METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16508, 28 April 1919, Page 8

METROPOLITAN TROTTING CLUB.

REINSTATED FEBRUARY meeting. When the Government decided in 1917 that there should be a reduction in the number of days of racing and trotting, one of the fixtures that was dropped was tho New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's February Meetin"-. The restoration of tho permits this year enabled the club to reinstate the meeting, and though arrangements could not be made for it to be hold at the usual time, the decision to put on the gathering at the conclusion of tho Easter Meoting brought very successful results. The weather was beautifullv fine 011 Saturday, and there was a large attoadanco at Addington. The trackwas fast, though somewhat dusty, and the times registered during the afternoon showed that the conditions were altogether favourable to speedy performance.?. The fields were small in one or two of the events, but they represented a very good class, and the sport generally was of a high standard. Speculation was brisk, the totalisator investments amounting t0.£41,867 10s — a larger sum than was put through on either day of the Easter Meeting. Saturday's meeting brought the season's racing at Addington to a very successful conclusion. Patard was made favourite for the Summer Handicap, tho opening event, but though he showed a good turn of pace, he did not go without mistakes, and a break in the straight lost him an excellent chance. Colonel Havelock, whose form during the week was very consistent, was in a good position early, and, trotting with his usual steadiness, lie won in. nice stylo. The Spreydon Handicap brought out a field of fourteon, and after a good race Joan of Arc, with a strong finishing run, beat Silver Quick, who was one of the outsiders of the field. The Metropolitan Handicap, the principal event, produced a capital finish. Erin's Queen, who paced in fine 6tyle, led throughout, and sne just lasted long enough to beat Mintson, who did not get too good a passage in the final circuit. Albert Cling failed when the pressure was put on "in the run homo, and Moneymaker evidently found the paco too solid over the last quarter of a mile. Reta Peter, who had won the Autumn Handicap the previous Saturday, improved on her time -in that event when she carried off the Cashmere Handicap. She put up a good performance, but had Hardy Wilkes gone more steadily she would have found it very difficult to beat him, for, as usual, he showed brilliant bursts of speed. Star Queen, who was well backed in tho French Handicap, showed that her backers' confidence, was not misplaced, and though Rearguard put in a strong challengo, she stayed well under pressure. Sympathy, who had refused to leave tho mark the previous Saturday in tho Flying Handicap, made amends for that disappointment by winning the Liverpool Handicap from Hecfcorata, while Irvar finished well in third place. Author Dillon monopolised the betting in the Craven Handicap, and gathering up his field in brilliant style he ran home a very easy winner. The last event gave B. .Tarden's stable another win, for Huon Patch began very smartly and, leading practically all the way, scored in very convincing fashion. Details of the racing are:— SUMMER HANDICAP (in saddle), of 150 sovs; second 30, third 15. For unhoppled trotters only. Class 4.58. Two miles. •I. C. Davey s ch g Colonel Havelock by Havelock—Kontucky mare aged 7a H. Gaskill 1 2. J. Porter's b h Bon Patch aged 6s 11. Logan 2 1. N. Johnson's b g Patard aged 7s ' A. Pringle 3 6 Treasureseeker 3s; 7 Mushroom 'ss; 8 Craibwood lis; 10 Te Kuiti 7s; 5 Billy Parole 7a; 3 Koraki 10s; and 9 Hiroki lis also started. Hiroki and Koraki led at the start, but before reaching tho tanks Colonel Havelock was in 6econd position. This trio formed the leading division for the next round. Craibwood, ' who had gradually improved his position, took the lead going out of the straight, but lost his advantage by breaking. Colonel Havelock, Patard, Treasure Seeker, and Bon Patch all held winning chances half a mile from home, but Colonel Havelock stayed on well a won by three length*, with the third horse a couple of lengths away. Koraki was fourth, and Treasure Seeker next. Times, 4m 54 2-ss, 4m 545, 4m 66 4-ss. SPREYDON HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs; second 40, third 20. Class 2.55. One mile and a quarter. 2. J. R. Corrigan's b m Joan of Arc by Albert Chevalier aged 4s J. Bryce 1 12. E. McDermott'u gr m Silver Quick Cyrs is .. .. .. Owner 2 9. W. E. Simes's b g Pax aged 2s F. Holmes 3 .13 Bundong ecr; 11 Rorke's Drift Is; 5 Dean Dillon 2s; 7 Nancy Stair 2s; 4 Vice Admiral 3s; 1 Locanda Dillon 3s; 8 Birdwood 4s; 6 Proudspring ss; 3 Red Prince ss; 10 Gladcyo ss; and 14 Lady Teudington 5s also started. Red Prince, Joan of Arc, Birdwood, and Proudspring started smartly and formed the leading division going past the stands, with Silver Quick improving her position. Going down the back stretch Joan of Arc, Gladeye, Proudspring, and Red Prince were most prominent. At the tanks the second time Joan of Arc assumed command, and led into tho straight just clear of Nancy Stair, Paz, ViceAdmiral . and Rorke's Drift. A great raco down the straight resulted in a win by a length for Joan of Arc, with Paz a similar distance away in third place. Nancy Stair was fourth, Vice-Admiral fifth, and Rorke's Drift sixth. Times, 2m 50s, 2m 47 2-ss, 2m 48 2-ss. 1 METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in'harness), of 500 sovs; second 100. third 50. Class 4.36. Two miles. 6. J. D. Parker's ch m Erin's Queen by Hal Zolock—B.J.N. 6yrs lis A. Fleming 1 1. Mrs A. M. Seymour's b h Mintson aged lis .. .. J. Bryce 2 3. W. H. Norton's b m Trix Pointer 6yrs 10s .. .. F. Holmes 3 5. J. Jarden's b h John Dillon aged 8s j B. Jarden 0 4. J. G. S. Holmes's b g Moneymaker aged 9s .. .. A. Pringle 0 2. N. Green's b g Albert Cling 4yrs 9s J. Henderson 0 7. J. Parkinson's b h Sungod aged 9s F. Holmes, junr. 0 8. C. Channing's br g Agathos aged 9s J. Cockerill 0 Agathos gave a good deal of trouble at the post. Erin's Queen began smartly, and at the end of four furlongs wna followed by Trix Pointer, Moneymaker, and Albert Cling, wjth Mintson next. There was little change in the next circuit, but going along the back Albert Cling moved up alongside Moneymaker, while John Dillon put in a good run on the outside. With a lop- (o go Erin's Queen was still in front, with Trix Pointer, Moneymaker, Albert Cling, and John Dillon in close attendance. Two furlongs from home Moneymaker waa beaten, and when the straight waa reached Erin's Queen held command from.Trix Pointer, while Albert Cling lost his place. Mintson came with a strong run, but Erin's Queen lasted long enough to win by a neck. Trix Pointer was two lengths away third, with Moneymaker fourth, Agathos fifth, and John Dillon sixth. Times, 4m 32 l-ss, 4m 32 2-ss. 4m 33 l-ss. CASHMERE HANDICAP (in harness), of 230 sovs; second 50. third 25. For unhoppled trotters only. Class 4.48. Two miles. 6 F. H. Rob son's b m Reta Peter by Petereta —Tot Huon syrs 9s A. G. "Wilson 1 5. W. R. McNarn's b g Red Heather aged 6s .. .. .. A. Cox 2 1. Allen and Fleming's b h Hardy "Wilkes aged scr .. A. Fleming 3 3 Whispering Willie 2s; 9 Olive L. 7s; 4 Lord Roanchild 7s; 11 Electrocute lis; 2 Imperial Crown 9s; 8 Paul- Huon 10s; 10 Gay Wilkes lis; 1 Lady Patricia lis, bracketed with Hardy Wilkes; and 7 Truganini 12s also started. Lady Patricia lost all chances of winning by breaking at the start. Imperial Crown, Lord Roanchild, Truganini, Red Heather, Olive L., and Reta Peter waa the order going past the stand the first time. _ Hardy Wilkes, who had been making up his ground in good style, broke badly in the back stretch, and Lord Roanchild assumed the lead, with Imperial Crown, Red Heather, and Truganini followine in that order. Going down the back the last time Hardy Wilkes broke again and at the mile post Paul Huon met with a mishap. His driver, C. James, lost his 6eat and was dragged for about a furlong, but fortunately escaped injury. Reta Peter here commenced a good run, which landed her a winner by half a length from Bed Heather, while Haidy Wilkea ww thw

lengths away .in third place. Lord RoanI child and Whispering Willie were the next to finish. ' Times, ,4m 425, 4m 89 .-ss, 4m i g5g # FRENCH HANDICAP (in .harness), of 200 sovs; second 40, third SO. Clflfifl 3.54. One mil© and fivo furlongs. 2. J. Parkinson's blk m Star Queen by Wild wood Junr.—My Mistake syrs 83 F. Holmes, jun. 1 8. Hall and Smith's blk g Rearguard aged Ss -• •• .. W. Smith 2 6. C. North's b m Pleasant Mount syrs 8a W. Warren 3 14 General Link Is; 11 Bundong Is; 9 Lady Superior 2s; 16 Huon Drift ss; 15 Mahinga 6s"; 13 Irvingwood Cs» Gold Crest 7a; 4 Guynemer 8s; 17 Caltom 8s; 1 Rothclifi 8a; 7 Wastewood Ss; 8 Dixie Leo 8s; 5 Sir Gavin 8s; and 12 King Kam 8s also started. , 4 Rearguard was quickest away, and with. Dixie Lee in close attendance led past the stand and out of the straight, with Pleasant Mount moving up fast. Going down the back Rearguard, Pleasant Mount, Rotncliff, and King Karri were in front, with Star Queen moving up fast. Comng past the stand tho second time Rothclifi was just leading Star Queen, Rearguard being in third position. The last-named moved up going paat the tanks, and was almost on tens with Star Queen entering the etraight. Both horses were under pressure, coming down the etraight, Star Queen lasting long enough to win by a couple of lengthy with tho third horse a dozen lengths away. Bundong was fourth and King Karri fifth. Times, 3m 45 2-ss, 3m 45 4-ss, 3m 51s. LIVERPOOL HANDICAP (in harness), of 250 sove; second 50, third 25. Class 4.42. Two milep. 4. F. L. GraoefieM's b m Sympathy by • Dominion—Silvexquo syrs Is M. Edwards 1 6. C. Hazlett's ch g Hectorata aged la J. Bryce, jun. 3 1. W. Rankin's blk g Irvar Gyrs ecr W. Warren 3 9 Hannah M. scr; 8 Rorke's Drift Is; 3 Captain Stanley 3s; 5 Bundiira 3s; 7 Pax ss; 10 George Hard ss; 11 Red Pnnce ss; and 2 Peter Mao 5s also started. Captain Stanley refused to strike a gait, and Peter Mac lest ground by breaking, and was pulled up. At the end of two furlongs Pax was leading the field, with Red Prince, George Hard, Bunduia, . and Hectorata following in that ordor. Pax increased hia lead, but once well into the final circuit HecTorata drew x\p' and Rorke's Drift and Sympathy also mtd© a forward move. Hcc* torata looked a winner two hundred yards from home, but Sympathy came-with a fast run and won by a length, with Irvar a similar distance away third. Rorke's Drift was fourth. Times, 4m 35 l-6s, 4m 35 2-58, Am 355. CRAVEN HANDICAP (in harness), of . 250 govs ; sccond 50, third 25. Claes 2.50. One mile and a quarter. 1. Executors late J. Knight's. I> h Author Dillon by - Harold Dillon—Authoress ecr .. •• .. B. Jarden 1 5. Mrs A. M. Seymour's • b h Admiral Wood aged 2s .. F. Holmes 2 2. W. B. Maaham's blk g Chid 6yra 3a J. Bryoe 3 4 Pitaroa 6s; and 3 Frank Tracey 6s also started. Frank Tracey began smartly, but Pitaroa, who had lost ground at the start, soon overhauled him. At th<j end of half a mile Chid had taken charge, with Pitaroa and "Prank Tracey ou terms, three lengths away, and Author Dillon and Admiral Wood racing together six lengths further back. _ Author Dulon put in a brilliant run turning into 'the back stretch, and passing the tanks he headed Chid. From this out Author Dillon had mattoTß his own way and won, easing up, by six lengths. Admiral Wood, who finished well, was two lengths in front of Chid, with Frank Tracey fourth. Times, 2m 44 1-59, 2m 48s, 2m 49 2rss. FAREWELL HANDICAP (in saddle), of 200 flovs; second 40, third 20. 2.16 class. One mile. 1. E. H. Cucksey'a b g Huon Patch by Sweet Patch—Lena. Huon aged' 2e B. Jarden 1 4. Mrs A. M. Seymour's b h Minteon aged 4s .. . . •• H. Frost 2, 2. A. R. Farrell's b m Cora Dillon aged 2a E. MoDeTmott 3 5 General Wilkes 2a and Tamarisk 4« bracketed; and 3 Lord Minto 2b also etarted. Cora Dillon and Huon Patch were quickest ' away, and going past the stuirl the fiist time the latter was leading by a couple of lengths, With Minteon close up. Going dpwn the back stretch Cora Dillon broke and lost ground, but was with Huon Patch at the tanks. ' Huon Patch led into the straight and won comfortably by four lengths; Mintson beating Cora Dillon by two lengths. Times, 2m 12 l-ss, 2m 15s, 2m 14 2-ss.