FIRST DAY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7393, 20 February 1902, Page 2

FIRST DAY.

Favoured by fine weather— almost ' perfect, though at times the sun beat ' down fiercely— the first day's racing of ! the Egmont Racing Club passed off ' most successfully. The attendance was large, including a considerable number of outside sports, the north and south trains being well laden. Speculation was brisk throughout, although , the average was reduced through the paucity of starters in the Cup and the slowness of business on the Welter Handicap. In connection with the latter event, the start was in front of the stand, and the public did not seem to realise that the field would be so quickly despatched. Probably many were under the impression that the horses would be started, as in most of the races, on the far side of the course. The result was that the machine had to close down before intending investors could put their little bit on, and it is reasonable to assume that the total on the race was less by 4-300 than would otherwise have been the case. The totalisator arrangements worked very smoothly, and Mr Harry Hayr and his assistants were brisk and careful. The totalisator investments amounted to £7872, as against _J6700 last summer meeting, an increase of £1192. The totalisator paid out on first and second when there were six or more starters. There were no sensational dividends. Thanks in a great measure to Mr Clarke, the ground custodian, the course was in Al order. Everything was neat and tidy, the lawn was well kept, and the racing track in good trim, and the comments of visitors were complimentary. In the capable hands of Messrs Keen and Co. the stewards' and grandstand luncheon rooms left nothing to be desired, the bill of fare in each instance being first-class. The outside refreshment booth was also in capable hands, and Mr Kirk Hall did a big trade during the day. Thirsty souls found something good with which to quench their tliirst at the inside and outside booths run by Mr A. J. Jury, of Okaiawa, but, though Mr Jury had a large turn over for the day, the crowd was decidedly orderly and temperate. The officials to a man carried out their important duties with credit, but if any are deserving of particular praise they are the starter (Mr Cameron), who got all the fields away in good style, the secretary (Mr J. W. Hirst), who was courteous, painstaking, and obliging, and Mr J. A. Turton (assistant secretary), to whom the complimentary reference to Mr Hirst may also apply. Pressmen especially feel grateful to the two latter gentlemen for information freely given. A. good programme of music was discoursed during the day by the Hawera Borough Band. The racing was, on the whole, excellent, and Mr J. E. Henrys, the Club's popular handicapper, must have been well pleased with the several exciting finishes he was responsible for. For the Flying Handicap Bowman was favorite, though Okoari, despite her impost of 9.13, found many supporters. The winner turned up in Rangitata, a nice-looking black gelding by Wapiti, who rewarded his backers with _?7 2s, the biggest dividend of the day. Okoari ran a fine race. Nineteen starters faced the barrier in the First Hack Handicap, which was generally voted a very open event. When the field got under way the sight was a pretty one. Impati, a six-year-old mare by Castor — Brown Alice, proved her superiority, though Tawara made a big bid for distinction. The steadier of 12.9 notwithstanding, Waiwera was made second favorite for the Open Hurdles, his meritorious wins at New Plymouth being vividly in the minds of punters. He is looking remarkably well, and after waiting on bis field until witbin decent striking distance he went to the front, and, fencing faultlessly, romped home, with four or five lengths to spare. The win was popular. Eimu appropriated the Hack Hurdles, after a good set-to with Moreen. The winner is a shapely cheßtnut. For the big race only four saddled up, and the Forirua representative was made a warm favourite, Battleaxe being next in demand. The top weights both looked well, the mare especially so, but both lowered their colours to Taplow and Motor, the' former, with 6.7 up, going to the front from the jump, and holding on to his position gamely to the finish. Motor ran a good horse. The unexpected happened in the Sires' Hack Produce Stakes, Loch Erin having to succumb to Mr E. J. Watts' chestnut Sou'wester gelding Tradewind. The race was a well-run one, Loch Erin practically making all the pace until near the home stretch, when the Napier prad came through full of running, . and received the judge's verdict with a bit to spare. Dexterity, another Sou-wester, ran into third place. Eight saddled up for the Welter Handicap, and after a little fiddling at the post they were sent off evenly. Lasting and Beau Ideal held pride of place for some time, but it was only on sufferance, Halberdier, a five-year-old by Cuirassier, coming when asked, and winning after a rattling finish. The concluding event was the Second Hack Flat Handicap, Mr Walter Young's Convoy being the winner after a good set-to with Tupara. Reference to the latter horse reminds us that Percy Johnston was unusually unlucky, horses trained by him getting three seconds and one third. Burke was the only horseman who rode more than one winner during the day, he having two winning mounts. Appended are the results :— Flying Handicap, of lOOsovs; second horse to receive 15sovs from stakes. Six furlongs. 99 Mr A- Ellis' br g Kangitata, 6yrs, 7.3 (W. Price) 1 198 Mr F. Watson's b m Okoari, aged, 9.13 (Gallagher) 2 255 Mr C. E. Major's b g Bowman, 4yrs, 8 1, including 7lbs penalty (0. Jenkins) 3 Also ran : 144 Torowai 8.12 (Gains- | ford), 70 Sylvia Park 8.4 (L. "King), 81 Lady Bell 8.4 (C. Parker), 130 Oracle 7.13 (G. Price), and 86 Durable 6.10 (C. Cress). Gipsy Queen 7.8 was scratched. Durable declared Slbn over. Bowman went out a firm favourite, though there were not wanting those who pinned their faith to Okoari. Sylvia Park delayed the start for ten minutes, but eventually the field was set going on very even term 3. The colors of Okoari and Torowai were quickest to show out, Durable coming next, the rest bunched together. At the two furlongs, Sylvia Park had moved up a bit, and Oracle had dropped back slightly. The pace was good. Rounding the turn for home, Okoari and Torowai were still in the lead, Oracle last. In the straight, the whips were out, and although there were cries for Okoari, j Rangitata came well under punishment, and secured the verdict by a short head, Bowman an excellent third, the rest close up. Time, 1.16 1-5. Totalisator, | 1043. Divs., £1 2s and £1 3s 6d. First Hack Flat Handicap, of 50 soys ; second horse 5 soys from stake. Minimum weight, 7.7. Six furlongs. 130 Mr R. Johns' b m Impati, 6yrs, 8.0 (H. Tait) 1 189 Mr F. Watson's blk g Tawara, aged, 8.10, including 7Jbs penalty (Jenkins) 2 68 MrA.Standish's chg Waireka, fiyrs, 7.7 (C. Cress) 8 Other starters : 60 Kohina, 41 Progee, 75 Marianthus, 57 Laertes, 149 Governess, 88 Whawhai, 87 Wereroa, 40 King Edward, 79 Anchorite, 61 Flanagan, 55 Fair Jobs, 49 Flying Shell, 18 Liquidator, 88 Mairehau, 3 Toledo, 8 Gilnookie, and 1 Berrnaline. Kidbrook, Prisoner, Etona, and Herangi were aoratohed. The nineteen starters paraded in front of the stand, the sight being a pretty one. From a straggling start, Impati and Tawara were (he quickest to find their legs, while Wereroa was badly bumped out. At the half distance, the field, which had kept fairly well together, began to form into procession, and at the entrance to the straight Tawara seemed to have a mortgage on the raoe. Impati and Waireka came at the Vanguard gelding, and the former got his measure a few yards from the judge's box, getting home after a good finish by half a length ; Waireka a good third. Time, 1.17 8-5. Total, 1226. Diva., £6 7s and £1 9s.

First Huhdlb Handicap of lOOsovs; second horse lOsovs from stakes. One mile and three-quarters. 307 Mr J. O'Driscoll's bg Waiwera, aged, 12.9, including 101b penalty (Cochrane) 1 316 Mr F. Tilly's blk g Kaiwbakaroa, aged 9.18 (Alex Hall) 2 67 Mr G. H. Gibson's blk g Hautonga, nged, 9.0 (W. Higgin3) ... 3 65 Vanquish 10.9, and 123 Sudor 9.7 also sported silk. Sultana was scratched. Vanquish, Sudor, and Hautonga were the first to move. The first fence was taken beautifully, and then Waiwera dropped back about three lengths, Vanquish and Hautonga making the running, with the other two in close attendance. Passing the stand for the first time, Kaiwhakaroa assumed command. At the hack of the course, Waiwera improved his j position, and Vanquish fell back beaten. Coming to the second hurdle from home the top weight, who was in fine nick, went up to the leaders. The obstacle safely negotiated, he assumed command, and though Kaiwhakaroa and Hautonga answered the calls on them, he ran home the easiest of winners by five lengths. Time, 3.25 1.5. Total, 880. Div., £2 11s 6d. First Hack Hurdle Handicap, of 60aovs ; seoond horse to receive ssovs from the stake. One mile and a-half. 231 Mr F. Easton's eh g Rimu, aged, 11.3 (McConnon) 1 103 Mr G. F. Moore's b m Moreen, 6yrs, 9.7 (F, Lynn) 2 272 Dr. Bennett's br g Aquinaldo, syrs, 10.6 (Higgins) 8 Other starters : 200 Claricn 9.10, 23 Dandy 9.0, 98 Taranaki 9.0. Artisan, Moturoa, and Omrah were withdrawn. The colors of Rimu, Aquinaldo, and Taranaki were soon prominent, and the three led the field for some distance. The fencing on the whole was good, although one or two of the hurdles received heavy rappings. After passing the stand the first time, Clarion got into a forward position, but did not stay there long, falling a long way back before the mile post was reached. Taranaki was also in difficulties, and it seemed as if Moreen or Rimu must win. Entering the straight, the pair mentioned were in command, with AquiDaldo close behind. The whalebone was laid on the three, but Rimu had a bit in hand, and won a pretty race by about a half length. Time, ; 2.56 1-5. Divs., £2 14s and £2 0a 6d. Egmont Cup Handicap of 250sovs ; ; second horse tc receive lOsovs from L the stake. One mile and a half. , 168 Mr A. H. Cock's eh g Taplow, , aged, 6.7 (Cress) 1 [ 162 Mr W. Davies 1 b h Motor, 4yrs, 8.0 (G>. Trice) S [ 204 Mr F. Watson's b g Battleaxe, ; aged, 9.12 (including 71bs penalty) (Gallagher) I : 412 Tortulla, 9.13 (Jenkins) ... C t Coronet 9.5, Liable 6.7, anc I Durable 6.7 were scratched. Tortulle 1 was a hot favourite. Mr Cameron gol 1 the quartette away evenly without anj . fuss, and Cress, riding to orders { at once left for the front, followed ) by Motor, the top weights run . ning together in the rear. Th< . positions were unaltered passing th< , stand, except that Motor had got a bit 1 closer to Taplow, who was still a lengtl r and a half to the good ; Tortulla anc i Battleaxe (the last named on the inside v two lengths behind the Hotchkiss colt , Nearing the anile post, Taplow cann . back a little, but was still going strong ! The top weights now deemed i expedient to get a move on, and the; narrowed the gap. Motor had go » closer to Taplow, who Entered thi B straight nearly a length to the good & All the whips were hard at work befor '* the home, stretch was reached, bu c Taplow had a little to spare, and thougl 1 Motor stuck gamely to him the Purii B gelding ran home a winner by a shoi • half-length ; Battleaxe, a length behin< 1 Motor, and Tortulla three parts of a length behin,d Battleaxe. Time, 2.39 1-5 8 Totalisator 942. Div., £5 0s 6d.

EGMONT CUP.

Sices' Hack Produce Stakes, of 200sovs, nominator of sire 40sovs ; nominator of winner 40sovs. First horse lOOsovs ; seoond 15sovs ; third , saovs. For three-year-olds. One mile and a quarter. 302 Mr E. J. Watts' eh g Tradewind by Sou-Wester—L iniment, 8.5 (Jenkins) 1 460 Mr F. McGovern's br g Loch Erin, Lakeshell — Nightingale, 8.5 (O. Parker) 2 105 Mr A. Ellis' eh f Dexterity, 8.5 (Raynor) 3 132 Mussel], and 40 Silver Star also faced the barrier, the scratchiogs being Inglewoaa, Tortoiseshell, Retire, Shell Bock, Le Vent, Shell Out, Rau Rau, Land-o'-Oakes, Betty, and Urutonga. Looh Erin filled the popular eye, with Tradewind a fair second in public fancy. A good start wa3 effected, Looh Erin and Dexterity being prominent after the lifting of the barrier. Passing the stand, Looh Erin was leading, the others in a bunch. The positions did not sustain material alteration till about a quarter of a mile from home, when Tradswind, who had been lying handy, came at the leaders. The ticklers were requisitioned, *and a fine struggle ensued. The Hawke's Bay gelding proved in fine nick, however, and he gradually wore down Loch Erin, winning eventually by a length, Dexterity a good third. Time 2.15 3-5. Total, 1039. Div., £3 Is 6a.

SIRES HACK PRODUCE STAKES.

Haayera Wbltbr Handicap, of 80sovs ; second horse to reoeive lOsovs from stake. Minimum weight, 8.7. One mile. 77 Mr B. T. Bennett's b g Halberdier, syrs, 10.7 (Burke) ... 1 95 Mr J. McKelvie's b g Beau Ideal, 4yrs, 8.13 (Higginß) ... 2 77 Mr J. Goodwin's br m Lady Bell, Syrs, 10.4 (O. Parker) ... 3 54 Lasting, 154 Van, 249 Onutae, 53 Nio-ict, 14 Maia, also 'ran. Faugh -a - Ballagh was scratched. After a little fiddling, the lot were sent away on level terms. Lasting and Beau Ideal at once went to the front, and kept there till a half mile had been traversed, when the former fell back, and Lady Bell and Halberdier closed on Beau Ideal. The lot were bunched at the three-quarter distance, but here the three placed ones drew away, and a good set to along the home run ended in Halberdier securing the coveted position by a length. Time, 1.155. Total, 773. Divs., £61 5s 6d and £1 16s. Second Hack Flat Handicap, of 55 soys ; second horse to receive 5 soys from the stakes. Minimum weight, 7.7. One mile and a furlong. 214 Mr W. V. Young's br g Convoy, I syrs, 8.13 (Burke) 1 324 Mr F. Watson's b g Tupara, 4yrs, 8.9 (including 71b penalty) (Jenkins) 2 182 Mr J. Goodwin's b g Flying Jib, aged, 8.0 (Gosnell) 3 98 Midia, 168 Siandra, 41 Otaio, and 35 Wild Vixen also ran. Waireka, The Dude, Impati, and Ocean Shell had the pencil run through their names. Siandra, | Wild Vixen, and Flying Jib were first in evidence, but the second named quiokly i dropped back. The field, with the ex* ception of Wild Vixen, kept well together until a mile had been traversed, when Siandra, Tupara, and Flying Jib moved olear. Entering the straight, Burke brought Convoy up, and a good set-to saw the Bon of Vanguard prove his superiority by a narrow margin. Time, 1.59 1-5. Totalisator, £1062. Divs., £3 6s 6d and 14a 6d.

Yr. Owner. Winner. Wt. Time. 1882 1888 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 Mr. M. O'Brien .. Mr. A. Standish . . Mr. A. Standish . . Mr. J. George . . Mr. J. George . . Mr. J. Ee&n Mr. W. H. Keith. . Mr. J. Kennedy . . Mr. W. Bobbett .. Mr. E. Cutts Mr. G. Hunter . . Captain Russell . . Mr. W. Douglas . . Mr. E. Calthrop . . Mr. J. Kean Mr. W. Douglas . . Mr. S. Bradley . . Mr. E. J. Evans . . Mr. E. J. Evans . . Mr. E. J. Watts . . Mr. A. H. Cook .. Larry Normanby . . Witiora Buzzard Armourer . . Victory Dudu Becluse Patchwork . . Dudu Whisper St. Katherine Bosefeldt . . Monte Carlo . . Yattenfelt . . The Brook . . Swordfish Coronet Coronet Nobility Taplow stlb 6 13 6 7 7 12 7 0 8 2 7 5 6 7 7 12 7 12 8 10 8 0 7 6 8 9 7 7 7 0 6 10 8 2 8 3 9 6 7 5 6 7 m. a. 4 2 4 18 3 49 2-5 3 45 2-5 3 42J 3 43 4-5 3 41 1-5 3 40? • 3 4O 3 47 3-5 3 47 1-5 8 7 2-5 3 6 4-5 3 39 3 13 1-5 239 2 39 2 39 1-5 18! 82 to 1884, two milei Once ; 1886 1 s ; 1885, two mi bo 1895, two mill lesai 38. nd dis-

Yr. Owner. Winner. S. Time. 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 Mr.W.Glassfora Mr. G. Williams Mr. G.Nicholson Mr. A. W. Budge Mr. Alex. Higgle Mr. F. Lambert Mr. F. Lambert MrE. J. Watt.. Evening Star Novelty Vedette * Bowsprit Forager Gijmy Queen Otaio Tradewind 14 10 9 6 6 6 5 5 m. 8. 2 16| 2 18 2 181-5 2 171-5 1281-5 2 18 2 18 1-5 2 15 3-5