MEETINGS TO COME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 139, 13 June 1891, Page 3

MEETINGS TO COME.

June 25—Hawke's Bay Winter Meeting: July 11—Wellington 6!ccp'eeh_.se Meeting August 13—_»'._-. Grand National Meeting

AUSTRALIA. j p i T it—V.P..C. G.and National Hurdle Uace. July 13—V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase.

AUCI--_.-_.-3 WINT-ES- MEETING. JuriTKß Pluvius had a determined " set" against the Winter Meeting of tho Auckland Racing Club this year, and a more dis agreeable day for a race gathering than that of Saturday last has nob been encountered at Ellerslie. Judging by the number that did bravo the elements, there would have been o very large crowd present h-.d the afternoon proved line, but as it was the attendance was by no means smal , and there is every reason to think the Clnb will co.se out with a £50 balance on the right side. Tho sum of £4,099 went through the tofali-atoi'-, being about £700 more than at the winter gathering last year. Despite the rain, mud, and cold, I'vo never seen a more enthusiastic public at an Auckland race-meeting, and ib appeared to mo everyone you dropped across vr.s determined to make the most of the intensely disagreeable surroundings. Naturally, the soft ground was the means of causing all calculations to be np.efc, and those who followed "public form" had a disastrous time of it. From first to la_fc, the favourite--! were defeated, and there must have been much joy in the camp of the cash fielder., outside tho enclosure at the end ot the day's racing. Oub ofthe seven thab went to the post for the Handicap Hurdle Race, Theorem maintained the confidence of his stable supporters to tho time of starting, bub Sentinel had a big following among the public, who were conlicienb of his defeating the representative of Williamson's stable. Theorem went as Will as his best friend., could wish till eov. n furlongs from home. At this point, tho son of Hippocampus was leading, but Perr.-us, in endeavouring to steady him, took a pull at the horse as he crossed the hurdle, which, I think, was the principal cause of Theorem failing. Once the home turn was reached, there was no doubt about the winner, for Sentinel drew E_'.ay in every stride from Cloth of Gold and won without _ho semblance of a Bt.uggle. Opinions are divided as to whether Sentinel would have won had Theorem stood up. For my own part, I'm inclined to think it would have been a big battle between the pair, for Theorem was full of running when he met with tbe mishap, but-it is my opinion the result of tho rr.ee would not have been altered. Some of Yardman's performances on the West Coast were quite sufficient to make him favourite for the Maiden Steeplechase, especially when the moderate cross-country horses thab opposed him were considered, although Yardman's name did nob appear jmona; tbe placed division when the placed numbers were hoisted, be got iver the country all right, and be could have gained third place instead of Dan, for he was ea?ed oil near the winning post. I think there is a big raco in Yardman, and those connected with the horse are evidently of tho same opinion, for he was taken to Napier this weak to take parb in tho forthcoming Hawke's Bay Stcoplejhase. The Winter Welter Handicap profined one of the beat races witnessed on the Bourse, tho finish between a closely-packed bunch being a moab severe and bitter one. Leorina and Dolosa were selected as the favourites, and those who thought the firetoamod could successfully carry 12st 111b ihrough the heavy sloppy ground musb _aye "had hearts like a lion's. The pair named were never in the hunt, and Orakei, ihe greatest outsider of the eleven starters, jboving ab the finish some of the great pace that endeared his sire Billingsgate to racegoers, won by a bare neck from Pri. cilia, who made a determined effort for victory in the last few strides. The fine field of ten faced the starter for the Greab Northern Steeplechase. With Sentinel's easy win in the Hurdle Race fresh in their minds, the public made the V. ai-kabo-owned horse first favourite, Takapu being next fancied, while .a number of s__ai-_ people were confident aboub Kifc-o'-Blue winning. Out of Williamson's lob Omata appeared to be the ono in most favour by the majority of the stable followers. This caused some surprise among th_ public, for on the. horse's Takapuna Steeplechase running he had little chance, nor yet had Parnell. Omata ran a good race till aboub half a-milofrom home, when he molted righb out of tho battle, and Parnell, wiio ib was generally thought had nob the confidence of his party, won in an easy manner from Bit-o'-Blne. state to take parb in the race. Putting everything together, I think that Parnell's win was something of a surprise to bhe bulk of Williamson's supporters, and bhab bhe trusted one for the race was Omata. I hare heard no end of stories regarding how much money the " stable " invested on Parnell. but the big dividend paid shows pretty conclusively tha, the amount was not of a large character. One thing can be safely said, and that ia, Purnell's victory did not savour of a fluko, for he ran a true race throughout. The chances of bobh Sentinel and Takapu were spoiled by their falling, but I think Parnell would have won under any circmstances. This meeting brings the season to a close in Auckland, and turfites will now be able to hang up their race-glasses bill bhe month of September next.