SUMMER RAGING CARNIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 309, 28 December 1920, Page 2

SUMMER RAGING CARNIVAL.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. ; i STARLArJIJ WINS THE CUP. j I STATUETTE THE RAILWAY. .\ RhVitfll) ATTKNUA.M i TV sii.nnic, rating ,:, J'": V "| *«.* ml wealln i. and » 'I' •' ''"'' ' ■ iltu ' n dance which -v;.- popularly . tonal.-.1 at 10.IKMI The ■ n.wd »-.- uT) d. - boll, inside and outside the end.-in. ■ ill.; sumds. t'-rra..-. and ovei > | '" ■' •'■ vantage bone literally pa- I-- ■: - n-l ' was with dillieilln on-' cotii.l ■;. ' ale.o' PUS Excellency Lord J.dlic mi panied by Lady M\\< <•>■ an.l t! vrn moot 11..u-e part.v. were pre- i . ~ud lending sportsmen from cn-r\ par: oi ''•• Dominion couhl also In -en iimioig I n -pei-tator-. Ihe lawn- ami gardens were really beautiful, and racing at l.llcr-h" |. ;1 ., never I n witnessed undi r more pleasant conditions. The a'tendsii.-c exceeded the most sanguine expectations, and it is plainly evident- that tin .-on, mittoc will have to push on «ith iheir contemplated scheme "f improv, im-nt.s ii they are to keen pace w itli I In' times. This espe.'ial'y applies to the totalisator aceommodathin, for it i-ann»l be said that those responsible have fairly grasped the situation a-~ it applies to the facilities for investment, and many thonsanda of people were shut out from the machines yesterday. The stall" probably did everything possible with the means at their disposal, but the happenings of yesterday must not be allowed to continue, for it is entirely unfair to the public. The totalizator is their only cbannel for loga.l investment, and the committee are in duty hound to give investors every facility for both putting their money on and also for collecting their dividends. The experiences! of Boxing Day will not be tolerated very long, and those, in authority must- speedily awaken to their responsibilities and put matters in a much more satisfactory position. As far as the management of the gathering was concerned everything wns \ satisfactory and the responsible officials | tinder the secretary. Mr. V. S. Rpeive, . are to be congratulated on the success . attending their efforts. THE TOTALISATOR. j Speculation was very brisk, the machines being unable to cope with the : money ottering, with the result that a lot was shut out, more particularly on the Auckland Cup. 'Ilie amount actually handled reached the large sum of ; £154,188 10/ as against £124,916 10/ last I year, an increase of £_t.27'_ ! GEOFFREY LEADS OFF. ! The special weight race, the Shortland Plato, opened proceedings, attracting a held of eighteen, the withdrawals being' Pine Arch, Fort Regal, and Isingareh. Forest Gold wound up about two hundred odd pounds better fancied than Bonnie Heather, with Marble Slab, Geoffrey, Early Dawn, and Counter j attack all going over four figures. Over There getting most support of the others. The pace was made by Early Dawn and Pa-goda. Then when the lastnamed- dropped out of it three furlongs from home, Geoffrey, Bonnie Heather, and Forest Gold moved up. aud they chased Early Dawn into the straight. Geoffrey headed Early Dawn at the distance, and stalling off a determined run by Bonnie Heather, got the decision by half a length. Early Dawn struggled on I into third place half a length behind j Bonnie Heather, with the favourite, which was finishing on, right up, fourth.' Canowindra was nert, while Marble Slab, which was well back at one stage, followed. MERMIN STfLIi UNBEATEN. When the numbers were framed for the great Northern Foal Stakes Toa Taua, withdrawn in favour of The i Hawk, was the only absentee, leaving a good field of nine to contest the classic event. Mermin was picked out as unbeatable, and so heavy did the money come for liim that ' when the machine closed he had nine thousand odd pounds on his number, easily the biggest amount yet. carried by any one horse in the Dominion. The Hawk was second fanoy, with about three times leSs invested on his chance, and then in order of betting came Oranga, Maunu. Winning "Hit. Loyal Trish, Grotesque, and Royal Box. with Kick Off the outsider. Taking up their positions at the post Kick Off was next the rails, with Royal Hox alongside of him, and The Hawk next. Then across the course were Mermin, Oranga. Maunu, Grotesque, and: Loyal Irish, with Winning Hit on the outside. Oranga was restless. and Mermin was alfco inclined to get on liU toes, as was Winning Hit. but they were let go in line. The Hawk went out very fast, and setting a solid pace soon had a break on the field, Mermin lying second, with Grotesque and Maunu handy. As they swept round into the straight The Hawk was going so well in the lead that it looked as if he had the measure of the favourite, while Maunu also looked to be going as well as Mermin. Once Gray asked Mermin for an effort, however. th» little fellow responded generously, and got alongside The Hawk at the furlong post, while Maunu was also doing good work, and although he was not decreasing the gap separating him from the other pair was not losing any ground. With Mermin alongside of him. The Hawk hung on to his task, and Mermin had to be hard ridden to wear down the son of Martian, which put up a good light before acknowledging defeat by a neck. Maunu ran a decent race, and j got third, two lengths away, with Gro- j tesque and Royal Box well up. The i latter was last after v couple of furlongs were covered, hut linished on well, and should bo a good colt in the autumn. Mermin holds an unbeaten record, and has won the Avondale tSakes, Hastings Stakes. Wellington Wellesley Stakes, C.J.C. Welcome Stakes, and j Great Northern Foal Stakes in succes- | sion, a record never yet equalled in the Dominion. He was bred by Mr. Geo. Currie at his Koatanui stud, and is by the imported sire Absurd from the Auckland-bred mare Sea Elf. Previous winners of the race arc: — GREAT NORTHERN FOAL STAKES. Six furlom:s. Timt i m. a. ! 1903—Kirriemuir, by Clanranald 1 in? ' 1800—Glendiiiocb, by Clanranald .. 113 IUO7--Fleet foot, by Clanranald ... 1 17 2-o 1008— Broadsword, by Clanranald.. 1 14 3-5! 1900—Formby, by Birkenhead 1 10 8-5 1010—Culprit, by Chiirleinague 11. 1 15 «Wll—'Winning Way,by Cannle I hiel il7 3-3] ]Hl2— Soltauo. by tfoult 1 Hi lUl3— Rencontre, by Ohllendo 1 15 °-5 , 11)14 — Desert (.—»fl, hy ,\ll Black.. 1 ir, 1-5 1915- -The TofT, by Bonlform I ir, ".5 1316—Biplnue. by Comedy King.. 1 la ii-ii j 11117—Demagogue, by Demosthenes:. 1 1-1 4-5 ! 101S—Surveyor, by Nassau 1 14 4.-, 1019— Humbug, by Absurd.„...»..' 1 14 3.5 j