THE AUCKLAND MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18364, 3 April 1923, Page 7

THE AUCKLAND MEETING.

RECORD CROWD AT ELLERSLIE

EXCITING CONTESTS.

When the wind veered round to an unfavourable quarter during Saturday night, and the weather conditions assumed a ■wintry aspect, matters appeared the reverso of promising for the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn 'Meeting to be concluded under favourable conditions. However, though yesterday morning came in with a dull, overcast sky with rain still in evidence, matters took a favourable turn.. The wind worked round to the south-west, the sun shone out to very general joy, and racegoers came out in such force that another record fox an autumn meeting on the Auckland Racing Club's ground was entered up. It is estimated that about, 24,000 were present. Lady Jellicoe wis again present; and Her Excellency remained until the running of the seventh race. . From first to -last the meeting was conducted .in a manner ©very way in keeping with Ellerslie, and without a single jarring note throughout the whole of the day' the gathering proved one of- the most enjoyable held by the Auckland Racing Club at this season of the year. : ;V \;- The Judicial Committee ' again experienced an easy day. The only matter to necessitate them being called together was in connection with the Mangere Handicap, in which race Keesing and Bound, the respective riders of Rafa and "Lively Fire, were considered to have taken a risk by cutting across too quickly at the start, and they were both cautioned. Mr, J. McMahon, chief stipendiary steward, was present. ; .•' ■ ~

The totalisator receipts' for the day amounted to £86,311 10s, against £87,883 10s on ' the corresponding day last year: the grand total, £163,970, was £5,267 .10s above last year's figures. The following is the statement of totalisator receipts for this and the three preceding years :'— ' 1920. 1921.- '".<: 1922. 1923 >\ £195,8551 . £210,4061 '. ; £158.7021. : £163,970 ' ~ -Loyal Irish Scores. • The Stewards' Handicap brought out a field of 11, and Royal Abbey was made favourite, with Loyal Irish and L'istowel next in demand. Listowel showed the way up the back, and f &cross the top, and lie looked like repaying for past' disappointments.' /=> The home turn, however, saw Royal Abbey oust the: Wanganui horse from the lead, : but*the favourite on bis part could hot combat challenges eubsequently delivered r from .various quarters, and Loyal Irish, who "got through ■on the rails, with Infante on the outside, were the. pair to fight it out for the leading position, :and;- a stirrincr contest ended in favour of Loyal Irish by half a head. - : 'v: , ,

'A strong field of 31 "was on hand, to contest , the ; Mangete , Hnndicap. ;, The Taranaki filly Fleeting was the one to be installed favourite, And of .the others Nocturne, Jolly Gay, Raia, Pretty Man, and White Hope were the most , strongly supported. When the half distance was reached it was difficult to say how the verdict would go between half a doaen, and the upshot of a stirring finish was a victory for White Hope, who came along with a late run, and scored by three parts of a length frornHafa. Explorer Across' Country. When the numbers went up for the _Autumr< Steeplechase, it was found that a field of nine was*to contest the cross country, event. Though Explorer had failed in his previous efforts over ■, the big fences, he counted sufficient admirers to Bond him out favourite, and he amply justified the confidence reposed m his ability to win. Going to the front at the end of about six furlongs,. the Aus-tralian-bred geldfng was never afterwards seriously challenged, and he won easily With the exception of slightly imperfect elforta at the post and rails and at the ptone wall in the first round, Explorer's display could be voted very satisfactory, and he may be again seen to advantage when the winter meetings come around. 'Bathos Again Defeated. * \" The Victoria Handicap, which was limited to the two-year-old division, attracted a field of eleven. Despite the fact of Bathos having been defeated in decisive style on Saturday, the Absurd gelding was sent out favourite. Bathos was found endeavouring to win his race early, but Tfhen iv came to real business" he was quickly beaten. Himpo shot up at tho stand, and the Hymettus gelding, finishing up bis task in good style, drew away and won by two lengths from Bugle .Note. Lord Star Beats Favourites. Loyal Irish was the only withdrawal from the Autumn Handicap, the starters for the mile and a-half race numbering 10. The support accorded Merry Day „was sufficient to send her out favourite. Income was second in demand, with Gasbag, Surveyor, Boomerday, Lord Star, Wheat-field, Royal Present, Ruapapa and Marble Bell ' well backed. Boomerday, . who filled the role of pacemaker, showed the way for nine furlongs when he wearied, and Royal Present came.into the straight in advance. Matters looked bright for the Australian gelding when they reached the stand, but at the half distance Lord Star came out in the centre, and the son of Lord Multifid , ran home an easy winner in- front of Royal Present and Marble Hell, the latter being just in time to make a dead heat of it with Royal Present. The Great Northern St. Leger Stakes was induced to a quartette, and chief interest in the' speculation that ensued i centred ' in the support accorded Enthusiasm and Rapine.' :. The former had the call at the finish, but she had to strike ; her colours to the Martian colt. Enthusiasm

went out to make the pace, but she was never allowed to get far away. - Rapine challenged at the end of six furlongs, and as the two leaders ran the next two furlongs, stride for stride excitement ran high. As Enthusiasm. drew away from her opponent it seemed as though she was destined to have Derby, Oaks and St. Leger honours at Ellerslie. It was not to be, however. Eapino came again in the straight, and when he submitted his second challenge to the Panmure filly she was quickly beatenIn a field of a dozen sent out to contest the Huia Handicap, the top weight. Tamatete, and Pavo, who figured next to him, were the pair singled out for most attention, and it proved to be a good summing up. In a great race home from the distance, Pavo just lasted long enough to defeat Tamatete by a head, with a brace of dead-heaters in the shape of Prince Abbey and Viyella right up. Tamatete was hampered on the rails, but for which he would probably have placed the event to his credit. The concluding event of the programme was the Auckland Welter Handicap, and in a field of nineteen the Australian-bred gelding Comedy Prince was made favourite, with Bright Day, Aeriform, and Cool Stimulants. Comedy Prince proved a complete disappointment, but Bright Day amply justified his position. When the Day Comet colt was called upon to go up in the straight and win his race he answered the qaestion in good style and he had matters all his own way at the finish. The following are the details of the racing:—. STEWARDS' HANDICAP of £600; second horse £100, third £50; 1 mile. J. Williamson's ch h Loyal Irish, 4yra, by —Moria Machree, 8.11 (Goldfinch) 1 E. ■J. Graham's b g Infante, carried 7.3 (W. Bagby) .... .... 2 F. Earl's br f Viyella. 6.11 (Hobson) . . 3 Also Started—-Volo, 8.11 (Bagby); lAbtowel, 8.7 (Rayner); Royal Abbey, 8.1 (Thompson); Illumination, 8.0 (A. Reed); Amii'orm, 7.10 (Dixon) ; Bute Sound, 7.6 (Wiggins); Master O'Rorke, 7.61 (Keesing); Smoke Concert. 7.24 (Jarvis). Royal Abbey was favourite. They wore sent away to a splendid sendoff, Master O'Rorke and Royal Abbey being first to break the lino. At the seven-furlong post jListowel held command and led along the back with Master O'Rorke, Loyal Irish. Royal Abbey and Bute Sound all well placed. Crossing the top Listowel was oust clear of Royal Abbey, and then in order were Loyal Irish, Master O'Rorke, and Bute Sound, with Smoke Concert, Illumination, Infante, and Viyella next. Listowel rounded the bend closely attended .by lioyal Abbey and Bute Round, while the remainder of the field, with the exception of -Volo, bunched up. At the distance they 'were well across the course, but Loyal Irish and' Infante drew away over: the last bit and fought out a fine finish which resulted in Loyal Irish getting the decision' by half-a-he-.d. Viyella was two lengths farther buck thh-d with Bute Sound fourth, and then in a bunch were Royal, Abbey, Smoke Concert, Amiform, and Master O'Rorke. Time, lm 41 l-ss.

MANGEEE HANDICAP of £500; second horse £ 100. third £50 6 fur. C. Wright's blk White Hope, syrs, by Our King—Ladylike, carried 7.11 (C. •Brown) • ■ ••_'„■•: ■.',_•_; * W. C." Ring's br g Rafa, carried 7.71 (Keasing) ..•'-.-.; • • •• , •• * Jno. Paterson'a ch g Young Thurnham, carried 8.11 (McTavish) • • • • • • 3 Also Started.— 9.0 ■ (Goldfinch); Peter Maxwell, 8.5 (McCarten); Jolly Gay. 8.4 (R. Reed) : Pretty Man. 8.3 (J. Buchanan) ; Ben Nevis, 8.2 (McCormac) -Quaestor, 8.0 (R. Hall); Midget. 8.1 (Dixon); Knighton, 7.11 (Garrett); Polini, 7.11 (Wiggins); Lady Hill. 8.01 (Tnckleba:ik); Utakura, 7.8} (Watson); Lady Ghssas.-7.3 (Beere); Florent, 7.13 (A. Reed); King Nova,, 7.3 (Curran); Nocturne.. 7.0 (W. Bagby); Arch Opal, 7.12 ' (Jarvia); Tmohari, 7.0 (Holland); Spadona, 7.74 (Manson); Uncle Jack. 7.7 (Simpaon); Dancing Doll, 7.0 (Young); Sentinella, 7.5 (Thompson) ; Electrode, 7.1 (Hobson); Fane, • 7.3 (A. Heath); Mystical Rose. 7.11 (Burgess): Potoanui. 7.0 (Mitchell); Lively Fire. 7.0 (Bound); Mafiosa, 7.10 (Martin); Miss Curran, 7.31 (Wingrove) > Fleeting was favourite. V.V s

: From a good start. Potoanui and Nocturne moved first, but Rafa soon rushed to • the front and led across the .top, followed by Pretty Man, Lively • Fire, Nocturne, Jolly Gay, and ; Utakura, the others being strung ' out. A little further on Utakura, Sentinella, and Young Thurnham headed Rafa. and in this order they . swept- into • the straight with Pretty ' Man, Nocturne v and Dancing Doll handy. : At the distance Rafa, Young Ihurnham and Dancing Doll were having a keen tussle, when White Hope came along on the outside with, a strong run, and got up to secure 'the verdict by three-quarters of a length from Rafa, who was a head in front of Young Thurnham. . Florent was right up fourth, with Nocturne, Tinohari and Dancing Doll next. Time, lm 17 l-ss. .\X '■

VICTORIA HANDICAP, of £600; second . horse £100. third £50; for two-year-olds; s,fur. . J. Irwin's b g Himpo, 2yrs. by Hymet--1 tus— 8.2 (L. Manson) ... • • ;■• 1 A. McDonald's bg Bugie Note, 7.6 (W. ■ Bagby) \ ■.. ..' .... ... 2 W. Taylor's bo Gold Rain, 8.5 (Keesing) 3 ,- Also Startedj--BRthos 9.13 (R. Reed); Murio. 7.11 . tDixoß): White „ Cornet. .7.121 {A,. Reed); Ora's Delight. 7.3 (Bound); Miss Egypt, 7.1?. (Jarvis); Semplice, -6.131 (Mitchell); Black-eyed ' Susan. 6.121 (Holland); Charlady. 7.0 (Wiggins). Bathos was favourite. ,■ ,-.

Muria and Bathos found their fret quickest .and Muria led through the cutting, followed by Bathos. Gold Rain, White Cornet, Himpo and Bugle Note. Muria. and .Bathos were first into the straight, with Gold Ram, Himpo. and White Comet next. At the distance Bathos and Muria were beaten, ana Himpo and Gold Rain were fighting it out. but Himpo drew away and won nicely by two lengths hem Bugle Note, who finished on and beat Gold Rain by a length and a-half for second honours. . Black-eyed Susan was fourth and then came Muria and Bathos. Time, lm 2 3-ss. ...

AUTUMN STEEPLECHASE of £600; sec- . ond horse £100. third £50: about 3 miles. J.V L. Nicoll's b g Explorer aged, by ;;'. -': Kenilworth— 11.4 (McSweeney).. 1 L. Coleman's . be Silverton, 9.9 (M. L. o Smith's b g Gay Boy. 9.'13 tßurt) ] '. 3 Also Started.— Oakleigh. 11.12 (Roach): Pittsworth. 10.7 (Walls): Shell Shock, 10.7 (Oopestake); Te Hair*. 9.11 (McDonald); Never Despair, 9.11 (Rennie); Totara Jack. 9.1 (Henderson). :\ Never Despair was favourite. When they jumped' the water-jump. Gay Boy was the leader, followed by Totara Jack, Explorer, Silverton.' Never Despair. Oakleigh and Pittsworth in that order. Going along the back. Explorer was the pilot and showed the way up the hill with Ga7 Boy, Pittsworth. and , Totara Jack as his nearest attendants;; Silverton -heading the others, who were strung out. Explorer still he'd command at the double, Gay Boy and Never Despair, pullinK hard, and Silverton being his closest attendants. i- doing along the back. Explorer was still clear and piloted the field up the hill the second time, with Gay Boy, Silverton. Never Despair, and Pittsworth following in that order, the others being beaten. Explorer led down ihc hill v and over the stone wall, with Gay Boy next and then .Silverton, . and. Pittsworth. who came down or that fence. In the run to the post Explorer held his own, and won by four : lengths from Silverton. who out=taved Gav Bov and beat him hv three lengths. Shell Shock was fourth. with Never Despair and Oakle'trh next. Te Maire fell at the stone wall. Time. 6m lis. ATJTnMN HANDICAP of £1200: second horse £200. third £100: li miles. R. Hannon's b g Lard Star. 4yrs, by Quin Abbey—Uranium. 6.13 (Hoi and) 1 M Ryan's br m Marble Bell. aged, by . Marble Arch—Miss Winsome. 6.7 (Beere) . . '. . • • " •• ■ • , '■■'• • * W. J. Wilson's b g Royal Present. 4yrs. by Beragoon—Royal Pot. 8.9 (R. Bagby) + Gasbag. 4yrs. 9.8 (R. Reed) 0 Income. 6yrs. 9.4 (McFlvnn), .. .. 0 Surveyor. Gyrs. 8.9 (McTavish) ..... 0 Merry Day. 4yrs. 8.1 (Garrett) . . . . 0 Boomerday. 6yrs, 8.2 (McCarten) . . . . 0 Ruapapa. 3yrs. 7.0 (Keesmg) . . . . 0 Wheatflckl. 4yrs. 6.7 (Curran) .. . . 0 Merry Day was favourite. They left to a good start. Boomerday beins first to break the line and led past the stand, closely attended by Merry Day. Royal Present, and Income, with Lord Star. Ruapapa and Surveyor next, but the field was well bunched. Passing the seven-fur-Ion" post. Boomerday. Royal Present. Income. Merry Day. Lord Star. Marble Bell, and Ruapapa was the order. Boomerday w .„ p» ; " hi charge as they crossed the top just ahead of Royal Present, while Surveyor had run up third and then came Lord Star and Merry Dav. Nearing the turn. Royal Present took change and was first into the straight, with Boomerday. Surveyor, and Lord Starhandv and the others closing up. Iti trie run hone Lord Star. Marble Bell, and Inromo cha'lengrd, but Lord Star drew out and won nicely .by one and a-half lengths from the dead-heaters Marble • Bell and Eovnl Present. Who wp-e a_ reck in front of Income. Gasbag. Whentfield. and Merrv Day were the next to finish. - Time, 2m '40s. '•"■•' ~ , ' . , ' ■'' ■ ~ ' The following sectional for,the running were supplied bv the official timekeeper. Mr. J. K. Douglas:—Two furlongs. 97 1-5* ■ three furlon?.". 4!s: four fnrlonss. F5-;: five furlongs, lm 10?; six furlongs, lm 23 l-ss: se ,- °n furlongs, lm 365; eight fnr-lon-s. lm 49 3-ss. :; ' ,- GTfE-VT NORTHERN ' ST. . LEGER STAKES of £1000; second horse £200, • third £100. The" other £100 to ; go to the breeder of the winner. provided , fjat the hor«» is bred in New Zealand, otherwise :. to.; tha first horse. For three-year-olds. 'lj; miles. .;', ■. - ;r :.'■','■■':. ,\ A B Williams' b g Rapine, by Martian ,_ *— Pineta, 8.10 (R. Reed). . : ,•■; . .:'- . . 1 T. Duncan's b ;f Enthusiasm, 8.8 (Mc- h :^ Carten) . . • . • • ••"_,« ' /r , iV * J D. Jones' be Sir Otway, g.lO (Gold- - ' finch) .. -. , ...... •• »

"Also Started.—Refinement, 8.9 (A. Reed); Enthusiasm was favourite. - , From an even despatch Enthusiasm waa first to \ show out, and led • past the stand a length clear of Kapine, with Sir Otway and Keunement togetner next two lengths further back. Going along the back Enthusiasm and Rapine began to draw away, the former etill being just clear. Passing the five-furlong post Rapine juet got his head in front, but with another furlong covered Enthusiasm was again a length in front, coming to the turn Rapine moved up again, and galloping strongly had Enthusiasm well beaten before the distance was reached, and went on to win comfort* ably by three lengths. Sir Otway was 80yds farther back third, with ■ Refinement last. Time. 3m 6 3-ss. ... . The following were the sectional times for the running:—One furlong. 13 3-ss. two furlongs 28 8 2-ss, four furlongs 555, five furtongs lm 8 2-ss, six furlongs .lm 21 4-58, seven furlongs lm 35 2-ss. eight furlongs lm 48s. nine furlongs 2m, ten furlongs 2m 12b. • WINNERS OF THE GREAT NORTHERN ST. LEGER STAKES. m. 8. Desert Gold, by All Black. .3 7 4-5 1917— Toff, by Boniform . . 3 2 Bonnie Maid by Boniform 810 1919 Afterglow, by Demosthenes 3 4 1920—Missgold, by Lucullns . . 3 5 1921—Duo, by Demosthenes. . ..2, * J-& 1922—Royal Box. by Nassau . . 3 15 .2-5 Rapine, by Martian . . ..368-5 HUIA HANDICAP of £850; second horse £200, third £100; 6 fur. H. Friedlander's blk g Pavo. 6yra, by The Welkin—Land Rose, 9.0 (McFlynn) .... • • •,• • • ~,• • W. Duncan's b g Tamatete, 10.1 (McCarten) . . . . • „ ,vt ,'• \ '" » F. Earl'e br f Viyella, C.7 (Hobson) R. Hannon's b g Prince Abbey, car. 7.45 (Thompson) Also Started.—Golden Bubble, 8.11 (B. Bagby); King's Trumpeter, 8.10 (R. Reed); Alfort 8.3 (Buchanan); Broadwood, .8.3 (Dixon); Tactful, 7.10 (Wiggins); Canyon. 6.7 (Tunnic'.iffe); Jolly Princess. 6.7 (Young); Sheffield, 6.7 (Bagby); Queen Abbey. 6.12} (Holland). Tamatete was favourite. Tactful and Pavo were quickest to begin, but Broad wcod was slow to move. Prince Abbey soon eot to the front and led across the top, with Tamatete. Pavo, and Jolly Gay as his nearest attendants. Prince Abbey showed the way through the cutting, with Pavo. Jolly Gay, and Tamatete handy and Broadwood was improving his rosition. Prince Abbey came round the bend just ahead of Pavo. with the field biinchinw uo. At the distance Pavo and Prince Abbey were disputing the issue, then Tamatete came through on the fence and Broadwood and Queen Abbey made efforts, while ViyelU came with a late run, and a. great race home saw Pavo prevail by a head from Tamatete, who was the eame distance in front of the dead-heaters. Prince Abbey and Vivella. Queen Abbey, King's Trumpeter, and Canyon were the next to finish. Time, lm 15 3-ss. AUCKLAND WELTER HANDICAP of £600; second hor3e £100. third £50; 1 mile. t S. Tapp's ch s Bright Day, 3yrs, by Day —Lady Gwendoline, 8.0 (McCormac) . . . . . - _ .... 1 J. Williamson's b g Cool Stimulants, 9.7 (Goldfinch) ....... ..2 A. N. Gibbon b g Pine Arch, car. B.B} (McFlynn) . . •....' .. ..3 Also Started.—Grotesque, 10.12 (R. Reed): Royal Abbey, 9.6 (Glover): Glencairn. 8.7 (Buchanan); Archie, 8.5 (Coleman); Landslide. 8.3 (A. Reed); Prince Randall. 8.2 (Manson); Smoke Concert, 8.2 (Thompson); Comedy Prince. 8.3 (McCarten); Bithclia, B.l* (Dixon); Glenidle, 8.0 (Mitchell): Greekson, 8.0 (Jarvis); Prince Rufus, 8.0 (McTavish); Some Fashion, 8.0 (Keesing),; Walton. 8.0 (V/iggins); Aeriform, 8.0 (W. Bagby. -. . ' , "■ ./■;'. ■ Comedy Prince was favourite. Grotesque was the first to move, but passing ' ' the seven-furlong post Some Fashion- held command from Aeriform, Prince Rufus, and Grotesque. - A little lurther on Aeriform assumed command and piloted the field through, the' cutting just clear of Pine Arch, with Prince Rufus, Glenidle, Bright Day, and Some Fashion following in that ordor. Aeriform was first into the straight, with Pine Arch, Bright Day, Glenidle, and Smoke Concert in ■; a bunch. In the run home Bright Dav »nd •Pine Arch challenged, ' and . the former drtfwing away, won by two and a-harf lengths .from Cool Stimulants, who finif-ned strongly on the outside, and got up to beat Pine Arch by a neck for second honours/ Fashion was fourth, and then in order were Royal Abbey, Landslide, and Glenidle. Time, lm 425.