RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 93, 21 April 1902, Page 3

RACING NEWS.

'AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

THE OPENING DAY.

Truly, it "was King's weather on Saturfld °"c of those lovely autumn days when the crisp cool air sets the blood ariancing in the veins, when the brilliant , nshine compels good temper, and the Glorious beauty of sea and sky fills one lith a sense of the beauty of this old world which we so roundly condemn at times' and makas us glad indeed to be nlive' The racing fraternity and those who love a day's outing, under such perflpt climatic conditions, were early astir, d by a few minutes to eleven all im!»rative business had evidently been got t rough by a number of fellow townsman and a very jovial and beaming rowd "on pleasure bent" boarded the first train for the first day's racing on the Zw course at Avondale. Of course, to hLuile the time there were the old stories "f tiil slowness of the trains on the Kai+sra line, but Mr Hayr, the energetic pcretary of the Avondale Club, had evidently wakened the Railway Department Yn to some purpose, for the well worn £L S were yet in full swing when a station was reached, which some seeming lunatic pronounced to be Avondale. It ipemed the most blatant nonsense. We i\,\ positively only been half an hour on the train, yet a hearty and delighted cry of "We're "here" from an old stager sent to investigate brought the whole trainload tumbling out, incredulous that such things could be on the Kaipara line, yet most satisfactorily convinced that they really were. Improvement number One this, and a big one at that. The journey used to take anything from threequarters of. an hour and upwards. It would be hard to imagine a more pleasing prospect than that spread before the race-goer at Avondale as he steps from the train on such a brilliant day as Saturday. The panorama is not to be beaten by any racecourse on this side. The vivid emerald of the course and lawns, the new gay stands, and other buildings shining in all the bravery of new paint, set off with streaming flags, are set round •with prosperous farms, homesteads, and country residences, whose shelter tre-es, orchards, and fields of varying shades of green, with here and there an expanse of purple plough, make up a feast of colour which delights the least artistic eye, though the owner is unaware of the reason. In the distance, and a fitting background to a perfect picture, are the ranges—blue, purple and beautiful beyond description. Such is the prospect of Avondale racecourse as one walks down from the station. Open cabs, brakes and nondescript vehicles rattle past on the road. all hurrying coursewares. The jingle of the harness, the rattle of hoofs, and the light laughter which comes from the occupants, all help to increase our sense of exhilaration and anticipation of an enjoyable clay, and to make us feel that come what may, good luck or ill, a day's racing at the old-made-new Avondale course is not to be despised. On the course we find ourselves at a miniature, but in some respects an improved, Ellerslie. The comfortable stands, the stewards' and Press quarters, and the saddling paddock arrangements, are modelled on lines much after those of the metropolitan club of the district, and a blind man accustomed to the one would be at home on the other. The "tote" building is, however, placed on the "off" side of the stand, and so designed that one big machine extends from the enclosure of '"the lawn" to outside, and t.ius investors can see at a glance how things are going without having to rush off to a second machine. This is unquestionably a great improvement. All the appointments of the course are of the most up-to-date description. There are gentlemen's and ladies' cloak rooms, in charge of proper attendants, and opposite them a large and most admirably appointed diningroom. On Saturday the menu was excellent in quality, substantial in quantity, and above all, quickly served. What more can be wished for in the way of a racing- luncheon. The caterer, Mr King, Is to be complimented on his success.

Thirsty souls, and those requiring a reviver after the downfall of their hopes, when the good thing goes wrong, or the more fortunate few wishing to drink success to "a coup," have "ample room and verge enough" in a commodious bar also beneath the stand, but securely screened off from tho dining-room. The entire scheme is. in Short, excellent, and is a credit to those who planned it out. As for the course, just a mile round, it is as pretty and as excellent a bijou course as one could wish for. There are no nasty bends, and the fine width of the track is a great feature. The number board is a handsome affair, and gives all requisite information at a glance. Avondale, in brief, has made a big bid for favour, and has to all intents and purposes succeeded. It will be strange indeed if it does not take and maintain a foremost place amongst the suburban meetings of the colony and form a worthy second to the best metropolitan meetings, for it is already in advance of some, and in respect of the attendance only a few meetings in the autumn of the year are more largely patronised. In the matter of speculation the totalisator turnover reached the large sum of £68Sl—a record day's work for the Avondale course; indeed, Only £484 less than was handled on the opening <lay of the Avondale Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting last year, when the Ellerslie course was used. This is a result which must be highly gratifying to the club. The starting was good in several of the races, but unsatisfactory in others. Mr Cutts used Mr Griffiths' machine at four different distances, the barriers being already in position. The course is wide, and greater expedition in elevating the tapes must be aimed at. One of Mr G. Rhodes' machines was used at the seven-furlong post, and a good start was effected with it. Hunter's Artillery Band enlivened the proceedings during the intervals between the events; Mr Bollard, M.H.R., acted as judge; Mr A. Selby, the respected Pakuranga huntsman, as clerk of the course; Mr F. W. Marks as clerk of the scales; Mr S. Kohn as timekeeper; and the stewards—Messrs Robt. Duder, H. T. Gorrie, Donald jVleLeod, J. R. Martin, J. W. Russell, M. Foley, A. Hanna, Jos. May, and A. Davis—vied with each other in trying to make the day's entertainment enjoyable; and it is atisfactory to mention that it passed off without (> hitch and without protest. Though firs. favourites won four of the seven handicap events, Mr Evett had the satisfaction of seeing some interesiing racing; while a particularly fine finish between six horses resulted in the Auction Stakes, in which owners handicapped their own horses.

With commendable punctuality the Clerk of the Course (Mr Selby) got the field of eisht runners out to do their preliminaries for the Maiden Plate, and the pony Mara was made favourite, though lcoking light-framed for her task. Hillflower, the next in demand, looked stronger and better fitted for a hard race, however, and Rosiphele, whose condition was all right, had most friends of the others. Valedictory got an advantage ac the start, and was right out by herself lor nearly four furlongs, but failed to stay out the journey, and Mara, who got away last, never looked prominent. Victory, after a good race, rested with a 3year old bay colt by Pinfire from anlngoir.ar mare, owned by Mr R. Hannon, who came to the post looking bright, and got home from the faster-finishing Aurega, a daughter of Castor and Victoria, who, i? not first-class, stays well. Hillflower has run soctjp fair races at country meetings, and should jump hurdles. Next to Sly Miss, Aurega was the least fancied, and after her the winner. The result was that on the first and second horses excellent dividends were returned, end the books had a turn-up for a start. The public selected the right one for the Handicap Hurdle Race, and had the good luck to see Tim, their prime fancy, eiet home by a narrow margin just when it appeared any odds on Rufus, his stable companion, who caught Tim a chain or two from the winning post, and then looked to have the race won. When Howard asked Vim for a final effort McGregor on Rufus was less resolute, and Tim secured Mr Bollard's verdict. Mars