SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11365, 7 May 1900, Page 3

SPORTING.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB'S AUTUMN MEETING.

SECOND DAY.

The Avondale Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting was brought to a close on Saturday afternoon, when the suburban club was favoured with delightful weather, and a large attendance of the public. As on the opening day, the secretary (Mr. H. H. Hayr) and members of the Management Committee conducted the proceedings, to the satisfaction of patrons, while the judging (Mr. -John Bollard, M.H.R., in the box) and starting (Mr. George Cutis officiating) left no loophole for complaint. Luncheon was provided under the main stand by Mr. A. F. Slihvell, ami Hunter's Artillery Band discoursed a musical programme between the races. The sum of £6197 was passed through the totalisators on the seven race 3 carded, bringing tlio total lor the two days up to £10,843.

THE HAOINO. Tho sport opened with tho Maiden Handicap Hurdles, for which tho nine figuring on the card went to the post, Forty-seven being installed favourite, while Paria was also well supported. I'aria was ono of tho first to move, and assuming command beforo many strides had been left behind, quickly placed a gap of fivo lengths between himself and the field, an advantage that ho hold throughout, Forty-seven finishing second, and Tahaka third.

Tho Scout was sorted out as the most likely ono to furnish tho winnor in tlio Flying Handicap, but the Vanguard gelding failed to got closer than third, Tclephono and Solo deadheating, after a great battle over tho last 20 or 30 yards from homo, while Kettledrum was a long neck away, fourth, tho four furlongs being out out in 50is.

A field of 10 sported silk for tho Pony Handicap, Lena being the public selection. Texas was quickly into his stride, but a furlong had not been cut out before Clansman was topsides with tho Deringer gelding, and lasting it out, under pressure, ho managed to score by something like half a-longth from Cuisine, tho favourite filling third place, a neck away.

The event of the day, tho Autumn Handicap, attracted 13 starters, The Needle, who had accounted for tho principal race on tho first day, being singled out as a likely winner, while St. Ursula found a strong following. Firefly, however, jumped into tho lead at tho outset, and, making the running from end to end, scored comfortably by better than a couple of lengths, tho favourite being among tho last to finish. The stewards, considering that Firefly's running indicated a rovcrsal of form, when compared with Wednesday's display, held a lengthy inquiry, calling the owner, rider, and others. The explanation of tho scorning inconsistent running, was that Firefly had had a bad run in tho Wednesday's race, being bumped about on two or three occasions, while on Saturday sho had got well away, and had had a dear run throughout. Tho ownor stated that ho had backed the mare on both days, but had put a larger sum on on tho first than on the second day, thinking the prospects of a win wero hotter on the Wednesday. The stewards, considering tho explanation satisfactory, decided to proceed no further in tho matter, and the dividends were accordingly paid out on Firefly. Though tho stewards of the Avondalo Club are to bo commended for taking the initiative in the Firefly case, it is felt that they failed in their duty in not calling for an explanation in tho caso of another horse that contested in tho Autumn Handicap. There was good reason for such a step being taken, and it is to bo regretted that the stewards allowed tho running of tho horse in question to go unchallenged.

In tho Handicap Steeplechase, for which the fivo figuring on tlio programme weighed out, tho top-weight, Dentist, was entrusted with considerably moro than half tho money on the totalisators. The paco was very slow and the favourite, though separated by somo 14 or 15 lengths from Riot— had mado all tho running—when the doublo in front of tho stand camo to be negotiated for the last time, was still considered equal to carrying off tho race, but to tho disappointment of his numerous admirers tho son of Cap-a-pio ran off, leaving Riot to go on and win comfortably from St. Leonards, Kowhai, who was second coming up tho straight, coming to griof at tho last hurdle. Tho publio clustered round about tho double jump, and madeahostilo demonstration against J. Rae, tho rider of Dentist, who again set his mount at tho fences, and getting over in safety, finished tho distance and was hoisted third. On returning to Rcalo the demonstration was repeated, and it was somo time before tho hooting ceased. Tho stewards met after tho race and called Rao before them for an explanation of Dentist's display, but as time was limited, the inquiry was adjourned until this afternoon at two o'clock, Rao meantime assuring tho officials that Dentist's running off was purely a mishap, and inviting a telegram to be forwarded to a gentleman at New Plymouth to ascertain whether tho horso had not been backed for a substantial amount to win the race. It might also bo mentioned that evidence is procurable in town to tho effect that tho horse was genuinely backed '.o win, but as the case is sub judico it is hardly right to offer any commont at this stage. Twelve contested tho Second Hack Handicap, for which Nereid attracted most attention, and Donnvbrook was also well backed. The latter getting into tho lead beforo two furlongs had been traversed, was never after headed, winning easily by three lengths from Tho Master, tho favourite, whoso legs appeared to go clean from under her, corning down as they opened out into the straight. Satman, who had tho mount, was brought in on a stretcher, and attended by Dr. Bewcs, and though not seriously injured, was found to have been very badly shaken. Ho was subsequently sent homo in a cab. The meeting was brought to a closo with tho Waitakerci Handicap, the top weight, Dayntrec, being tho one to find most support. Tho favourite, though one of the first to move, was at the whip beforo the home turn was reached, and Solo, who was at the head of affairs about three furlongs from home, romped in three lengths in front of St. Peter. Tho details aro as under: — MAIDEN HANDICAP HURDLES of 50sovs; second horso to receive ssovs out of stake. Over six flights of hurdles. One

mile and a-half. 147-Mr. .1. Clark's b g Paiia, aged, 9.4 51b (Alf. Williams) 1 196-Mr. A. V,. Watkin's eh g Forty-seven, aged, lOst 811) (L. Morrigan) ... 2 24-Mr. E. J. Evans' b g Tahaka, syrs, 9st 51b (Phillips) 3 56—Tip, 9st 101b (Alex. Williams) ... 0 73-Puhia, M 71b (Berry) ° 12-Kowhni, 9ut (Tnoman) ( 6-Lightriing. 9st (Fennel!) " 4-Linden, 9st (D. White) 0 10-Bonnie, 9st (Mcintosh) "

528 Forty-seven, Puhia, and Paria moved away together when tho field was released, and Paria, going into the lead after the first few strides, showed the way over the first obstaolo and down behind tho escapes, where sho was three longths to the good of Forty-seven. Holding tho advantage in tho run through the homo turn Paria was fivo lengths clear of Forty-seven as they ran past the stand, Puhia in third place, an order that maintained out of the turn to the jump entering tho back stretch, where Tip and Tahaka were running fourth and fifth. Pariawasst.il bowling along with a commanding lend in the run up to the next fence, where Puhlfl raced up into second place, with Forty-seven third and then came Tin and Tahaka together. Fortyseven and Tahaka. moved up in the run past the escapes, but all efforts to draw up to Paria proved futile, the gelding coming on and winning comfortably bv bettor ban four Whs from Forty-seven, Tahaka six lengths away in third place, and Tip fourth Kowhai ami Bonnie were the hist to finish. Time, 2,n. 55Js. Totnlisator, 528. Dividend, £3 4s. , FLYING HANDICAP of M°: second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake.

Four furlongs. 62-Mr F. Ross* eh g Telephone, aged, by Billingsgate-St. Clair marc, + 9st 101b (Gillespie) ... ... •■- + 29-Mr. A. Morgan's eh g Solo. 4yrs, by Blairgowrie -Dolly, 7st 711. (Tate) % 195 ..Hon ft. Mosman's ch g Kettledrum, l&> t, Bst 51b (W. Call) 3 Bn-Tolstoi.' M 101b (W. Clarke) ... ... 0 17-Sultan, Brt IMb U. Ctaafe, jun.) ... ° 48-Lady Dash, But (J. Brent.) ° 56-Moment, 7st 71b (Berry) ... - " 6-Bosiphele. 7st 51b (W. Stewart) ... 41-Alogor, 7st 21b (Buchanan) " 070 Scout 7s't (Whiteboiw) " 8-Nereid, 6st (M Sceals 0 73 -St Olga, 6st 1011. (Satman) 0 S6-Lady Avon, 6st 91b (Abbott) 0

871 Lady Avon was the quickest to move, but they had hardly settled into their stride bofore Kettledrum look charge, and the Hotlkiss gelding wis a neck to tho good of Scout a they ran tnrough the turn to the escapes. where Solo and Telephone wore lying close tin. Halfway through the escapes Scout was cvgrthmhuk„ terms with Telephone then eamfl.Solo and St. Oka. and as heads turned into tlio straight Scout had just a bit ho best o . . Halfway down Scout, To ephone, Kettledrum, and Solo, wore al in it, and a rare battle homo resulted in the declaration o a dead heat between Telephone and So o, Kettledrum close up third, and Scout fourth. Time, 501.. Totalisator, 871. Dividends: I On Telephone, £& 6s; on Solo, £1310s.

POM HANDICAP of 30sors; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. Five furlongs. ~_..:..,. .. . 135-Mr. A. Morgan's br g Clansman, 4yrs, by Blairgowrie-Tho Shelah, 7st 41b (Tate) - l 132-Mr. 0. Bryant's b m Cuisine, syrs, 7sfc' 41b (Hodson) ■•■ 2 203-Mr. C. Lovett's br m Lena, aged,

9st 81b (Gainsforth) 3 101-The Slave, 9st 101b (Sceats) 0 134-Mara, Bst 51b (W. Gall) 0 17-Trooper, fist 71b (Quinton) 0 80-Mimoa, 7st 71b (Satman) 0 40-Toxas, 7st 21b (Buchanan) 0 53-My Lord, 7st 21b (Whitohouse) ... 0 57-Motukorea, 6st 71b (Abbott) 0 952 Texas opened tho running, but they had not lefT'a furlong behind beforo Clansman took up tho leading position, and was still bowling along a length to the good of Texas as they straightened up for the run home, Lena being next in order. Tho son of Blurgowrio lasted long enough to win by the host pari; of half-a-lenglh from Cuisine, who came very fast in the last few strides, Lena a neck away third. Time, Ira. 5Js. Totalisator, 952. Dividend, £6 6s.

AUTUMN HANDICAP of 90sovs; second horso to receive lOsovs out of tho stake. Ono mile.

146—Mr. A. Robertson's blk m Firefly, 6yrs, by Artillery—Fairy Maid, 7st 121b (W. Stewart) 1 Messrs. L. D. and N. A. Nathan's b f

Laetitia, 3yrs Bsfc 21b (Gallagher)... 2 20—Mr. A. J. Edwards' br g Honesty, 6yrs, 7st 51b (J. Stewart) 3 392-The Needle, 9sfc 61b (Clarke) ... 0 307— Ursula, Bst 21b (Chaafo, jun.)... 0 18—Jim Kcan, 7st 41b (Thomas) ... 0 30—Laborer, 7st (Tate) 0 64-Knight of Athol, 7st (Whitehouse)... 0 42-Canopiiß, 7st (M. Sceats) 0 15-Castroline, 74 (Edwards) 0 38-Dootor, 7st (Heaps) ... 0 50-Tlio Afghan, 7sfc (Satman) "0 Brilliant, 6st 71b (Abbott) 0 1278 Jumping away to a very fair start, Firefly was having a bit the best of Tim Needle ns they dashed past tho stand, and then eiose up camo Brilliant and Laetitia, in front of a bunched lot. Firefly drew out a bit as they ran through the turn, and as tho field straightened out for the run across the back was bowling along a clear length to the good of Laetitia, and then camo St, Ursula and Knight of Athol. Honesty moved tip approaching the escapes, and was running on terms with St. Ursula a few strides further on, Firefly still showing the way by a matter of two lengths, while Knight of Athol was fourth, and then followed Laborer, while The Needle was to be seen dropping back to the tail of the field. Firefly continued to hold his advantage as tliey raced through the home turn* into tho straight, and though her rider was at her some distance down, sho won by bettor than a couple of lengths from Laetitia, Honesty a. length away third. Laborer and Knight of Athol finished fourth and fifth respectively. Time, lm. 465. Totalisator, 1278. Dividend, £7 17s. HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 70sovs; second horso to receive ssovs out of tho stako. About threo miles. 77-Mr. R. Cock's b g Riot, aged, by Huntsman or Cap-a-pie, lOst (A. Phillips) ... ... ... ... 1 17—Mr. .T. Olson's eh e St. Leonards, aged, flat, 71b (,T. Pennell) ... ... '..2 333-Mr. E. J. Rac's br g Dentist, aged, list 91b (J. TCac) ... ... b ..; 3 BS-CWript, lOst (A. Williams) ... 0 21-Kowhai, 9st 71b (Tooman, jun.) ... 0

Riot was tho fust to got going, and showed tho way over the first fence, followed by St. Leonards and Dentist, but in tho run up the hick Conscript closed up to Riot, with Dentist next in order, the pace being extremely slow. Riot again moved out a bit at tho brush fence, and improving tho lead as they passed down behind the escapes, was the best part of 20 lengths to tho good when the doublo opposite the stand came to bo negotiated, Conscript being in second place, and then came Kowhai, Dentist, and St. Leonards all well together. Tliero was no material alteration in the run round the back, and Riot was still bowling along with a 15 lengths lead when the doublo came to be taken again, Kowhai being now in second place, while Dentist ran off at the first fence. Holding his own out of the turn, Riot was still separated by a matter of 15 lengths from Kowhai at the back of tho courso, while St. Leonards was a similar distance away from tho second horse, while Conscript was pulled up, and although Kowhai closed up a bit passing tho escapes, Riot came on, and won as ho liked from St. Leonards by a matter of 30 lengths, Kowhai coming to grief at the last fence. Dentist, who had been put at the double after baulking, chased tho field round, and though distanced, was hoisted ?s third. Tho public, not satisfied with the running of the last-named horse, made a strong demonstration of disapproval when Rao rodo in. No time was taken. Totalisator, 533. Dividend, £6 4s.

SECOND HACK HANDICAP of 40sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of tho stake. Six furlongs. 192-Mr. J. Arnold's eh g Donnybrook, 6yrs, by Master Pat-Dolly, rjst 1011) (Tate) ... i 29-Major F. N. George's b g Tho Mas- ■ ter, 4yrs, 7st 71b (Scents) 2 101-Mr. W. OUivcr's gr c Bacchus, 4yrs, Bst (Ryan) ... ... 3 62-Dcfender, Bst 51b Godson) ... . 0 218-Nereid. 7st 101b (Salman) .. 0 15-Radical, 7st 81b (Stewart) 0 86-Perseverance, 7st 21b (Whitohouse)... 0 12-Volee, 7st (Heaps) 0 4—Blaircarrig, 7sf (Conway) ... 0 22-Progee, 6st 101b (Ponnelll 0 37-.Tack Brown, 6st 101b (Abbott) ... 0 s—Lightning, 6st 71b (G. Penncll) ... 0

Blaircarrig was tho first to break tho line, and closely attended by Progce, led for tho first couple of furlongs, when Donnybrook took command, and holding his own throughout, won comfortably by three lengths from The Master, Bacchus close up third. Coming into tho straight, the favourite, Nereid, came down, her legs apparent!? going clean from under her, and the rider (Salman) had to bo borno in 011 a stretcher. He was attended to bv Dr. Bewes, of Otahuhu. Time, Im. 20s. Totalisator, 783. Dividend, £3 13s.

WAITAKERET HANDICAP of 70sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. Winner of Flying or Autumn Handicaps to carry a penalty of 51b. Six furlongs. 148—Air. A. Morgan's' ch g Solo, 4yrs, by Blairgowrio-Dolly. 7st 101b, including 51b penalty (Tate) ... 1 187-Mr. .1. Cha.ife's b c St. Peter, 3yrs, 7st 61b (J. Ohnaio, jun.) 2 54—Mr. Gardiner's b m Lady Dash, 6yrs, Bst (J. Sceats) 3 423-Dayntree, Bst 71b (Gainsforlh) ... 0 107—HostingB, Bst 31b (Gallagher) ... 0 190—Minerva 11., 7st 131b (Buchanan) ... 0 19-Briglmm Young, 7st 91b (if. Sceats) 0 21-Knight of Athol, 7st (Whitohouso)... 0 103-The Frenchman, 6st 121b (G. Penncll) 0 1252 From an indifferent start Hastings, Knight of Athol and Dayntreo got best away, and the trio remained well tegothcr in the vim across the back stretch, where Solo could he scon making up ground. Approaching the turn, Solo ran up on terms with Hastings, and tho latter quitting halfway through the escapes, the son of Blairgowrie was bowling along a length to the good as they rounded tho home turn and straightened up for tho run to the post, an advantage that was improved to thrco lengths from St. Peter when the judge's box was reached. Lady Dash was third. Time, lm. 18s. Totalisator, 1252. Dividend, £7 12s. SALE OF TROTTING STOCK. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will hold an important sale today at tho stables of Mr. H. Chatteris, Kohimarama, when the whole of the wellknown trotters, etc., owned by that gentleman will be submitted to auction. The hits to lie offered include; —Tho imported American trotting stallion Vole Clair; bay maro Empress, by Imperious-Violet; bay maro Woodbine, aged, by Childo Harold (imp)Rosemary (imp.), full sister to Rosebud; chestnut mare Rosebud, with foal at foot by La Rue bay mare Louie, by Ploasanton ; bay maro Vie, by Albert Victor; bay gelding Jack, by Albert Victor; bay rare Jane, with foal at foot, by Tip Top; bay gelding Tonga, svrs; chestnut mare by Ploasanton; bay mare K.D.; bay mare Eunice, by Brigadier—Billingsgate mare; grey gelding by Jersey; bay gelding by The Count; chestnut filly by Judge Byron; bay yearling filly, by Ploasanton— Eunice; grey filly, by Judge Byron— Maoriland mare. The sale commences at half-past ono p.m.