METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16362, 6 November 1918, Page 9

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

SPRING MEETING. CUP DAY. Although a cold easterly wind yesterday morning did not look at all promising for the opening of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club s Spring Meeting, it did not prevent a very large crowd from making the journey to Addington. Luckily shortly after the first raco. was run the wind died down appreciably, and for the remainder of the day the sport was enjoyed under ideal conditions. That the racing track was in excellent order was qnite evident when the times registered in th© different races are taken into consideration, both Author Dillon and Trix Pointer in their respecti races putting up good performances. The pretty grounds in-the .inside enclosure were looking at their best, bright, flower gardens and green lawns being very pleasing to f tho eye. That those present were in a speculative mood was evidenced by f a? fc that during the day the sum of £52,0J1 10s was put through the totalisator, as against £47,335 on the opening day last year, an increase of ±-475b IV*. There was not the slightest delay in tho compilation of the betting figures, and tho last race, which was timed to start at 5.45 p.m., was commencea within a couple of minutes of that time. Naturally tho contest for the New Zealand Cup was tho chief attraction, and in this race £11,158 10s was invested on tho tota.lis3.tor, which, coustitutes a rccord for tho race. Of the field that contested the big two-mile event none looked so well as Author Dillon and Cathedral Chimes, ! and both appeared trained to the minute. The former's running certainly suggested that this was so, and lie 1 paced splcndidlv from start to finish. 1 He was beautifully handled by his trainer, B. Jardcn, and the reception ' accorded horse and driver on returning j to the bird-cage was the most enthu- ) siastic in the annals of New Zealand • trotting. The cheering was renewed ' when the Hon. C. Louisson presented tho very fine cup to B. Jarden. For some time past Cathedral Chimes had I ruled as a very strong favourite for the big two-mile race, but Author Dd--1 lon had also been solidly supported by ' his stable connexions, while on the ' strength of having come through a ' very solid preparation tho Ashburtontrained Emilius carried a lot of money. ' Tho trio carried three-quarters of the ' investments made, while Agathos anu , Admiral Wood were nractically ne- \ elected. Although Matchlight and j Sherwood were bracketed, with . Cathe--2 dral Chimes and John Dillon with A'J- . thor Dillon, it was mainly on the abilities of the two champions that the 3 public jiinned their faith. " The time 5 registered bv the winner was the i fastest that the New Zealand Cup haf 1 vet been run in. the previous besl 0 being that nut up, bv Adelaide Direct 7 in last vcar's race, when she went 4min 7 27 4-otli see. Those who looked forward to seeing Cathedral Chimes win •- were llv disappointed, and at nc „ stage ri the face did the scratch horse 2 appear likely to catch the leading divie si'on. Emilius was the unlucky horse in the race, and only for breaking in >. the early stages he would certainlj have finished in a place and very closc t to the winner. Sungod'also went sur|j prisinglv well, and it was only iu 5 the final stages that lie failed 1 to withstand the very determined chal,l lenges thrown out to him. Matchlight was always prominent, and was the only one of tho favourite trio to make a bravo showing, Sherwood's form be- „ ing distinctly disappointing. Admiral 0 Wood, who was tho outsider of the 0 fiold, never threatened, danger, ,_whi|e 0 Agathos broke soon after tho start, and 0 thereby settled whatever chance he pos- | sessed. Author IHllon's victory will

add interest to.the Free-for-AU, which will he decided at Aldington on Friday, and his meeting with Cathedral Cliiraes will be keenly awaited. There are many .who anticipate that Emilius will fully extend the Cup winner. Unfortunately the day's racing was marred by an accident in the Riccarton Handicap. Pitaroa (A. Fleming) had been going very nicely, but collapsed five furlongs from home. Tamarisk, who was following, crashed into the fallen horse apd sulky, and J. Bryce was thrown into the air, falling heavily and breaking 'his leg below the. knee. Cora Dillon (McDermott) and Irvar (W. Warren) also came down, hut luckily escaped with nothing more than a shaking. It was an unfortunate affair, and those most concerned were extremely lucky in getting out of it without more serious Bryco was attended to by members of i the St. John Ambulance, who. were quickly oil tho scene of the accident, [ and he was removed to the Hospital. ! Warren and Fleming were able to ful- | fil tho balance of their engagements. I Tho horses also escaped injury, and ! Tamarisk was well enough-to put up a I very creditable race later in tne day.

The public found considerable difficulty in selecting the different winners, and during tho day only one first favourite was successful. This fact did not deter them from backing their fancics, and even in the last race of the day, in.which only five horses were engaged, over six thousand pounds was invested. ■ r- ■

Tho opening race of fho day, won by Troasure Seokor, was responsible for a very substantial and the winner showed improved form in coming.at the business end and heating Beeswing, who was by no means solidly supported. Schnapps proved himself a solid little pacer > by easily winning the Empire Handicap, and in this race tho pumio supported him very heavily. In the Victoria Handicap Cole Nut -went beautifully from start to finish, and in the concluding stages had a good bit in hand. He also rewarded his . supporters with a double-figure dividend. In the Middleton Handicap, a two mile race for unhoppled trotters, Beta Peter would have seriously troubled tho .winner but for going unsteadily. Lady Patricia, King Capitalist, and Auckland Girl showed pace in patches, but the winner went very steadily throughout, and won nicely. Trix Pointer won the Hagley Handicap, of one mile, in great style, and proved herself a brilliant pacer by the manner in which slio gathered her field over the last half-mile. In' the St. Albans Handicap the West Coast-owned Fcrnleigh went very well, and at the finish nothing had a chanco with him, the favourite, General Wilkes, never "being dangerous. Silver Quick went well, throughout, and was ■with the winner all tho way, but just failed in the last hit.

Following are details of the day's racing.—

SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle), of 200 bovs; aecond 40_aovs, and third 20 sovs from etake. 4.45 to 4.50 cla€3. Two miles. 9. C. Shaw'® b g Treasure Seeker by Rothschild aged 2s ' ..A. Butterfield 1 6. J. .Wright's b m Beeswing 6yr 9 4s M. Edwards 2

8. A. Fleming's b g Chub aeed 5s E. McDermott 3 7 Gay Wilkes scr; 2 Mushroom -4s: 5 So] sb; 3 Billy Parole ss; 11 Ohapi Ss; 12 Albertoria 7s; 10 Craibwood 7s: 4 Colonel Havelock 7»; and 1 Succory 3« also started. Succory started unsteadily, and was soon passed by Craibwood, Albertoria, »nd Colonel Havelock, with Sol travelling fast. Beeswing improved her position considerab.v before reaching the stand, where Albertoria was just learling Craibwood. Going out of the straight Beeswing went to the front, and at the end of a mile 6he had as her nearest attendants Albertoria, Chub, and Succory. Beeswing led paat the stand and down the back the second time, but Treasure Seeker had run to within striking distance, while Sol broke In the straight Treasure Seeker wore Beeswing down and won bv a length nnd a half, with Chub a couple of lengths away third ._ Mushroom was fourth. Times —lm 50 l-se; 4n» 53 3-sa; im 55m,

EMPIRE HAXDICAP (in eaddle), of 200 fiovs; eecond 40 eova, and third 20 sots from etake. 4.48 class. Two miles. 1. J. H. Power's b g Schnapps by Tom Savers aged 5a .. E. McDcrmott 1 4. A. Ives's b h Peter Mac syrs scr J. Murfitt 2 3. SV. T. Lcwe's di m Commander Bell asf.tf 23 .. .. H. Barr.iclough 3 11 Bridgewood Is; 10 Hannah M. Is: 5 Scottish (Jut-t-n 2s; 2 Mahinp-a. 3s: 13. The Whip 23; 12 Bidena 3s; 8 Enerpry 4s; 11 Reirgu;:rd ss; 0 Auriferous Gs; 6 Ringleader Ga; and 7 "Wood Drift 6s also started. Ringleader and Rearpuar'l etort-ed very smartly, wlnlo Wood Drift broke ur> badly at the etart and Auriferous also mixed his gait and Jost a lot of ground. Passing the stand Ringleader and Rearguard were eight lengths, in front of Schnapps, with Energy four lengths away. followed by Mahinga. "With ft mile to go Ringleader was still in front, but passing 1 tho stand the 6vo.nnd time Schnapps went to tie front and led down the back stretch, while Commander Bell, Mahinga, and Peter Mao mado a forward move. Schnapps, going very nicely, led into tho straight, and won comfortably by two lengths. A gTeat finish for second place saw Peter Mao beat Commander Bell by a length, with Scottish Queen fourth and Mahinga fifth. Times— 4m 4Ss; 4m 43 2-ss; 4m 46 3-ss. NEW ZEALAND CUP (in. harness), of 2300 60va (and silver cup presented by tho president, Hon. C. Louisson); second 500 60V8, third 300 sovs, and fourth 200 eovs from stake. 4.34 class. Two miles. 2. B. Jarden's b li AuthorDillon by Harold Dillon—Authoress 6yra 3a .. Owner 1 1. Bryce and Cross Bros.' b h Matchiight by Four Chimes—King Harold mare aged 7s .. .A. Hendricksen 2 6. J. Pa.rkineon'e b h Snngod by Haxold Dillon—My Mistake aged 10s F. Holmes, jun. 3 4. J. G. S. Holmes's b g Moneymaker by Rothschild —Cocoanut aged 9s

A. Pringle 4 1. J. Bryce'a b li Cathedral Cliimes aged Bcr .. .. .. Owner 0 8. Mrs A. 31. Seymour'# br h Admiral Wood a god 2sco .. I'\ Holmes 0 5. M. Edwards's b m Adelaide Direct aged seeo .. .. .. Owner 0 1. S. G. Lemon and J. Bryce'a blk g Sherwood aged 6s .. .. R, Dunn 0 2. Jarden and Edgar's b h John Dillon aged 7a .. ..A. Butterfield 0 7. C. Chancing'a br g Ag&thos aged 8s E. McDermott 0 3. R. McDonell'a b h Emilias aged 9s

Owner 0 John Dillon and Author Dillon, and Cathedral Chimes, Matchlight, and Sherwood wero coupled. : There was a short delay at the start, and when the field was despatched Emilius broke up badly and lost a lot of ground, while Sungod and Moneymaker carried on the running to the tanks, witlx Matchliglit and John Dillon next in order. Coming into the straight, the order of the leaders was tho same, Sungod on the rails and Moneymaker showing the.way, while the nest wore Matchlight, John Dillon, Author Dillon, and Adelaide Direct. Agathos, who broke early, 4nd Cathedral Chimes were a good way back. Going out of the straight, there was no change, and down the back tho order was practically the same, except that Author Dillon had considerably improved his posi- ] tion, whilo Emilius was putting in great tv ork, and showing a' lot of speed. Passing the stand the second time, Author Dillon was in a nico position, but Sungod and Moneymaker were still in front of Matchlight. and John Dillon, with Adelaide Direct following Author Dillon. At tho tanks Author Dillon took the lead, and entered ' the straight with a slight advantage. Amidst tho greatest enthusiasm the Harold • Dillon horse held his field, and won in great style by four lengths. A great xaoa for second place eaw Matchlight beat Sungod by threequarters of u length, while Moneymaker was half a length away fourth, followed by Emilius, Adelaide Direct, John Dillon, and Admiral-Wood, with Cathedral Chimes last. Times—4m 26 2-ss, .4 31 4-ss, 4m 34 3-ss. Winners of tho race ore:— Hep. Time. Tr Winner and Drirer. Sec. m. s. _ ]9(H Monto Carlo (B. Edwards) 4 44 3-a 1905 .Birchmark (D. J. Price) .. f 5 173-o 1906 Belmont M. (G. Mileom) .. <4 46 1907 Marian (J. Taskcr) .. 9 •> 1908 Durbar (A. Pringle) ..ecr 4 36 1909 Wildwood Jr. (W. Korr) .. 5 439 1910 Wildwood Jr. (W. Kerr) .. scr 433 1911 Lady Clare (J. Brankin) 4 4 38 _ 391-2 Albert H. (A. Hendricksen) 8 448 4-o 1913 Ravenschild (N. L. Price) 64 So 3-5 1914 Win Soon (A. Pringle). . . 6 431 1915 Country Belle (A. Hendnclcsen) .. • • .. ecr 435 3-5 1916 Cathedral Chimes (J. Bryce) yds 36 bhd 4.311-5

1917 Adelaide Direct ' , . "t 0 .- i (M. Edwarde) 7 4 271-5 191S- Author Dillon (B. Jarden) 3 426 2-5 I RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness), of ' 350 sovs; second 70 sovs, and third 3a -sovs from stako. 3.44 class. On© nnLo and fivo furlongs. .... 2' J B'-ankiu's b g Ceneral Lhik by General Mac—lmperial Wood aged 5s Owner 1 6. M. Edwards's and S. Humphrey's blk g Vice Admiral 6yrs .. M. Edwards - S Cora Dillon ss, 4 Pitaroa 6s, 1 Tamarisk 63: and 3 Irvar 6s also started. Tamarisk and Irvar carried on the running in the early stages, with Vic© Admnal, General Link, and Pitaroa. following. _Gomg out of the straight the second time Pitaroa was with Tamarisk m the lead, and then drew out, being a couple of lengths _ahead at the tanks. Her© Pitaroa collapsed, and came down, while Tamarisk, who was followju„ crashed into tbo prostrate horse, driver, ami sulky, and turned a complete somersault. J- Bryce i~c<-ivi?"? bad fa-11, and breaking • leg. In q«i& racomum li'viir uua v,-ru b-on l..uw uu.vii, uuu u«neral Link, steering clear of the trouble, had no difficulty in winning very easily from Vice Admiral, who was the o)ily Other one. to finish. Times—3m 52 2-ss, 4m 6s. MIDDLETON HANDICAP (m harness), of 250 aovs: second GO sovs, and third 2o sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. 4.48 class. J?wo miles. 3. X. L. Price's b h Imperial Crown by Rothschild— Imperious maro aged «s . (Owner) 1 1 F. Hi Robson's b m Reta Peter syrs 8s • A. Cox 2 4. J. Pettie's b m Auckland Girl g

2 Electrocute scr; .7 Olive L scr; 5 Lady Patricia 6s; 6 King Capitalist <s; and 8 Nerval King 8s also started. Norval King commenced very smartly, ana at once led by several lengths from Imperial Crown, while Auckland Girl lost ground by breaking. Passing the stand the fir«t time tho order was Norval Kong- J m " perial Crown, Auckland Girl, Beta. and Lady Patricia. This order wae maintained down the back, and passing tho stand tho second time, but going out of the straight Norval King lost his place, while Rets Peter improved his position considerably. • Imperial Crown led into the straight, and won comfortably by three lengths from Ttata Peter, who was a- couple of lengths ahead o| Auckland Girl.. Electrocute was fourth, and King Capitalist fifth. Times 4m 43 3-ss, 4m 465, 4m 4(i 3-as. VICTORIA HANDICAP (in harness), of 300 eovs; second GO sovs, and third 30 sovs from stake. 4.42 class. Two miles. 7 J. Burke's cil g Colo Nut by King Co e —Cocoauufc 4yra 6® •• T >- MlU ® 1 2, P. McNeill's bik g Lord 2 6. B. J. Munro's ch g Korke's Drift 6yrs 6a . .. .. Owner 3 8 Hectorata 3s and George Hart 4a coupled; 5 Nihilist 6s; 4 Nancy »*air 4s; 11 Kamitiari ss; 10 Dillon Eddy ss; Sympathy4s, 8 Misa Havoc 6s; and 9 Pax 6s also parted. Pax commenced smartly, and at onco led off from Korke's Drift and Cole Nut but tho fonnor soon lost his place, and Pax., and Cole Nut carried on the running past th | stand the first time, and down the , back the order was Pax, Cole Nut. Kam - tiari, with Dillon Eddy and Sympathy most prominent of the others. Passing tho stand the second time Cole Nut was leading,.with Sympathy, Lord Minto, and Ramitiari JolKin that order. In the back stretch Cole Nut went right away from the field, and was never seriously troubled, winning "nicely bv a couple of lengths. ■ Rorbe s Drift finished'well a length behind Lord Minto. Sympathy wa« fourth, and Na_nc> Stair filth. Times—4m 39 2155, 4m 37 4m 43 --as. ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle), of * 200 sovs; second 40 sovs, and third 20 sovs from stake. 2.1S class. One 5 b g Fernleigk by Pygmalion —Woodleigh aged 4s .. Owner 1 3 E McDermott's ?r m Silver Quick syrs '43 .. .. Owner 2 n K .McDonnell's b m Evelyn aged 3s A. Pringle 3 1 General Wilkes ecr; and 4 Huon Patch la also started. , Huon Patch stopped on the mam, and Fernleieh and Silver Quick had the xac© to Selves. In a good finish Fernleigh held hia own, and won by a length, with fifty yards separating the second and third horses. Times—2m 15 l- ss ". 2m 15 -~ ss; 2m 16s " HAG LEV HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs- second 50 sovs, and third 2o sov3 from stake. 2.15 to 2.18 class. Ono I ■-> Norton's b m Trix Pointer by " Demonio —Bally Pointer syrs scr ! -t. Holmes X 3 Edgerton and Pollock's bik: g Tamar- * is £ 6yrs 2s •• -A- Hendncksen 2 5 Edwards and Humphreys's blk - Vice Admiral svrs 2s -• ,M. Edwards 3 3 Beckorn la (coupled wun Tamarisk); 4 Cora Dillon Is; and 1 Bundura 3s also St ßimdura dwelt at tlie start, but made a gc-od recovery, and passing the stand Tamarisk was in charge, with Bundum close up, followed by Vice Admiral aud Cora Dillon. Going up the back Trix Pointer improved her position, and coming into the straight she nut in a- fine run, and eventually won a good race by a length from lamamk, who whs a couple of lengths clear of \ico Admiral. Com Dillon was lourth. Times— 2m la 2-ss; 2a 14 4-5»; 2m lti 3-5».

handicaps fob second day. WHITELEIGH HANDICAP (in saddle;, 225 bovs. Two miles. . The Sprint«T .. *ct Ohapi j 0 Commander Bell 3s Craiawood "* -»SGay Wilkee .. 5s Albertoria •• 1 - s Treasure Seeker 5s Colonel . Mushroom .. 9s Harelock.. 1-s Chub .. ios Succory •• Sol .. 10s Osier "• Billy Parole .. ios Grattan Abbey •• ij» Haroldlander .. lis Yerawood Ivan Huon ..lis NOVEMBER HANDICAP (in saddle). of 230 sots. Two miles. Nihilist .. scr Rorke's Drift •• 3* Peter Mac .. scr Tax , • • , The Sprinter .. Is Harold Chr.d •• «• George Hard .. Is Breadalbane •• Schnapps .. 2s Commander Bell 4s Bridgewood .. 2s Mahinga .. - 4s Hannah M. .. 2s Bidens •• Granger .. 3s Seychelles •• '2® Acushla M&chree 3s Ringleader •• j9 Scottish Queen ..3s COURTNEY HANDICAP (in harness), of GOO sots. Two miles. Sherwood .. scr Hardy Wilkes •• j» Matchlight .. scr Frandocia * s John Dillon .. 3 s "Willi* Lincoln •• »« Agathos .. 2s Stanley's Child .. 6s Oinakft .. 2s Rosgio Huon .. 6s Trix Pointer .. 3s General Link .. 6s Emilius . .. 3s Cpra Dillon • • 6* METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness), of 250 sots. One mile and five furlongs. . „ Hectorata .. ecr Nancy Stair • • Cole Nut .. scr Miss Havoc . • 3s Sir Fulham .. J« Dillon Eddy 3s Bundura .. Is Ramitiairi •• 3* Nora Creina .. Is Lady Haldano .. 3s 1 Silver Quick .. Is Scottish Queen .. 3s Proud Spring .. 2s Bank Note .. 3s Erin's Queen .. 2a Rorke's Drift .. 09 Mako Mako .. 2s .Toan of Arc . • 3« Lord Dillon .. 2s Pax • ■ SOCKBURN HANDICAP (in Harness), of 330 sovs. Two miles. Hardy "Wilkes .. scr Commander Bell . Os Electrocute .. Ss Galician •• 10s Olive L. .. 5s Gay Wilkes _ .. lis "Whispering King Capitalist .. lis Willio 3s Lady Patricia .. lis Red Heather .. fie Norval King .. Us Paul Huon .. 7s Truganini .. lis Imperial Crown.. 7s RAILWAY HANDICAP (in Saddle), ot 250 eovs. One mile. General Wilkes .. scr .Dunspey •• 2s Ariadne .. Is Tamarisk .. 2s Evelyn .. Is Capriccio •• 2a Huon Patch .. le Sir Fulham .. **3 Fernleigh .. Is Pitaroa • • 3s ROYAL HANDICAP (in Harness), of 300 sots. One mile and a quarter. Lord Minto .. scr General Link .. 3s Trix Pointer .. scr Beckom 3s John Dillon .. scr Cora Dillon .. 3s St. Kevin .. 1» Dunspey .. 4a Chid .. Is Frank Tracey .. Is Stanley's Child .. 33 , T, . , Ineligible—Irvar, Willie Lincoln, and Erin s King. Acceptances close at noon to-day.