TARANAKI J.C. AUTUMN MEETING

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 43

TARANAKI J.C. AUTUMN MEETING

(Special to “New Zealand Mail.”) FIRST DAY. A more pleasant place than the course of the Taranaki Jockey Club could not have been found on Wednesday last, being the opening, day of the Autumn Aleeting. The weather was simply perfect—a warm day, with a gentle sea breeze to keep things nice and cool. Needless to say, the attendance was very large and representative of the North Island, prominent sports from Auckland, Napier, and Wellington and nearer towns putting in an appearance.

Before racing commenced a stroll round was well repaid by the magnificent view to foe obtained from the hill in the Saddling* Paddock, or better still from the top of the Grand Stand. Immediately behind the gully at the back of the course may be seen the fine residence of Air Newton King—right in the centre of a lovely patch "of native bush, and with a well-kept large garden, which on such a glorious day was at its best. The fine view of bush and green paddocks, with the homes of many farmers, extends away back until mighty Egmont bars th© view. Hardly a cloud clings around 1 the giant, which makes a grand sight, being streaked with snow in several gullies. Casting! the eye around in the opposite direction, a vast expanse of calm sea meets the eye —taken all round, truly a fine view may be obtained from the course, which is situated on a. flat close to, but just above, the town — in fact, within ten minutes one can land back in the centre of the town of New Plvmouth. Since last Cup day the Saddling Paddock has been made twice its original size by the removal of the caretaker’s cottage, etc. On the new ground a number of trees fill a long desired want; before not a place of shelter was to be found in the paddock, but now 7 several seats under the trees and alongside the southern fence afford protection from the sun’s rays, and a rest should one feel weary. With the increased ground new horse boxes have been erected. At the northern end, on the lawn, a fine commodious totalisator house has been erected. On the inside two machines are worked, and at no. time during the day was much, if any, money refused — in fact, at one time the backers, with exception of a straggler or so, had obtained their tickets some ten minutes before the start. The rush and struggle to obtain tickets on the outside (10s) machine, beggars description. The same state of affairs existed at Christmas, and the stewards should awake to the fact that one machine outside is totally inadequate to meet the large number of backers.

Proceedings commenced w 7 ith the Stewards Handicap, of seven furlongs. The scratching pen w T as in evidence as Eton and Tommy Atkins, who w 7 ere reserved for last race, and Gowrie, w 7 ho did not start at the meeting, were withdrawn. The field of five got away on fair terms —Okoari. the favourite, getting slightly the best of the start. Brown Bill was early under the wdiip, and had to be belted along to keep near the field. The race resulted in a very easy win for Okoari, ridden by Gallagher, who carved out the distance in 1.30, a smart go. Full Cry just beat Calceolaria for second place, but the former was by no means ridden out, and could have been much nearer to the winner. Brown Bill whipped in last.

Th© Henui Hack, of five furlongs, next came up for decision. No less than five dropped out, leaving a fine field of eleven to night out th© short distance. When the barrier shot up. Lady Bell turned 4 he wrong way, and consequently was left many lengths behind. Sultana showed the way for a few furlongs, but turning into the straight the field l was well bunched. A very close and exciting finish saw Siandra, by Recluse—Sleep, ridden by that promising lad, young Kennedy, just squeeze home from Jay Russell's pair, Sultana, by Gay Deceiver and Royal Flush, a three-year-old, by Recluse —Ling • both these horses ar© very smart over a short course. Amonigist the starters were Tupara, by Hotchkiss Queen Cole, therefore full brQther to Battleax© and Impati, a five-year-old by Castor —Brown Alice. Both these horses should catch the judge’s eye in the future. The owner of Liable w 7 as fined £3 3s for late scratching. In the Handicap Hurdles, a field of seven faced the starter. Waylay was allowed to make the pace, and soon got a great break on the field, but came back before long—being about pumped out.

Passing the stand, second round, it could be seen that Waiwera was going well and likely to be the winner, which proved correct, as he won fairly easily from Whetu and Tui, who both ran well. A shorter distance would suit Tui : . Scallywag seemed too slow altogether on the day, and Kaimati, judging from his running, will win a race of this description very soon. Vanquish ran well until the second hurdle from home, after which sli3 appeared to tire, with the result that she fell at the last hurdle, giving Fahey a severe shaking. One horse following cleared Fahey, and Waylay, with Percy Johnston up, came down, but the rider made a quick recovery and was soon on again. It was some time before Vanquish could rise—having injured her side. In this race Waiwera was favourite. The winner paid a dividend of £3 14s and £1 12s.

Puanga was the only non-starter in the Hack Hurdles. A good field of h’ne contested for the prize money. Hautonga/ appeared to have an excellent chance of winning until reaching the turn for home, when Ivlamaku, by Vanguard—Dancing Lass, came away and won easily by three lengths from Hautonga and the grey mare Gmprah. J. B. Williamson, from Auckland, provided a likely looking hurdler in Tiurne, 6yrs, by Foulshot—Lucy. The winner paid £5 2s. inside and £2 6s for 10s.

A general move was made for the paddock to see the Cup horses prepared for the race ox the day. Coronet looked well and fit to; fight out a good ra.ee. The Porirua mare, Tortulla who was expected to play a prominent part in the race, did not appear at her best and seemed to wear a much travelled look. Alateroa was very fit, and . the public selected! her as a good thing to back, whilst Will-o.’-the-Wisp was in perfect condition and won many friends, in fact so much were the public taken with her that instead of being the outsider as expected 1 she carried £lll out of £562 inside, and 119 investors out of 605 outside 10s tote. Legion of Honour always looks in fine buckle, but was voted as not class for the field. Mr Watson’s fine horse Battleaxe had a perfect coat and seemed anxious for th© fray. After the usual parade in front of tlie grandstand the horses moved off to the post to settle the question which was greatly puzzling the public. From a capital start Legion of Honor dashed away, followed by Coronet and the rest hunched. Tortulla being last. At the back of the course Wili-o’-the-Wisp moved up, but just afterwards Battleaxe was seen to be improving his position, and nearing the far corner he was up with the leader j at th© final turn both Battleaxe and Willo’ -the-Wisp were hard at it, and a fine race took place, Battleaxe, splendidly ridden by Gallagher, lasted long enough to win by a couple of lengths from Will-o’-the-’Wisp, who was followed by Coronet. Battleaxe and Gallagher received a hearty cheering, whilst the popular owner received many congratulations on winning a select prize after a long run of adverse luck with Battleaxe. There is little doubt the way the race was run exactly suited Battleaxe. The distance was run in 2min The winner, who was fourth in the betting, paid the nice price of £5 3s and £2 17s. Mr Newton King invited the stewards and several others to honour the win, which was carried out with much enthusiasm in the steward’s luncheon room. Materoa, the favourite, and Tortulla were the disappointments of the race. Some considerable delay occurred at the start for the First Hack. The eleven runners proving rather troublesome. Dartmoor, in particular, was most fractious, kicking out and rearing. After two false starts the field got away in fair order. Bowman at once made th© pace, followed by Dartmoor, who jumped off just as the tapes went up. This was a splendid race. Dartmoor, Taplow, Raukura and Tukapa showing the way round the hack. At the High School corner Taplow improved his position, and led round the last bend, followed by a. close field. Half-way up the straight it looked ras though Tukapa would win, he came with a splendid rush, and was fast catching Taplow who, however, got to the mark by a full length. Raukura was third. A few mornings prior to the meeting Taplow 7 did a good gallop with Kaimati, and was backed by many on the strength of the go. The dividend was £ll 4s and £8 4s.

The day’s sport came to a conclusion with the Flying, all five on the card facing the starter. Full 'Cry had a slight call over Okoari on the tote. Scout was the smartest off the mark, and -led the way for four furlongs when Okoari moved up. When fairly turned 1 for home Full Cry shot out, and a most desperate fight saw Okoari get the verdict by a> short half head from Full Cry, with Tommy Atkins, Eton and Scout in order. The dividend w r as £2 5s and £1 12s. SECOND DAY. Another beautiful day—the weather, if anything, being more agreeable than on Cup day. Attendance good. The first race was looked upon as a good thing for Okoari with 9st up, and so it proved, as this good mare won her third race with the greatest ease by three lengths, in Imin 31 l-sth sec. Dividend,

£1 17s and £1 Is. Bowsprit had the best of the start, Okoari being somewhat fretful. Bowsprit kept in the van until nearing the last corner, when Okoari came through and gave nothing else a show. Full Cry was again second.

Four were withdrawn from the Hautoki Hack, leaving seven running to settle the result. Siandra moved off quickest and kept the lead for some distance. Lady Bell put in a claim just when entering the straight, and looked all over a winner, but Siandra came again and caught the mare on the post. Kohina was third. The judge declared a dead heat between Bady Bell and Siandra. This was a pretty race —the field keeping s close together all the way. s’ All the 1 acceptors started in the Hurdles—Waiwera on first day’s running had the call in the betting, whilst Kaimati, who proved the winner, was nearly the outsider of the party. Ivaimati was never prominent on the first day, but with half a mil© less to go' and olbs more to carry he led from start- to finish, and v/on by a length. Possibly the shorter course suited the winner, but he certainly shotted much improvement on his first day’s running. Edgar Bussell ("Waiuku’s old pilot) was on the winner, and received a good reception on returning to scale. Kaimati paid £6 19s and £3 11s. ' ‘

The Hack Hurdles resulted in Mr Jay Bussell’s. Sultana, winning by a couple of lengths from Mr Major’s Avant Garde, who led to the last hurdle. This horse carried only £8 out of £243 inside. The big race of the day—the Autumn Handicap—was the next item on -Hie programme. Some fresh horses saddled up for this race. Sylvia. Park looked rather big in condition. Gipsy Queen, by Gipsy King—Volt-arina, is a beautiful mare, and appeared in the pink of condition. . Battleaxe. looked quite fresh after his Cup victory, whilst Tortulla, on looks, was all the better for her Cup gallop. Mr Watson’s fine horse was selected as favourite. Will-o’-the-Wisp being next in demand. Battleaxe got well away, Sylvia Park being slow off the mark. Passing the stand Will-o’-the-Wisp showed the way, followed by Battleaxe,'Tortulla. and Sylvia. Park being last. The Hawke’s Bay mare still held her position round the back, when Calceolaria shot to the front. Wili-o’-the-Wisp got in front, again when entering the home run, and then Tortulla was seen to be coming through very quickly and won i>y half a, length under the whip from Coronet, who also put. in a good run and beat Gipsy Queen by a. few lengths for second place, the others close up. .Totulla’s display was a great improvement on her Cup running, when she was never, prominent. It shows what the public thought of her chance on the first day’s running by letting her pay £9 19s and. £5. Inside, out of £632, ■only j£s7 was on the winner. Battleaxe carried 1 £248 inside. The race was run in 2min McTaggart rode Tortulla. each day. The-best finish of the meeting was in the Second Hack, when Dr.Paget’s Waiiti, with Holmes up, just squeezed home froirwTaplow (Cochrane) by the shortest of heads. Dartmoor was third. The other starters being Legion of Honour (whot Iran with/the hacks in preference to open company), Waterford and Onutae. Mr Jay Bussell’s horse .was favourite. .. Dartmoor being next in favour. The winner paid £9 10s and £4 4s.

Mr Laurent received a well deserved win Avith Full Cry in the . FareAvell Handicap, beating Tommy Atkins and Bowsprit someAvhat easily. Scout, the only other starter, liot being in it. Scoot is a great'flyer, but four furlongs is his pet distance, and it takes 'a' warm hack to doAvn him over the short course.

The Final Hack Flutter brought a very successful, meeting to a close. iNine hacks, lined up for this race, Avhich resulted in an easy Avin for Tukapa,.ridden by Gallagher. Tukapa was backed in great style, the-fact of Gallagher riding put the public on to a sweet thing, the dividend was £l 13s and 16s. I must congratulate the Handicappers Mr J.. O. Evitt and Mr It. G. Pardy on the splendid success of their Avork. Mr Pardy. in particular made some excellent adjustments, Avith the result that most exiting finishes took place. At the invitation - of Mr Standish, president of the dub,. three’ cheers, were given for Messrs Evitt and Pardy. . v A Avoixl of prais e is due to Mr Muss ell FleetAvoocl, the popular and obliging secretary, Avho Avqrked with a will to make a success of the meeting. The pressmen could not meet a better friend than Mr Fleetwood, who ;is ever ready to supply any' information. Mr Haipmerton, the secretary of the Patea Racing Club, Avas also assisting Mr FleetAvood, and Avith tAvo officers who so ay ell knoAv the run of the ropes, matters wvent most smoothly. In Mr A. E. A. Clarke (Manager of the National Bank) the club has a gentleman Avho manages the financial part of the club in an able manner. From the “wreath of smiles” oil the Hon. Treasurers face it Avas evident that a good profit is. anticipated over the meeting. The course and lawn, also the saddling paddock,: Avere as perfect aS hands could make them, thanks to Mr John Claffey,; the caretaker, who as usual" had put \ih much labour to make, things so satisfactory. It is worth mentioning that-. Mr

Claffey has looked after tne course, etc., for nearly 16 years, and he is a most obliging caretaker. The totalisator was worked by Messrs Naylor and Sprigging, of Wanganui, in their usual up to date style.

On the first day £5024 10s was put through against £3611 for previous cup meeting, .an increase of £1413 10s. The sum of £5230 10s passed through on the second, being £2138 10s more than the same day in 1900. The figures for the meeting read £10,250, against- £6703 for 1900, an increase of £3547.

The dividend hoard for inside could, I fancy, be placed in a more conspicuous place. At- present it is on the fence near the totalisator. If it Avere placed on the left-hand corner of the totalisator house, about 6ft high, facing the front, it could more easily be seen by everyone AAuthout crowding around as at present. The outside public should receive some consideration from the club. Unless they climb on to cabs, etc., they get a rather poor vieAv of the races.- on the fence and alongside the course- see fairly well, hut a stand (Avithout a. top) Avould b© a great convenience, and Avould not run into much money. A result hoard for outside totalisator would be a great improvement on the piece of paper which at present does duty in recording the diAddend.