SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7000, 24 April 1884, Page 6

SPORTING.

PAPAKTJRA ANNUAL RACES. This face meeting came off, yesterday, and was, 50 far as genuine' sport and ( well contested races were concerned,'one of the best country meetings which has been held this season. The attendance was not so large as the nature of the races, the quality of the horses, and the fineness of the weather warranted, but, considering that it was not a public holiday, it was not poor. The special train leaving Auckland at eleven o'clock, brought a large number, in fact the main body of the attendance; but, in addition, there was a large number of traps, break*, and buggies, and the settlers from the surrounding districts showed up in good numbers. Colonel Fraser officiated as judge, Mr. Jackson as starter and clerk of the scales, and Mr. T. A. Brown as clerk of the course. The racing was from first to last suoh as to afford delight to sportsmen, there being large fields and close finishes. The Hurdle Race, with eight in it, was a picture, and Billy-go-by-'em upset well-made calculations by carrying off the prize from start to finish. The Maiden Plate proved another case of miscalculation, the winner turning up in an unheard-of chestnut mare, Dressmaker, owned by Mr. Ja9. Muir, who was not even named in'the betting. The Cup gave a viotory to the favourite, Radames, but it was a very narrow squeak. The Selling Race was easily acquired by Sham, an own brobher to Soukar and Woodpecker, and the Railway Handicap fell to that game little racer Administrator. Mr. Adams had atotalisator on the oourse, at whioh a fair amount of business was done. The following are the results of the raoes : —

Handicap Hubdlb Race of SOsove., second horse to receive lOsovs. out of the stakes. Distance, 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles, 3ft. 6in. high. Mr. R. J. HoskinV b g Billy-go-by-'em, aged, lOst lOlbs (Edwards) ... ... 1 Messrs. Lyons and Blaikis's b g Woodpecker, 6yrs, list 81bs (Taylor) ... 2 Mr. E. D. Halstead'e b g Minuet, aged, list 61bs (Heatpn) , ... ... ', .- 3 Mr. J. Lonnard's ch g Chandler (aged, lOst lOlbs, Farrell), Mr. Chadwick's blk g Fair Play (aged, 9st 2lbs; Hope); Mr. B. Thompson's gr m Pearl(syrs, Bst lOlbs, J. Carey), Mr. MoLeod's b g Native (aged, Bst lOlbe, 21bs over weight, McLeod), Mr. A. Pollock's bg Bushman (aged, Bst 101' os, Chambers). The whole eight entered came to the post. Minuet, from his brilliant performance in the Elleralie Hurdle Race, was selected prime favourite. The betting was 7 to 4 against Minuet, 6 to 1, whioh shortened to 5 to 2 against Woodpecker before the start, 3 to 1 against . Chandler, 4 to 1 against Billy-go-by-'em, 6 to 1 against Pearl, and 10 to 1 against the others, Mr. Jackson, after some delay, got the field fairly away, and Billy- at .once went to the front followed by Minuet and Chandler, Woodpecker in fourth position, and in this order they got over the first obstruction. There is a portion of the course which is obscured by the tea tree scrub, and as they disappeared behind this the order was what we have stated; but on coming into view again it was seen that Woodpeoker, had run into place, and pissing the stand the order was Billy, Woodpecker, and Minuet, Chandler a considerable distance behind in fourth position. At' the back of the coarse Fair Play pasied Chandler, Billy maintaining a good lead. Woodpeoker raoed from the turn to the straight under the whip, but wae unable to trouble Billy-go-by-'em, who, without being once headed, won easily by lour lengths from Woodpecker ; Minuet, the favourite, finishing a very moderate third. There were 402 10s investments on the totalisator, of which 39 only were on the winner, and the dividend was £4 12s. The race was something of a surprise, more especially as it was virtually a flat race, after the first round, as the hurdles being put up in a ginger-bread fashion came down as aoon as they were touched. Maiden Plate, of 25sovs.; eeoond horse to receive ssovs. out of the stakes. Two years, 6st 111b j 3yrs, Sat 61b ; 4yrs, 9at; syre and upwards, 9st 21b. For_ all horses that have never won an advertised race exceeding 20sova. Distanoe, 1 mile . and a quarter. Mr. James Muir's oh m Dressmaker (Chambers), 4yrs, Sat 121bs 1 Mr. D. McKinnon's ch m Taipouri (MeLusky), 4yrs, Bst 121bs 2 Mr. J. Dore's b m Mignonette (T. Taylor), syrs, 9st 3 Mr. J. Chadwick's blk g Fair Play (*ged, 9st 21b, Hope); Mr. W. Pembetton's br g Raveriswood (syrß, 9st 21b, Burns) ; Mr. P. F. TauoredVbg Sham (syrs,-9«t'2lb, Rowlands) ; Mr. D. ' MeGill's ch m , Manilla (syrs, 9st, Thompson); Mr. J. Barr«Brown's b g Larrikin (3yrs, Bat 61b, Laing) also ran. The fact that again the whole eight' horses entered came to the' post must have proved very satisfactory to the stewards and the public, and the race resulted in a surprise almost as complete as that of Necklace in the Nursery Handicap at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting, the winner turning up in an unheard of competitor, Dressmaker, who was known only to a few, although she is said to be a well-bred one. Sham was installed first favourite, the betting being 6 to 4 on Sham, 2 to 1 against Mignonette, and 5 to 10 to 1 the others, the latter being offered about Dressmaker. A good start was made, and Dressmaker went to the front, followed by Mignonette, Sham some distance behind, but at the turn ho ran into second place. Coming into the] straight Dressmaker was still in the lead, but by this time Taipouri had run into second place, and raced up the straight under the whip, while the rider of Dressmaker sat still, and won easily by three lengths, Mignonette a poor third, and the favourite who apparently died away, was only able to finish sixth. There were 310 10s investments on the totalieator, of which only fifteen were on Dressmaker, and the dividend was £9 6s.

Pafakura Cup Handicap of 80sovs., added to a sweepstake of 2sovs. eaoh; second horse to receive lSaovs., and the third horse saovs. out of the stakes. Distance, 1 mile and three-quarters.

Mr. J. D. Halstead's br c Radamee, 3yrs, 7st3lbs (Byers) ... ... 1 Mr. Robertson's blk m Fishwoman, 4yre, 7st 81bs (McLusky) ... .... ... 2 Mr. A. Sfcandieh's gr m. Witiora, 6yrs, 7st lOlba (Williams) .„ ... ... 3 Mr. P. F. Tanored's r g Administrator (4yrs, Bst 91bs, 21bs over-weight, Kowlands), Mr. Robertson's b h FitzHercales (syrs, Bst 2lbs, Sutherland), Mr. J. Barr Brown's b h Maori (aged, 7et Kllbs, T. Taylor), and Mr. J. Millison's. b h Swordsman (4yrs, 6st, 41bs over-weight, Adams), also started. This, of course, was the chief .event of the day, and those who looked: forward to a grand contest were not disappointed. Out of nine entriea only Paramena (7st 41bs) and Taipouri (6>t) disappeared; leaving seven starters and a very open field. Kadames, from hie performance on the Ellerelie course, was made a favourite, but by no means a hot one, the betting being: 5 to 2 against Kadames, 3to 1 Witiora, 4£ to 1 Maori, 5 to 1 Administrator, 6 to 1 fishwoman and FitzHeroules. The start was at the .back of the course in; a very narrow clearing. It could be seen that the starter was in difficulties, there being'numerous false starts and breaks, but it was observed that Administrator took no part in those frolioe. Be waited at the post so long and patiently, in fact, that when the other horses were let away he still remained there, and lost upwards of 20 lengths. Just after the start, at which Swordsman sprang to the front, the horses disappeared behind the ta'a-tree, »nd were hidden for nearly, a quarter of a-mile, bnt on coming into view ■ Swordsman was still leading, Radames second, with FitzHeroules on his quarters, and Fishwoman close up. Administrator had not been idle, and on passing the stand he had run into fourth position, whioh at the back he further improved to third. Witiora. was then in the., dangerous division, and made every stride tell, and a grand race took place. Oh coming into the straight it looked as if the race lay between Fishwoman and Witiora, the former for choice, but the favourite fairly shot through on the outside, dosing more than a length in the last few strides, and finished a winner oh the post by a neok, fairly wresting the honours from Fishwoman, and Witiora was a good third. It was a great and exciting race. Administrator was raced to the straight, but here it was apparent Rowlands saw his chance was lost, so he eased off and finished sixth. •' The investments on the totalisator were 314, of whioh 102 were on the winner, and the dividend was £2165.

Selling Race, of 25aovs. Weight forage. ■ Winner to be eold by auction immediately after the race for lOOsove. If entered,, tot, be sold for 60sovs., allowed 7lbs. ; if for 30sovs., allowed 141ba.; if for 2030V8.," allowed 211bs. Dietance, 1 mile and a quarter. • Mr. P. F. Tanored's b g Sham, 3050va.,:. > . syra, Bst 21bs, (J. Grayslock) ... — ) Mr. J. Dore's b m Mignonette, 20sovs,, . syrs, 7st 71bs (T. Taylor) ... — 2 Mr. D. Thompson's blk m Black Star, 20aovs., 6yre, 7st 71bs (Chapman) -.- 3 The betting was 6 to 4 on Mignonette, even money on Sham, and any odds against Black Star. This respited in a match between Mignonette and Sham, the third horse being outpaced from the start. At the back of the course' Sham took the lead, and was never caught after, and won by a length, but not without an effort. The winner wa« put up for sale by Mr. Digby Tonks, and bought in by Colonel Fraser for £37 10s.

Railway Handicap, of 40sovs.; second horse to receive 53ovs. out of the stakes. - Distance, 1 mile. Mr. P. F. Tancred's rn h Administrator,, 4yrs, Bst 71bs (Sutherland) ... — 1 Mr. Robertson's blk m Fishwoman, 4yrs, 7st lOlbs (MoLujky) ... ... •« 2 Mr. W. Potter's br g Paramena, aged, 7at Slbs, 31bs over-weight (Hickey) ... 3 Messrs. Lyons and Blaikie's b'g Woodpecker (6yrs, 7st 121bs, T. Taylor), Mr. A. Standish's gr m Witiora (Syrs, Bst lib, G. Williams), Mr. J. Simes'bk h Kalo (4yrs, 7st 81bs, Chapman), Mr. J. Barr Brown's b g Larrikin 3yrs, 6sfe, Byers), and Mr. Robertson's br £ Mitrailleo.se (3yrs,7st4lbs, J.Thorpe) also ran. Merlin, who' was scratched for all engagements, did not appear. Normanby (8«t 31bs), Swordsman (sst 41b«), and Radames (7st 121bs) were also absent. The betting was 2 to 1 against Administrator, 3 to 1 against Woodpecker, 4 to 1 Paramena. and ste 1 Witiora and Fishwoman. There was great delay at the start of this race owing to the fractiousness of several horses, but at length they were let away, and Administra-. tor went to the front, but afterwards gave place to Mitrailleuse, Fiahwomsn, and Paramena. On the turn to the straight he was well baok in fourth position, but crashing through the other horses he raced Fishwoman neok-and-neok up the straight, and won by a neck, Paramena being a good third. There were 390 10s investments on the totalisator, 128 on the winner, and the dividend was £1 7s.

Novel Race, of 20sovs. Distance, 1 mile. The winner to be sold by auction immediately after the race, and the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds. The lowest weight, 7st 71bs. ' Mr. B. Thompson's ch m Apology — 1 Mr. W. Pemberton's br g Ravenswood.., 2 Mr. Thompson's gr m Pearl 3

Beeswing and Juno were scratched, leaving only three in the raoe. The race proved an easy victory for Apology, who won by three lengths. The winner was sold to Mr. Lambert for £21. On the totalisator there were 150 10s investments, 63 on the winner, and the dividend was £1 Is. This brought to a olose a very successful and enjoyable day's meeting. AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB'S MEETING. The following is an account of the running of the two principal - events at the above meeting:— THE ST. LEQEB. The pair were despatched on even terms, and as soon as they got on their legs MartiniHenry went to the front, and making the pace very solid from the jump, led round the bend by a couple of lengths. They ran in the same position till the hill was topped, when Le Grand drews'Httle closer, but at the half-mile poet he seemed to falter, and Martini-Henry, making the paoe a cracker, and going well vrithin himself, inoreased his advantage to nearly four lengths. He turned into the straight with an advantage of nearly three lengths, and it looked any odds on him; but Le Grand made a determined challenge at the distance, and, cutting him down in half-a-dozen strides, shot to the front amidst a roar from the crowd. The whip was turned on to the favourite, and he made'one reaoliite effort,"and 'decreased the lead of the Queenelanderj, but only for a few strides, as the'latteragain drew away,: and won easily by' ii length-and a-half. ■ Time, 3mins. lOJsecs. The betting was' 7to 4on Martini-Henry. \ ', !', J 1 ;- 1 ;■'..-■■■'.

.the sydnet tirrr. ' ' ' There Woe little or no. delay at the post before Mr.:Gannon lowered his flag to a good start, and the great qrowd of colours appeared to move in a line for a few strides, when the French grey: and cardinal of Here's Lack showed clear of the green jaoket worn by.Phyllis; and Soldier Boy, Old Gold, and Pqleatar could be seen at the front of a wellpacked ruck. They raced in the same order over the dip, when suddenly a gap was observed in the centre of thy.ruok, for MartiniHenry tripped and fell heavily, and Morpeth, striking against him as ho fell, rolled over him and broke his leg in two places. Forcing the pace in th& interest of' a friend,' Here's Luok entered the straight with Old Gold and Phyllis at his girths, and First Demon and Favo in close attendance, followed by Empress, Sweet William, Pell Mell, and Normanby. Here's Lack and Old Gold, with a short neck between them, led post the stand, followed by Phyllis, First Demon, Favo, Stookdale, Empress, and Young Australian, with the others in a beautiful cluster, whipped in by Normanby and Le Grand. After getting over the tan, crossing Here's , Luck , drew a length away from Old Gold, and the order of the others remained unchanged, except that King of the Vale fell back last. At the seven furlongs post Old Gold drew level with Here's Luck, and the pair led. on .terms along the back of the course, a length and a naif clear of Favo and Phyllis, and a length from the last named pair came a well-packed raok headed by Empress, while on the outside Le Grand could be seen gradually but surely making - his - way ■■ towards . the - first flight. The hill steadied the field for a moment, the leaders closed for a few etridee, and, as they flashed past the trainers' stand, Favo, with a brilliant run, assumed the command, and settling duwn to his work like a raoehorse, led round the bend by a length, Lβ Grand, on the left, next, and apparently going . well within himself, and after him could be seen the colours of the gallant little Sardonyx, attended by Stookdale and' Phyllis, but the two latter were in difficulties, and fighting bitterly to keep their places ; then, at a short interval succeeded Empress, on whom Nicholson was sitting still, Sweet William and Pell Mell just .clear of Normanby, who was going strongly. Hugging the rails closely, and saving every inch of valuable ground, Favo led round the bend and into the straight, while Le Grand, on-the. outside, ran into second place and looked like a winner, but a few strides further on O'Brien .was seen to be hard on him, and after one gallant effort, the weight told and the favourite melted out of the battle. Empress, Sardonyx, and Sweet William settled down in pursuit of the flying light weight. At the distance it looked as though they had him, but in answer to Smith's call the despised outsider shook them off as if they were standing still, and coming, on full of running rattled up the straight with, a clear.lead, and won with a stone in hand by two lengths from.Empress, a length from whom : came the wonderful Sardonyx, attended a head away by Normanby, and then succeeded . Stockdale, Le Grand, King of the Vale, Sweet William, Phyllis, Pell Mell, and Little Sister, while the last to pass the post were Soldier Boy, Polestar, and Young Australian. Time, 3 min. 36secs. The "betting at the post was 5 to[2»: Lβ Grand, 5 to 1.-rv.; Empress, 6 to 1 vy. Pell Mell,. 10 to 1 : v> Sardonyx and Sweet William; 12 to 1 v. Normauby, Uto l.v. Martini Henry, 15 to 1 each v. Morpeth, First Demon, and Normanby, 20 to 1 v." Favo, and 25 to SO to 1 v. any other.