NOTES ON THE SPORT

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 75, 26 September 1916, Page 4

NOTES ON THE SPORT

(By " Sir Lancelot.")

The Otaki Maori Racing Club's Spring Meeting opened yesterday in fine weather. ' The special trains from Palmerston North and Wellington were well patronised. The attendance was quite up to previous years. Some interesting racing was witnessed." Mr. Angus Gordon was the stipendiary steward in attendance. . .

Seven withdrawals from the Maiden Plate reduced the number of runners to thirteen. Polynesian drew No. 1 and was sent out favourite. She got knocked back at the start, had a bad run,' and did well to get third Birkenetta and Flying Spur were prominent to the turn, where the field closed up. At the distance Ayah joined Flying Spur and, drawing away in the rim to the post, won by three lengths. Polynesian, Black Lake, and Quinn's Post were next. The winner is by All Red from Hermos-a. who was about, the best two-year-old of her year. Ayah is trained by J. W. Lowe for Messrs. Riddiford. Supporters of first and second horses both received good dividends. Hylatus, who was feeling the effect of two severe races at Wanganui, was withdrawn from th>> Dominion Hack Handicap. Rose Pink was first and Haumakaka last to begin. Along the back Bronk Delaval was close to the leader, with Lady Frisco, Cleft, and Kukri at the head of a hunch. Rose Pink led into the straight, and although challenged in the run home lasted long enough to ivin by , two lengths from Bronk Delaval, with Haumakaka just clear of Kukri." The latter met with some interference in the straight. ' With one exception the winner was the" least fancied, and paid a big price. She was ridden by C. Reed, and got olb apprentice allowance. Aiter failing at Pahiatua and Wanganui, she ran the mile out well. She is in the New Zealand Cnp with the minimum weight, but does not carry a penalty for yesterday's win. She is engaged .at the Kurow Meeting on sth October, and will put up a penalty there. She is one of the first batch of the progeny of imported Kilbroney, and is half-sister to All Red, sire of the winner of the previous race. The run-ner-up, Bronk Delaval, is also in the New Zealand Cup. It was a fairly fast run race, and the pace _et by the winner was too solid for the top weight. All started for the Tatimi Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase except The Hound, Mac, and Glen Paul. Marton, who scored at Wanganui on Saturday, carried 101b penalty. Critic fell at the first fence and Cron Park ran off at the back. When they reached the straight at the end of a round Marton was in front. Ho. ran off at the second fence of the double in the straight and took Ruatangata and Happy Jack with him. This loft Tauira in charge. Along the back the second time round he was showing tho way to Kiwitea and Kirkby. At the bend Kiwitea joined Kirkby, but ran off at the second last fence. Tauira was first over the hurdle in the straight, but in the run to the box Kirkby headed liim and won by two lengths. Silver Monarch was a fair third. The only others to finish were Kew and Crystal Star.

Montana, who got kicked prior to the start,- and Tangihou, were the only scratchings for the * Teone Makitonore Memorial Stakes. Taringamutu was first out but was steadied, and passing the stand Sir Solo and Red Ribbon (the stable mates) were in front. Along the back the pair named were showing out clear of Gold Soult, Taringamutu and Master Moutoa. Sir Solo had enough three furlongs from home, and at the bend Red Ribbon gave way to Gold Soult. Halfway down the- running Taringamutu challenged, and after a slashing finish won by a head. Orleans, Maniaroa, and Merry Gain were close up. The winner, who was a consistent and successful performer last season, was making her first appearance during the present term. She was conceding all her opponents weight except Square Deal, and is going te be a good handicap performer this season.

Twelve withdrawals from the Stewards' Hack Handicap reduced the field to seven. Spectual (a stable mate of Pursefiller) began best with Splendidus, and Miss Deval last. The latter ran through on the rails, and at the home 'turn was second. She passed Spectual halfway down the running and won easily by two. lengths. Pearl Marie was third and Splendidus last. The winner is a stable mate of Taringamutti and was ridden by A. Reed. Miss Deval has furnished into a good-looking mare and had been doing good track work. Bar Splendidus, who was eased up in the straight, they were not a good lot.

All started for the Flying Handicap, except George. Taringamutu was saddled up again. The public went solidly for the Trentham-trained Menelaus, a stable mate of Ayah. Marimba was first and Goldstream last to leave the- mark. At half-way the order was Marimba, •lean Laddo, Hushabye, and Goldstream. Marimba- was still going well at the turn, whore Goldstream closed on tho leaders. Half-way down tho running Marimba was being ridden to keep her position. A hundred yards from borne Goldstream put in a good run and, overhauling tho leaders, won From Jean Laddo by a length and a-half, with Marimba, a, good third. T'olanist and Taringamutu were close up. The Porirua owner-trainer, J. H. Prossci". just failed to laud the principal handicap double with the two sons of Gold Soult.

Rongora was brought out s-gain in the Welter Hack Handicap. Lady Multifid,

who ran second at Wanganui, was favourite, Bayswater and Detroit also being well supported. From an even despatch, Miss Sation and Hastie made the running to the turn, where the former dropped out. Hastie was done with at the distance. A hundred yards from home Sir Wallace got in front, but after a good finish was beaten a neck by Rongora, who was ridden by W. Price. Rongora "ran two seconds at Pahiatua, and a win for her was long overdue. Lady Mnltifid ran last.

Four races went to Trentham-trained horses.