TAKAPUNA J.C. SPRING MEETING

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 295, 13 December 1899, Page 3

TAKAPUNA J.C. SPRING MEETING

NOTES ON THE RACING

The Takapuna Jockey Club have good reason to be proud of the success of their two days' Spring Meeting, and with the totalizator investments reaching the good sum of £13,996 there will be a decent profit over the gathering. Mr Robt. Wynyard, the secretary of the Club, is entitled to great credit for his conduct of the gathering. All things considered, Mr Wm. Grey succeeded fairly well with the barrier, and no doubt with more experience and firmness over the jockeys he would do still better work.

On Saturday Dayntree showed a capital bit of form in the Spring Handicap. He slipped his field at the start, and being kept going all the way he made a very easy win of it. This son of Castor and Vivandiere, who was reared at Wellington Park, has improved a lot of late, and his win confirmed his display of form on the opening day of the meeting. The one mile was cut out in the good time of 1.44 4-5. Rex was among the starters, but he is not yet ready for the fray. .He wants more fast work. In the Stanley Handicap Mr Geo. Rhodes' gelding Sultan showed a return to form.' He is a fast customer over four furlongs, and Creamer kept him going the whole way, defeating St. Innis by half a length. Kettledrum stumbled in the straight when making a good fight of it. With Volcano F. J. McManemin picked up the Hurdle Race. He had a bit of good fortune in so doing, for in the various stages of the last threequarters of a mile it looked as if Pokomoko could have run over him. However, the latter died away in the run home,.leaving Volcano to have matters all his own way, while Favona beat the West Coast gelding for second honours'. There was a very warm demonstration against Pokomoko and his rider after the race. The stewards took the matter up promptly, but a decision could not be arrived at on the course, further evidence being required. In the Second Hack Handicap Miss Blair was made a great favourite. However, she had bad luck by getting kicked at the post and galloped on during the race. The result was that when she returned* to the paddock she had a nasty wound oh one of her forelegs. Toroa, the winner, was trained by Adam Byers, and he well deserved a turn of luck. Mr J. Tooman is almost invincible in the lilliputian events, and few meetings pass over without his colours are carried to the front. Texas, the winner, ran a really good race, and he was well handled by J. Buchanan, who fairly drove him home a neck in front of Nora. The latter, by the bye, is since very sore from the effects of jumping over the rail at the start. Racing World Wednesday A well-deserved win was that of Messrs Duder Bros.', by aid of Cuirasette, in the Cautley Handicap. For once the handsome daughter of Cuirassier and Dolosa behaved herself, and got well away, with the result that she showed her best form. A very fast mare indeed ,is Cuirasette, and if she was only educated to start many races would no doubt fall to her lot. •

The Handicap Steeplechase gave rise to a stirring contest between Nor'west and Opou, and the first-named recorded a meritorious performance. Coming to the last hurdle it looked as if he was beaten, but once over this obstacle he soon dispelled this idea, for making one great and determined effort he shot to the front with a great run and landed the prize. Robt. Hall rode a capital race on Nor'-west, and it showed good judgment to reserve his mount for the finiSh. Frank Burns was equally at home on Opou, and when the plucky little horseman took Opou to the front three furlongs from home, and was quickest over the last hurdle, he must have thought that he had added to his successes. However,- Mr Alex. Phillip's gelding was Anything but disgraced. In the Welter Handicap the Huntly owned gelding Cavalier gave a taste of his quality, for he made a very easy task of it. He traversed the one mile in 1.45 3-5, making his own running. As I remarked.last week, Cavalier looked a picture of condition, and he was not the least distressed when he came back to scale. It may be that the next effort of the Cuirassier gelding will be in the Auckland Cup.