WELLINGTON HARRIERS' CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 272, 10 August 1908, Page 3

WELLINGTON HARRIERS' CLUB.

. STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP. By the kind permission, of the secretary of tho Wellington Racing Club (Mr. A. E. Whyte), the Harriers met at tho Trenthanr racecourse on Saturday to run off what will probably be an annual fixture—a steeplechase handicap. Tho track was twice round the ■Trentham steeplechase course, about two and three-quarter miles, tho water ' jump being taken twice. Otherwise tho obstacles were those negotiated by horses competing at tho recent Wellington steeplechase meeting. Tho afternoon was beautifully fine, and, notwithstanding that tho going was heavy, the eighteen competitors that took part in the steeplechase displayed capital form. 'F. Wilton,' tho scratch man, got into third place at the : finish, and covered the two' and three-quarter miles in 15min. 20sec. The race was started just below the water jump. The limit men, A. Hilliker and R. O'Flaherty (120 sec.), started off at a solid Sace, followed by C. Lamberg (90sec.), P. J. ■ovino and L. Salek (85sec), F. M'Comeskey (75seci), P- Wilton (70sec.)_, A. Muir (GOsec.), A. C. Johnson (50sec.), W. Tall (40sec.),'l\. Dement, H. J. Pollock (35sec.), C. Rowberry (20sec.), W. Press (15sec.), W. Bennett, C. Johnson (lOsec.), C. L. Turnbull (osec.), and ,F.- Wilton (scratch), in that order. Lamberg took the lead at the back of the course, with Salek and Devino in close attendance, and these three showed the way over the water jump entering on to' the second round, while F. Wilton had so greatly lessened the gap that lie looked to be holding a winning chance. Lamberg, however, was not to be denied, and, running strongly, ho won by about forty yards, and, notwithstanding that Wilton, Pollock, and Turnbull put in a great finish, over the last half-mile of tho course, they failed by three or four yards to catch Salek, who finished second, Wilton heating Pollock for third place by less than a yard. Wilton led Salek to the last hurdle,'■ two hundred yards from home, but in negotiating it he fell, and thus enabled the other, who fences in good style, to establish a fresh lead I of about twenty yards. Mr. A. E. Whyte, who donated tho trophies for the race, was heartily chccred by the Harriers for his generosity, while the competitors will not forget his thoughtfulncss in providing light refreshments for them after their exertions. The officials for tho day wore:—Mr. A. E. Whyte, judge; Mr. J. H. Pollock, starter; •Mr. A. C. Kitto, timekeeper; Messrs. W. Watt and J. G. M'Gibbon, track stewards; and Mr. W. 11. Pollock, handicapper. '