SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8963, 30 January 1888, Page 6

SPORTING.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S SUMMER MEETING. First Day.

The Takapuna Jockey Club had on tho wholo vory favourable weather on Saturday for tho first day's races of their summer mooting. Tho day was rather cloudy, but did not threaten immediate rain, and a nice cool southerly broezo wont a long way towards tampering what would otherwise have boon a somewhat oppressive heat. In spite, howovor, of favourablo weather and tho oxcoptionally favourable inducements offered by tho Ferry Company and tho club, namely, a shilling for jmssago from Auckland and admission to tno course, there was a poor attendance. Tho regular bookmakers did no business, in fact did not open books at all, but outside the paddock a number of " ready money " bookmakers bawled odds from such standpoints as they secured from inverted spirit cases. Tho' races on tho whole went off very satisfactorily, not a hitch occurring, the starting being good and punctual, and in very few instances indeed did tho favourite score a win, thus showing how well Mr. W. W. Robinson had, under the most difficult circumstances, and when dealing with a very moderate lot, concealed the winner in his handicaps. Sergeant Pratt and a posse of constables were present to render their usual valuable assistance to the stewards, and Sergeant Gillies (mounted) was a great aid to the clerk of the course. The Devon port Band, under Bandmaster Morris, performed a number of musical selections on the lawn in front of the grandstand during the afternoon. The officers of the club were assiduous in the performance of their duties, and carried them out satisfactorily. Mr. W. H. Fenton occupied his old position as judge, Mr. Thos. Stephens was starter, Mr. F. W. Marks clerk of the scales, and Mr. Joseph Chad wick clerk of the course, while Mr. R. Wynyard and his aide, Mr. Chappell, performed their duties in such a way as not only to leave no grounds for complaint, but to call for the highest commendation. The course, notwithstanding the recent drought, was in very fair order—a little dusty, but not so hard as might have been expected. The club has adopted tho admirable lead of the A.R.C., by introducing numbered saddle cloths. Tlioy are white flannel with black figures, which show out with great distinctness, and we hope if the other clubs are to continue in existence they will follow the example. The cost is not great, and these numbers are a much better means of enabling any person to identify the horse he is looking at than colours, which are aften so much alike as to be positively misleading. The following are the results of the races:— Maiden Plate, of 20sovs. For all horses that have not won an advertised race exceeding ISsovs. Weight-for-age. One and a quarter miles. Mr. W. Robertson's ch m Miss Alice, 7st 131b (Durston) ... ... ... 1 Mr. J. B. Bell's b m Mantilla, Bst 111b (Bell) 2 These were the only starters —Luna, Welcome Joe, and Jessie being scratched—and the betting was about a guinea to a gooseberry in favour of Miss Alice. The favourite at once took the lead. The start was at the end of the straight, and it was evident that Durston had his hands full to steady his mount, but he managed to remain within reach of Mantilla. He attempted to make a struggle at the finish, but Miss Alice, fighting for her head, won by about six lengths. There was £6 on the totalisator. One venturesome individual took a shot on Mantilla, and thus enabled the investors on Miss Alice to draw a dividend of £1 Is, or a profit of a shilling on their investments. Handicap Hurdles of 40sovs. Second horse to receive ssovs out of the stakes. Over six flights of hurdles. Distance one and a-half miles. Mr. R. Walker's ch g Recruit, Sst 121b (Edgcombe) I Mr. T. W. Carr's b m Coral, 9st 121b (Collins) 2 Mr. H. Simpson's ch g Kangaroo, 9st 61b (Maher) ... ... ... ... ... 3 Magnesia (lOst 21b), Sirloin (Sst 101b), and Wat Tyler (Sst Tib) also ran. Rob Roy and Quilp were scratched. This proved a very interesting race, and resulted in somewhat of a surprise. The start was opposite the grand stand, in full view of the whole assembly, and it was a very good one. Magnesia was the favourite in the paddock, and on the machine, with Coral next in demand, but the first to show in front was Sirloin followed by Recruit and Magnesia, the others in close ocmpanv, and in this order they went to the back of the course and cleared the first hurdle, Kangaroo, who was evidently suffering from the knocking about he got at Onehunga, being last, and going rather prop})}*. Sirloin again led past the stand, followed by Magnesia, but in the turn from the straight Wat Tyler ran into second place, and these two made the running for about half-a-mile, but in the home turn Recruit ran into second place, and for the first time looked dangerous, for he took the lead passing the stand, with Coral in close attendance. It was generally expected that Coral would overhaul Recruit, and so she did, for both rose almost simultaneously to the hurdle at the back of the course. This Recruit struck lightly, but Coral struck it very heavily, and was thrown out of her stride, and although she made a gallant struggle in the home turn and the straight, Recruit won by half a length, Kangaroo a moderate third, and the rest a somewhat scattered tail, with Magnesia near the end. Wat Tyler disposed of his rider in the last circuit, and raced home alone, neither horse nor rider being hurt. There was £491 on the totalisator, of which 40 were on the winner, and the dividend was £11. Novel Rack of 25sovs. The winner to be sold immediately after tho race, and the whole of the proceeds to go to the club. Lowest weight, Sst 71b. One mile. Mr. J. McLeod's br g Yankee (McMiniman) 1 Mr. B. Thompson's b g Buzzard (Pearson) 2 Mr. C. Clarke's b g Welcome Joe (G. Laing) 3 Holly and Glencoe also started, Signa, Venetia, Luna, and Wat Tyler being scratched. This resulted in another very interesting race, and somewhat of a surprise. Welcome Joe was a warm favourite. When the flag fell Buzzard's pink colours were the first to become prominent, but he surrendered the lead to Welcome Joe, Yankee taking third position, and when the back of the Icourse was reached the others were hopeessly beaten off, and it was manifest that these three would fight out tho finish. Yankee took command in the home turn, with Welcome Joe second. Yankee was not again headed and won very comfortably by a length. Buzzard fought a gallant fight with the favourite in the straight, and beat him by a length for places. There were £380 on the totalisator, 92 on the winner, and the dividend was £3 14s. The winner was offered for sale by Mr. D. B. Tonks, and bought in by the owner for £16.

Takapuna Handicap of 70sovs., second horse to receive lOsovs. out of stakes. One mile and a-half.

Mr. G. Wright's b m Tamora, 7sfc Gib (Durstan) 1 Mr. R. Thorpe's gr h The Cat, 6st 71b (Mobley) 2 Mr. C. Beresford's ch m Forma, 6sfc 101b (Myers) 3 Friendship (Sst 61b), Snake (7sfc 121b), and Eruption (7st) also ran. Leorina, Capella, Miss Alice, and Jessie were scratched. This, of course, > was looked upon as the great event of the day, and the public were certainly not disappointed fti seeing a game and well-contested race for their money. Mr. Stephens despatched the field to a very good start indeed, and Forma, which was somewhat of a favourite, at once took the lead, Tamora, however, sticking very close to her shoulder, and as soon as the others could be separated, it was seen that The Cat was iii third place and making a race of it. In this order they swept round the back of the course, Tamora and Forma remaining locked for the remaining distance to the stand. Friendship and Snake remained in the r6ar, as some thought, ready to make a finish when called on, Dub neither was ever able to appear prominently in the race, and at) the finish they were entirely out of it.

Tamora, Forma, The Cat and Eruption made a grand fight in the straight, but Tamora improving a slight advantage, won by a length somewhat easily at the finish. The Cat passed Forma in the straight and finished second a length behind Tamora, Eruption being a good fourth. Time, 2min 47sec. There was £522 on the totalisator, with 140 on the winner, and the dividend was £3 7s.

Selling Race of 30sovs. For three-year-olds and upwards. Three-year-olds to carry 9st 31b ; four years, 9st 121b ; 5, 6, and aged, lOst lib. Winner to be sold immediately after the race for lOOsovs. If ontoied to be sold for 75sovs, allowed Tib ; if for 55sovs, 141b ; if for 40sovs, 211b; if for nil, 421b. One mile and aquarter.

Mr. H. Simpson's b g Squire, Bsb 51b (White) 1 Mr. W. Robertson's b m Capella, Bsfc 51b (Morrigan) 2 Mr. J. Rae ns b m Briseis, 7st 91b (Fletcher) 3 Wat Tyler (Bst 51b), Weasel (7st 91b), and Signa (6st 121b) also ran. Sirloin,'.Tupaki, Buzzard, and Venetia' were scratched. Capella was the first to show in front, but White sent Squire into the foremost place in the first few strides, and cutting out the running, was never headed; and, stalling off an effort of the favourite Capella in the straight, won cleverly by three lengths. Briseis made a brilliant bid for places, and was only beaten by Capella by a neck. There were £304 on the totalisator, 52 on the winner, and the dividend was £5 ss. Squire was offered for sale by Mr. Tonks, and was bought in for the owner for £41.

Selling Steeplechase, of 35sovs. Second horse to receive ssovs. out of stakes. Four-year-olds to carry list 31bs ; five years, list 121b ; six and aged, 12st41b. Winner to be sold immediately after the race for lOOsovs. If entered to be sold for 75sovs., allowed 71bs; if for 55sovs., 141b; if for 40sovs., 211b ; if for 20sovs., 2Slb ; if for nil, to carry 9st. Distance, twice round steeplechase course.

Mr. J. Chadwick ns blk g Fairplay, lOst lib (G. Laing) 1 Mr. J. Kean's b g Huntsman, 10s Sib (Nolan) 2 Mr. H. Harrison's cli g Quilp, 9st, (Fergus) 3

Traveller (lOst 81b"); Wideawake (lOst lib), Rob Roy (9st) and Patchwork and Ngata (9st each) also ran. Artist, Monitor, and Black Joe were scratched. Wideawake was the favourite, but Quilp's light impost, and his well-known predilection for the course caused a good many to pin their faith to his chances, and Huntsman also had some friends. The course was twice round the hill, finishing on the flat. Quilp and Ngata led over the first hurdle; and the old chestnut cut out the running, continued around, and led over the water pump with Fairplay for his nearest companion. On the flat Huntsman ran into third place, and Wideawake was a moderate fifth. Quilp again led up the hill with Huntsman second, and so they went round to the water jump, which was cleared by Huntsman and Quilp together, Fairplay being well up. A splendid race took place round the flat. Huntsman and Quilp rose together to the hurdle at the back of the course proper, and then Laing calling on Fairplay the old black answered with great gameness. He was a little behind the others in clearing the hurdle in the straight, but wearing them down he won a great race on the post by a neck from Huntsman, Quilp being less than a length behind. There were £544 on the totalisator, of which only £44 was invested on Fairplay, and the dividend was £112s.

Stewards' Handicap of 40sovs, second

horse osovs from the stakes. One mile. Mr. G. Wright's b m Tamora, 4yrs, by Musket Moonlight, Bst(T. Taylor)... 1 Mr. T. Hedger's b h Wapiti, aged, 7st 121b (D. Morrigan) 2 Mr. J. Alwell's ch f Haricot, 3yrs, 7st

31b (G. Durston) 3 Squire (Bst), Jessie (6st 121b), Tupaki (6st 81b), Brown Rose (6st 51b), also ran. Tamora was made a warm favourite. After one or two breaks away, the flag fell to a straggling start, Haricot and Brown Rose getting well away, while the favourite got off badly. Haricot cut out the running at a great pace until the bottom turn past the stand was reached, when Morrigan took Wapiti to the front. The latter cleared out from his opponents as they raced up the back, and entering the straight, the race was considered at his mercy, for he had a good three lengths lead ; but once in the straight Taylor sat down on the favourite, and the daughter of Musket, shooting past her opponents in splendid style, caught Wapiti about fifty yards from home, and eventually beat him by a length and a half, Haricot being about the same distance behind, third. Dividend, £2 4s. TO-DAY'S RACES. With the weather again fine to-day, there is every prospect of another capital afternoon's sport. The programme to be gone through consists of seven events, for the whole of which the acceptances and entries are most satisfactory. Sport will commence with the Selling Hurdle Race, in which the following horses are engaged : —Sirloin, Rob Roy, Q.uilp, Huntsman, Artist, Boomerang, Wide-awake, Wat Tyler, and Black Joe. Either Wide-awake or Black Joe should win; but it would be just as well for backers to bear in mind that they are both located in the one stable. The Hack Race follows, the entries for which are : Signa, Welcome Joe, Holly, Buzzard, Weasel, Rossella, Lady Lonsdale, Glencoe, Luna, Yankee, Venetia, Tommy. Buzzard or Yankee should win, and of the pair I have the most fancy for the first named. The Hurdle Race comes next, the field being composed as follows: Peter Osbeck, list 121b; Coral, 9st 121b; Recruit, 9st 71b ; Kangaroo, 9st; Rob Roy, 9st; Sirloin, Bst 71b ; Wat Tyler, Bst 71b ; Quilp, Bst 71b. I have the most fancy for Coral, and Recruit reads likely to be her most dangerous opponent. The Anniversary Handicap is the next item on the programme, the acceptances for which are : Clogs, 9st 21b; Friendship, Bst 41b ; Tamora, Bst 21b ; Victoria, Bst; Capella, 7st 51b ; Lioness, 7st 21b ; Eruption, 6st 101b ; Formo, 6st 91b ; Miss Alice, 6st 101b ; The Cat, 6st 101b ; Maratau, 6st 71b ; Jessie, 6st; Lady Alice, 6st. Clogs and Tamora will, I think, fight out the finish, and I shall name The Cat as a good outsider. The Selling Race is the next item on the programme, the entries for which are :— Wat Tyler, Signa, Sirloin, Buzzard, Briseis, Weasel, On Guard, Artist, Capella, Venetia, Luna, Tupaki. Capella, Buzzard, and Briseis look the most dangerous, and of the trio Capella will, I think, prove the best. The big Steeplechase follows, the acceptances being —Falcon, list 61b ; Magnesia, lOst 121b; Coral, lOst 71b; Whalebone, lOst 21b ; Kangaroo, 9st 101b; Rob Roy, 9st 71b ; Quilp, 9st 71b ; Recruit, 9st 41b; Trovatore, 9st; Traveller, 9st; Monitor, 9st. Recruit, Magnesia, and Whalebone, I think, will fight out the battle in this race, and I shall take Recruit to supply the winner. The Summer Handicap has the following engaged : —Friendship, Bst 21b ; Squire, Bst; Wapiti, 7st 101b; Formo, 7st 101b; Capella, 7st 81b; Lioness, 7st 81b; Catesby, 7st 41b; Haricot, 7st 41b ; Lady Alice, Gst 101b ; Artist, 6st 101b ; Miss Alice, 6st 101b ; Eruption, 6st 101b ; Jessie, 6st 41b; Wat Tyler, 6st 41b. The running in the Anniversary Handicap will throw a great deal of light on this race, and I shall therefore leave it to my readers to solve on the course. Phaetox.