SPRING RACES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1914, Page 4

SPRING RACES

CHAMPION PLATE WON •BY REPUTATION A GREAT WIN (By " Sir Lancelot.") The Wellington Bacing Club's Spring Meeting was concluded yesterday at Trentham in ideal weather. Tho attendance was large, and when the returns are made up it will probably be found that the number of people that passed through tho turnstiles was a record for Labour Day. . The success of the meeting was vi no small measure due to the excellent work done by Messrs. Coyle (handicapper), O'Connor (starter), and Hartgill (judge). Mr. A. E. Whyte (secretary) had the detail arrangements in connection with the meeting well in hand. Tho totalisator figures for the day leached £39,672, against £37,267 for the corresponding day last year. The total for the meeting, £68,342, was £5468 in excess of last year's figures. THE BIG EVENT. Camulus, Ringform, and Undecided were withdrawn from the Champion Plate. The number of starters (ten) equalled last year's record for the race, and included Merry Roe, last year's winner. At the post Expect nnd Reputation st&>d beautifully, but all , the others gave a lot 4 of trouble. Eventually, Mr. O'Connor got them away on even, terms. Tho field was a thoroughly representative ono, including, as it did, the best of tho older division in commission, also the best three-year-olds in the Dominion. Merry Roe acted as pacemaker, running the first half-mile in 51 4-56ec. Along the back she had Balboa and Fabrikoff as her nearest attendants, then First Flight aaid Reputation. Merry Roe was well clear at the six furlongs post, where the others were strung out. Here Reputation had a lot of ground to make up, and started at the half-mile post to go through his field. Merry Roe was still cutting out a solid pace on the rails, running the nrfet cii furlongs in lmin 16 2-ssec. She led into the straight, where Fabrikoff and Balboa were well beaten. At the distance Merry Roe was joined by First Flight, whose victory was proclaimed. Here the favourite wag being ridden out, Wilson having 'to draw out the whip. He responded gamely, and getting level with First Flight a- hundred yards, from the post won by three-parts of a length, amidst great excitement. Expect was about half a length behind First Flight, Balboa was fourth and Merry Roe fifth. Hyettue, Kilrain, and Moulu were the last to finish, in that order. It was the best contest for the Champion Plate vet seen at Trentham, also one of the best races — either weight-for-age or handicap — seen on the course. From a speculative point of view it was good for the club, the sum of £6572 10s, which was a record foT the meeting, being invested on tha Ta-ce. . It was thought that Reputation was lucky to beat First Flight at Wangaimi, but yesterday's running proves that the Wairarapa colt is the better of the pair. Although defeated, Expect was by no means disgraced. He was conceding Reputation 211b and First Flight 241b, and to get where he did in such a fastrun race stamps him as the best horse over the distance — excepting the two three-year-olds — in the Dominion to-day. Had she had a race on the first day Merry Roe, who had charge for about a. mile, would probably have finished in a place. Balboa and Fabrikoff — a handsome colt — ran well enough to suggest that they will win short races before the season has much further advanced. Elevate, Hyettus — who promised well at the beginning of the Season at Marton— and Moulu were outclassed. This season Reputation has contested the Wanganui Guineas, Hawkes Bay Guineas, and Champion Plate, and has gone through without a defeat. He has proved a worthy relative to Elevation, Provocation, and Gravitation (other sons of Stepfeldt), who carried Mr. Bidwill's colours successfully. , F. D. Jones, who last season took up the position of private trainer to Mr. Bidwill, deserves credit for the excellent condition in which the colt was sent to the post. When it was announced last season that L. Wilson was severing his connection with a Hawkes Bay stable the Wairarapa sportsman secured his services to ride Reputation this season. Wilson, who has an excellent record in long distance races and has done well this season as a free lance, will ride the colt in the New Zealand Derby and other events he will contest at Riccarton next month. The time put up by Reputation knocked 2 2-ssec off Merry Roe's record for the race. Taking into consideration the ground he had to make up in the last half mile none but a high-class colt worthy the name of champion could have got the verdict. Such a stirring contest no doubt impressed the committee of the club as well as its patrons, and it would not he surprising if the winner of the Champion Plate next year receives 1000 soys. It is a great pity that Mr. Bidwill had not sufficiently recovered from a severe illness to be present to see his champion win. At his request Reputation's success was drunk in bumpers of champagne in the press room. After the race Reputation was led on to the lawn, where Miss Harcourt (daughter of the president, of the club) presented the handsome trophy attached to the race to Mrs. Bidwill. The Hon. W. H. Herries congratulated the winner and expressed regret that Mr. Bidwill was unable to be present. Mr. J. B. Harcourt (the club's president) responded on behalf of Mrs.' Bidwill. PEARCE HANDICAP. Byron and Maniaroa were pulled out of the Pearce Handicap, in which Bonny Helen made her first appearance at the meeting. Haskayne, who was considered unlucky to tret left on the first day, was sent out favourite. He delayed the start by breaking through the barrier continuously, but got well away. He was steadied, but showed up again entering the straight. A solid pace was set by Portraiture and Peroneal. Birkful's white face showed out at the distance, -where Fair Rosamond challenged, and catching Birkful in front of the stand, won by half a length. The top weight ran ivell considering she had not been up long. Awahou, who was running last at the turn, did well to get fourth. Fair Rosamond fretted a lot before the start, but was greatly improved with the race she had the previous day. She also did better under the light scale of weights. The winner is trained at Hastings by V H. Colello for Messrs. ,T S. M'Leod and E. J. White. Fair Rosamond is one* of the late Sir William Russell's breeding, by Quarryman's full brother King's Guest (Bill of Portland— Madowla) from Dear Heart, by Cceur de Lion — Katie Ferguson. NOTES ON MINOR RESULTS. The withdrawal of Steinheil from the Tararua Handicap, the opening event, left a field of ten runners. A. Oliver got off Montana to ride Master Lupin, who was unplaced in the Rimutaka Handicap on tbo opening day. The change of riders did not make any difference, as Master Lupin could only get sixth. After Arlington had made all the running, Colurnbtw cut him down in the straight unct won comfortably in fast time. The win-

ner, a tirst day's victor, was not as well supported as Master Lupin, and his backers got a good price. Columbus carried 8.3. and ran a mile in lmin 41 4-ssec — a good performance for a three-year-old. He is a handsome black colt by Vasco, sire of Lord Burnside and Di Gima, winners in different Australian States, from Rosalia, by Stepniak— Rosella (by Seaton Delaval — Roie), a successful performer in the colours of Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan. Charlerose is the first foal of Rosalia. On his showing yesterday, Columbus, one of the most consistent performers seen out this season, should be heard of in better company when he next appears in pubhe. All the acceptors for the Second Steeplechase were saddled up. Soporific at once went to the front and had a< big lead when he ran off at the second fence of the double in front of the stand. He was quickly remounted and set off in pursuit of the ¦ leaders, only to fad at the back of the course. Waiwetu .came to grief at the logs near the six furlongs post the 'first time round, and the same obstacle accounted for Makiri the second time round. Half a mile from home Tyrannic looked like making a race with Taurangi. The 1 latter, who filled third place 'on the previous day, however, won easily. The winner is owned by Mr. E. Short, of FeildJng. VYhen Makiri fell J. Hughes injured his shoulder. , Mia Cara, who showed up well in -the Wanganui Guineas for about s\x furlongs, was considered the best of the ; Spring Trial Stakes lot. She took charge before 'they had gone far and was not j afterwards challenged. Martignes (the i three-year-old full sister to Immer), who I carries the same colours as Tannhauser, had no difficulty in getting second place. The Porirua apprentice, G. Castles, was | on Martyress, who bolted and threw her rider off. He got a shaking, being brought in on the ambulance. "W. Bell wa-s then substituted. Mia Cara is trained at Foi'dell by F Tilley for a popular i member of the Wanganui Jockey Club who adopts the norn de course of "Wire Tokens." She is one of Mr. G. F. ! Moore's breed, by Boniform — Carissima, 1 by San Fran— Melinite, by Nordenfeldt— Pearl Ash. j All the acceptors started for the Juvenile Handicap except Amphora. From an excellent despatch the colours | of Wishful, Floweret, and Nenno appeared in front. At half-way Interlude and Desert Gold looked to have excellent chances of scoring. Whet 1 Wishful j and Desert Gold seemed to be likely to fight out the finish Rangitero ranged up on the outside and, wearing down the ! other pair, scored a popular win for Mi*. D. Buick, M.P. He was bred by his | owner and did not win out of his turn, having been placed both at Napier and Hastings. Interlude appeared to be first into the straight and finished just behind the placed horses. Rangitero is by Papakura (son of St. Leger) ' from Elusion, by Vanguard — Eclat, by Natator — Fame (sister to Captain Webb), by The Painter — Maid of the Mist, a well-known West Coast family. Elusion also produced Rangipapa, Rangikura, Rangiatua (three full brothers), and a sister to yesterday's winner. Ardent and Merry Guy were withdrawn from the Ruahine Handicap. Submersion, a stable mate of the Champion Plate winner, carried most money, but Lady Black, Ngarua, and Master Achilles, three place-getters on the previous day, were all heavily backed. The favourite again let her supporters down. Master Achilles was unlucky enough to be on the extreme outside,. and never got j in the front division. Lady Black drew the rail, and, beginning smartly, had charge throughout. In a smaller field, and benefited by a race, Chakwana did better than on Saturday. She was only beaten for second place in the last \ couple of strides by Plunder (Achilles — Spoil), a member of L. A." Crawford's Otaki team thafi should get -on £he winning list before the season has much further advanced. Lady Black (trained by H. Pritchard at Masterton) is the best AH Black, seen out so far. Her record this season is two firsts and two seconds out of four starts. She is one of Mr. T. H. Lowry's breed, and tho first progeny of Sweet Helen, by Merriwee — Lady Helen (St. Leger— Ouida), sister to Meriwa, and half-sister to Lady Nell, Sir Possible, Canute, and Trojan. Raupani, Blue Lake, Sir Moseley, I Mount Victoria, and Medallist were S withdrawn from the Nainai Handicap, the concluding event on the programme. Postillion and Beldame, the place-getters behind Sauci in the Shorts on the opening day, carried most money. The Ric-carton-trained filly Bee, who was responsible for some excellent track per formances before leaving home, scored easily from Beldame. The winner was ridden by It. Manson. The favourite (Postillion) received & bump shortly after the start which extinguished his chance. An enquiry was held at the conclusion of the race, and, after hearing the evidence of C. Price (rider of Postillion) and E. Manson (rider of Adroit), it was announced that E. Manson was suspended for one Month. Bee is by Martian — Lady Disdain (The Officer — Oriflamme), and is trained by R. Longley at Riccarton. She is engaged in the Stewards Handicap with 7.3. CONCLUDING DETAILS. CHAMPION PLATE, of 800 soys (a cup valued at 100 soys, and 700 soys in specie) ; second horse to receive 100 soys, and third horse 5C soys from the stake. Weight-for-age. One mile and a quarter. 1 W. E. Bidwill's blk c Reputation, by Martian— Stepfeldt, 3yrs, 7.11 (L. Wilson) 1 2 Sir Geo. Clifford's b g First Flight, by San Francisco (imp.)—Fleetfoot, 3yrs, 7.8 (W. Bell) 2 4 "Mr. Highden's" b h Expect, by Advance — Endeavour, syrs, ¦ 9.4 (A. Oliver) 3 Also started— 7 Kilrain 9.4 (W. Young), 3 Merry Roe 8.9 (J. Buchanan), 6 Balboa 7.11 (R. Berry), 10 Elevate 7.11 (G. Francis), 9 Fabrikoff 7.11 {J. Olsen), 5 Hyettus 7.8 (C. Emerson), 8 Moulu 7.8 (B Deeley). Time, 2min 6 2-ssec— a record for the race. (Winner trained by F. D. Jones.) . RUAHINE HANDICAP (hack conditions), of 120 soys ; second horse to receive 20 soys and third horse 10 soys from the stake. Six furlongs. 2 A. Cameron's blk f Lady Black, by All Black (imp.) — Sweet Helen, 3yrs, 8.3 (T. Pritchard) 1 8 L. A. Crawford's Plunder, 6.7, car. 6.8 (R. Reed) 2 5 V. and E. Riddiford's Chakwana, 7.13 (A. Reed) 3 Also started — 4 Master Achilles 8.13 (C Emerson), 3 Ngarua 8.9 (A. Oliver), 1 Submersion 8.0 (L. Wilson), 6 Glenroy 7.4 (W. Bell), 7 Lady Daylesford 7.2, car. 7.7 (G. Francis), 10 Pink Heather 7.0 (P. Hollings), 9 Sir Agnes 6.7, car. 6.11 (E. Walshe). Time, lmin 14 3-ssec. (Winner trained by H. Pritchard.) NAINAI HANDICAP, of 150 soys; second horse to receive 25 soys and third horse 20 soys from the stake. Six furlongs. , 3 Mr. Hunt's b f Bee, by Martian — Lady Disdain, 3yrs, 7.4 (R. Manson) 1 2 T. H. Lowry's Beldame, 8.1 (B. Deeley) 2 7 W. Nidd's Pcronilla, 7.7 (C. Emerson) 3 Also started— l Postillion 9.6 (C. Price), 8 Bleriot 8.8 (J. Buchanan), 13 Bertrada. 7.10 (W. Bell), Play Off 7.10, car. 7.11 (R." Berry), 10 PavlovA, 7 9 (J. O'Shea), 5 Day Fly 7.0 (H. Young), 11 Mowtuay 7.0, less 51b allowance (R. Reed), 6 Adroit 7.0, oar. 7.4 (E. Man-

son), 9 Suratura 6.12, car. 7.2. Time, lmin 14 l-ssec. (Winner trained by R. Longley.) Never mind about the other man's figures — check the race time for yourself by getting a reliable chronometer from O'Connor and Tydeman, Jewellers, Palmei-ston North. — Advt.