The racing this year was not so interesting as at previous meetings.
The handicapping gave great dissatisfaction, and the result was that acceptances in several races were poor and scratchings at the post numerous.
The main cause of complaint appears to have been the light impost placed on Rifle Range in the Beaumont and Flying Handicaps.
In the first-named race only Speculate and Rifle Range started, and so little interest did the public take in the event that there was not a single investment on the totalisator, and in the Flying Handicap Rifle Range was allowed a walk-over.
Notwithstanding the loss of investments on two races, the amount handled by the totalisator was 1416, as against 1428 last year.
The two bookmakers were licensed, and they appeared to be well patronised during the afternoon.
Starting tapes were used, but there was a strong disposition shown by several jockeys to get away with flying starts.
One in particular was a prominent offender in this respect, and it is not to be wondered at that the starter, Mr Treacy, had to fine him 5 before the day was over.
• Mr James Allen, MP, returned to Dunedin on Tuesday night after paying a visit during the holidays to Lawrence, Roxburgh, Teviot, Kaitangata, Greenfield, and Tuapeka Mouth.
Mr Allen found the country looking well, though suffering in some parts from drought.
On the Greenfield Estate there had been a little rain, and the people were well satisfied with their prospects.
At Roxburgh the people are disappointed that the railway, which was authorised to Beaumont, has been stopped at the Big Hill - a perfectly useless place to stop the work - and the residents at Tuapeka Mouth are grieved that a railway into their district has not been authorised - a railway the success of which they are so sure of that they are prepared to guarantee a return of 4 per cent.
- ODT 31.3.1910.
