THE TURF.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1196, 1 February 1895, Page 22

THE TURF.

RACING CALENDAR. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND RECORDS. 4 Fur'ong', 47sec —Safeguard, 0 J.C. Spring Nursery, and Golden Fleece, Jfclcctrio Plate, C J.O , Nov., 181)4. fa Furlongs, lmin lseor— Forester, Byra, 7st 31b, C.J.C Flying Handicap. 18.6 C Fui longs, lmin 14sec.—Loytlty, 2yrs, 7st 41b. C J.C. Cl alleoge Stakes, 1893. 7 Furlongs, lmin 27isec— Ruby, 4yrs. 7&? 13ib, C.J.O. Craven Stake*, 1888. 1 Mile, lmin 4l£seo.~ Merßmser, 4yrs, Bst, J.G. Handicap, C J.C. Spring. 1892. 1} Mile, 2min Siscc —Xlt Bit, ly s, 7*t 51b, C.J.C GiMniMand, 1887. I.J Mil-, 2min 36j.sec—Mtrgana r, 4vrs, 9st 81b, C J.C. Groit Autumn Handicap, i&93. 1J Milp, Smin 6se«.-Waitiii, 4yrs, B<t slb, A.B.C. Handicap, 1887: St Katlurine, 3yrs, 7st 111 b, Wanganui Cup. 1893. 2 Miles, 3miu 29sec.—Uosrfo'dt, sy:s 7st 71b, New Zealand Cup, 1893. NEW ZEALAND TROTTING RECORDS. 1 MHp.—Saddle, Yum Yum, 2inin 274 sec, Canterbury T.C.. May, 1891; harness, Brooklyn, 2miu 41sec, PI impton Park. May, 1891. 1J Mile. —Saddle, I arney O'llea, Smin 58sec, Geraldine, September. 1894. 2 Milts.— Blacksmith, 6min Qzec, Forbury, May, 1891; h<rne=3, Imperious, funic 21sec, Canterbury TC, May, 1891, and Berlin Abdallah. Tahuna Park, May, 1894. 3 Miles.— Si'ldle, Wannoron, Smin, Furlmry, Mirch, 1891 ; harness, Specification, 7min 35:ec, Canterbury T.C., May, i 894. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ' " Breeder."—No. Salvo is by Armament — Eclat. "Te Horo." —Eighty. Newcastle did not starts TURF GOSSIP.' "AFTER THE RA.CES." A SUCCESSFUL MEETING:. By "Gipsy King." The Wellington Racing Club's Metropolitan Summer Meeting last week, was probably the most successful meeting yet held by the Empire city club. Everything was favourable to ensure the success of the meeting, the weather, the attendance, the large amount put through the totalisator, the first-class management, the comfortable course appointments, and the racing. The lengthy report which appeared last week, rather takes the " wind out of my sails," as the various items which helped to make the meeting so successful, were touched upon in the introduction to the first day's racing.

TRA.IN ARRANGEMENTS. The club, carried out their duty to its numerous patrons without the slightest hitch, and although there were loud complaints made about the train arrangements for bringing the crowds back from the course, that was no fault of the club, as they wore at the morcy of the Railway Department, which, it/ may bo mentioned, had a heavy }Dassenger traffic Do provide for that day, and no doubt the department considered that for so short a journey those who patronised the train service to the Hutt Parle racecourse would not object to a little inconvonionco by crowding into trucks, so as to allow the department to give the country-bound excursionists the use of the carriages. Still, the public has some cause to complain about tho insufficiency of the accommodation, as, for instance, on Cup Day four trains were despatched from the* Te Aro station, while only two trains were put on to bring the people back from tho racecourse. This pretty well explains the undue crowding tho public were subjected to returning | from the course on Cup Daj'. Some idea of tho crowd that must have been on the last train on that clay may bo gathered from the fact that there were 86 vehicles attached to the engine, and only seven of these, including the guard's van, were covered in, the balance being open trucks, and the smoke from the engine must have ruined many a pretty dress. However, the Railway Department did everything in their power under the circumstances to make up for tho deficiency in the covered-in rolling-stock by delaying the last train until the last passenger was safely on board; and although the train did not arrive in Wellington until 6 p.m., still the crowd were good humoured, and appeared to be satisfied that they had arrived safely. I don't think even the most ardent supporter of the Club expected such a large attendance as txirned up, which was greatly in excess of the numbers carried by rail on any previous occasion. I trust it is the forerunner to an increased interest in the Wellington Club's meetings, THE JUDGE. In the report of the meeting which appeared last week I accidentally omitted to mention the prompt manner in which Mr G. H. Scales carried out his responsible duty as judge. The horses were no sooner past the post than up went the numbers of the placed horses. This promptness and accuracy in each ovent was very noteworthy, and gave the publio implicit con-

I fidence in the decisions recorded by Mr Scales. THE LUNCHEON. There were adverse comments made that tho luncheon provided for the public was not up to the standard that had formerly been supplied, probably this is the fault of tho conditions governing the tenders. It would be as well in future if the club, when calling for tenders for supplying the luncheon, were to draw up a, tariff of what should be supplied, and also affix the charge the same as is done by tho Railway Department when calling tenders for the lease of railway refreshment rooms THE COURSE. Those who have been regular in their attendance at the Hutt Park during the last few years, said that they had never seen the course and the grounds looking so well. The visiting trainers, among whom were some that could date their first appearance on the Hutt Park track back as far as the “ seventies,” said they were agreeably surprised to find tho training track and course proper in such fine order. There is no doubt that top dressing the course with good soil from time to time is bringing forward a growth of grass, that in a short time will make the track as good as any of the principal clubs. THE C A BETAKER. For the pretty appearance of the grounds, and the excellent repair of the buildings and appointments, &c.. on the Wellington Club’s course, much credit is due to the caretaker, Mr White, and his assistants. The club have got hold of a good man who devotes careful attention to their interests. THE STARTING MACHINES.

There were hundreds who patronised the races that had only a hazy idea of the construction of the starting machines, and ono man remarked to me that he expected to see a lot of “ machinery ’ in work, and was indeed surprised to find these invaluable race track appointments so simple. Keen interest was taken in the first start., which was at the “ Thompson mile” in the Anniversary Handicap, and quite a crowd gathered there to see the workiugof “Gray’s" patent, but those who were unable to get down to that distance post complained that the pinus insignus trees close by the pest, obscured their view. There are only two trees that require to be taken away, and this should be done before next mectirg. “Crawford’s” machine, the local invention was placed in a most favourable position at tho ono mile and. one furlong post, right in front of tho grandstand, and tho public, of course, had a good view ; whereas “Gray’s” machines were erected at the six furlong, one mile and one mile and a half posts, where the public had not so good a view.

“ Crawford’s ” machine, although on the same principle as “ Gray’s,” is more simple in construction, and, whether it was luck or .the horses preferred, the local patent, it certainly gave the best results, and all the one-mile-and-one-furlong starts were firstclass, and on each 1 occasion elicited applause. Much depends of course on the manipulation of tho lever and when to release the tapes, and Mr A. Young, senr., who was in charge of the starting, had the advantage of gaining experience in this manipulation, by using “ Gray’s ” patent in three races before he had to use “ Crawford’s ” machine. The starting machines are simply invaluable in short races, as it effectually puts an end. to the vexatious breaking away of the horses, whose riders are anxious not to be left, and others who may want to gain an advantage. When the horses and their jockeys become thoroughly accustomed to the machines, all starting troubles will be at an end, although there will still be one or two horses slow on their legs, or some that will never be able to spring away quickly from a standing s’art, but when the starting machine is universally used, it will bo the duty of trainers to teach tho horses in their chargo to hop off the maik smartly. THE RACING.

When the majority of the races are well contested and the finishes are close and exciting, it is quite unnecessary to say that the racing- during- the meeting was interesting. After the results of races are pitblishod, I am aware that racing men vote the review of the racing as stale reading, vmloss any new light can be thrown on some of the contests, or the defeat of a favourite can be desoribed to bad kick, whioh is real and not imaginary. But a few lines about the "Wellington Cup raoe may not be out of place, as practically the chief interest of the meeting was centred in that race. The totalisator betting on the Cup race, j roughly figured out, gives a fair idea of tho prospects of each of the eleven starters, and it nmst bo said that the betting public pretty Avell anticipated the placing of the judgo. The betting was—Mahaki (first), 4 to 1; North Atlantic (third), 6 to 1 ; Lady Zetland (second), 7 totiv; Grolden Plover (fourth), 8 to 1; Lottie (fourth), 8 to one ; Bosefeldt, 12 to 1 j Rangipuhi, 18 to one ; Westmere, 18 to 1; Princess May, 24 to 1 ; Arius, 32 to 1; Porepo, 58 to 1. The story of the race is easily told as regards the winner. It was quite evident half a mile from the winning post that Taylor on Mahaki intended gotting into a good position before reaching the turn into tho straight where so many races are lost and won on the Hutt course. Before he reached the top turn he shot Mahairi up to the leaders and at once secured a good berth, and Cochrane was not slow in noting the move, and ho also sent Lady Zetland along and got alongside Mahaki, and with Golden Plover on tho outside they swung round the homo tuin, but North Atlantic and Lottie were loss forlunate, and had to accept such positions as were left, which were nono too good, in fact they may as well have been out of the race altogether, especially North Atlantic, who was behind the leaders and on the inside next the rails. To have pulled out and got on the outside of Lottie would have meant the loss of several lengths, so that the horse had to remain in the position that he had involuntarily got into, which practically extinguished all hop© of landing the Cup for tho Hawkb's Bay

sportsman. Lottie was not in so bad n fix, and could have got out more easily, and would not have lost so much ground, but her jookey made no strenuous efforts to pull the mare out ; otherwise, I think there would have been three in the actual finish, instead of two —Mahaki and Lady Zetland. However, the latter two had a big fight, and, after a brief struggle, tho Wellington Cup was won by Mahaki, all out, by half a length, with North Atlantic, a length away, third, while Lottie and Golden Plover were a length away fourth, about a neck in front of Rangipuhi, and tho latter was barely half a length in front of Arius. '

Golden Plover ran an honest race, and well up to his previous form, and at the turn he seemed to have as much to say as Mahaki and Lady Zetland until North Atlantic deposed him, about half-way up the straight. Of Lottie it is difficult to write, lier rider dia not seem to make enough Usd Of her, and, besides, lie kept bet galloping behind the other horsds at one part of the race iVhen there Was no need for it. Rangipuhi, who did not appear to bo cherry-ripe, did not run what may be termed a good race, and although it wa3 generally taken for granted that as his trainer was “indisposed” that the horse was not thoroughly well, but his supporters expected him to run a better race, taking as a guide his Greatford Stakes (Rangitikei) running. Westmere was out of it after they had gone about seven furlongs, and Rosefeldt was done with at a mile, while Princess May was in tho same fix and finished absolutely last. Of the two outsiders Arius and Porepo, Mr Bidwill’s horse made a very creditable display, as he • led for nearly seven furlongs and then finished in fifth position alongside Rangipuhi, but Porepo made no more show than did Westmere. The Cup go appeared to have knocked Arius out, as he was easily defeated in the other race he started for at the meeting, although it looked a fairly good thing for him on his Cup running. If Mahaki, Lady Zetland, Lottie and North Atlantic had landed in the straight in an even line I think one of the finest races seen in New Zealand would have been the result, and judging by the way North Atlantic was going at the finish he would have been returned the winner, as Mahaki did not win easily or comfortably as some writers have stated. A look at hiß ribs where the spurs had been at work was quite sufficient to convince anyone who is conversant with racing that he was going for all he was : worth.

Both Taylor and Cochrane practically discarded the use of whips, which gave many the idea that Mahaki won easily, but both horsemen rode all they knew. Judging by the way Mahaki finished in the November Handicap at our Spring Meeting, it would have been unwise to draw the whip to him, as he would have bored over on to the other horses, which would probably have given some other horse the race on a protest. Before Mahaki was taken to the front of the grand stand, when his owner was to receive the Cup, the blood had to be washed from Mahaki’s sides, and I think this is sufficient proof that the Ingomar horse had his work cut out to beat Lady Zetland. However, Mr Kani Pere has the 1895 Cup, and his horse won it honestly, and I trust the contest for the 1896 Cup will be as well fought out as was this year’s race. In the Telegraph Handicap Searchlight wai a strong favourite, but had not Saracen and his rider, P. Cochrane, received a nasty kick from Searchlight , I fancy Saracen would have won instead of running a dead heat with King's Bowman, but at this distance, when ’he is well, and is handicapped as a 3-year-old, King’s Bowman is a hard nut to crack. It wa3 whispered about before the start for the First Hack Race, that Penrose (Torpedo—Primrose) had beaten Rosefeldt ir a mile and a-quarter gallop, which accounts for the strong support accorded him, and for a 3 year-old carrying Bst, he registered a sterling performance by running tho 9 furlongs in linin 58sec. He is indeed a fine colt, and one of the few good horses that are brought out through the agency of hack races. The big race the second day, the Wellington Racing Club Handicap of 1 J miles, was voted by shrewd racing men, a fluke.

It was natural for the riders of Mahaki and Lady Zetland to suppose after Rangipuhi’s Cup performance and the knowledge that the horsebadbeen doing nothing on the training track, that they could indulge him with the lead, but why they should allow him to have about eight lengths lead less than five furlongs from home, is best known to themselves. It was bad enough for the horse to be let in at 7st 61b, a weight he has not been favoured with since he raced in hack company, but to give him such a start was indeed bad generalship. I have heard several say they couldn’t get on terms with him, but that is all nonsense, as they soon got on terms with him when they wanted to, but the ground was made up too quickly, and the effort had cost them so much that they, especially Zetland, were unable to foot it with the Rangitikei horse at the finish, although Mahaki struggled gamely enough until his rider found that it was useless to knock his horse about. Mahaki’s was certainly a great performance, as he was carrying 9st 61b, and finished within half a length of Raugipuhi, the mile and a quarter being run in the fast time of 2min llsec, the last six furlongs being run a tick under lmin I7sec. I certainly think that if Mahaki had kept with Rangipuhi he would have worn him down at the finish, and I am borne out in this opinion, by competent judges. The exciting finish for the Farewell Handicap (on the second day) was worth going a long way to see, although, strange to say, for the first half mile the horses were running in Indian file. THE TOTALISE TOR. The returns for the meeting are not complete as I write, but, taking into consideration the fact that <£lß,lßß was put through the totalisators during the two days—which is an increase of <£2572 on last year’s total-‘-it will be found that the Club have made a handsome profit out of the "Cup” Meeting of 1895.

Date. Meetings, 1 Nom. Wgts. Accpt. Feb 2 C.J.C Foil 13, M Egmont .. 10 Feb 1 Feb 7 Feb 20, 21 Taranaki.. F 20, 21,23 Dunedin .. Feb 20, 27 Manawatu Feb 5 Feb 10 Feb 19 Mar 7, 8.. Wanganui Fob 12 Feb 12 Feb 21 Feb 20 Mar 1 8 .. Sandon Feb 23 Mar 2 Mir 9 Mar 19 20 llawko’s liny Mar 6 L<\b 9 Vi ar 5 Mr 12 Mar 15 A pi 15, 10 Wairarapa Apl 15, 10 Feilding.. May 1, 3 Wellindoa May 21 .. Otaki Maori Apvi 3 May 14