RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 171, 20 July 1903, Page 3

RACING NEWS.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

A RECORD MEETING

(By Teieeraph.-Own CorreajMßiaeat.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The Wellington Racing Club's Wlater Mooting was concluded in splendid weather, and the attendance was large, but the course was still very holding The fields in most of the events were large, and the racing was Interesting, the day being remarkable for the excellent dividends paid throughout. Indeed, the meeting in this respect was a record one, and the totaiisator turnover showed an increase on that of last year by £480, bringing fhe total up to £18,194, thus exceeding the grand totul for the two days of last year by £7. There were larger average fields also, and the meeting will result in a fair profit to the club.

.. Tne Public made St. Olga favourite for the Onsiow Handicap, the opening event on the card. Ostiak and Goldspur being equally supported. Ostiak lost a couple of lengths at the start, and Sainfoin made a slaving race, which resulted in a bare neck win for Platypus from Ostiak, who beat St. Olga a neck, while Rangitata was a bead away fourth, almost on terms being Sainfoin and Goldenmere, and Sandy, who had led well into the straight, being right at the heels of Goldenmere. Goldspur came to the front below the distance, and then compounded. On the running Sainfoin was the most nnlucky, or he would, I think, have won. The dividend on Platypus was £10 15/. There were 11 starters.

In the next race, the Trial Plate, there were 16 starters, a nice-looking two-year-old in Lee-Enfield, from Canterbury, being made a strong favourite. The St. Leger gelding, Commonwealth, well handled by F. Davis, won in the last hundred yards by a short half-length from Black Scuall, halfsister to Shrapnel, the favourite, who was some distance off third. Commonwealth paid the nice dividend of £24 37/6. Scallywag was made favourite for the July Steeplechase, The Gryphon being also well backed, as well as Sultana; but victory was achieved by old Strayblrd, who waited on The Gryphon and beat him for pace over the last few furlongs. Scallywag and Sultana both fell. Pipi was a fair third. A dividend of £7 10/ was paid on Straybird.

Exmoor and St. Olga were about equally backed for the Winter Handicap, in which 14 started. St. Olga led well into the straight, when the Grafton gelding, followed by Sanfoin, came on and won by three parts of a length. Tupara and Rangitata were handy. Dividends of £4 2/ and £2 3/8 were paid.

Ten started In the Hurdle Race, Slow Tom being heavily supported, while Mourner and Rags were next in demand. The last-named lost his rider early, and leading the field completed the course, but the outsider of the field won in Boko, who paid a dividend of £24 16/6, another outsider in Khaki being second and paying £5 13/. v

was a close race. Mourner was third, Merry Boy and Waiwera next, the favourite next.

The Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase was an interesting one, all the horses standing up. Kiatere, well ridden by McGregor, lasted long enough to win by a couple of lengths from Kaipo, who beat King Lear for second place in the last stride, Taranaki not far off fourth. Kiatere paid £3 10/ and Kaloo £17/.

Seventeen ran for the Thorndon Hack Race, Matuku, Repulsion, and Sir Galahad being most fancied. There was nearly £3000 on the totalisator, the lamest investment of the meeting. Matuku, all out,, won by half a length, The Guesser, a rank outsider, finishing third, Hally fourth, and Cumulus fifth.

The starting during the meeting was up to. Mr Piper's best form, and punctuality was observed in getting all the events off. Mr Clark, secretary, performed the secretarial duties weli.