THE V.R.C. MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10378, 1 March 1897, Page 5

THE V.R.C. MEETING.

- DEFEAT OF NEWHAVEN. • ' THE ST. LEGER STAKES WON BY THE OFFICER. CARLTON WINS THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP. Preii AMocfotion.-Kloctric TeletniDli.-Copytifih*. Melbodkkk, February 27. Tl}E sky was overcast, aqd the day gloomy for the races, but no rain fell. The course was in magnificent condition, Ihcre was i\ large attendance of the public, and speculation was very brisk, but the punters experienced a terrible reverse in the first two races on the downfall of the favourites.

Waraka won the Hopeful Stakes like a racehorse, but Manfred lost a lot of ground at the start. Still when the favourite got out Waraka battled alon'g resolutely. The stable did not profit much over The Officer's win in the St. Leger, albeit Mr. Cook had evidently trained his colt to the hour, aud as the result he stuck to Mewhavon, forcing the puce for ten furlongs, and his condition was bound to tell. Newhaveu never made the semblance of n struggle when The Officer made his dash, but whether from internal injury or cowardice must remain an open question. Mr. Cook's victory was well received, the popular opinion being that Newhaven is in nothing like the condition Higginbothiim had him in the spring. The last six furlongs of the journey were covered iu lm, 11).;.

The Newmarket Handicap proved the best of good things forCarlton.wlio had everything beaten at the distance, traversing the distance within a quarter of a second of Cranbrook's record of lm. 14Js. T. Hales and his fiieuds threw in for a good stake; albeit the riug could well afford it, as the support accorded quite a number of horses was something phenomenal, nearly qvery owner and trainer considering he had a certainty. Aurum fully established his claim to the two-year-old championship by carrying off the Sires Produce Stakes with ridiculous case. A slogging finish on the part of The Hypnotist and Kecra eventuating in Mr. Cook's colt making a dead heat on the post. Coil won the Essendou Stakes in splendid stylo, negotiating tho concluding six furlougs in lm. 14js. Power's stable started three horses, but from the manner in which Warpaint was backed it was evident that neithor Bloodshot nor Q'Trigger were considered likely winners. The following are the detailed results :—

The Hopuful Stakes, of 3 aovs each, with 150 added; second, 30 sovs. For two-year-olds that have never received 50 sovs of public money in anyone race—colts, 7stlOlb; fillies, 7st 71b; geldings, 7st 51b. Five furloUßS, Mr. J. Redfearn's ch c Waraka, by Mahiii—Cvnriote (W, Kedfearn) ,„ I Mr. W. R. Wilson's br o Alanfred (H. J. Morrison) 2 Sir T. Elder's br i Lady Augusta (H. Gardiner) 3 The other starters were: Wild Raven, Good Shot, Table Talk, Lustre, Nudity, Canta, Betting: 5 to 4 on Manfred, 4 to 1 Waraka, 7 to 1 Lustre, 12 to 1 the others. Lada Augusta, Nudity, and Waraka were the first away, with tho favourite iu the rear. Encoring the course proper, Waraka ran up first, followed by Manfred. Waraka eventually won by half a length, Lady Augusta two lengths and a half away, followed by Wild Raven, with Carita last. Time, lm. 4fa.

Tiiu St. Leger Stakes, a sweepstakes of 20aovs each, with 500;sovs added. Second horse lOOsovs, and third uOsova out of the stakes. For three-year-olds; Colts, Bat 101b; fillie3, Sat 71b. One mile aud three-

quarters. Mr. S. G. Cook's br 0 The Officer, by Robinson Crusoe—Marie Louise (H. Holmes) 1 Mr. VV. C. Cooper's ch 0 Newhaven, by Newiniuster—Oceana (Gardiner) ... 2 Mr. VV. R. Wilson's br 0 Resolute, by Trenton—TJmilta- (Morrison) ... ... 3

Betting: 5 to 2on Newhaven, 4 to 1 agst Resolute, 6 to 1 The Olh'cer. The Officer was first away, but was steadiep before going half a furlong, Newhaven and Resolute running locked together till live furlongs from home, when the favourite led by half a length. Coming to the home turn, The, Officer run up, and, settling the favourite in summary fashion, romped home the easiest oi winners by two lengths, the whip having to bo brought into requisition to enable Newhaven to gain a long neck advantage over Resolute for second money. Time, 3m, (i.fj. The Newmarket Handicap, a sweepstake ' of 2o*ovs each, with 7sosovs added. Second horse to receive '.MO.wvn, and the third lOOaovs out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr. T. Hales' ch h Carlton, by Carlyon— Sylvan Queen, Bst 31b (E. Power) ... 1 Messrs. W. and C VViisou's be Wait-a-

Bit, 3yrs, by Malua—Lucine, 7st 111b (Anwiu) 2 'Mr. YV. Bailey's oh c Coil, 3yrs, by Abercorn—Copra, 9st (Harris) 3 Mr. H. Underwood's blk g The Don, 6yrs, by Bnlton Green—Spanish Girl, 7st 41b (J. Murray) 4 The other starters were ;—Hova, Lieutenant, Ayrshire, Valiant, Survivor, Whakawaten, Beverley, So-and-So, Staffa, Cartridge, Reka, l)ora, Pilatus, Loch Ford, Sunbury, Acton, Bacchus, Miss Gladstone, Orient, Madge, Croustadt, Benedict, and Sailor Boy. Betting: oto 1 aget Valiant, 10 to 1 Ayrshire, 12 to 1 Sunbury and Wait a Bit, 14 to 1 Survivor and Orient, '20 to 1 Carlton, So-and-So, Hova, mid Miss Gladstono, 25 to 1 Bacchus, Filatus, and Sailor Boy, 33 to 1 Lieutenant, 50 to 1 Coil, 100 to 1 The Don. At the start Hova was on the rails, Miss Gladstone, Hova, Pilatus, Beverley, and Ayrshire being the first to move. After traversing a furlong Miss Gladstone wan still in front, pursued by Acton, Valiant, Beverley, and Ayrshire. Enteriug the course proper Mies Gladstone led from Sailor Buy, after whom came in order Wait-a-Bit, Dora, Ayrshire, and Coil, with Carlton making a dash from the general ruck. So strong was his effort that at the distance he assumed a two-lengths lead from Wait-a-Bit, behind whom were Beverley and Miss Gladstone. Sweeping; oil Carlton maintained his advantage to the finish, defeating Wait-a-bit easily by two lengths. Coil was third, a length away, The Don fourth, a head behind Coil, Beverley fifth, So-and-So sixth, then coming Ayrshire, Sunbury, Pilutue, Cartridge, Ruled, the last three to pass the post being Mnsgo, Lieutenant, Whakawatea. Time, lm. 14js. ■ .. • The Sires' Produce Stakes of 860sovs. For two-year-olda; colti, Bic 101b; fillies, Bst 71b j geldings, Bst 51b. Six furlonga. Mr. W. R. Wilson's bre Aurum, by Tren(Morrison) 1 Mr. S. G. Cook's br o The Hypnotist, by Trenton—The Charmer (Holmes) ... + Mr. VV. Bailey's bo Keera, by Neokersgat —Horteuse (Harris) t El IWto was the only other starter. Betting: 5 to 4on Aurum, 4to 1 a?st The Hypnotist, 6 to 1 Keera, 8 to 1 El Norte.

When fairly iu their stride's Keera led from Anrum, but the latter assumed command alter a couple of furlongs were traversed, and •romped home comfortably by two lengths and a-half, whilst 151 Norte was three longths astern of the deadheaters, Time, lm. \op. The Essendos Stakes of lOsovs each, with 25030VS added; second, fjOaovs, Weight-for-age, One mile and a-half.

Mr. \V, Bailey's cb e Goil, 3yrs, by Aber. corn—Copra, Bat lib (Harris). ■ 1 Mr. J, Monaghan's b h Valiant, 4yrs, Ost (Cox) 2 Mr. E. Power's br h Warpaint, 6yrs, 9at 31b (Power) 3 The others atarters were: Hova, Preston, Fadladeen, O'Trigger, and Bloodshot. Betting: 2to 1 Warpaint, 3 to 1 Coil, Bto -Wfadladeon, Hova, Preston, arid Bloodshot. .J.iUloodshot was very fractions at the post. Brcston led oft, followed by Hova and Bloodshot. After going, fifty yards Hova ran up ton, but at the riverside he was displaced by Bloodshot who led till entering the straight, where Coil, on whom Harris had ridden a patient nice, came through, winning easily by a length and n quarter, Valiant second, half a head in advance of Warpaint, then came in order Bloodshot, O'Trigpei-, Preston, Hova, and Padladeen. Time, 2m.

The Brunswick Stakes, a handicap of ssovs, each, with 200 added; second, 50aovs. One mile and a quarter. Mr. T. Field's b m. Lilith, 6yrs, by Ores-wick-ThePet,7st(W.E Pearson) ... 1 Mr. W. Murray's ch f Mora, 6st 81b (B. Lewis).:. ... ..;' ... 2 -Don John, 6st 121b (McNamara)... ... 3 Eleven others ran. Betting: 3 to 1 Cinder Ellen, 6. to-] Mow, 6 to 1 Akarino, 7 to 1 Lilith, 8 to 1 Homespun and Response, The_favourite got badly away. A tremendous finish resulted in a half-head victory for Lilith, the same distance between second and third, Response fourth. Time, 2m. 9s.

answer to his ( request for » ppepial inquiry, that the stewards were perfectly satisfied with the colt'e performance, and as they did not observe anything which would warrant an investigation, they must decline to. hold an inquiry. They added that had the complaint against a leading bookmaker been brought before them officially, nnd proved to their satisfaction, the offender would have been dealt with summarily and effectively.

THE TDRF IN, ENGLAND. ANOTHER VICTORY FOR NORTON. Press A«pcl«tion.—Electric Meßrapli.-Copyriiilit. Londos, February 28. Jlf. S. H. (Mian's" NeV Zealand horse Norton won the Park Steepleohase at Lingfield. THE LIVERPOOL GRANP NATIQN-li. Daimio is quoted at 25 to 1 for the Grapd National Steeplechase.

DDNEDIN JOOKEY OLUB'3 AUTUMN

MEETING. TUIBD DAY. DaxfiDiN, Saturday. The D.J.C. Autumu Meeting was brought to t\ close to-day. The weather was lovely, and the attendance large. The amount put through the machine for the day was £"sll, making £20,599 for the meeting, as compared with £'23,308 last year, The racing proved very interesting, and in the inauguration of the Eclipse Stakes, the club has. apparently, hit upon a popular race. Gold Medallist a«ain showed wiiat a great colt he is, by beating the flying Blazei', when the latter got the advantage at the start. Mr. Stead's health was drunk in champagne, amid hearty good wishes and congratulations, The results are:—

Hurdle Handicap of 80sovs ; second horso lOsoys. Two mile:! and a distance. 66—Mr. J. McKewen's Belraont, by Bordernian, 9stslli(F. McGrath).. 1 261-Mr. 0. R. Wise's Ilex, list 101b (Robertson) .. ..' 2 283-Mr. % Stewart's Clarence, list lSlb(Onnor) 3 68, Lobo, Hat, Walls, also ran. lielmout led all the war, and Ilex was close behind him in the Inst nine furlonas, but had to lie pressed severely in the last half-ipile, and on landing over the last hurdle a stride b»hind Behnont win at mice distressed. H" was Behnont, but lie struggleil on better under his light weight, and won iiy a neck. Neither ot the others had a hope throughout. Time, 4iu. 2215. Dividends; Insitlo, £9 Us; outside, £S IBs.

HoPEimii Stakes of lOOsfivK : second horse lOeovs. Six furlongs.

257—Mr. J. A. Cassidy's ch f Bracelet, by Medallion—Adulation, 3yrs, l)st(l)errett) .. I 415—Messrs. Ktcphensou and Ilazlett's b f Mir. lin,3yrs,Bt(lUe) 2 104-Mr. U. Goodman's ch f Tiara, 3yrs, 7st 111b (Murray) 3 Also started: 115, Senior Wrangler, Bst7lb, Pine ; 04, Rustic, 7a171b. Donovan. Senior Wrangler played up an'l delayed the start, but pot away fairly well with the others. .ilarlin momentarily showed in front, but was passed in the first six strides by Bracelet, and Senior Wrangler took Sfcond place. This play ran to the home turn, when Wraugler cried ft go, and Marlin pained second place, under punishment, but neither she nor anything else could trouble Bracelet, who ran in an easy winner by two lengths and a-li.ilf, Tiaroa pulling , up a moderate third; Rustic, fourth. Time, lm. 17s. Dividends: Inside, £3 6s; outside, £3 7s. FORBimr Handicap of 160sovs; second horse 15 sovs from ilw stake. One mile and a quarter. 220-Mr. S. J. Mercer's b h Black and Red, 4yr«, by Maxim— iqualate, 7st slb (Donovan) 1 08—Mr. H. G. Goodman's b h Alderahot, Byre, 7st 511) (Murray) 3 •241-Mr. J. 15, Heiil's h h Skirmisher. 6yrs, ait 111b (Clark) 3 Also started: —333, Lord Jtosslyn. Bst 01b; l<, King; DO, Missßre, 7st 101b, T, Buddicombe; 61, Plotter, 7st, Pine. Skirmisher was the first to take the lead, but Lordltosslyu displaced him before a furlong w covered, and in turn was supplanted by Plotter, the latter leading past the stand, where Aldershot was third. Rounding by windmill Lord ftosslyn closed on Plotter, anil a little later Skirmisher, who had dropped right buck, made up the ground with Black ami Red. After passing the half mile post Plotter compounded, and Lord Hosslyn and Black and lied w«re in front At the home turn the cup winner was beaten and Skirmisher took second ■place. Black and Bed easily kept tbe lead and won by two lengths, Ajdershot, who mme like a flash, beat Skirmisher by half a head fur second place; Misslire fourth, Kosslyn sth, Mid Plottur last. Time, Sin Dividends, £J 7a and £416 a. , First Eclipse Stakks of 600sovs., by subscrip- * tions of lllsovs. each; second horse SOsovx.; third 2Bsuvs. out of the stake. Weight for age, with penalties. Six furlongs, !r-Mr. 0. a. Stead's ch o Gold Medalist, Zyrs, by Meiiallion—Conilla, 7st 101b (Derrett) 1 -Mr. G. G. Stead's b c Multiform, 2yrs, by Hotdiktss - Fonno, 7st 71b, (Holmes) .. .. 2 215-Mr. S. J. Morcor's cb f Belle Clair, Syrs.'.by St. Clair-Dioue, Bst 41b (Brown) .. 3 73—Messrs Stepueiison and Hazlett's cli g Hipporaenes, aged, 9st(W. Clark) .. 0 103-Mr. M. Hobbs's b c Marquis of Zetland, 3yrs,SstlOlblShaw) .. .. .. 0 33-Sir G. Clifford'* uh f Goldleaf, 2yrs, 6st Ulb (McDonald) .. ~ .. ..0 Belle Chir gave a lot of lionUn at the post. All got nway at the kriiio tirnu, but Belle Glair, who \yas moving wbeii the tiipes when up, shot into the lead by three lengths. Multiform and Go|(( Medallist were next, with Goldleaf and Marquis of Zetland following, Hlppomeims being, last. At the bottom of the course Gold Medallist passed Multiform, and just below tbe distance post caught Belle Clair. Tbe filly was in difficulties, and was almost at once passed by Multiform, although the whip was out to Belle Clair, but she could not foot it with Mr, Stead's pair, and Gold Medallist won comfortably by i length, with Belle Clair a fair third, and Marquis of Zetland a poor fourth; Uippomenes rlftb, and Goldleaf last. Time, lm. 19K Dividends, £L t>9 and £17s. Flying Handicap of lOOsots ; second horse lOsoya ■ from the stake. One mile.

358-Mr. J. A. McGiimess' b h Musketry, 4yrs, by Maxim-Flattery, B.it 71b (H. Telford) 1 161—Mr. A. Sefton's cli g Arquebus, 4yr», 7st Bib ()V. Hold*) .. , 2 277-Mr. F. Fitzgerald's blk g Vandyke, syrs, Bat 21b (K. Wilson) 3 Also started: 274, Vanilla, Bst 111b, and Maremmii, Bsi (bracketed with Musketry); CO, Vanbuten, 7et lull); 35, Itmmeline, 6st lUlb; it, Lady Lear, Out 71b. Vandyke and. Vanilla were the quickest,away, but before a furlcng had been passed Musketry raupid. alongside, anil a little later, was in the lend. At fire furlongs Aiquebus raced into second position, and 'Vanilla coininenceil to losd ground. Hounding into tlio straight Arquebus tackled Musketry, but in a good race down the straight Musketry held his own, and won by a length. Vandyke was close up third, and Maremma fourth. Time liti. 40J3. Dividend £2 Us and £3103. Maiden Two-year-old Handicap of 75sova; second horse 6aov.i. Five furlongs. 83-Mr. J. Harris' ch f Weary, by St. GeorgeTiied,7st(ll. Donovan) .. '.. .. 1 316-Mr. M. Uqbbs'brf Bloomer, 2yrs, Bst7lb (Shaw) 2 27—Mr. J. MoOlnnis , b c Fnlinen, Bst (1,. King) 3 Also started: 85, Argon, 7st 121b ; 21, Decoy, 7st 21b : 13, Merisette, Tat 21b ; 18, Sequin, 7st; 37, FeUna, list 71b. Felina hung at the post. Weary slipped away from the field at once, and nuking every post a winning one, won comfortably by a length and ahalf. Time, tin.Sjs. Dividend*. £8 15s and £7 Us. Disposal stakes 0(20.<nv9. No weight under Bst, Five furlongs.

12S-Mr! Reid's be Bold (Ruthveii) ~ .. 1 30-Mr. 11. fll, Allen's lifOira (Gray) .. ..I SO -Mr. T. Kett's Stnckttih (T. Bnildicombe) .. 3 Also started : 10, Crowu I'rince; 22, Woolwich; 78, Grand Guard; 15, Changeling ; 118, Ulster; 89, Lady TeiUiiimton. ' Pri-in a goad start Bold and Leonaat once separated themselves from the field. Bold led all through, henna thalleifging him In the htraiiilit and was paining at every stride at the finish, the judge deciding that Buhl won by the shortest of noses. Time, Ira, 6s. Dividends. £0 8i and £0 Is. Tbe winner was sold to Mr. M. Hobbs for 40 guineas. Faiieweu, Handicap of 703qtsj second horse ! IOmov;;. One mile. 400—Mr. A. Seftpn's br h Marino, by Nelson— Waitlri, Sat 10lb (Clark) .. ..... 1 21D-Mes.iis. Stephenson and Ilazlett's b f Marlin,Bit7lb(Hile) 2 103 -Mr. Uins's Lady Somnus, 7at 71b (Donovan) 3 Also started : 53, Vanilla, Bst bib; 43, Victim, 7st 511); 128, Stimulant, Ist, ; 49, Twilight, 6st 101b. ' Marino- and Vanilla were the quickest away. Marino was never headed, and though Martin and Lady Soinnus made a tine run in the straight, Marino won with sometliin'i! to spare by a length and a-quarter. Time, liii. 4«Js. Dividends, £2 is and 155." : ■

THE WANGANUI CUP. Oα Saturday Mr. Evitt made known his decision with regard to the respective imposts to be carried by St. Paul and The Brook in the Wanganui Cup. The former's weight has been increased by 51b on the original handicap, which raises his impost to Bst 51b; while The Brook has been awarded 81b additional, which brings her weight to 7st 121b. The addition to St. Paul's weight did not have the effect of causing him to lose his place as favourite for the race in question, autl he is still quoted M 4 to 1. It was known that the parties connected with Nestor postponed despatching the sou ot St Leger to Wanganui until Mr. Evott mado known his decision regarding the'case of recent winners, who had become liable to be rehandicapped. The alterations that have uow been made in the handicap aboriginally cast for the Wanganui dip, Iβ evidently considered to improve Nestor's chanceiu the raoereferred to, and Adam Byers intends leaving with the colt by the s.s. ■Gairloch to-day with a view to the sou of St, Leger fulfilling his engagement.

According to the conditions of the Australian Cup, .the winner pf the St.Leger Stakes is required to carry weight-for-age if handicapped below that standard, so that The Officer will have Im impost raised to Hat in the two mile arid a quarter race.