NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9127, 11 June 1895, Page 3

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

(By Telegraph.)

(FJBOM OUB CORRESPONDENT.)

AUCKLAND, June 10.

The North New Zealand Grand National meeting was brought to a conclusion at fillerslie racecourse to-day. Better weather could nob have been wished .for, it being more like spring than winter. The attendance was again large, somewhere between 4000 and 5000 spectators being present. Speculation on the totalisator waa brisk, the sum of £8304 being passed through the totalisators, making the total of £13,734 for two days, against £8304 for the corresponding meetiug iadt year. Teu horses faced the starter for the Great Northern Steeplechase and its rich prize. Oα the strength of Liberator's form in the Grand National Hurdles on Saturday ho was installed a warm favourite, Norton, who was ridden by his owner, Mr S. H. G:>llan, being next fancied. Liberator was always in a good position, and with the exception of the first fence of the obstacle in front of the grand stand, he took every jump iv faultless style and won in an easy manner from Fishmonger. Bombardier fell ia the early part of tho rase, and Belle came to grief at the jump on the top of the hill coming for home. Liberator met with a reception after he passed the post, and it was a long time before it subsided. After weighing in Holmes had again and again to bow his acknowledgments to the crowd, who meanwhile cheered him heartily. Mr Gollan rode Norton in a manner suggesting that he was taking part in a hunt; the horse came with a grand run at the finish and soon passed the beaten lot. All the six events on the programme ware well contested, and there were soma good dividends, Anita, winner of the Second Welter Handicap, rewarding her admirers on the inside totalis-ator with £30 6s. Details:— MAIDEN HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, of 60 soys. One mile and half. 111. Mr E. Archibald's b g Levanter, by Captivator—Steelall, syrs, 10st31b .. (J. Rae) 1 41. Mr J. Menaf/s b g Pembroke, 6yra, 9stlolb (Neilly) 2 33. Mr Arthur Graham's b h Tim (late Tim Whiffler), a<red, 9st .. (R.Collins) 3 Other starters—l3s, Ida, lOst 71b (D. Morrigan) ; 93, Variety, lOst 21b (Galbraith); 116, King John, lOst (Carrutbers); 24, Stamford, 9st 71b (Wells); 18, Tip, 9st 31b(Katterns); 32, Acacia, 9st 31b (Burns); 17, Margo, 9st 31b (H. Johnston). Pembroke was the first to move when the signal was given, and he quickly dtew out in front of Variety, while Tim and King John followed. Pembroke continued to make the running, and he led past'the stand, followed by King John, while five lengths away came Variety ; Ida, wb-> had bungled at* the first hurdle, being ast. Pembroke led King John out of the home stretch, but at the third hurdle in the run down the back the West Coast horse dislodged his rider. Pembroke was still in front round the top stretch, while Levanter had ran into second place. Pembroke led into the home turn, and it looked as if he would win, but at the last fence Levanter gained an advantage, and drawing away from his opponent won by three lengths, the riderless King John finished third alongside Tim, Variety fourth, then came Acacia and Tip. Ida last. Time, 2min 35aeo. Dividends, inside and outside, £5. POXY HURDLES, of 40 soys; second 5 soys from the stake.One mile and a quarter.

145. Mr A. Liddle's b f Valentia, by Derrinprer— Virginia, Syrs, 9st 111b .. (Woodfield) 1 50. Mr F. McManamin's b m The Dove, aged, list 31b .. . .(M. McKinnon) 2 9i Mr J. Button's bm Kathleen, aged, llat 101b (Katterns) 3 Other starters—97, Little Tom J., list 21b (P. Quinton); 48, Fauntleroy, lOst 81b (Ferjrus); 17, Butterfly, 9st 121b (Greenwood); 22, Bitot Fashion, 9st 81b (Carruthers): 12, The Bride, 9st 51b (Munro); 22, Penguin, Srt 41b (Carey); 194, Quail, 9st (W. Smith). Quail was first away, and led past the stand, bat he came to grief at the third hurdle. Valentia was first into the home turn, and fighting oat a good finish with Dove won by a length, Kathleen, two lengths away, third. Time, 2min 35aec. Dividends—iDside, £4 7a; outside, £4 ss. GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE, of 400 soys; second 50 srvs, and third 20 soys from the stake. About three miles and a-haU. : 307. Mr P. Butler's br g Liberator, by Eetrayer— Diana, atfed, list I2ib .. (Holmes) 1 355. Mr H. H. Hayr"s br g Fishmonger, aged, 9st 10lb (Fergus) 2 257. Mr S. H. Gollan's eh g Norton, aged, 12st 101b (MrS. H. Gollan) 3 Other started—lß2, Bombardier, lOst 6lb (D. Morrisan); 111, Belle, lOst 61b (F. Lind); 140, Abrere, lOst sib (M. McKinnon); 96, Union Jack, lOst (P. Johnston) ; 67, Scaltheen 9st 81b (J. Peonell); 44, Nero, 9st 71b (R. Wright); 89, Deceiver, 9st 71b (R. Henwood). After oue false start Mr Cutta sent the tea starters away on their long journey. Liberator's colours were first prominent, but he was soon steadied, and as they drew up to the first hurdle Fishmonger dashed to the front, Belle, Norton, and Liberator following in that order. Belie led up the hill a length in front of Norton, then came Liberator and Fishmonger. The first post and rails on the top of the hill was first taken by Union Jack just in front of Liberator and Belle, and the first named raced down the hill three lengths ahead of his stable companion Belle, while close handy were Norton and Liberator racing together, then came Bombardier and fishmonger, while Scaltheen was last. At the } stone wall leading to the course Liberator was only a length behind the leader, Union Jack, the rest of the field being clustered. Bombardier came to grief at the next obstacle, the sod walL Liberator and Union Jack crossed the water in front of the stand almost in line, but Liberator had command ascending the bill for the second time, being clear of Union Jack. Then followed Belle and Fishmonger, while Norton bad dropped back. The post and rails on the hill was taken by Liberator and Union Jack almost in line, bat Liberator wav again in front coming down the hill, but Union Jack joined the Christchurch horse at the, atone wall oomiag on to the coorce the pair

once more rising at tbo obstacle together, Fishmonger being third and Belle fourth. Liberator and Union Jack raced at the doable in front of the stand on terms, the first-named not clearing the first fence of the double any too well. Union Jack fell away beaten at the next jump, and Liberator then raced Belle for the lead along the back, but Liberator flew the hurdle before the< hill was to bo ascended for the last time in such grand style that ho was in command, and his victory was already proclaimed.. Liberator led up the hill for the last time half a length in front of Belle, while a length away came Fishmonger, then twenty lengths away Deceiver and Norton. Fishmonger drew level with Liberator at the firet post and raii on the hill, and Ballo falling at tho second post and rail, left Liberator and Fishmonger at the head of affairs. Liberator had three lengths the best of the Auckland horse coming down tho hill, and taking the atone wall before coming on to the course proper in splendid style he came on and secured an easy three lengths 1 win from Fishmonger, who was fifteen lengths in front of Norton, who had come through the beaten lot. Deceiver was fourth, and Belle, ridden in by a bystander, next. The others did not 6nish. Time, Baiin 57sec. Dividends—lnside, £3 9a; outside, £3 6s.

There was great excitement at the Bnish, Liberator and Holmes being heartily cheered.

HANDICAP HURDLE RACE, of 100 soys ; second 10 sov3 from the stake. One mile and threequarters. 81. Mr H. Glover"s b g Donald McKinnon, by The Dauphin—Dainty Ariel mare, 5 yrs, 9stslb (Ashdown) 1 111. Mr 11. ilenwood's blk h Warric*. aijed, lOst 61b "" (Henwood) 2 93. Mr H. H. Hayr's eh g Bonovoree, 5 yra, Sstlllb .. .. .. (S. Fergus) 3 Other starters—2Bl, Ebor, 12st 61b (Mitchell); 48, Fright, 10st 71b (Hall); 53, Ida, 9st 71b (Bums) ;9, Variety, 9st 61b (Galbraith).

Ebor was first away, and the top weight showed the way across the top stretch, and he was still in front when the hurdle at the Derby Stand was reached. As they rounded out of the straight Bonovoree took command, Ebor falling away beaten, and the former led up the back, closely followed by Donald McKinnou and Warrior, the trio racing into the straight on close terms. As they came to the last hurdle Donald McKinaon shot into the lead, and, coining away from hia opponents, won very easily by three lengths from Warrior, with Bonovoree about the same distance behind in third place. Eoor wad last. No time taken. Dividends—lnside, £6 10s ; outside, £10 133. TAIXY-110 STEEPLECHASE, of 100 soys; second 15 soys from the stake. About three miles. 66. Mr G. W. S. Patterson's eh g Chester, by Southern Chief—Opawa, aged, 9st 71b (R. Collins) 1 75. Mr Geo. Mann's b g Nero, aged, 9st 101b (Wright) 2 131. Mr J. Rae's b g Kildare* aged, lOst 21b (Rae) 3 Other starters—273, Despised list 61b (Katterns); 185, Bombardier, lOst 111b (J. Lainjr); 101, Fishmonger, lOst (S. Fergus); 61, Union Jack, lOst (P. Johnston); 24, Scaltheen, 9st 10lb (Rennell); 26, Deceiver, 9st 101b (Henwood). Despised was the tirst away and led over the sod wall, bat at the water jump in front of the stand Scaltheen took comnuiud. Nero and Union Jack led up through the plant ation with Chester and Scaltheen close handy, and so they came on down the hill. Nero showed the way over the double, Chester being bis nearest attendant. As they raced np the back stretch for the last time Nero and Chester were racing for tho lead, and the latter led up the hill, and taking the post and rails in magnificent style be Kept his advantage down the hill, and on to the course proper. Nero endeavoured to catch tho ; leader in the straight, but Chester drew away and won by three lengths, the same distance between second and third. Bombardier, Union Jack and Fishmonger fell, but Despised finished. Time, 6min 503ec. Dividends—lnside £10 10s, outside £17 12s. SECOND WINTER WELTER HANDICAP, of 50 soys; second 10 soys from the stake. Seven furlongs. 35. Mr B. Burkes b f Anita, by Lionel—Anna, 3 yrs, lOst 61b .. .. (D. Morrijjan) 1 37. Mr S. C. Caulton's blk g The Sharper, ajjed, list 21b (Tutt) 2 54. Mr Fred Davis' b h Repeater, 5 yrs, list 41l> (ilcKeegan) 3 Other starters—4l6, The Dancer, 12st 101b (T. Taylor); 36, Esparto, list 31b (R. Kingau); 105, Royal, lOat 91b (Ashdown); 135. St. Patrick, lOat 91b (W. Smith) ; 44, Samoa, lOst 31b (Katterns) ; 25, Hearts of Oak, 10st31b(J. Kean) ; 6, Maroro, lOst 21b (Hodson); 7, Stanford, lOst 21b (Wells) ; 4, Tim, lOst (White); 15, Waiongona, 10st(P. Johnston): 9, Pororua, lOst (Carey). . ■ The field wa3 dismissed on even terms The Sharper and Waiongona being the most prominent when the flag dropped. The Sharper led up the back with Royal as his nearest attendant, and these two were first into the straight when the field closed up. The Dancer and St. Patrick being prominent in third and fourth places. At the lawn rails Anita came with a strong run, and catching the leader thirty yarda from home won by a couple of lengths. Time, lmia 38sec. Dividends—lnside, £31 6e; outside, £18 18s.