WAVERLEY RACES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 May 1926, Page 9

WAVERLEY RACES

WINTER MEETING WEATHER UNFAVOURABLE Tlio coid wind and rain squalls which, prevailed throughout the district seriously affected the attendance at the Waverley Racing Club’s winter meeting, held yesterday, but considering tne inclement conditions the patronage, though showing a decline us compared with the 1925 meeting, when fair weather ruled, gave ample evidence that the meeting is a popular one with followers of the sport. The heavy rain of the last few days made the track heavy, but good racing was witnessed throughout, and close finishes were the order of the day. While the slippery course caused the fall of two horses during the progress of the Hack Steeplechase, the riders fortunately escaped injury, and the day was pleasingly free from serious mishap. The organisation of the meeting was well conducted by the various officials under the direction of the president (Mr F. Wilson) and the secretary (Mr W. MacFarlane), who, together with those who combined in giving attention to the administrative details are to be commended upon the efficiency displayed. As starter Mr A. _ Morse despatched his fields with a minimum of delay, and at the home end Mr E. V. Sutherland hoisted the results with promptitude and certainty. The discretion shown by the handicapper (Mr H. Coyle) was evidenced in tire narrow margins which in almost every event separated the placed horses. The day’s principal event, the Patea Countv Cup "Handicap, was contested by a ‘good field of 10, first honours being annexed by Mr E. A. Calder’s Euphonium, trained by Mr O. Cox, of Hawera. Mr E. P. Christensen’s (Waverley) Opa showed up well over the final stages, but had to cede the victory by a length. The totalisator staff, under Mr G.' Spriggins, spent a busy day, but, as was only to he expected, th© figures showed a decline on the previous year, the sum of £11,992 being handled, as compared with £12,943 at the 1925 meeting, a decrease of £951. The gate receipts totalled £3lB, a decrease of approximately £l4O.

The chief stipendiary steward (Mr J. McMahon) was in attendance, hut no judicial inquiries were necessary. Throughout the day the Queen Alexandra’s Own (Mounted! Rifles) Band, of Wanganui, rendered an appreciated programme of selections. Results not previously published were as follow:

OTITRI HACK HANDICAP of 125 sovs.; second horse to receive 15 sovs. and third horse 5 sovs. from the stake. Six furlongs. 6 SUBJECTION: O. Cox’s b.h. 4yrs, by Martian —Submersion, 8.5 (G. Ingram) 1 3 RAPID FIRE: Mrs C. Roscoe’s br.g., aged, bv Campfire—La Milo, 7.7 (M. Gray) 2 5 GOLD COLLECTOR : H. Cleland’s b.g., 3vrs. hv Tree Lucerne—Fluke, ‘7.11 (T. Tito) ... 3

Also started: 2 Empire Camp 8.9 (M. McCarten). 4 Argue 8.5 (L. A. T’ine). 1 Merle 8.1 (R. Reed). 7 Grand Lunin 7.12 (H. Wiggins), 8 All Wind "11 (W. Brady), 9 Otapawa 7.7 (P. Vdlam). (Winner trained by owner.) Nine starters appeared in the Oturi Handicap..the scratching pen accounting for Monaghan, Royal Elm, Nastori. Roburite, Flying Shot and Anchor. Merle was a warm favourite with 594 tickets. Empire Camp, next choice, carried only half that number. Rapid Fire was third preference with 169. while Subjection was sixth with 125. Grand Lupin was smartest away. Gold Collector, Rapid Fire, Merle and Empire Camp following. At the top of the hack stretch Subjection was seen to be moving up, and at the home turn was practically on terms with Rapid Fire and Gold Collector. The three named showed in an exciting race down the home straight, Subjection getting the verdict by a nose from Rapid Fire, while the latter -•"cured second position by a bare '’end from Gold Collector. Merle was n good fourth, followed by Argue. Time, 1.19.

KOHI HACK HANDICAP, of 130 soto; .second horse to receive 15 sovs, and third horse five ,so-vs. from the stakes.. Seven furlongs. 1 EDEN HALL: R. Brough’s b.g., 4vrs, by Quin Abbey—Toll Gate, 9.6 (M. McCarten) 1 2 SAN FERA: W. R. S. Brewer’s b g., syrs, by Feramorz —Lady Fran, 8.5 (L. A. Pine) 2 3 NO RESPONSE: J. Casserley’s b.g., syrs, by Lord Multifid— Applause, 8.10 (Johnson) 3

Also started: 5 Mountain Ore 7.13 (R, Reed), 6 Hallownooh 7.11 (Green), 8 Lucernal 7.7 (N. Trillo), 4 Strongholt 7.2 (Monklev), 9 Anchor 7.2 (T. Tito), 7 Take Take 7.0 (G. Digram), 10 Day Lark 7.0 (H. Hunt). (Winner trained by owner.)

Subjection, Merle and Cleverlea were withdrawn from the Kohi Hack Handicap, leaving 10 competitors. In this event performances justified the anticipations of the majority of investors, the three placed horses being backed in the finishing order. Eden Hall (£598), San Fera (£255), and No Response (£194) was the order of favouritism. Eden Hall led for the first furlong, followed by Anchor, Day Lark and San Fera, but at the top of the back stretch Anchor moved up into first position. The field closed over the next two furlongs, and turning into the straight Anchor was piloting Lucernal, Strongholt and Eden Hall. Followed by No Response and San Fera, Eden Hall made a fine run in the clash for home, and flashed past the post half a length in front, of No Response, which secured second position by a head from San Fera. Hallownoon was fourth, followed by Strongholt and Anchor. Time, 1.33 4-5. PRESIDENT’S HACK HANDICAP, of 115 sovs..; second horse to receive 15 sovs. and third horse 5 sovs. from the stake. Six furlongs.'

5 PAITONU: K. Tito’s ch.h., 3yrs, bv Bisogne—Monaghan, 7.11 (T. Tito) 1 2 PARTAGA: S. C. Tonks’s br.g., 3yrs, by Bisogne—Marsuma, 7.3 (R. Reed) 2 4 FLYING SHOT: J. Hale’s b.g., 3yrs, by Campfire—Anserine,' 7.7 (T. Green) 3 Also started: 1 Royal Elm 8.1 (L. Dulieu), 3 Roburite 7.13 (J. Potter). (Winner trained by J. Fryer.) Eight scratchings reduced the final field to five, and speculators' invested for a single dividend. Royal Elm was given principal support, though Partaga was entrusted with only £l6 less. Paitonu was the outsider with 211 tickets. Flying Shot was the first to show out, Roburite and Royal Elm Hollowing. After two furlongs had

been covered, Royal Elm and Flying Shot were together in the van from Paitonu and Partaga. Royal Elm was first to turn for home, but could not withstand the challenges of the other three, and Paitonu came through to win by a length and a half from Partaga, "with Flying Shot a similar distance back third and Royal Elni fourth. Time, 1.18 4-5.