NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9126, 10 June 1895, Page 6

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

(By Telegraph.) (fro— our correspondent. j AUCKLAND, June 8. The North New Zeataud Grand National Meeting, under the auspices of the Auckland' Racing Club, waa opened at Ellerslie to-day. The attendance was a record one for this season of the year, and some capital racing was witnessed. A slight shower fell before the Grand National Hurdle Race was run, but on the whole the weather was all that could be desired in the wiuter. _ luring the afternoon the sum of £4498 passed through the totalis&tors. Eight went co the post for the Grand National Hardies, the Canterbury horse Liberator going out a hot favourite. Coala was almost neglected. He wore a bandage on bis off foreleg, and it was stated that be bad suffered from the effects of the voyage from Sydney. The horse occupied a rear position from start to finish and pulled up very lame. The race proved a disappointing one, Liberator and Warrior having it to themselves at the finish. Ebor and Ida came to grief at the second-fence, and the remainder of the field were badly beaten. Warrior made a big fight of it with L berator, and it was not until the last hurdle in the straight had been crossed that Mr Butler's horse could shake the light weight off. Liberator and bis rider. Holmes, were tha recipients of a big demonstration, after the horse returned to scale, aud the cheering was loud and prolonged when *' all right " was declared. Holmes had to lift his hat several times to the onlookers. Many were sorry that Mr P. Butler, who is popular in Auckland, was not present. MrR. Henwood, owner of Warrior.enteredaprotestagainst Liberator for crossing, but the Stewards considered it frivolous, and promptly dismiessd it. After the Maiden Steeplechase Mr J. B. Williamson, the trainer of Marechal Neil, entered a protest against Donald McKiunon receiving the prize. Io appears that after the finish the rider of Donald McKinnon dropped a stirrup iron aud leather. The Clerk of the Course told a bystander to pick it up, which he did, and handed it to the Clerk of the Course, who parsed it on to the lider of Donald McKinnon, who could not draw his weight at the scale. The protest was considered by the Stewards, and disallowed. Levanter was winning the Maiden Hurdles easily, but his rider, Fletcher, eased the horse at the distance, and being caught nappiug could not get his mouut going again, with the result that Strayshot just got home. Details :—

MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, of 80 soys, second 10 soys from the stake. About two miles and a-half. 32. Mr Glover's b g Donald McKinnon, by The Dauphin—Dainty Ariel mare, 5 yrs, lOst (Aahdown) 1 50. Mr J. Sutton's eh g Marechc" Neil, aged, lOst (Katterns) 2 134. Mr J. Rae's b g Kildare, aged, lOst 41b (Roe) 3 Other starters:—7o, Amalgam, list l!_,b (George Laing); 7, Adventurer, 9st l_b (Windsor); 6, Dommo, 9st (R. Wright); 14, Ika Vuka, 9st 71b (Weils); 9, Fore-and Aft, 9st 71b (J. Laing); 43, Jimmy, 9at 71b (Wood Held). Jimmy waa first away aud led up the hill, closely followed by Marechal Neil and Adventurer, but wnen they came to the post and rails Jimmy had lost his place, and Marechal Neil and Domino were seen in the van. The former led over th- post and rails and down the hill to the stone wall, where Kildare took command, and the latter jumping splendidly led right round to the brush hurdles at the five furlong post. Here Amalgam ran to the head of affairs, but when they came into sight from behind the trees Kildare was again on terms with the roan, while Marechal Neil and Donald McKinnon >f ere racing together five or siJrT lengths away. The leading quartette cleared the post aud rails in grand style, aud Amalgam and Kildare still racing side by. side, with Marechal Neil and Donald McKinnon rapidly creeping up, so that when the stone wall was reached they were all of a heap all negotiating the obstacle in safety, and when the four entered the straight together the excitement was worked up to fever heat. On they came at a slashing pace, and at the Derby stand it was difficult to say which of the four would win. However, once over the obstacle Donald McKinnon shot away from his opponents and came on and won by a length from Marechal Neil, who was half a length in front of Kildare, with Amalgam a neck behind the latter. Time, smin 50sec. Dividends—lnside, £10 7a * outside, £10 3s.

WINTER WELTER HANDICAP, of 50 soys; second 10 soys front the stake. One mile.

80: Mr Fred. Davis' b h Repeater, by Nordenfeldt—Eryciua, 5 yrs, lOse 61b (Davis) 1 69. Mr R. Harper's b g Royal; 5 yrs, 10_t 61b (Ashdown) 2 67. Mr L. D. Nathan's m h The Dancer, 6 yrs, 12st 121b .. .. .. (T. Taylor) 3 Otherstartera—llß, Esparto, list 121b (R. Kingan); 50, The Sharper, list 21b (Tust); 99, Samoa, 10sc 610 (Hickey); 68, Heart of Oak, lOst 3lb (J. Kean) ; 27, Waiongona, lOst 21b (P. Jonnston) ; 28, Porirua, lOst (Fletcher); 12, Frontignac, ".ojt(D. Morrigan); 2, Bogtrotter, lOst (Woolley).

The field was dism's._J on even terms. The Dancer was the first to show out iv front, but he was steadied, aud The Sharper taok command, followed by Heart oi Oak, Repeater and Royal. At the half-mile post Royal improved his position, aud racing across the stretch The Sharper, Repeater and Royal were almost in line, while Heart of Oak had retired beaten. -toyal led Repeater a length into the straight, with The Sharper third. Royal looked all over a wiuner at the Derby stand, but Repeater there put iv a resolute challenge, and getting the beat of it at the lawn rails, had no difficulty in wiuuiug by a length and a half, Royal three lengths in front of The Dancer, who was third. Time, lmiu 55' ec Dividends—lnside, £6 9s ; outside, £7 11a. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE, of 250 soys ; second 25 soys, and third 10 soys from the stake. Two miles. 410. Mr P. Butler's br g Liberator, by Betrayer— Diana, aged, 12sc91b .. (F.Holmes) 1 65. MrR. Henwood's blk h Warrior, aged, 9st 101b (Owner) 2 81. Mr J. J. Russell's eh g Union Jack, a^eri,- 9pt 101b (F. land) 3 Other starters:—l6l, Ebor, 12st 811* (Hickey),- 142, Coala, list 111b (J. Ttae); 162, Fright, lOst 41b (J. Laing); 111, Bouovoree, lOst (_. Fergus); 183, Ida, 9st (D. Morrigan).

After out** false start Liberator went off in front, followed by Fright, but Ebor was quickest over the first obstacle, then came Fright, Union Jack, Liberator, with Coala last. At the second fence Ebcr came to grief, and Ida shared a similar fate, both horses dislodging their riders. This left Union Jack in front, and he raced at the head ot affairs round the top stietch, with Fright next. There was little to choose between the pair as they made for the home turn, Warrior being third, while five lengths away was Liberator, Coala and Bonovoree being last. Fright led Union Jack by half a length past tbe stand, while a couple of lengths away was Warrior, with Coala struggling in. Fright was clear of Union Jack as they came out of the turn, Warrior being close up. Liberator here began to make up his ground, but Fright held hia own down the bottom stretch. At the sixth hurdle Fright aud Uuion Jack were racing together, but near the cutting Warrior came with a great rush and ran into first place, followed by Liberator. The leading pair then raced almost on terms round the top stretch, but Warrior was just clear of the top. weight as they came into the straight, Before the pair rose at the last hurdle in the the Canterbury horse looked to have a. little the worst of the struggle, but once he got over the obstacle he put in a long and telling stride, aud coming on in great style got home by a length, Warrior being ten lengths in advance of Union Jack, third. Fright some distance away; Bonovoree, who was pulled up, was fifth, and Coala walked in with the crowd. Time, 4min 7sec. Dividends—lnside, £2 15s ; outside, £2 17s. A protest entered by A. Henwood, rider of Warrior, for alleged crosi by Liberator was considered by tbe Stewards and promptly dismissed. Holmes admitted to the Stewards that his horse bumped against Warrior at the last hurdle but he pulled out, SELLING STEEPLECHASE, of 60 soys. About three miles.

2X5. Mr A Bach's blkg Nero, hy Ingomar. aged, 9st7_> .. .. .. (Wright) 1 106. MrG. W. S. Patterson's eh g Chester, aged, ' tetTlb M .. (B, Coffins* 3

92. Mr J. Sutton's eh g Marechal Neil, aged, 12st 31b .. -. .. (Ratten-) 3 Also started—4s, thincau Grey, 9st 71b (Weston) ; 19. Mother Shtpton, Sst7lb(P. Johnston); 79, Yum Yum, 9st 71b (Windsor); 30, Adventurer, 9st 71b. Adventurer showed the way over the sod wall and water jump in front of the stand, and when the back stretch was reached he was a length in front of Nero. This pair alternately led the whole way round till the po3t and rail fence was reached the second time, when Chester took command, and racing down hill was first over the stone wall at the head of the course. When fairly iv the straight, Nero came again, aud catching his opponent at the last fence, drew away and won by three lengths, Chester same distance in front of Marechal Neil, then followed Adventurer. Yum Yum was pulled up. Time, 7min. DividendsInside £2 Bs, outside £2 ss. HANDICAP MAIDEN HURDLE RACE, of 60 soys: second 10 soys from the stake. One iinle and three-quarters. 130. Mr Mi-Gibbon $ b ni Stray Shot, by Foul Shot —Kakatea, 5 vrs, lOst _ib .. " (G. Lain-) 1 84. Mr C. Ar.lnb.M's c _ Levanter, 5 vr., 9»t (Fletcher) 2 15. Mr J. Mollafi's b g Pembroke, 9st 121b .. 3 Other starters—l 6+ Variety, lOst 4lb (Ualbraith); 204, John, lOut 31b (U. "Carruthers) ; 43, _u_>ford, 9st 121b (Carey); 13, Tip, 9st 61b (To*er); 1-1, Ulster, 9.t 51b (K-tterus) ; 45, Maroro, 9.. 4lb (Joha--ton);84, Bonanza, Bsi _lb (I>. iloiri-an); _, Tui, 9st(N. Colling*) ;0, Havens wood, 9st (Wells.) King John was tirsc away, but he quickly fell back, and Maroro took command leading past the stand with Pembroke and Levanter as his immediate attendants, Pembroke led up the back, but before they got to the cutting Levautcr waa in front. The latter held cotnmaud all the way across the top si retch, and into the straight. He looked all over a winner at the las" hurdle, but his rider takiug matters too easily, Laing dashed up with Stray Shot, and Levanter failing to get properly going again, Stray Shot waa enabled to win by _ neck, Pembroke being half a dozen lengths behind in third place. Variety, Tim, aud Stamford fell. Time, 3min 54sec. Dividends —Inßido. £5 ss; outside, £4 16s. PONY HURDLES RACE, of 40 soys; second 6 soys from the stake. One mile and a half. 329. Mr J. McGiness" b m Kathleen, by The Dauphin—Silver Link, axed, lOst 21b (Katterns) 1 102. Mr A. Liddel's b c Valentine, 3 yrs, 9st (Woodfield) 2 124. Mr F. McManemin's b m The Dove, a-ed, list iMoKinuon) 3 Other starters—4B, Butterfly, lOst 101b (Greenwood); 64, Bit of Fashion, lOst 31b (Wells); 91, Penguin, 9st lllb (W. McManeniin) ; 17, Titirangi, 9.t 41b (Neiiby). Won by two lengths. Time, 3uim lOjbc. Dividends—lnside, £2 3s ; outside, £2 7s. The second day's racing of the North New Zealand Grand National Meeting is fixed for Monday when the Great Northern Steeplechase will be the all-absorbing event. After Liberator's diaplay in the Hurdle Race today there is no doubt he will start oue of tho best favourites ; although he has a lot of seasoned 'chasers to meet, still I think whatever beats him will win. Norton was never so well as at present, and must take a power of beating. The connections of Fishmonger and Bombardier ate very confident but my selection ia Liberator. Coala will be a non-starter. Doris, Royal Rose, and two other horses in Wright's hands will be sent to Sydney on Monday.

The following are "Hotspur's " selections :—M-iden Hurdle Race—lda ; Pony Hurdle Race—Kathleen; Great Northern Steeplechase — Norton 1, Bombardier 2; Handicap Hurdle Race—Warrior ; Tally-ho Steeplechase—Belle, if reserved, otherwise Donald McKinnon; Second Winter Welter —The Dancer. %

(press association telbobam. AUCKLAND, June 9. The following are the acceptanoea for tho undermentioned events for to-morrow* racing :— SECOND WINTER WELTER HANDICAP, of oO soys. Seven furlongs. at lb at lb The Dancer ..12 10 Heart of Oak .. 10 3 Esparto .. 11 5 Maroro .. 10 2 Repeater .. 11 4 Stamford .. 10 2 The Sharper .. 11. 2 Waiongora ..10 2 Royal .. 10 9 Porirua .. 10 2 St. Patrick .. 10 9 Bogtrotter .. 10 2 Anita .. 10 6 Tim .. 10 0 Samoa .. 10 3 Frontiuag .. 10 0 MAIDEN HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, of 60 soys. One mile and a half. Ida .. 10 7 Stamford .. 9 7 Kildare .. 10 6 Domino . ..9 7 Levanter .. 10 3 Tip ..9 3 Variety .. 10 2 Acacia ..9 3 'King John) .. 10 0 Maroro ..9 3 Pembroke • . 910 Tim ..90 HANDICAP HURDLE RACK, of 100 soys. One mile and three-quarters. Ebor .. 12 6) Bonovoree .. 911 Fright .. 10 7 I Ida ..97 Warrior .. 10 6 Variety ..96 Marechal Neil ..10 0 Donald McKinnon.. 9 5 Stray Shot .. 911 TALLY-HO HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, Of 100 soys. About three miles. Despised .. 11 6 Union Jack .. 10 0 Belle .. 10 11 Scaltheen .. 9 10 Bombardier .. 10 11 Deceiver .. 910 Kildare .. 10 2 Nero .. 910 DonaldMcKinnon.. 10 0 Chester ..9 7 Fishmonger .. 10 0 PONY HANDICAP HURDLES, of 40 soys. One mile and a quarter. Little Tom ..1112 Valentia .. 9 11 Kathleen ..1110 Bit o'Fashion ..9 8 Clayton .. 11 5 The Bride ..9 5 The Dove ..11 3 Penguin -.9 4 Fauntleroy .. 10 7 Quail ..9 0 Butterfly .. 912 Coala and Fright have been scratched for the Great Northern Steeplechase.

Norton aud Liberator are likely to start very strong favourites for the big steeplechase, though the parties connected With Bombardier are very sanguine of their horse's prospects. Although Hickey got a nasty fall off Ebor on Saturday it is expected he will take, the mount to-morrow. Following are probable starters and riders in the Great Northern Steeplechase :— st lb Norton (J. Hickey) .. _ ..12 10 Liberator (F. Holmes) .. ..1112 Bombardier (D. Morrigan) .. .. 10 6 Aorere (M. McKinnon) .. .. 10 3 Belle (F. Lintl) .. .. .. 10 5 UniQti .lack (P. Johnson) .. .. 10 0 Fishmonger (S. Fergus) .. .. 910 Srailtheen (J. Keilncl) .. ..* 9 3 Deceiver (B. Hen wood) .. .. 9 7 Nero (R. Wright) .. .. ..9 7

Nominations for the Dunedin Stakes 1895, and Dunedin Champagne Stakes 1896, close to-day. Sapphire has been scratched for the New Brighton Trotting Meeting. AtTattersall's B-z.ar on Saturday Messrs Pyno and Co. sold, on behalf of Mr J. Brabazon, bh Chaos, by Total Eclipse— Ravenawing, 5 yrs, for 80gs; and b f Bizarre, by Apremont—Whim, 2 yrs, for 30gs, Mr M. Hobbs, of Ashburton, being the purchaser in each instance.