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SOUTH AFRICAN RACING. South American breeders are branching out and furnishing thoroughbreds to purchasers from abroad. The winner of the Johannesburg Handicap, one of the greatest races of South Africa, was from Buenos Ayres, and of the race and the winner, London Sporting Life says: "The card contains seventeen runners for the big race, but Mr. Halliwcll, the starter, had to deal with thirteen horses only". Sir Daniel, which has won the blue riband of the Johannesburg course, was strougly fancied for the race on account of tho anticipated heavy state of the ground, but on the morning of the event he was scratched, much to the chagrin of his many backers. Corriecrian, the hero of the last Durban big meeting, started favorite at 2 to 1 against, but the result of the race came as a big surprise. Baluarte, a comparatively unknown animal, won in a canter, beating his nearest opponent, Tikvallen, by four lengths. The winner soon made his position clear, and in the last two furlongs was unassailable. "The liorse had previously ,won three minor races in Johannesburg, being unbeaten as a matter of fact. This piece of news evidently escaped the attention of a usually critical and alert public, for the horse started at 10 to 1 against, and paid out sixteen guineas on the totalizator. Mr. H. Lazarus, the owner, purchased the animal from Mr. Piccione, the well-known Natal owner and breeder, for 7,-500. In the last race in which he won, Baluarte was called upon to carry 137 pounds, but on Saturday he was handicapped down to eighty-eight pounds. Why he should have been given such a light weight is difficult to understand, but it was his first appearance in the big handicap, and racing against many horses of considerable experience in such important events, doubtless the handicappcrs were desirous of giving the animal a fair chance. "Baluarte was bred in the Argentine, and was imported to South Africa by Mr. Piccione. By Batt, which is by Sheen Vampire, and thus a half-brother to Flying Fox, the colt is well brejl enough. He has barely turned three years old and is the youngest Johannesburg Handicap winner In the history of the race. The mile and a furlong was covered In 1:551. record time for this race iu Johannesburg. Major Coopers Tirkvallen and Mr. M. Solomons Norman Bride were second and third respectively. Two lengths divided the two animals. It may be mentioned that Hoppell, who has not been long out from England, was the rider of Baluarte. He only obtained his license on Friday before the race and had he not been available, it is probable Baluarte would have been scratched.
