SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8096, 10 November 1887, Page 6

SPORTING.

: A.R.C. SPRING MEETING. The racing season of the Auckland Racing Club' for this year was opened yesterday under very favourable circumstances — favourable, indeed, in more respects than one, for not only were the fields Urge and the

chances open, but the weather, which had for a few days previously been threatenin g, proved all that could be desired. Indeed, the slight rainfall whioh set in during the night had a beneiioial effect. It cleared away the overhanging olouds, and by ten o'clock yesterday there was a clear sky, a mild atmosphere, and a nice southerly breeze, cool and temperate, and

every inducement for holiday making, and where could there be a more pleasant scene

tau the Ellerslie racecourse? The sur-

rounding hills and plains were masses of the richest verdure. The surroundings of the

grandstand and booths were set off with flags and banners, and the offices of the Club were also suitably decorated. Another noticeable innovation whioh the Club has introduced, and a most useful one too, is that the gatekeepers and other officials of the Club have distinguishing badges on their

hats " A.R.C. Offioials." They are certainly prominent—gold letters on black cloth, and cannot be overlooked. In regard to the state

of the club's surroundings we may say that we have never seen them to better advantage. The lawn and the saddling paddock showed a perfeot carpet of the brightest green, fresh and pure after the night's showers. A South Australian gentleman, who stood beside our reporter, became enraptured with the verdure, and said that in all his life he had never seen such a bright pioture, and he contrasted it with the usually brown landscapes of his own colony. The lawn was a natural pioture. It was not to any great extent artificially decorated, exoopt that in the centre there was a staged group of flowers, but the prettiest dressing consisted of the little flower plots on the plateau in front of the grand stand. These showed evidences of the greatest care. The flowers and evergreens ware in full bloom, aud the emblematic designs, horseshoes, etc.,

were strongly and artistically marked in the borders. We do not know who has charge of these plots, but we must commend the taste and care displayed in bringing their characteristic features into prominence and with the best of taste.

The conduct of the races was admirable throughout, no time beiDg lost between the races. Mr. John Kirkwood officiated as judge; Mr. F. W. Marks, clerk of the scales ; Mr. J. Chadwick, clerk of the course ; and Mr. T. Stephens, starter. All the officers performed their duties in the most satiafictory manner, and in this connection we may say that in starting Mr. Stsphens surpassed all his previous records. In the Welcome Stakes, with 13 youngsters to start, he had a difficult duty, tojwhich.he proved fully equal. His indomitable patience and shrewd watchfulness enabled him to let his field off to the most picturesque and perfect start ever accomplished In New Zealand, and he was quite as successful in regard to the large held which he sent to contest the Prince of Wales' Handicap. In the other races he was fairly successful, and his firmness and patience did more than any amount of blustering could accomplish. As to the races themselves they were well contested and on their merits, and the introduction of the splended field of two-year-olds is a feature of which Auckland may wsll be proud. It was .the largest field of youngsters ever started on their first journey in New Zealand, and larger than ever met the starter in any Australian colony during the present season, and that surely is something of which Auckland racing men may be proud. There were no serious accidents. Torpedo and his rider Laing came down in the Steeplechase, but neither was hart. Mr. Impels band played the following selections on the lawn during the afternoon : —Quick march. *' Rockbarton " (J. Arbuckle); overture, "La Petit Guerre" (Marie); val«o. " Skipping" (Viviano) ; selectiou, " lolanthe" (Sir A. Sullivan)-5 quadrille, "Merry Songs" (15. Newton); valec, "Boccaoia" (Suppt); march, "Serajeveno Lager" (Roscnkrantz); overture, "Spring" (Ziegier); valse, "La Beruaise" (Dan Godfrey); selection, " Kip Van Winkle" (Plauquette); fantasia, " Elmire" (E. Mullot); valse, "Light and Shade" (H. Hound); " God Bless the Prince of Wales ;" and "God Save the Queen." The attendance was probably as large as was anticipated, there being about 3500 people on the coarse, and the Grandstand and Derby Stand were fairly patronised, and some of the ladies appearing in new spring costumes, graced the lawn and enlivened the scene.

The police, under Sergeant Gamble, rendered efficient assistance to the stewards and officials during the day. The following are the results of the races :— Trial Stikks of 70sovs, with a sweepstakes of 2sovs each, to go to second horse. Weight for age. For three-year-olds and upwards. ' Maidens, if three-year-olds, allowed 51b; four-yoar-olds, 71b; five years and upwards, 101b. One mile. Mr. Wm. Somerville's br f Batista, 7st 41b (o'M«ara) „ ... 1 Hon. E. Mitchelson's br f Fusee, 7st 41b (Pearson) ... 2 Mr. D. Twohill'a br in Cinderella, Bat lllb (Carey) ... 3 Tennyson (8a lllb), Edgecombe's Lady Alice (7st9lb, Stone), Sir Walter (7nt 61b, Lett), aiao ran. The only scratching was MrWilliamson's filly Gipsy. There was very little betting in the paddock, it being in point of fact paralysed by the strength with which Cinderella was made a favourite at 2

to 1 on. Mr. Stephens had to .exercise his patience and persuasive powers at the post in order to get his horses together, as all were eager to get away, but after several breaks lie got them into a moderately fair line, and the flag dropped to a good start. Cinderella was the lirst to show in front, but going round to the back she surrendered the premier position to Lady Alice, and Tennyson ran into second place, Cinderella falling back. After emerging from the cutting, she flittered her supporters somewhat by improving her position, but the others were close up, and Lady Alice gave way to Balista. There was a grand entrance to the straight, and then the whips were out, a fine finish occurring up the straight between Fusee and Balista, tho former coming very strong at the finish, but Balista staved off the effort, and won by three-quarters of a length from the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson's filly. The favourite (Cinderella) was two lengths behind in third place, and the others were somewhat scattered. Time, lmin 44£seos. The totalisator dividend was £6. To show how strong a favourite Cinderella was at the start, womiy mention that out of 315 tickets on the totalisator, there were 152 on her, and only 47 on the winner. Fusee's running was most meritorious, as she carried Gibs overweight, WifLGOMK Stakes of 150iovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3sova each ; second horse to receive 2030va, and the third horse 10 sovs, out of the stakes. Vox two-year-olds. Colts, Bst 51b; fillies, 8»t. Five furlongs. Mr. J. Kean na br f Pearl Shell, by Mnsket—Pearl Ash, Sit (J. Keen) ... 1 Mr.W. Somerville's br f Hilda, by Musket —Ouida (T. Taylor) 2 Mr. P. J. Buxton's br o Man Friday, by* Robinson Crusoo—Charity (Carey) »,. 3 Tartar, by Musket—Steppe; Rataplan, by Leolinua—My Idea; Barest King, by Fovo— Memento ; Toksum, by Mueket—AlbatroßS ; Braemer, by MusketErioyna; Satyr, by LoolinusNaiid ; Olive, by Cap-a-pie—Florence ; and br f by Musket—Hipporina, also ran. There was great interest in this race. Hilda and Pearl Shell divided the honours for pride of place at 3 to 1, Man Friday being backed at ■ 6 to 1. and curiously enough all the youngsters backed were placed. There was no betting at all on the otVirs. The race is interesting as regards the representative sires. The defunct Musket claimed five of the starters in his progeny, including the winner. Leolinuß had two representatives » Feve was represented by one; Capapia by two; Robinson Crusoe by one; and the Dauphin by one. Mr. Stephens had a rather difficult task in starting this new school, and had to exeroise a great deal of patience, for several of the youngsters showed a decided objection to come up to their horses. Ac length, however, the flag fell to a fair start, and Cuahla was the first to single herself out, but it was only.momentary, for Pearl Shell took command in the cutting, and led the field all the Wfy at

a rattling pace, increasing hor distance to two lengths by the time the entrance to the straight was reached, and easing off gradually won without an effort by a length in the fast time of lmin 4seo. Hilda came up very strongly ' at the finish, and so did Man Friday,. Who Was in the ruck for the greater part of the time until he struggled in the straight for position with Cushla and beat her off on the post. The totalisator dividend was £2 lis.

Handicap Hurdle Race of 80sovs, with a sweepstakes of 2sovs eaoh, to go to second horse. Over 8 flights of hurdles. Two milei. ' Mr. W. K. Carter's b m Coral, 9st 31bs (Collins) 1 Mr. J. Gallagher's gr gelding Peter Oabeok, list lllbs (Hope) 2 Messrs. Hayr Brothers br f Ma Petite Fille, 9at 41bs (Hatfield) ... .„ 3 Magnesia, 10st 7 lbs (Nolan), also ran. These were all the entries, and all four started. The race was considered pretty open, Magnesia and Ma Petite Fille being about equal favourites, and Peter Osbeok was next in demand. The betting was even on the field. At the start Magnesia took the lead, but soon surrendered It to Ma Petite Fille, and at the cutting the big grey was last. But the paoe here afforded no guide, as all were pulling double. Magnesia, running very strongly, led past the stand, with Ma Petite Fille on her girths, and the other two about two lengths behind, and this position was maintained to the back of the course, where Peter Oabeck went up to the leaders. At this point, and in the home turn, it seemed as if the decision rested between those two, but in the final there was a brilliant rush

made by Coral, who had been steadily improving her position, and challenging Peter Osbeok in the straight, she got her head in front opposite the Derby stand, and won by a neck, Ma Petite Fille finished a length behind the grey, and Magaesia was last. Time, 4min GJsoo. Tho dividend on the totalisator was £7 17s.

Prince of Walks Handicap of ISOaovs, added to a sweepstakes of 3sovs each, second horse to receive 20aovs, and third horse lOaovs out of the stakes. For three-year-olds and upwards. One and a half miles. Mr. J. All well's ch m Victoria, 7at 111b (Pearson) ••• ••• * Mr. J. Jones's blk h British Lion, 7st

101b (Hiokton) Mr. T. Hedger's br m Antel. pel 6st 121b 3

(Katterns) Friendship (Bat 111b, T. Taylor), Clogs (Bst, Kean), Wapiti (7st 13lb, Morrigan), Forma (7st2lb, Myers). Balista (6»t 101b, O'Meara), Sir Walter (6st 7lb. Lett), Mritannia (6st7lb, Durston), Lsorina (6st, Mobley), Cannon (6«t, Brimner), also ran. Tamora, Cinderella, Turquoise, Lady Norah, and Fusee were scratched. This raae was considered very open, and the betting in the paddock was rather limited, but the quotations may be given at 5 to 1 against Clogs, Victoria, Antelope, and British Lion, the others receiving little support. With a splendid field of twelve starters, there waa ample room for the excitement whioh prevailed, and Mr. Stephens, never since he was appointed starter, displayed better judgment than at the start of this raoe. There was, of course, the usual difficulties whioh cannot be obviated with nervously excited horses and anxious jockeys, and there were a few breaks away, but when Mr. Stephens dropped his flag the start was a pioture, the horses getting away in perfect line, and the colours of that grey fraud Cannon were the first to show slightly in advance, but soarcely in a perceptible degree. As they came|into the straight the whole field was abreast, and passing the judge's box for the first time Cannon, Antelope, and British Lion were abreast, all the others in a cluster close op, and at this stage it was anyone's race. There was little change until the back of the course was reached, where Britannia moved into first place, with Antelope, who had improved her position, second, British Lion third, and Clogs fourth. On emerging from the cutting British Lion, running very strongly, took first position, and nere that game little mare Victoria began to assert herself, and came up amongst the seoond division, and secured a good position on entering the straight, where she came with one of those sensational rushes for whioh she is famous, aud fairly wearing down the leaders, won by a neck from British Lion, Antelope, half a length bohind, third, and Clogs a wellplaced fourth. Time, 2min 40£ieo. Totalisator dividend, £4 la.

Selling Stebplec hass of 7030V8. Four-year-olds to carry list; five»year-olds, list 121b; six years and upwards, 12st 41b. Winner to be sold for 150sovs. If entered not to be sold to carry 141b extra. If entered to be sold for lOOsovs, allowed 71b ; if for 75sots, 14lbs ; if for 50aovs, 211b ; if for 25iovs, 281b ; if for nil, 421b. About three miles. Mr. J. Chadwick us br g Whalebone (nil), 9jt lib (G. Laing) 1 Mr. T. Stephens' oh g Hawthorn (nil), 93tllb(Kdgeoombe) 2 Mr. P. J, Buxton's b g Huntsman (50sovs), ICM 81b (G. Hope) 3 Orangeman (list lib), Guy Fawkes (lOat Sib), Torpedo (9it lib), Holly (9it), and Nora (9.t) also ran. The start was at the back of the flit course, and the first jump into Crowther's paddock behind the trees, in emerging from which on the rise of the hill Hawthorn was seen in the lead, with Guy Fawkes second, Whalebone third, Torpedo fourth. On coming down the hill the order of goina was somewhat changed, and at the sod fence Guy Fawkes, Whalebone, and Hawthorn rose together, with Uraugemau and Torpsdo oloae behind. Whalebone led up the flat to the water jump, but Hawthorn was the first to negotiate it, Guy Fawkes third, and Holly fourth, and in this order they cleared the stonewall. Here Torpedo struok heavily, and threw J. Laing, his jockey, and was thenceforward out of the race. In fact, he did not try further. At the back of the course Whalebone was again in front, followed by Hawthorn, Orangeman, and Holly, the rest tailing off, and this order wai maintained up the hill and down to the flat, the little cob again leading over the sod fence, followed by Hawthorn, Huntsman, and Orangeman, and so over the double— jumping beautifully, and Whalebone slightly improving his position. In the turn over the old water jump, Huntsman went alongside Whalebone, and led up the hill, Orangeman being in third place, Hawthorn fourth, and Guy Fawkes fifth. Pace was theu increased, and at the top of the hill G. Laing again brought the game little Whalebone to the front, clearing the posts and rails in front of Huntsman and Orangeman, and then coming down the hill, he nearly left his competitors standing, for he came away as he liked, and passed the winning post when the others were crossing the last hurdle, some 40 lengths astern of him, Hawthorn and Huntsman boing fairly together as second and third. Time, Smin ll£»eo. The totaliaator dividend was £6 6a. The winner was bought in at £21. ."Selling Rack cf 50*ovs ; winner to be sold by auotion immediately after tho race, and the whole of the proceeds to go to the funds. Minimum weight, B*t. One mile, Mr. ft. Thorpe's g h The Oat (J, Kean).,. 1 Mr. J. B. Williamson's blk g Bangalore (Pearson) - ... 2 Mr. A. Sutherland's ch m Weazel

(owner) ... 3 Mermaid (6. Laing), Woodpecker (Hodson), and Pipi (Dawson) also ran. Rewi and On Guard were scratched. There were no quo tuitions at all on this race in the paddock. At the start The Oat cut out the running, but Bangalore cut the grey down in the home turn, and Weasel began to look dangerous. In the straight The Cat came again very cleverly, and won by half a length from Bangalore — Weasel a good third. Time, lmin 47seo. The totalisator dividend was £6 4a. The winner was bought in by the owner at £27 10s. Epsom Plate, of SO sovb, with a sweepstakes of 2 sovb each, to go to second horse. For two and threa year-olds. Two-year-old colts, 7st 7lb ; fillies, 7st 21b. Three-year-old colts, 9it ; fillies, Sat 91b. Winners of a weight for age race since August .Ist to carry 31b penalty. Five furlongs.

Messrs. Kelly and Sutherland's oh g Paddy, Bst 111b (Carey) 1 Hon. E. Mitohelaon'a b f Fusee, Sat 9lb (Pearson) .... 2 Mr. J. Ghaafe nab i Bangle, B>t 91b (Sutherland) ... ~ 3 Lady Alice (8«t 91b), Haricot (Sst 91b), Gipsy (Bst 91d), Pikau (Bst 91b), Raglan (7st 7lb) alio ran. Balista, Satyr, Man Friday, Braemar, Olive, Hilda, Pearl Shell, Cushla, and Hipporina filly were scratched. This left seven starters out of a field pf 17 for the final raoe., Lady Alice and Haricot were first in front, but at the finish Paddy came up with a great rush, and won oleverly by a neck from Fusee, The dividend was £8 lis,