NOTES ON THE RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15767, 16 November 1914, Page 3

NOTES ON THE RACING.

C»T maJBATH.— <W» WEBESPOKDENT.3 _~, ' Chbibtchtoch, Saturday. MoetiJ ante tn b iMtirCßttfe'a Metropolitan CanvSFf mo-* 08elJler Wlt & <*"> November teX al ffS t0 *Jm S* to-oay. i. the early part of the day tue Ke «^ 8 fine - 3* attendance was very brisk' AJSPPPP** wa - s exceptionally atSSi J?*L «W*S tetahaator investments con-; I«SSi!2F a u r ? cord for th e week, the amounj SEmR* in* 3 *™ f47 .808. compared with S m! ffi *& corresponding day last ■5l»'«»S the total for the meeting was fee "' acainßt flM '*3l »t last ear ' dJ^iv 2 was l™ 1? «l> to the high standard whioh was established earlier in the meeting. The chief event of the day -was ifr G-. Stead Memorial Gold Cup, which, has provided some fine contests in the past, and which caused unusual interest on the present occasion. There were eight starters, this being the largest field since tile race was instituted in 1903. Three of «ii? Z ore , four-year-old mares, who had ailed the places in. last season's race, the remainder being three-year-olds, representing the best form of their age. First Flight gave some trouble at the start, refusing to go ?;+?f 7u barrler . and he eventually got a little the worst of an otherwise excellent despatch. The pace was solid all the way, and soon after the straight was reached it was evident that all the field, save Eepaia. on j?, Flrst Fl «ght, were in trouble. When the distance post was reached Reputation SSL'S,."?»*. pore than a length clear of * "st* light, who had been behind his rival all through the earlier stages. The pair then settled down to a struggle which aitorded the spectators plenty of excitement, first Flight gained slightly at every stride, and at one stage looked as if he would accomplish his task. Reputation's initial advantage proved just too • great, however, and Mr. Bidwill'a colt won a fine race by a snort neck, t*e remainder of the field being a long way back, headed by Warstep. The contests between Reputation and First £ ught ) have been a feature of the present season s racing. Reputation was in front at the Wanganui Guineas and Champion fate prior to Saturday's race, but was fu & J ll3 , rival at the finish of the Derby, though the stewards subsequently reversed the placing ■on the ground of interference in the straigM. ine results leave Reputation in possession £>t the honours, but there is so little between the pair that the luck of the race would easily affect the position at the finish, and there will still be plenty to interest enthusiasts the next time they meet. The only unsatisfactory feature about the contest tor the Stead Cup was that Balboa met with some interference in the back stretch. t?-\ Jorme " the subject of an inquiry, < which resulted in the Auckland jockey, J. S e s' , tne , rider ° Warstep, being suspended for three months. I*, was a matter for regret that anything should have occurred to prevent the Derby winner from having a chance to show his real form in a truly run race over a mile and a-quarter. Indigo wag disappointing, while Fabrikoff found the journey too long for him. Warstep ran a decent race, though she had no chance at the finish, but Merry Roe proved to be a long way short of last year's form. The biggest : surprise, however, was provided by Bonny Helen, whose display was hard to reconcile with her fine effort in the Metropolitan Handicap. j The other events produced some good sport. Corrie registered an attractive performance in the Port Cooper Hurdle Race Handicap, in whi:h all the places were filled from Riccarlm stables. There was a fine contest for the Cressy Welter Handicap, Pavlova coming on in a very decisive style at the finish. .St., Elmn confirmed his earlier running by winning the Seymour Handicap after an existing struggle, but Findhorn, who finished fourth, looked as if he would have scored without much effort, but for getting off badly. The Members' Handicap was responsible for a high-class performance on the part of Autumnus, who equalled the seven furlong record held jointly by Armlet and Sharpshooter. For a horse who has been more or leas unsound for a long time past, the form shown by Autumnus was exceptional. In the Pioneer Handicap Desert Gold gave a fine exhibition of galloping, while she stayed on in good style. The Electric Plate provided a surprise, all the fancied candidates going down before Chakwana, who had shown some pace earlier in the meeting, though without looking up to weight-for-age form. She was. however, rather fortunate in getting off smartly, while some of her opponents-met with bad luck at the start.

The Fendalton Handicap proved one of the most interesting races of the meeting, Sea Pink registering an attractive performance. Binaldo, the favourite, showed up at the home turn, but soon retired, while Slogan, who was second choice, failed to run on after being well placed for over a mile.