WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9432, 2 June 1896, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

May 26. Dnll and threatening weather prevailed for the Otaki Maori meeting yesterday, but the rain held off, and an excellent day's sport was enjoyed by the 1700 perrons in attendance. The management of the meeting was first-class, not a hitch occurring daring the day, and iiie finishes were very exciting, for which Mr Henry, the handicapper, was warmly complimented. The going was slightly heavy, and the meeting conspicuous - for the* honest running of the different competitors. Calmarine was made favourite for the Trial, on the strength of her private reputation, and also on account of being an inmate of W. Homas's stable, which has been so successful this season. Gaspard, the fall brother to The Mis?r, was aeoond in public

favour, with Paawai and Indian Shot (bracketed rm the totalisator) next. Gaspard appeared to have the race well in hand on turning into the straight, but his jockey then stopped riding and half-way up the straight Indian Shot tackled him and, although running very green, beat him in the run home." After his Feilding running the First Hurdles appeared to be a good thing for Steel King, and so it turned out, as the Gipsy King gelding was always prominent and won comfortably. Tenby acted as runner up, and would have been nearer at the finish but for striking the second last hurdle. Steel King was favourite, with Waituna, who ran next in public estimation. Crimson Streak, who looked a perfect picture and in thebestof condition, naturally attracted most attention for the Otaki Plate. She ultimately started favourite, but was hotly pressed for favouritism by First Result and dwordtish. At the home turn Crimson Streak appeared to ha winning easily, but Light (a Sou'wester—Gladiator mare) shot out from the ruck and got up on the inside of the black mare, and a big tussle then ensued. Crimson Streak swerved on to Light when under punishment, but was immediately pulled out by McTaggart, and reached the judge's box with a head to spare. A protest was entered for interference, and rightly dismissed. RossaU was a great public fancy for the Second Hurdles, bufc Tenby won comfortably at the finish, which was in a irieasure accountable for owing to the last fence bein&knocked down. The Blenheim people considered Smg Song the best of good things for the Flying, and she -was installed a hot favourite, but'after making the running with Titoki to the bend for home the soft going proved too much for her and Titoki came on and looked to have the race afc his mercy, when Errand Boy tackled him and ultimately beat him home by a, short head. If Jenkins 1 had kept Titoki to his work from the bend he would have decidedly won, but no one can blame him for waiting for a final run if Wanted. The meeting concluded with one of the best finishes witnessed by racegoers for a long time. Slaiden was always prominent in the Stewards' Stakes and led into the straight with a good advantage. Mystical and " Bona Fide were here blocked, but half way up the straight they got out and came like a pair of cannon balls, the jud«e deciding in favour of Slaiden by a short nose, with Mystical a head in front of Bona Fide. Slaiden paid £20 19s, and had Mystical proved victorious a dividend of about £196 would have been paid out, while Bona Fide would have rewarded his four supporters with about £163.