NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11680, 15 June 1901, Page 6

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

NOTES ON THE RACING.

[by phaeton.] Thouch the Auckland Racing Club had to contend with unpropitious weather on Saturday and Monday last, the first two days' sport of "the Grind National Meeting were brought off with that display of vim which is invariably associated with gatherings held under their auspices. The totalizator investments on the second day, it is true, showed a shrinkage on the sum handled on the corresponding day of the previous year's meeting, but the sum put through on the first day was £1323 ahead of last year, and therefore, with a record of £19,135"f0r the two days, the club have very good reason to be satisfied. When last week summing up the probable strength of the field for the Great Northern Steeplechase I thought it pretty safe to offer th-j * prediction that the contestants for the big crosscountry event would number at least. eight. but when the numbers went up it was found that the scratching pen had been used to such an extent that only seven horses were left in to contest the 600sovs. If anyone, halt wanted to bet prior to the opening of speculation that Moifa would be a stronger favourits on the machine than either Caunongate or Nor'-west, he could have been accommodated to a big tune, but an opening investment of a hundred tickets on the Napier horse enabled him always to command the leading portion, though towards the '-lose it was nearlv a r-ii-o of level favouritism between bit.i ami Caunongate. The three top weights till tilled the eve pleasingly, albeit some keen judges were found expressing the opinion that Ct'nnonpraie would have been all the- better had lie. been a little heavier. Well, to cm. to the race. Though a faulty jump oil the part of Dingo at the second fence reduced tho number of contestants by one, that citeumstanee did not roll the race of much interest, and as the remainder of the field kept close order for twice round. and jumped most proficiently, the contest ranked with one of the most interesting races decided over the EHrrslie course. As they

raced up to the double (the second time round) Moifa displaced BlaekborrT, who had been responsible for the pace, and this son of Natator was not afterwards headed. Blackberry, who ha'! been well up towards the front all through, unfortunately broke down at a critical point of the race (about threo furlongs from home), and it was left to Kaimate and Nor'-west to battle it out with Moifa. Nor'-west rattled up the straight with a fine run, but the big son of Sou'wester wo a fairly expended ere they rose to the last obstacle, and Moifa, finishing up his task in excellent ?ty:e, he went on and won by about four lengths from Kaitnate, who beat. Nor'-west home from the last hurdle. As the going was in a holding stare, matters were net favourable for a fresh time record being attained, but nevertheless Moifa succeeded in that respect, the son of Natator traversing the distance in 6m. 19 3-5=.. which beats Muscatel's time ("m. 225.) in the race

of 1893. Moifa is a really nice cut of a horse, showing a good supply of power ail round. In his slow paces the son of Nat a tor's action is not attractive, as he lifts his hind legs very straight. In galloping, however, he is an attractive horse, and a really bold fencer. In his Great Northern Steeplechase display I only detected him mike one faulty jump, which was iii negotiating the sod ,vall the first time round, which he hit with his knees. Mr. E. D. Halstead, the with his knees. Mr. E. D. Halstead, the well-known " vet.," who was standing close handy to the stone wall at the head of the course, inform- me that the Napier horse hit that obstacle badly when going for the run home, which nearly brought him down. Taken altogether, Moifa's display right through, however, left little cause for complaint, and he can, I think, l>e given a place with the best horses thai have their names enrolled as winners cf the Auckland race.

A brilliant victory on the part of Cavaliero in the Remuera Hurdle Race on the, opening day. which event the son of Cuirassier won in great style under the steadier of ISst 131b. seemed to augur well for his Grand National pros peets. On the night of the first day's racing 60 to 40 was eagerly snapped up about Cavaliero's ability to win the National for the

second year in succession, but though lie started favourite, a better price was obtainable on the day. "When the 13 horses lined tip al the post they presented a really goodlooking appearance. The second fence was only reached when the field was reduced by three, as Sundial, Xer'-west, and Cannongate came to grief. 'When the last half-mile '•aire (o be undertaken. Moifa. was racing Ilnirtrigger for the lead, and that pair rose to the sixth obstacle together. Cavaliero, who was lying well up third, here suddenly dropped back, which created a mild sensation. Moifa appeared to have a bit the best of it at the turn, but just inside the straight Crpur de Lion, who had been coming along in fine style from the half-mile post, shot up, and he was in front at the last obstacle. A faulty jump, however, nearly settled the son of Dreadnought's prospects, so far as first, place was concerned, for Moore was almost unseated. The Napier rider, however, though shot right on to the horse's neck, managed to got back to the saddle, and when C.eur de Lion straightened himself smartly it was always a bit of odds on his getting home first, which he did by a couple of lengths in front of H:\irtrigger. Though no one questions Coeur de. Lion's pace, it must be said 1 hat his display was not altogether satisfactory from a jumping point of view. At the very first obstacle he nearly came down. The fact of the son of Dreadnought having developed symptoms of soreness would no doubt, however, interfere with his jumping, and a valid excuse can be advanced for his imperfect fencing on that score. Cavaliero ran a great horse

■under his TZ-i lib. The mishap'which caused Hi" son of Cuirassier to lose his place four furlongs from home was, it is stated, due to a collision with Dartmoor. Though Cavaliero had a. big ta«k before him to beat Cceur do Lion home with 211b the wor-t of the weights. I fancy that the Napier horse had the best of rood luck in not having the Auckland champion a little closer to him (which would most certainly have been the. case but for the mishap that befell the son of Cuirassier at the sixth hurdle), when ho made his faulty jump at the last hurdle. Cavaliero came homo splendidly under pressure, arid. I do not know that tnose who are found arguing he had bad luck to lose ere a long way out. lor the second year in succession Resells hied the Messrs. Nathan with the First Hotter Handicap. That Hie daughter of healon Delaval is endowed with gamene«s sue has shown more than once, but in this race that duality was exhibited to a marked degree. Gallagher was riding her hard more than a-nuarter of a mil.- from home, and in the straight it was necessary for her to stick to her task in front with crcat resolution. From where I stood T certainly thought that St. Ursula got the host of her chestnut rival in (h.=> Inst bit of the iournev. but the judge thought otherwise, and a head victory went down to the cretbt of LVella The surprise of this i-p.po was the bold front shown by St. Olgn in the settlement of the question. The little daughter of St. Lesrer acted the role of pacemaker right up to the half-di-tance.. and she came home in a respectable third place. The surprise par excellence of the two firs* days' raein? wis the victory of Sundial in the Second Welter Handicap. An unplaced performance fa n ,l a position we'd backin the field at that) in the First Welter Handicap, and a fall when contesting the Grand National Hurdle Knee, did not invest tho position, so far as the sou of Natntor was concerned, with any too rosy an appearance, and it was no surprise to find him one of the outside,-, of he field. The son of Nats tor wa.s always well up with his field, and when he was required to go on and win bis race from th" half-distance he accomplished his task in what might be, termed racehorse-like style. Sundial L not much to look —indeed, the manner in which he carries nis head a; time- is a dead give-sway, but that he can command a bit of pace is beyond a doubt T dc not know that there is a crest deal to expect from Sundial from a jumping point or view, hut, still, if will be just as well 0 remember that some shrewd judges had him well backed when he missed in the recent Grand National at Ellerslie. Sudden's display in the Maiden Steeplechase on the opening day of the meeting did not show the chestnut up in anything like attractive eo.ours. He disgraced 'himself by running off at. the second fence of the double, and though he negotiated ;he obstacle proficiently on being brought back a second time, he showed no pace. That he should rank the outsider of the party th°t contested the Tally-ho Steeplechase on the second day seemed to be quite, in order. Sud den was, however, a very different horse on Hie second day. He jumped proficiently, ami streaking clean away from his opponents r.i the last three-quarters of a mile of the journey, he had his race won at any point after Wot stage. Sudden is a somewhat mcart-.ookmg customer, but his display en Monday undoubtedly proved him to bo a better horse than any of US Were inclined to give luiu credit for.

The followig little table will show tin price- at whit Iho various horses started (boseti on I'ißiOtalisator investments) in the two big even! at the North Now Zealand Grand Nation; Meeting: — GREAT NUTIIEKX STEEPLECHASE. Dividend. >-. i. £673— Moif.i 7} 1 2,5— Kairate 10 3 495—Nor Vest "4 —Can m-rate 3 2 164—Rlackerry 12 13 85-Oin?.' 24 10 27—Yoliiaar II • ••• 77 2 £2514 GRAND NTIOXAL HURDLE RACE. Diriden. i. a. X«l37—Crrnrde Lion 4 1 120— riairteser 16 9 Caval.T').,. _3 ? —Cannogate 30 17 .Hoifa 4 17 173—Nor'-'Bst • 11 3 60—Kabnfe 29 0 79—Dartwor 24 19 94—fin nd 1 2t 0 95— Irincps of Thulo 73 10 Puffitr Billv ■ ■ • >'' ° QJ-Rufu .21 18 6—Roy a Conqueror o2 ( J 2 £2194 ' __ HAWKES HAY JOCKEY CLUB'S WKTER MEETING. Mr. Hcnr) ha- declared '.he following weights for re Hawke's Bay Jockey Club'.' Winter Mectig: — KIHST OAT. KAWKES JAY HURDLES. Two mile*. St. lb. .-'. 11.. Coeur do Lior 12 7 Ru-h Rosa ... 10 2. Social L'est ... 12 7 Hairrngger ... 10 0 Moifa ... V. 0 Stotkado ... 10 (>• Owinongats... 11 7 Kvb-anus ... l > 0 Plain Bill ... 11 6 S-v!ivw:>T ... 9 0 Waiwera ... 11 0 Hiuttouga ... 0 0 Roller ... 10 13 Awahuri ... 9 0 Evening Waterport ... 9 0 Wonder ... 10 5 Trial Steopl<eha c e, two miles : Venture 10.13. Waj'tio D.15. Tui 10.5, Awahuri 10. i. Eiiii do Vie 99, TV Rehuntra 0.7, Cronja 9.7. Stanley 9.7.

Winter Hardicap, once round: Jabber 11.9, Ruamahunta 11.5, Lmene 10.5. Tigress 10.5, Kahmvai IC.E, Lady's Link 10.2. Jscloo 10.2, Bonnie d'Ki\ 9.13, Derrinijcotte 9.12, Daphne 9.1?. Wlnirea 9.12. Robin Adair 9.11. Indian .Shot f.]o, Aimoureux 9.10, Kissmarv 9.9. Govt £9, Rags 9.2, Sirocco 9.0, Etong 9.0.

Hunt Club Steeplechase, two miles and ahalf: Angle 12.9. loehade 12.3. Nectar H. 9 K Jam U.S. Te R.hunga 11.7, Fitzlee .11.5. The Phantom 11.5, Cronje 11.4. Fokowhifu 11.0, Maggini 11.0, I'emaite 11.0, Mangatcra 11.0, Tugela 11.0.

Trial Hurdles, me mile and threeouarrers: Ngapul.i .1.9. First Blood 10.13, The Hempie 10.13, Yaterport 10.3, Lochade 9.11, Eau de Vie 9.1. Duffer 9.3, Wakelvn 9.3, Cossack 9.0, Tallica 9.0.

dune Handicap, cue mile: Ruamahunga 11.9, Jadoo 10.7, Romie d'Eau 10 4, Daphne 10.3, V hitirea 10.3, k'issmary 10.0. Govt 10.0, Passion Fruit 9.11. Paphos 9.3, Assayer 9.5, Sir liedvers 9.5. Mbngonui 9.5, Pearldiver 9.0, Bubbles 90.

SECOND DAT. HAWKE'S BAY STEEPLECHASE Three miles. ai.d a- half. st- lb. St. lb. Moifa. ... 12 7 Waiwera ... 10 3 Plain Bill ... 11 13 "Waitio ... 913 Cannongate... 11 9 Venture ... 913 Social Pest... 11 f liajrcrigger ... 912 Blackberry ... 11 2 Claymore ... 9 9 Roller ... 11 2 Sylvanua ... 9 7 Rhino ... 11 2 Tarragon ... 9 7 Kauri Gum... 10 9 Scallywag ... 9 7 Evening; Awiiiuri ... 9 7 Wonder ... 10 8 Waterport ... 9 7 SALE OF BLOODSTOCK. The Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company sold the following horses by auction at tha Durham Yards yesterday : —Chestnut gelding, Kaimate, 245 guineas, to Mr. W. Lyone; brown horse, Riot, 23 guineas, to Mr. Geo. A. Duncan; bay mare, by La Belle—Luna, 14 guineas, to -Mr. H. Alan Bell; brown horse, St. Elmo, 20 guineas, to Mr. H. Massey.

Messrs. Alfred Buckland and Sous will offer the. following horses by auction at the Haymarket on Monday next at. noon: — Motor, Syrs. by Hotchlciss from Mantilla; Rosiphele, oyrs, by Hotchkiss from Reproach; Pandarns, by Hotchkiss from Pandora : Rita, 2yrs, by Hotchkiss from Reproach ; Mechanic, 2yrs, by Hotchkiss from Mantilla; yearling filly by Hotchki.ss from Reproach; Ally, syrs, by St. Hippo from Ellerslie; filly, 3yrs, by St. Hippo from Cobweb; gelding. 3yrs, by Se.iton Delaval from Lady Moth; Baccarat, by Natator; Reindeer, Bavaria, Little Wonder: Regulus, by Kegel from Tamora; Matamataharakeke, by St. liCger from Bellona ; Tiki, bv Kegel from Pearl.

Tho Musical Matinee Society will open their third season on Wednesday next. The full programme will be found in our advertising columns to-day. .lie vocal items are allotted to Madame Chambers, the instrumental part-: to Miss A. L. Colegro" o, Mis? Bather, and Herr A. L. Kreutzer. 'the concert will be given in the Parish Hall, Bur-leigh-street, and will begin at three o'clock. The R-emuera Musical Society hold their first concert on June 24, when they will perform " St. Cecilia's Day" (Van Bree) and " The Flag of England," by Dr. Bridge, the latter work being entirely now to the colonies. A full rehearsal of soloists and orchestra is being hold on Monday evening.

The City Council notify that Gloucesterstreet is closed against vehicle traffic to the 22m! hist , during tho carrying out of forma* tion works.

Miss Dora Judson's second concert in continuation of her scries of pianoforte recitals will be he'd on Thursday evening, .Tune 20. A very varied programme will be found elsewhere is our advertising columns.

_A notice in relation to the Auckland Rugby Union appears elsewhere.

The annual meeting ot the Clevedon Steam Navigation Company (Limited) will be held in the Public Hall, Clevedon, on Saturday, June 22, at two p.m.

A parade of the Auckland Mounted Rifle; will take place at six p.m. to-day. opposite John Burns and Co.'s, Custom-street. Entries of candidates for the local examinations in vocal and instrumental music, to be held in Auckland about October next, in connection with Trinity College. London, will bo received by the local secretary on or before Saturday, June 29.

The Gordon Lilies will fire a match with Lie ivewiou Rifles this afternoon on the Mount Eden range.

The town clerk notifies that all licensing fees must be paid on or before five p.m. of Tuesday, June IS. - On Monday evening a lecture will be given in i.ie rabcrnacle on "The Relation of Old lestament leaching to tho Plan of Salvation. 11,,. lecturer is the Rev. Hugh Kelly, "

The recent sale of a portion of Lord Rothschild 8 Jersey herd at Triug Park was very successful. The average for 71 head was £3* as, the highest price being 130 guineas. The Dublin Farmer;,' Gazette states that taere was every indication of an extensive demand for well-bred bulls, which the stock breeding scheme of the new Department of -culture has created throughout the country, ,nd winch will lead to the realisation °- Chan, : l ] r °T l P ces for such "«»•»*!» ijojal Dublin Society. .Some good authorities calculate that the improvement in °ha Price of bulls will amount to qu ,t, ™ per S b «t, 3ud Sl ng by reports, the tWttf, Ri^l" 1 the improvement will be much nearer double that figure. The usual ecclesiastical notices will ha found » our advertising columns. At St Pauls the anthem will he "The Radiant -Morn » and for the offertory, " O Love Di v "tak-t H loUnt A ' bert Archdeacon Calder Avond-Tl! tile „' on ' 1 »« service, and that at Orav %, ' hoeve » in »- Th " Rev. Henry e of'to I Andrew will take as his subject to-morrow evening, "The Passing of the Prince." The Revs . C. H. G;u . a "< W . Heady, who have been away for severd weeks attending the general Conference, wil be preaching m Pitt-street and St .ioiins Wesleyan Churches tomorrow the former preaching in the evening 01 "The deception of the King's Son." \ r Beres ford-street Congregational Church Mr Arthur lord will render as (he so'o " Stai of Bethlehem" At the Helping Hand ac 'dress will be given by the Rev. T. ,1 V/alliH (15 years a missionary in Fiji). A so!< will [>, given by Birdie Butler. An evangelistic meeting will be held in the City Hall for strangers and non-churchgoers. \t the Tneowjj) iical Society a lecture will be given on Will and Desir-j," by Dr. C \V Sandors, with musical it( , m ; The Rev. J. talker and Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow are announced to take part in the 'services at the Central M.ssion, Albert-street, tomorrow. the Rev. W. .Tellie will preach to-morrow evening on "The Royal Visit." Mr. Geo Aldndge will give a' lantern lecture on ' Rome, Ancient and Modern," on Hi-Mtiesdav evoniru; next, in tlia Church of Christ,