METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16364, 8 November 1918, Page 8

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB

SPRING MEETING. SECOND DAY'S RACING. A strong nor'-west wind which raised clouds of dust made matters distinctly unpleasant for visitors to Addington yesterday, when the second day's racing of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was hold. The wind prevailed throughout tho greater part of the morning and afternoon, and, as a result, the attendance was considerably affected. The track was in excellent order, but tho dust raised by the horses made matters uncomfortable for horsemen engaged in the different races. The club's water-carts wero utilised throughout the day. and in a measure helped to lessen the nuisance, which was very pronounced. Towards the end of tho aay the wind moderated somewhat, and the last two races wero run under ideal weather conditions. Tho Free-for-All attracted a field °f four, and betting on the totalisator wa9 divided between Author Dillon, winner of the New Zoaland Cup, and Cathedral Chimes. After the first half-mile had been covered, Cathedral Chimes never really threatened danger, but it was quite evident from his performance that he is not at his best, and he appears to have trained off. He seemed listless, and not anxious to race, and without detracting from the merit of Author Dillon's performance, which was a very fine one, it must be admitted that his task was somewhat lessened by the fact that Cathedral Chimes was not at the top of his form. Ihe winner, nevertheless, gave an excellent exhibition, and the i-eception acoordod him by the general public showed that the win was a popular one. In the Courtenay Handicap, of two miles, Trix Pointer, on the strength of her first day's performance, was made favourite, but when it came to business she was uoc to be considered. Matchlight must be reckoned a high-class performer by reason of the fact that during the first mile ho failed to pick up any of his handicap, and the pace ana staying ability he showed over the last miie under adverse conditions proved I him ti be a performer above the ordinary. Willie Lincoln trotted solidly throughout, aiid it was only in tho last stage, and as a result of a very brilliant run, that Matchlight ever succeeded in defeating him. In the opening race of the day CraUiwood, one of the outsiders of the field, was in front during the wtolo journey, and at the finish won somewhat easily from Mushroom. As an exhibition of straight-out trotting tho display by several of tho competitors was by no means impressive, and continual breaking by one or two of +he well-backed horses detracted from the display. Craibwood's win pro j c ~a very P°P' alil r one, and rewarded his supporters with a very substantial dividend. He was nicely handled by his owner, Mr W. C. Angus Speculators were also astray in the .November Handicap, in which F. E. Jpnos, better known in connexion with

his successes in the galloping ranks, rode a very nice race on Granger and won handsomely from Harold Uiikl, who stopped almost to a walk m the concluding stages of tho race. In this event Peter Mac appeared to have a" very good chance, but was calied off for anticipating his bell HJin s Queen and Nancy Stair fought out a great finish in the Metropolitan Handicap and it was only in the last bit that Nancy Stair, who had made a brilliant run, succumbed to the consistent trotting of Erin's Queen. Nancy j otair, for some reason or other, was I made a very pronounced favourite, but was well beaten on her merits. Galician s win in the Sockburn Handicap was a popular one, and after losing a fl« C -o£ J° r 11 W0 l n the Bta ees he mushed well, and accounted for Imperial Crown in good style. Although favourite, Oralician paid quite a good dividend, and won like a high-class performer. F Gray, who scored at Riccarton oil Monday m the hurdle race, rode Sir Fulham to victory in the Railway Handicap after a very patient race, and his hancf ling of the gelding was in a large measure responsible for the win. His record in trotting events is now six mounts for five wins. The Royal Handicap, of one mile, provided q, great race,.but at the finish Beckom carried too many guns for John Dillon, who camo fast over the last quarter.

Although the attendance was not so large as on the opening day speculation on the totalisator was decidedly brisk, and tho sum of £37,947 10s was put through the totalizator, as against £38,473 oh the corresponding day last year, a decrease of £795 10s. Following are details of the racing: WHXTELKiUK HANDICAP (in saddle), of 225 Suva second 46 eova, and tuird '22 eovs irozn sluice. 4.58 ciasa. i'or unliopplea ttottoia. Two milea. JUr <J. Angufl's br g \_.rnibwood by Wildwood—.bonnie aged 12s .. Owner 1 4. E. .berry's be Muaiuoom aged 9a Ownor 2 5. A. Fleming's b g Chub aged 10b . _ AloJJormott 8 1 Gay Wilkes 6s; 6 Sol 1W; 3 ±Jiily Carole 10s; 9 Ohapi lis; 10 Axbertoria 12a; 7 Colonel Ilaveiock 12s; and 2 Succory 12a also slarted. . '

Craibwood started smartly and posting the stand the first time was leading by several lengths fiom Chuo, Ohapi and buccoiy, while Sol and Uay YYiikca went very unsteadily, both geldiuga breaking repeatedly. AlusUroom was in second place with tialf a mile to (jo, but had no chance with. Craibwood, who won easily by half a dozen lengths, wita Chub forty yards away in third piace, followed by Uay 'Wilkes, tool, and Colonel Havelock. Times, 4m, 50 I*ds, 4m 49 2-sb, and 4ni 54 2-os. > NOVEMBER HANDICAP (in saddle), of 250 eovs; second SO sots, and third 25 govs from stake; 4.48 Class. Two miles. 8. H. Vvoataore'a b g Granger- by Harold Dillon—lvy Dean Gyra 8S F. E. Jones 1 1. J. Payne e ch g Harold Child 6yrs 4s E. McUc-rmott 2 4. H. J. Muijro'a ch g Borko's Drift 6yra F. Holmes,- junr. 3 2 Peter Mao sor; 10 Hannah M. 2s; 7 Acuslilo Machree Ba; 3 Scottish Queen ss; 5 Commander Bell 4s 9 Bidcns £s; 6 ilalunga 5b j and 11 Seychelks 5s also started.

Seychelles was tho quickest to begin, followed by Bidcns, but tho latter oioke and dropped buck, whiie Peter Mac was called oil ior starting before his time. Going past the stand the first timo Harold 'Child hud run to the head of tho field v.'hiLo Mahinga, Commander Bell, and Granger vreio the most , prominent of tho remainder. Commander ■tSoil broko going out of tho straight and Harold Child piloted the fieid 'to tho stand tho second timo with Mahiiiga next. Running down the back into tho straight Harold Child increased his lead, but at he tanks Granger made a stiohg iun, and Harold Child tiring badly at the nnish, Greuger got up to win by two lengths with Horke's Drift n length away third. Commander Bell was fourth and Scottish Queen next. Times, 4m 42 l-sa, 4m 43 2-ss, and 4m 42 S-ss. COURXENAY HANDICAP (in harness), of 6CO sovs; second 120 60vs, and third £0 soya from slaft?. 4.37 Class. Two milee. 2. Crass Bros.' and Bryco'a b li Matchlight by Four Chimes—iiinrj Harold mare aged scr .. A. Hendricksen 1 3. A. Allen's b g Willie Lincoln Gyre 5s A. Fleming 2 4. R. G. C. Monro's b m Stanley's Child aged 6s .. .. R. Logan 3 5. Jarden and Edgar's b h John Dillon. aged Is .. .. B. Jaiden 0 6. C. Chancing's br g Agathoe 2s I A. Butterfield 0 1. C. H. Norton's b m Trix Pointer sys 3s F.* Holmes 0 8. J. Brackin's b g General Link aged 6s Owner 0 7. A. B. Farrell's b m Cora Dillon 6yis 6s I E. McDermott 0 General Link struck n gait very quickly I and at onto led from Stanley's Child and i Cora Dillon, while Matchli?ht wm slow to !»gin. Wi;h six furlongs gone Genera] Link was leading from Stanley's Child, Cora Dillon, Willie Lincoln, and Trix Pointer in that Order, while Match'ight had made no impression on his field. At th© end of a mile the ords»r of the leaders was the same but the field had closed up and passing the stand Ihe second time T«x Pointer made a forward move, while Matchlight,_ though still well back, had improved his position. Goin? ' down th<. back the last time Willie Lincoln was in front followed by Trix Pointer, while Matchlight was putting in _ great work and running past bia field. Haif way down tho straight Willie Lincoln wm b?ing proclaimed the winner, but Mn.tchlight proved himself a

brilliant stayer wad won by half a length, while Stanley's Child was a couple of lengths awuy third, followed by True I'oiuier, General Link, and Cora Dillon, 'limes, 4m S3 2-69, 4m 37 l-ss, 4m 44a. METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness), of 250 sova second 50 sovs, and thiru 23 tova fiom stake. 3.17 Class. Oao mile uud dve furlongs. 5. J. D. Parker's ch m Erin's Queen by Hal Zolock—B.J.N. 6yra 2s A. Fleming 1 1. W. Rankin's b m Nancy Stair syrs 2s W. W aiwn 2 4. J. Burke's ch e Colenut 4yn scr K Mills 3 10 Bundura la; 13 Silver Quick le; 12 Proud Spring 2s; 2 Makomako is; il Mis* Havoc 3s; 9 Ramitiairi 3a; 3 Lady Haldane 3s; 6 Korke's Drilt 3s; 8 Joan of Aro Ss; and 7 Pax 3a ai*o started. Going out of the straight Miaa Havoc led Join of Arc with Pas in third place, but at tho back of tho course Mii* .Havoc increased her lead t° ten lengths, whilo Pax, who had momeutaiilv lost his position, and Nancy Stair improved their places considerably. Miss Havoc led past tho stand the second time with Joan of Arc, and - Silver Quick following in that order, trin's Queen put in a good run down the back stretch and was in second place two fnrjoug* from tho post, with Nancy Stair and Colenut coming fast. A great moo in the straight between Nancy Stair and Erin's Queen eaw tho latter win by a length, "it'* Colenut aevcial lengths away third, fo ]o-.\ed by Mukomake and Joan of Arc. 3xn 46 S-os, 3m 17s, 3m 47 2-ss. FREE-FOR-ALL (in harness}, of 500 sovs; second ICO sovs, and third 50 sovs from stake. One mile and a quarter. 1. B. J arden'a b h Anthor Dillon by Harold Dillons-Authoress 6yrs .. Owner 1 3. M Edwards's b m Adelaid© Direct by Directawav—Honest Harry marc aged Owner 2 2. J. Brvco's b h Cathedral Cliimee by Four Chimco—Jean Armour aged A, Hendricksen 3 4. Mrs A. M. Seymour's b h Admiral Wood aged .. •• Holmes 0 At the second attempt the field went away to a good start, and Admiral Wood at once drew half a length ahead with Cathedral Chimes (on the rails) and Author Dillon on the outside, racing on terms, wbil» Adelaide Direct dropped a couple of lengths in the rear. Coming into the straight Cathedral Chitnea and Author Dillon were Oil terms, and going round the bend into tho back stretch Author Dillon gradually forged ahead,_ and at the tanks was.clear of Cath'd'al CbinieS, where Adelaide Direct commenced a grca» run. The latter waa a couple of lengths behind, coming into ths straight and excitement grew as appeared to bo catching Author Dillon. The latter, however, pacing in great stvlo, won ve y nicely by two lengths, while Cathedral Chimee was six lengths away in third plaoe, with Admiral Wood beaten off. Times, 2m 45 4-ss, 2m 46 8-ss, 2m 48s. SOCKBURN HANDICAP (in harness), of 850 sovs; aeoond 70 sova, and third 35 sovs from atake. 4.40 Class. For unhoppled trotters only. Two miles. _ 1. Houston and Williams'a br g Galician by Galindo—Monica aged 10s M. Edwards 1 6. N. L. Pxioe'a b h Imperial Crown aged 7s Owner 3 6. A. Smith's b g King Capitalist aged 11a H. Bafraolough 3 2 Electrocute 5s 8 01iv o L. ss; 2 Red Heather 6a; 4 Paul Huon 7fl; 9 Norval King 11a; 3 Lady Patricia lis; and 7 Truganini lis also started. « , , . Norval King. at onco established a lead of several lengths with Lady Patricia, King Capitalist, Imperial Crown, and Gblician following in that order. With six furlongs »iie Lady Patricia had assumed command, while King Capitalist and Galician were next in order. In the back Lady Patrioia retired, and Galician putting in a fast run got to the front with Imperial Crown most prominent of the others. Galkifcn increased his lead coming into the straight, and won by a length and a half with the third horse a length away. Truganini was fourth and Paul Huon next. Times, 4m 48 3-sa, 4m 45 3-sa, 4m 50s. RAILWAY HANDICAP (in a&ddle), of 250 sovs; second 50 eovs, and third 25 eovs from stake. 2.17 Class. Ono mile. 1. J. R. Blackie's b h Sir Fulham bv Marviti Wilkeo—Fulham Flower aged 8s F. Gray 1 6. E. H. Cuohsey's b g Huon Patch aged la B. J aide n 2 3. R. McDonell's b m Evelyn aged Is 1 A. Pringle 3 2 General Wilkes scr; 5 Ariadne Is; atid, 4 Fernleigh Is also started. Sir Fulham started Very quickly and fioon had a six lengths lead from Fernleigh with Ariadne following. The order was the same going past the stand and down the back stretch Huon Patch travelled fast and .got on terms With the leader; Both Httdn Patch and Sir Fulhnnl were under th» whin a furlong from the winning and Sii Fulham, s= taying the better, won by three length* with Evelyn ten lengths away, third. Ariadne was fourth. Times, 2m 15 4-55,,2 ml 4 4-56, 2m lfe. ROYAL HANDICAP, of 800 sovs; second GO eovs, and third SO eoVS from slake. 2.16 Class. One mile and a quarter, . 3. F. Johnston's blk g B&ckani,- by. Per' Huon—Pearl 3s .; A. Hendrickgsn ' 1 4. Jarden and Edgar's b h John. Dillon ag«d .. ... .. B. Jarden 2 2. R. G. C. Mtmro'a b m Stanlev's Child ■ aged 8s .. /. Ri Lopan 3 1 Lord Mlnto sor; 8 St. Kevin is; 5 Frank Traoey 4s also started. Frank Tracey was the first out and led past the aland with Beckom iiext. In the back stretch Beckoin assumed command and won by two lerigthfr, with half a lencth tweeh second and third. Lord Minto waa fourth; Times, 2m 49 4-Ss, 2m 47 l-5«, 2xn 50 2-sb.

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME, Excellent acceptances liaye been received by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for the concluding day of its Spring Meeting. (The principal race, the Christchufch Handicap, has drawn a fibe field of ten well-per-formed' horses, including Author Dillon, Adelaide Direct, Moneymaker, Trig Pointer, and Willie Lincoln, while in the Dominion Handicap the best unhoppled trotters in commission at the present time are engaged. In the minor events there is the material for BOme very fine racing, and the day' 8 sport should be full of interests Trams will.run at frei quenfc intervals fi'otn Cathedral square; and the first race is tinted to start at 12 lioort. Following is the day's programme :— GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP (In raddle), it 225 eovß. For 1 uhhdppiod Irotlcra orily. Two miles. Gay Wilkes 5s Sol .. ioj l'leasureSeeker .., 3a Billy Parole .. lo» Kinz Capitalist 6a li aroldlander .. lis Mushroom .. 7b Colonel Havedock 12« Craibwood 7s Albcrioria .. 12s Chub .. Ob LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in kameet), oF 300 Bovs. 4.40 claea. Two miles. Stanley's Child .. 2a Kshcy Stair .. 3s Erin's Queen .. 2s Bundura •. .. 4a Heetorata . .. 9ft CHRISTCHURCIt HANDICAP (ia harness), of 750 sow. 4.26 class* Two miles. Author Dillon .. ecr Moneymaker ..lis Adelaide Dircct.. 7s Trix Pointer .. lis Sherwood .. Bs i'randocia ..12a John Dillon .. 8s Willie Lincoln ..12 Agathoa .. 10a Stanley's Child 13 AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP fin saddle), of 300 sore. 4.44 claea. Two miles. Sir I'ulham .. 8e Dillon Eddy .. Ca Irvar .. 4a Rorke's Drift at Petor Mao .. 4s Acuahla Maehree 7a Granger .. 6s Hccttish Quean .. 7» Uridgcwood .. 6s Pax 7i Joan of Arc .. Ca Commander Bell 8« DOMINION HANDICAP (in harness), of 600 Bovs. For unhoppled trotters only. 4.45 clive. Two vli'ea. Red Heather .. 5a Galician ..7s Whispering Willie 5» Paul Huoii 7» Lord Roaiichild.. Sa Truganini .. S* Olive L. 5s Lady Pa'ricia . 9s Electrocute .. 5a Commander Bell 0» HORNBVT HANDICAP [in hainert), of 25} fovs. 2.52 class. One mile and a o-uarter. Stanley's Child .. Is Pitaroa .. Z» j Erin's Qiteen .. 8s Vice-Adtniral .. ' Heetorata .. 3s Rdmitiairi .. 4s ; knrdurn, ..3a ; ENFIELD HANDICAP (in raddle), of 250 ; sera. .2.10 class. One mile. ! Lord Minto .. acr Ariadne 3a Beckoai .. la Cora Dillon .. 43 SI Kevin .. Is Capiiccio .. 4a li'von Patch .. 2s Frank Trace 5- .. 4s Willie Lincoln ..8s hECOYERY HANDICAP (in harness), of 350. fovs. 2.48 clafß. On« mile and a quarter. Author Dillon . eer Admiral Wood .. 3a Cathedral Chimes 2a John Dillon .. 3s Adelaide Direct 2« Agathoa .. Sa