AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3, 3 January 1903, Page 6

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

CONCLUrHN'G DAT.

The weather opened excellently for the concluding day of the Auckland Racing Club Summer Meeting yesterday. There was a big: attendance, and the course was in fast condition. The sum of £70,497 was passed through the totalisator during the four days, against £73,539 last year, which was a record for New Zealand. Yesterday £16,327 was handled by Messrs Hayr and etaff, as against £17,533 last year, being £1206 of a decrease The starting of Mr O'Connor was excellent all through, the catering, in the hands of Mr King-, who had a large staff under him, was good, and the management altogether left ilittle to be desired, Mr Percival and his assistants getting through their work well. The judg--ing of Mr liusk was never once questioned by those in a line to see the finishes, though, as is always the case, persons standing at angles impossible to judge from are invariably to be met who are prepared to give their opinions adversely to those of the man in the box. Mr Selby, as clerk of the course, 'and Mr F. W. Marks, as clerk of the scales, perfermed their duties with usual satisfaction.

The business of the afternoon opened with the Ascot Handicap of one mile, which Despatch, a daughter at Saracen and Dinoon, won from end to end, this making her second winning achievement during the meeting. Sir George Clifford's purchase after the Cambria Park sale, in Ragabrash, proved the runner-up, and Putty, the favourite; finished third. This gelding was kept too far back, and dame with a la>te run at the business end. There were only half a dozen starters. Kamo, after cleverly winning the Midsummer Handicap from Idasa, Bonheur, and three crthers, was protested against for inconsistent running, having finished on nearly level terms with Idasa in the Great Northern Foal Stakes the first day for fourth place at equal weights, whereas in this race there was 161bs between them. Idasa had raced every day since, while Kamo had not started. The stewards, after hearing the evidence, disallowed the objection. The Needle waa responsible for most of the running in the Grandstand Handicap, and made a bold bid far victory, but Val Rosa headed him at the business end of the contest and won in good style. Golden Rose was close up, and Formula finished well; but. Rosella, the favourite, never once looked dangerous, and was some distance back. The public exercised good judgment when they made King Log favourite for the eighth Royal Stak.es, for that colt simply walked away with the race from the Derby winner, who stumbled soon after the start and appeared to be in trouble all the way, and only succeeded in getting into second place in the last hundred and fifty yards, Spalpeen, Starshoot, and Rose Shield racing well for place honours. There was a little cheering after King Log returned to the paddock. The Auckland Steeplechase was, as are all such events, of an interesting character; Cannongate, however, winning with something to spa.re. Rufus ran well, but struck one fence heavily; but The Swimmer was clearly beaten for pace. Princess of Thule, when about half the journey was run,fell. Okoari.as in her two previous essays, swerved towards thtfinish of the Newmarket and was the cause of Ayrdale doing the same, but the Taranaki mare proved her quality as a sprinter and beat a fair field, and as she carried top weight, 9.9, the performance was a creditable one, the time being the fastest over six furlongs at the meeting, viz., 1.152. The Auckland Plate was an easy race for the Southern mare Cruciform. Though Bluejacket niade a strong pace al the way he failed to more than extend the daughter of St. Leger and Forma. Formula ran one of her best races, finishing close up, this bring'her second race during the day. she having run a good fourth in the Grandftand Handicap. The Pony Race waf contested by a field of 12. The Imp, ridden by Hewitt, won by a length and a half from Girton Girl, Belfe Cole half a length off third. There was a demonstration against the winner andla profpst was entered for inconsistent running. T-hP Stewards, after a lengthy hearing, iXnualffied The Imp. QulnHvan. sen. her tra ncr and the jockey, McNamara, dur•nt Concluding results:auckLand steeplechase handi30030V5-, second, 50sovs; third, lOsovs. About 3S miles.. J Marshall's br g Cannongate, by Cannon-Fishfag, 12.8 (Weight). 1 742-T. McKay's Rufus, 10.0 CMc380—H Franks'" The Swimmer, 10.6 (R. Hall) 6 Also started: 732, Nor , -west 11.5 (J. Stewart); 214, Princess of Thule, 10.0 (Owner); 61, Kowhal, fr.7 (Owner); lIS, Dingo 9.7 (Burns). , Newest and Rufus went to the head of affairs after going over the hill the first time, and came to the flat together Kowhai third. In this way they went along the back, but the rest of the field, with the exception of Dingo, were together about a hundred yards behind Rufus and Nor'-west. Going up the hill the second time Rufus and Nor'-west continued to lead down the hill and along the flat ana to the back of the course for the last time, but Cannongate there started after them, and, joining Rufus, drew away with the chestnut going along over the hill, and led for home by ten lengths crossing the last stone wall, and, galloping the stronger, won by five lengths, a dozen lengths off coming The Swimmer. and at long intervals Dingo, Nor'-west, and Kowhai, Princess of Thule having fallen. Time. 8.4. Dividends, £4 18/6 and 15/6. NEWMARKET HANDICAP of 300SCV3; ' second horse, 40sovs; third, lOsovs. Six furlongs. 775-tF. Watson's b m Okoari, by St. Leger—Musket Maid, 9.9 Gallagher) 1 211— S. Sponge's Ayrdale, 8.9 (Hewitt).. 2 343— J. Montgomery's Strathavon, 7.9 (Jones) - ■'••• 3 Also started: 237, Landlock, 5.12 (Julian); 261, Marshal Soult, 5.2 (MeCluskie); 115. Golden Rose, 7.12 (Deeley); 132, St. Olga, 7.6 (Phillips); 406, Scotty. 7.5 (Ryan); 314. Float, 7.3 (McNamara); 50. Hillflower,' 6.1J (Ross); 58, Cygnet, 6.9 (Carruthers); 28, Fullcry, 6.7 (Sparkes). Marshal Soult and Hillflower were In front with two furlongs gone, Landlock, Okoari and Scotty next in order. Halfway down the straight Okoari. Ayrdale, and* Strathavon were in the lead, Oke-ari swerving and causing Ayrflale to swervu at the same time inside the distance, but both were straightened up, and Okoari won by a length and a-half, Ayrdale beating Strathavon half a length for second place, Landlock, Golden Rose and Scotty In order. Time, 1.152. Dividends, £2 10/6 and £3 2/6. AUCKLAND PL-ATE of 400Sovs; second horse, 75sovs; third horse, 25sovs. 1& miles. 176— G. g. Stead's b m Cruciform, by St. Leger—Forme, S.ll (Jones) 1 44— E. Cecil's Bluejacket, 9.4 (Taylor) 2 5— J. C. Colbeck's Formula, 9.1 • CLlndsay) 3 Bluejacket led for a mile. and. a-qnarter, when Cruciform came and cut bim down, winning easily by two lengths, Formula

a length off third. Tim*. 2-38?. Dividend, £1 3/. PONT HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second lOsove; third, ssovs. Five furlongs. 163—1* Marshall's eh m Girton Girl, by Medallion—Equation, 8.11 (Julian) 1 691— J. Goodwin's Belle Cole, 10.12 (Sceata) * 2 Also started: 2x3, Orange and Blue, 11.0 (O'Connell); 345, The Imp (dis.), 9.5 (Hewitt); 145, Annoyed, 9.3 (Smith;; 261, Forth, 5.3 (Wilson); 446, Sonica, 8.0 (.Snodgrass); 263, Solitary, 7.10 (McCiusicie); 103, Cuisine, 7.7 (Bird); 217, Gladys Rose, 7.7 (Jenkins); 45, Mosquito, 7.6 (Quinton); 126, Resurgum, .7/4 (Satman). The Imp was taken to the front, followed by Belle Cole and Girton Girl, and this was practically the order till inside the distance, where Girton Girl had the measure of Belle Cole, but could not reach The Imp, who won by two lengths, neck second and third. Time, 1.5. Dividends, £10 13/ and 19/6. The Imp was disqualified, together with her trainer and rider, during the pleasure of the dub for inconsistent running.