SPORTING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 7947, 2 December 1886, Page 3

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB SPRING MEETING.

First Dm\

Patron—His Excellency Sir W. F. D, dervms, R.G.C.M.G., -C, B,; President— The Hon Sir William Fitzherbert, K.0.M.G., M.L.O. ; Vice-Presidents— J. S. M. Thompson, Esq., J.P., J. McDowell, Esq,; Judge—T. G. McCarthy, Esq., J.P.; Hon Treasurer James McDowell, Esq. ; Handioappep —J. O. Evett, Eaq. ; Stewards—Messrs J. D, Baird, C. 8., Jno. Duthie, F. Frapkiyn, T. G. Macarthy, J.P., J, Saunders, J.P., H. 3. Fitzherbert, M.H.E V G. H, Scales ; starter -Mr A. Young; Timekeeper—Mr S, Eohn ; Clerk of Mr T. Smith ; Clerk, of Seales—Mr J, Wilkins.

The first day’s racing of the Spring Meet, ing of the W. K.C. took place at the Hutt on Saturday in splendid weather, and, generally speaking, under favo able conditions. I)ur-ing-tha morning the trains that left Wellington station for the Pipe Bridge at the Park were well filled, and when the 12.30 train landed its passengers on the beach there were about 600 or 700 persons on the Park. The arrangements, both for the convenience of visitors and in connection with the racing were, as they always are at the Hutt, firstclass, and no. complaints are to he made. Two totalisators were on tha ground, paying out with one total, and they were worked capitally. What appears now to bo a novelty at the Hutt was a publioau’a booth in the enclosure, under the management of Mr Kiinbeil of the Pier Hotel, where a capital luncheon was provided ; and outside Mr MoGlasban, of Maaterton, also had a booth where lunch was to bo obtained. The Gaming and Lotteries Act notwithstanding, there were numerous games of chance in fall swing, and apparently doing very brisk business. Tha course was in good order except that there was a soft spot at the back, and the racing was very good all through. The first event, the Flying Stakes, was started at a little after, 1 o’clock. Mr Tancred’s colt Forester won this with the greatest ease. Tornado being the only other starter who. got anywhere near the finish. It should be. explained, however, that Forester got tha benefit of what is vei;y seldom seen at the Halt, vie., a bad start. For the Hurdle Race, which was the next event, dim, the top weight, was the favorite, pnd ha we n, but only hy aneok. Indeed, j the pot was nearly upset by Mr Leopold’s I representative, Forest King, who ran a great i horse. At the last hurdle there was little or nothing to choose between Forest King, Jim, ' and Beputation; but in the straight, to the

surprise of everyone, Forest King drew away again, and loud were the cries that the favorite was beaten. Forest King maintained his lead, and Gentry on Jim was seen to be laying the whip on moat liberally, while the big bay was stretching his neck to the utmost to get ou terms with the leader. A few lengths from home Jim began to draw up on Forest King, and gradually forging ahead, he won, all oat, by a neck, Reputation being th?rd, and Freebooter (who shut up very strangely when he was wanted) last. After this Forest King came out, and spread-eagled a field of four others in a selling hurdle race, which he won easily. The next was the big event, the Hutt Park Spring Handicap, in which seven faced the starter. As might have been expected, this race was won easily by Rumour, to whom, with only 7st 121 b on her back, the race was neither more nor loss than a gift on her Island Bay form. Waitiri (who does not seem to be in the beat cf form) was an indifferent second, anU her stable companion, Rivulet, third. In this race Charmer, the local horse, ran very forward for the first mile or so, and appears to be greatly improved. Administrator ran, but was unplaced. He went to the front soon after the start, and a good many, mindful no doubt o! the merry dance the little roan has led many a good field when once he got the lead, anticipated a surprise ; but it was only a flicker, and the roan died away very soon. The next event was a selling race, which was won by Cock-of-tho Walk, the disappointing. Six people out of 222 supported him, and drew the handsome dividend of £33 6s each. It may be mentioned that the owner of the horse, Mr A. Turner, was not one of the lucky ones, and as the first money was only lOsovs., and the horse was not sold at auction, he makes very little by the win. The last race of the day, and the beat, was the Grandstand Handicap, a mile, in which Forester was again successful, though ho won only by a head. Forester caught and passed Giriri, who was then leading, at the road, and coming away rapidly, entered the straight with a couple of lengths to the good. Behind Giriri was Pasha and The Shah, and as they came into the straight Clifford was seen to be worrying Pasha to the best of hia ability to get him to the front. Half way up the straight he had got to within less than two lengths of Forester, and was passing Giriri. Here Vaile put the whip ou Forester lightly, the effect of which seemed to be that the colt dried up. At any rate he finished heavily, and Pasha, coming along under the whip in splendid style, all but caught him on the post. Giriri had {stuck to Pasha very pluckily, and was only beaten by a neck for second place. Following are the details of the various races :

Flying Stakes Handicap, of 50 sovb ; second horse 10 sovs from the stakes.

Three-quarters of a mile. Mr P. F, Tancred’a ch c Forester, by Puriri—Gossip, 3yrs, Sst 101 b (Vaile) 1 Mr T. H. Hill’s oh o Tornado, 3yra, 7st (Peters) 2 Mr J, Mann’s oh f Rivulet, 3yrs, 7st 71b (Woods) 3 Also started—The Shah, 7stslb ; Blucher, 6at; and Vanity Fair, Cat. From an indifferent start Forester went off with a big lead, Tornado being the next in order, while Rivulet was the last ta get away. Forester shook Tornado off a little nearing the road, but coming to the straight the mare was at it again, although she oould not get within a couple of lengths of the chestnut. The others were not in the race, 'Rivulet and Shah being three or four lengths behind Tornado. Forester came away a little in the straight, with Vaile holding him back. Half way up Tornado made an effort to get on terms with the leader, but was unable to do so, and Forester won easily by a length. Rivulet and Shah all but ran a dead heat for third place. Time, Imin 20sec. Totalisators— Inside, 186—92 on the winner; outside, 150—66 ; dividend £1 ISs. Hurdle Handicap, of 60 sovs ; second horse 10 sovs from the stakes. Mr F. B. Gentry’s bg Jim, aged, list 121 b (Owner) 1 Mr J. Leopold’s bg Forest King, aged, 9at 71b (Chambers) 2 Mr J, Driscoll’s bg Reputation, aged, lOst (Lennahan) 3 Freebooter, list 71b, also started* and Forward, 9st 71h, was scratched. A good start was effected, Jim immediately going to the front, with Forest King next and Freebooter and Reputation in that order. Jim. sailed away with a big lead, after having apparently only just got over the first jump. Passing the stand G,entry had eased off, and led Forest King by a length, and around the top Forest King went to the front, with the top weight lying second, and Reputation bringing up the rear. All round the back of the ooursa and across he road. Forest King increased his lead, Freebooter and Reputation having in the meantime got on terras with and passed Jim. As they crossed the road the struggle began in real earnest. Freebooter and Reputation, had been coming up very fast, and as they noared the last jump at the entrance to the straight Jim came up to them* Reputation, Jim, and 'Forest King appeared to take the last hurdle - together, Freebooter being a little in the rear. Over the hurdle, Jltq and Forest King went for ho.me at a rattling pace, with apparently little or nothing to choose between them. Ten lengths from home Gentry laid the whip on to Jim vigorously, and the top weight, responding gamely, beat Mr Leopold’s representative, almost on the post, by a neck, Reputation being a good third. Time, 4min 9aecs. Totalisators—-inside, 218—99 on the winner ; outside, 184—81; dividend £2.

Selling Hurdle Race, of 15. aovg, minimum weight 9st 71b. A mile and a half. For this race Slaughterman, Black Regent, Old Sarah, and Cock ot the Walk started. Forest King wfou easily, with Old Sarah second. Tb,o winner paid a dividend o! £2 ;is, and. was sold to Mr Goodiaou for £32. Hin-r Park, Spring Handicap, of ICO sovs; second horse 20 sovs and third horse 5

save from the stakes. A mile and a half. Mr A. J. Hoskins’ Rumour, by Tattler —Rose d’Amonr, 4yrs, 7st 121 b (Sutherland) 1 Mr J. Munn’s b m Wailiri, by Musket

Uir.i, 4yrs, Bst 91b ... (McTaggart) 2 Mr J. Munu’s b f Rivulet, by Jav’Mn— Cascade, 3yrs, 7st 2lb ... (Woods) 3 Also started—Pasha, 9st 41b ; Administrator, Sat 121 b; Charmer, 7st 71b; Noxmanby, Cat 10lb. Rumour and Waitiri were equal favorites at 2 to 1 agst. Mr Young got the lot away to an excellent start, Pasha being the first to show out, with Rumonr just behind him. Almost immediately, however. Administrator came out, and took the lead, which he maintained past the stand. Rumour and Waitiri together a length off; then Normanby, Charmer, Rivulet, and Pasha in that order. Around the top Rumour went up to Administrator and Waitiri dropped astern. At the back, Charmer had come cat with a rush and was lying third, with Normanby in close attendance upon her. Pasha wa» by this time toiling along hopelessly in the rear. Approaching the road. Administrator had had enough, and gave place to Rumour. Charmer came with a rush bore, and stuok to Rumour splendidly, though he was not good enough to get past her. Normanby and Administrator came next, then Waitiri and Rivulet, and then again Pasha, away at the rear. Nearing the straight Rumour went away a little, and Waitiri and Rivulet oamu up. In the straight Rivulet came very fast, and looked like catching Rumour, but the effort was purely a temporary one, and Rivulet gave place to Waitiri, She was not good enough, either, and Rumour won pretty easily by a length, Rivulet being a good third. Charmer fourth, Normanby fifth, Administrator sixth, and Pasha last. Time, 2min 45seo, Totaliaator—lilside, 312—81 on the winner; outside, 213 - 60; dividend, £3 7s. Selling Race of 10 sovs ; minimum weight, Sat. Three-quarters of a mile. For this raoe the entries were—Blacker, Weasel, Pntangitangi, Fleetwood, Pink Rose, Cook-of-the-Walk, and Velocipedestrianiatioalarianalogiat. Cook-of-the-Walk won, and paid the handsome dividend of £33 6a, Only six being on him in the two totalisatora out of a total of £222. He was bought in at £l9.

Grandstand Handicap of 60 sovs j second horse 10 sovs from the stakes. A mile. Mr P. F. Tancred's ch c Forester, 3yte, SstSlb (Vaile) I Mr T. H. Hill’s b h Pasha, syrs, Osfc 61b (Clifford) 2 Mr J. Leopold’s oh m Giriri, 6yrs, 7st 51b (Williams) 3

Also started—Ohaimer, 7st 121 b; and|ihs Shah 7st 51b. Rumour (who incurred a 51b penalty by winning the Spring Handicap), Sst 41b ; and Rivulet, Tst 01b, were scratched, Giriri got away with the lead. Forester lying second, then Pasha, the Shah, and Charmer, in that order. Nearing the road Forester went up and passed Giriri, and the pair went away with a long lead. Entering the straight the colt lead by a couple of lengths, Pasha and the Shah being a little more than that distance behind Giriri. In the straight Pasha came very fast and collared Giriri, and the pair gradually overhauled Forester. The latter, going very unkindly under the whip, did not finish at

all well, bat just managed-to win by a head, Giriri being a good third. Time Imia 4GJsec, Totalisatar—lnside, 329 —C2 on the winner; outside, 246—57; dividend £4 Gs. Second Day, The weather on Tuesday was clear and fine,' though at times rather cold. The rain which bad fallen during the night bad not seriously affected the course at alt, though it made the going rather heavy. As the day, being St Andrew's day, had been declared a holiday, a great many people were enabled to go who otherwise would not have gone, and the trains to the course during the morning wore well patronised. The attendance was not large, however, the largest number present being about 700. The two totalisators were again worked with one total, and were well patronised. Racing was good, and the day’s sport altogether was a very successful one.

At one o'clock six horses faced the starter for the Railway Stakes. Forester, the top weight, went off with a big lead, and looked like winning all over, but when half the distance had been traversed he very unfortunately ran inside a peat, and the others were left to finish. Tornado had the lead, and he kept it to the finish, winning by a neck from the Shah, who did the last hundred yards in capital style. The stewards, being dissatisfied with Forester's running, had Vaile, the jockey, before them, and he states that it was not his fault; that the horse was a very powerful one, over which he had got no control, and got away from him. The Stewards thereupon visited and inspected the locality, and came to the conclusion that the jockey was not at all to blame. The next event was the Hurdle Race, which fell to that redoubtable hurdler Jim, who won on the first day. Forest King again ran a good second, although Jim won easily enough. The Local Handicap, which came next, was won very easily by Giriri, with four or five lengths to the good. For the St. Andrew's Handicap five started, Pasha and Waitiri being equal favorites at about 3 to 2. Theraoe {whichxsfullydescribed below) resulted in a magnificent finish, of which Pasha had the best, beating Waitiri by a neck, Pasha ran a great horse, and hia performance shows that he is amply fulfilling the great promise of his earlier career. Waitiri ran well, but ah it up at the finish when she was most wanted Little Scrub’s running surprised everybody. He led the field at a great pace for over a mile, and then had something left in. Charmer aha ran well, but was stopped by the heavy going at the back of the oourse. A selling hack race was won by the veteran Lifebuoy, and the final event, the Consolation, was then run, and was won rather easily by Rivulet.

Following are details of the racing Railway Stakes Handicap, of 50 sovs ; second horse 10 sova from the stakes. Three quarters of a mile. Mr T. H. Hill’s oh g Tornado, 3yrs, 7st 41b (Williams) 1 Mr J. Saunders’ b g The Shah, syrs, Oat 101 b ... ... (Parker) 2

Mr J. Mann’s b g Rivulet, 3yrs ( Sst (Woods) 3 Also started —Forester, 9at 51b ; Rumour, Sst Illb ; Little Scrub, 7st.

From a wretched start Forester sailed away with a lead of a couple of lengths, with Little Scrub next in order, and Rumour last. Tornado held the third place, and began to go up to Little Scrub as they neared the road. There, however, Forester ran inside a post, and Tornado, catching and passing the grey, entered the straight with nearly a length to the good. The Shah and Rivulet now came up, and Little Scrub dropped astern. In the straight Parker brought The Shah np fast, and all but caught Tornado, who won, however, by a neck, Rivulet being an indifferent third. Rumour’s had start had handicapped her heavily, and she finished last. Time, Imin 20sec. Totalisators—lnside, 189—50 on the winner ; outside, 181—45; dividend £3 10s. Hurdle Handicap, of 60 sovs; second horse 10 sovs from the stakes. A mild and three-quarters. Mr F. B. Gentry’s bg Jim, aged I2at 3lb (Owner) 1 Mr J. Leopold’s b g Forest King, aged, lOst 41b ... (Chambers) 2 The two other starters—Forward, 9st 51b, and Freebooter, list 12lb, ran a dead beat for third place. Mr Young got the lot away to an excellent start* Freebooter went to the front, but soon gave place ta Jim. The whole four were almost together when they took the hurdle at the entrance to the straight ; and passing (he stand Forest King and Freebooter were running together, with Forward and Jim just behind them. Round the top Freebooter went to the front. At the back, however, Jim and Forest King went up to hin\ and Gentry easing off a little. Forest King and Freebooter led. Nearing the road Forest King had passed Freebooter, and was in front, while at the rear Jim was coming up fast* He was all but level with Forest King at the last jump, and in the straight run home he drew away and won pretty comfortably by a clear half length. Freehooter and Forward oame very fast in the straight and finished level for third place. Time, ffmiu 39sec. Totalisators—lnside, 345 —68 on the winner ; outside, 299—66; dividend* £4 6s. Local Handicap, of 55 sovs ; second horse 10. sovs, and third horse 5 sovs from the

stakes. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr J. Leopold's oh m Qiriri, 6yra, Sat 51b, (Sutherland) 1 MrG. Saunders’ b gThe Shah, Syra, Sat 51b, (Clifford) 2 Mr A. Turner’s cfa. m Charmer, oyrs, Bst 121 b ... (Valle) 3 Also started—Reputation, Tat 121 b ; Lifebuoy, 7st 71b ; Nikau, Gst 71b ; Cock-o'-the. Walk, 6st sib ; Vanity Fair, 6st.

Giriri was favorite in the betting at the post. From an excellent start Lifebuoy went to the front, with Vanity Fair and Charmer in close attendance. At the road Charmer had fallen back a lot, and Giriri went to the front with a rush and assumed the lead. Nearing the straight The Shah came out and took saoond place, but was unable to get anywhere near Giriri, who won easily by four or five lengths. Totalisatora— Inside, 356—118 on the winner; outside, 312 —112, dividend, £2 12a.

St. Andrew’s Handicap, ot 130 sovs; second horse 10 sovs, and third horse 5

sovs from the stakes. One mile and a

quarter. Mr T. H. Hill’s b h Pasha, syrs, Oat 61b (Clifford) 1 Mr J. Mann’s b m Waitiri, 4yrs, Sat 121 b (Woods) 2 Mr T. Thompson's g g Little Scrub, Cyrs, 6at 51b (Hockley) 3 Charmer, 7sfc 71b, and Normanby, 6st 71b, also started.

Betting at the post—3 to 2 against Waitiri and Pasha.

little Scrub had slightly the worst of a good start. Pasha and Charmer jumped away with the lead, with Waitiri a little behind, then Normanby and Little Scrub. Round the top Pasha drew away a little, and hero Little Sarah went away at a terrific pace, and ran off with a lead of three or four lengths. Right round the back the grey more than held his own until, as they passed “Vanguard’s Bog,” a cry went up that there was nothing in it but the Scrub. Pasha all this while had been lying second, with Waitiri, Charmer and Kormanby following him in that order. Charmer lost a lot of ground in the heavy going at the back, and lost the good position he had been holding in dose attendance on Waitiri. Nearing the road Woods took Waitiri up aud challenged Pasha, and the pair set out to decrease Little Scrub’s lead. A short distance from the home turn they were aU but level with him, but Hockley had a good deal left in, and to the surprise of all, and the consternation of not a few, the grey suddenly went off again, and entered the straight with a cleat length or more to the good. In the straight, however, Waitiri and Pasha were shaken up for the final struggle, aud the result was one of the best finishes ever seen on the Halt course. Half way _up Little Scrub held a slight lead, but Waitiri and Pasha, the latter finishing with a great heart, overhauled and passed him, and Pasha beat Waitiri by a neck, the same distance separating the mare and little Scrub. Charmer was fourth and Normanby last. Time, 2min 14sec. Totalisators — Inside, 312 —214 on the winner; outside, 351—120 on the winner. Dividend, £2 lOs.

Selunq Race, of 15 sovs ; minimum weight. Sat 71b. One mile. This was won easily by lifebuoy, who heat nine others, paying a dividend of £5 12s. He was sold to Mr J illett for £2310a. Consolation Handicap, of 30 sovs; second, horse 3 sovs from the stakes. One mile..

Mr J. Mann’s b m Rivulet, Syr3, Sst 41b 1 Mr J.| Saunders’ b g The Shah, oyrs, Set

41b - Mr J. Driscoll’s b g Reputation, aged, 7st

Normanbv, 7st 101 b, also started, and Charmer, Sst 71b, was left at the post. Won easily. Totaliaators—lnside, 322—156 en the winner; outside, 27,5—137, on the winner,. Dividend, £ll6s, ■