, Bonnie Winkie and Tiff as her nearest attendants, whilst Prince Ferouz was lying last. Boadicea was still in charge as they turned for home, where Loughrea had moved up behind her, Tiff and Mountain Lion. A great fighting finish saw Mountain Lion gain the verdict by half a head from Loughrea, who beat Tiff by a similar distance, whilst Boadicea, who faded in the last bit, was close up fourth, followed by Prince Ferouz and Limelight. From the press stand it certainly looked as if Tiff beat Loughrea. Tiff was on the outside, and if a horse appears to win with the angle against him it seems that the verdict should be in his favour. The judge, however, is the only person in a position to decide a close finish. The winner was purchased on the morning of the race by Mr J.M. Samson, who is more prominently connected with the light-harness sport, and he is to be congratulated on his success.

The colours of the races

A race meeting without sunshine is a poor event, for its deprives the people present from enjoying what is a great asset to the lawn: the beautiful frocks which are displayed in warm weather. Yesterday’s meeting, however well patronised, forbade the wearing of anything light or strikingly pretty, though there were a number of very smart winter frocks to be glimpsed under fur coats or waterproofs. Some of the ladies present were the Hon Lucy Jellicoe (wearing a light brown costume with hat to match and skunk furs); Miss Irene Vanbrugh (fawn coat edged in fur and a smart white felt toque); Mrs C.G. Dalgety, of Canterbury (navy blue coat frock, navy blue waterproof and black cloche hat); Mrs W. McKenzie (fawn coat with Egyptian markings and a fawn hat); Mrs O’Neill (blue coat frock, black fur coat, and black hat with purple markings); Mrs Acton-Adams (navy blue coat with fur collar, and a black cloche hat); Mrs Stock (grey astrachan coat and a black hat); Mrs Theomin (mole costume sealskin furs and a mole hat); Mrs Sutherland (navy blue costume, brown feathered hat and a fur coat); Mrs G. Ritchie (golden morocain frock, gold hat and fur coat);  Mrs Oldham (tan costume with hat to match); Mrs Falla (navy blue coat frock, black coat and black cloche hat); Mrs A. Barnett (navy blue coat frock with royal blue trimmings and hat to match); Miss McPherson (grey frock, reseda green coat with grey fur and a black hat); Mrs Stock (navy blue coat frock with grey astrachan trimming, a black hat and a fur coat); Miss Finch (grey morocain frock, black crinoline straw hat and fur coat); Miss Halsted (grey coat frock with sky blue cloche hat and fur coat); Miss Roberts (black frock, short black coat, with silver embroidery and a cerise hat); Miss Laidlaw (navy blue frock, mole coat and navy blue bat relieved with red); Miss Hanlon (terra and fawn mixed wool costume and henna velour hat); Miss Theomin (grey coat with navy blue hat); Miss Reeves (blue coat with fur and a blue cloche hat banded in grey); Miss Edmond (navy blue costume with red trimmings and a navy blue and red hat); Miss Hazlett (navy blue coat frock, white fox furs and a black cloche hat); Miss Bell, Shag Valley (fawn coat with fur and hat to tone); Miss Reid (grey costume with futuristic hat and grey furs). — ODT, 10.10.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden