"HIPPONA" VISITS HAMILTON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1891, Page 3

"HIPPONA" VISITS HAMILTON.

J journeyed to Hamilton on Saturday lasb fco witness the Autumn Meeting of tho South Auckland Racing Club. It was my first visit to tho Claudelands raceaourse and I was agreeably surprised to find such a splendid course, and a country meeb. ing so well carried out. Those who really manage the affairs of the Club are a hard-working lot, bub ab the same time I thought as a stranger that there are the usual three or four "ornaments" among those who figured in the race-book as stewards. This is a fault in Clubs of bigger pretensions than that at Hamilton. However, be that as it may, thero can be no second opinion that the South Auckland Club possesses in Mr G. 11. Carter (the Secretary) tho right man in tho right place. He is an enwrgetic worker for tho Club, and never misses a point, while I think bhe same remarks will apply, Jf in a lesser degree, to the clerk of the scales, Mr C. J. XV. Barton. The starter, Mr J. McNicol, is also a capable official, and there are one or two others, notably Mr Sandes, who have the interests of the Club thoroughly ab heart. The racecourse is quite level, and in circumference measures 1 mile 2-i chains, while ib is aboub one chain wide. It has a back ground of trees that is strikingly pretty. The property was purchased by a syndicate of ton for £1,100, each one giving a guarantoe for the amount. Up to the presenb the syndicate have received inbore3b for their money. The grandstand on the course waa brought clown from Cambridge, and is a good structure. The Ciub have spent £150 on improvements during the past twelve months, Und although thoy havo had a big tight thoy have no liabilities, and, I'm told, Saturday's meeting will put a balance on the right side. The Ciub have in view a numbor of improvements, and among other things, it is intended to shift the stand back, so as to form a good lawn in front. Wibh such'a lino properby, and the fact that the railway lands passengers alongside the entrance gate to the course, the Club will no doubb in time become one of tho most prosperous of outside clubs.

With regard to lasb Saturday's racing, tbe Waikato horses won five out of tho eight events on the card, nnd tho Auckland contingent three, two of which wore gained by Leorina, so our country friends had good causo to shake hands -with themselves. Leorina proved too much '* class " for her opponents in the Autumn Handicap and Claudolands Handicap, but her owner foolishly pulling her out a third time in the Flying Stakes, she failed to even gain a place. Brown Boss, the two-year-old filly by St. Leger—Cantiniere, who made such a favourable impression when she ran at Ellorslie at tho Spring and Christmas Moetings, appropriated a couple of races in good style, her victory in the Flying Stake? being a meritorious one. Clarion, a, gelding gob by Anteros, was a strong Waikato " tip " for the Autumn Handicap. He ran well for aboub a mile, when he collapsed, but he has evidently a good dash of pace, and is a very useful horse ioi country meetings. Yum Yum. who is not unknown to Auckland race-goers, won the Steeplechase in good style. She can both jump and stay, and possesses fair pace. I shall nob be surprised to see the mare win a Steeplechase or two down here before the season closes. Cloth of Gold won the Hurdles in a common canter, and he was made a great favourite for the Steeplechase, but he jumped badly and gob staked in the early part of tbe race. Nap also had plenty «f admirers, bub he ran badly. Tho Steeplechase was really tho only close contest of tho day, the other seven events boinc won easily, bub nevertheless the racing was interesting. The sum of £1,480 10s was passed through the totalisators. Taken altogether, I shall look back to my visit to the Claudelands racecourse with feelings of pleasure, and I have to thank Messrs Carter, Barton, and Sandes lor many little courtesies extended towards me.