WAIKATO HUNTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 7

WAIKATO HUNTERS.

POINT-TO-POINT MEETING.

EXCITING STEEPLES CONTESTS. FINE RACE IN CHIEF EVENT. [from our own correspondent.] HAMILTON, Saturday. The Wnikato Hunt's annual point-to-point steeplechflso meeting, postponed from last 'Saturday on account of heavy rain,, was held at Hautapu to-day in fine weather and before a large attendance. The programme of four events provided excellent sport, and some fine displays of jumping were witnessed.

The open steeplechase was probably the best race in the history of the .Waikato Hunt, several horses, jumping beautifully, keeping in close company all the way, to fight out an exciting finish. The winner, Taha, wa3 ridden a good race by his owner, who kept him in behind the leaders, and then issued a successful challenge o\er the Inst quarter of a mile. A feature of the afternoon was the success of Mr. R. Townsend, who won three out of the four races, including a double with Dark Night. At the close of the day the trophies were presented by the master, Mr. "Wynn Brown, who extended the thanks of members to Messrs. R. Hannon, G. H, Worms, Jas. Watt and McNaughton Brothers for the use of their properties. Results:— 1 LIGHT-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE. About 2i miles: weight 11.7. DARK NIGHT, Mr. R. Townsend's b m, aged, by Archiestown—Opal (Mr. J. S. Clemctt) 1 AL BORAK. Mr. F. Yosper's b g, 7yrs. by Nassau—Spnlma (Mr. Watkinson) 2 "A* CANNIE. Mr. J. F. Howell's b m, syrs, by Quin Abbey—Silva (Mr, J. Bowling) 3

Also Started.—Belle Vue (Mr. F. Baker), Venture (Mr. Ned. Brown), Victor (Mr. J. ;\r. Allen), Manono (Mr. R. Nolan), anci Blaze (Mr. J. Bailey). The race provided a spirited contest. Dark Night and Venture disputed the lead in the early stages, but the last-named later ran off. Al Borak took the lead after a round, with Dark Night, Mapono and Belle Vue racing in that order. Over the final stages Dark Night regained the lead and won nicely by three lengths from Al Boiak, who defeated Ca' Cannie by one length, for second place. Belle Vue, the only other to finish, was 100 yds. away. Time, 5m 265.

HEAVY-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE. About 2i miles; weight 13.0. GENERAL. Mr. R. Townsend's ch g, 6yrs, by Archiestown— Hackney maro (Mr. S. J. Clemett) 1 MAUNGAKAWA. Mr. R. W. Sampson's b g. aeed, by Quin Abbey—Unknown (owner) HARVIESTOUN, Mr. W. R. Jamieson's. ch g, aged, by Archiestown—Unknown (Mr. I. R- Olive) . . .. 3 L'lie only starters. Maungakawa led until the second to last fence from General, but the last-named, aided by superior horsemanship, wore him dow;i, to win by three lengths. Harvies* toun was 20 lengths further back. Time, Sin 20s. OPEN STEEPLECHASE. About 2i miles; .weight 11.7. TAHA. Mr. George Peake's b g, aged, by General Latour—Leolantis mare (owner) 1 j YORK ABBEY, Mr. Frank Baker's b g. aged, by Quin Abbey—Curearua (owner) ...... - • • • 2 KING FAME, Mr. R. Russell's br g, aged, by King Lupin—Ruth (owner) . 3 Also Started—Goofle (Mr. J. S. Clemett), Raymond (Mr. B. 3. Hewett), Hazelburn (Mr. G. Vosper), Lucilius (Mr. I<ea Brown), and Brio (Mr. J. Bowling). When they settled dowu York Abbey and Lucilius were showing the way to Raymond. King Fame and Taha. Lucilius fell at the end of the first round, leaving York Abbey several lengths clear of King and Raymond, who were in close order, with Taha. and Hazelburn moat prominent of the others. York Abbey still liad charge half a mile from home, but in the run to the judge was joined by Raymond. The pair were fighting out a desperate finish when Taha, who had made up ground rapidly, came through to win handsomely by a length. York Abbey defeated King Fame by a head for second place, and Raymond was five lengths away fourth. Time, 4m 58s. LADIES' POINT-TO-P^INT. About 1$ miles. DARK NIGHT. Mr. R. Townsend's (Miss I. Townsend) 1 CARA. Mrs. .T. M. Allen's b m, aged, by Carl Rosa—General Soult mare (owner) 2 PENN. Mr. C. 'E. Shakeshaft's ch g. aged, by Penury—Woodstock mare (Mrs. W. Ranstead) .., . . . . 3 Also Started.—Victor (Miss E. Hope), Tui (Miss Betty Crowther). Ping Pong (Miss V. Revell), and Jellicoe (Miss J. Phillips). Dark Night and Tui cleared right away and raced ne<.ii and neck at a fast speed until Tui came down three fences from home. Dark Night carried on safely, to win by a furlong from Cara, who finished fast to beat Penn for second place by two lengths. Time, 4m 18s.

WAIPA RACING CLUB. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. [from our own correspondent.] TE AWAMUTU, Saturday. The annual meeting of the Waipa Racing Club was held last evening, Mr. F. Quin presiding. The profit and loss account for the year showed a loss of £l6O. Nearly half of this amount could be accounted for by the loss on the hay which was carried forward from the previous year, and which, when opened up, proved to be of poor quality ond unsaleable. The profit on the annual meeting was £513, compared with a profit of £1207 for the previous annual meeting. Replying to a question, the secretary stated that subscriptions for the year were shown as £322, but actually only about £l9O had been received. The item, £lB4 subscriptions outstanding, was considered an asset. • The election of officers resulted:—Patrons, Messrs. W. J. Broadfoot and W. Lee Martin, M.P.'s: president, Mr. A. S. Wallace; vice-presidents, Messrs. F. Quin, W. G. Park and J. IT. Elliott; auditor. Mr. G. O. Jourdnin; clerk of corfrse, Mr. J. R. Pollard; judse, Mr. R. B. Lusk; clerk of scales, Mr. S. C. Macky; timekeeper. Mr. F. Seccotnbe; honorary surgeons, Drs. Blundell, Hiskcns and Roberton; honorary veterinary surgeon. Dr. G. Gruenvald; treasurer. Mr. J. P. O'Sullivan: representative on Breeders' Association, Mr. H. Weal; representative on Country Clubs' Association. Mr. M. H. Tims; course committee, Messrs. J. O'Sullivan, M. H. Tims, J. T. Young and T. G. Martin: committee. Messrs. A. Bond, C. F. Storey, S. A. Empson. W. Alexander and J. P. O'Sullivan.