RACING IN STORM AND GALE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8263, 28 October 1912, Page 9

RACING IN STORM AND GALE

THE RACING

TO-DAY'S RACING

BATTLING WITH A BLIZZARD

MOWBRAY WINS THE WELLESLEY STAKES

BROWN TROUT TAKES WELLINGTON HANDICAP

If those racegoers, who visited Tron;bam on Saturday to witness the commencement of the Wellington Racing Club’s spring mooting, had had any premonition of the ordeal they were to undergo, it is highly probable that the special trains would have waited in vam for their passengers. The early morning broke fair and, although ominous looking clouds .began to roll up from the southward, there was an absence of much wind, and racegoers flocked into the trains with no greater expectation than having an occasional shower or two to contend with. A few of the weatherwiso foretold trouble, however, for the barometer had gone down with a run. “Mark my words,’’ said a seafaring individual in the writer s carriage, “wo shall get it before night, and get it hard.” He was right—wo got it. Racing had hardly commenced before the southerly storm burst, a screeching and bitterly oold gale sweeping across the course, bringing with it torrents of hail and rain, causing a general stampede for the grandstand. Without cessation it continued ail the afternoon, and never in the his■,,;ry of Trontham has racing been continued in such a blizzard. Rapidly the ] course became a series of lakes, and as the horses galloped the spray was flying in all directions. Hats were whirled .ii.o space, umbrellas by the score wore tom to ribbons, and so great was the force of the wind that even the steeplechase fenoes were blown down. The men operating the numbel board persevered for a time, but had to abandon the unequal battle, the name boards' being blown away as soon as hoisted. The unfortunate jockeys had a sorry time, being drenched to the skin in every race. Mr Whyte, the secretary, and the officials did what they could, and the preliminary gallops were dispensed with, the horses being only sent ’ to the post at the last minute, generally after the totalisaior had closed. Many trainers would not risk their charges in such arctic conditions, and scratckings were very numerous in all events. This was not to be wondered at; indeed, it was surprises to find so many horses go to the post. The one redeeming feature was the entire absence of falls or accident* of any kind, on an afternoon when mishaps might well have been expected. Under the circumstances it was hardly to be expected that the racing would prove very interesting, for owing to the downpour the horses were almost invisible at the back of the course, and with one or two exceptions the finishes were not very evenly contested. It was only fitting that with the course resembling a lake the big handicap should be won by a horse rejoiciug in the name of Brown Irout, and a very easy victory it was. A highly popular win, too, for hearty applause greeted the horse and his diminutive pilot, Bell, on splashing back to the weighing enclosure. The Wellesley Stakes fell to Mowbray, a handsome son of Menschikott and Lady Melton, who had been sent up from Riocarton for the race, and it was a pleasing fact that Mr J. B. Reid’s return to racing should have been greeted with success in such an important event. As a visit to the totalisaior meant getting a ducking it was not at all surprising to find that the amount handled at the machine showed a heavy decrease on the figures for the corresponding day last year. Indeed it i showed plucK on the part of speculators that so much as £9806 reached the windows, but the falling off amounted to £9146, the figures for last year being £18,932, Even when the racing was finished racegoers’ troubles were hardly over, for the return journey was a long and tedious one. The mountainous sea running in the harbor had wrought havoc to the Hutt railway breastwork. There were gaps in many places, destroying the outer line, and the heavy traffic had to be handled on a single line, passengers having the novel experience of seeing the spray flying nigh over the carriages as the train rounded the more exposed curves. Result*:— RIMUTAKA HANDICAP, Of 100 sova; six furlongs. 1 — Redwood’s ch c Black Lupin, by Lupin—Black Jacket, 8.3 (F. D. Jones) 1 3—A. Alexander’s m g Patronale, 8 (Ayres) a B—J. Rose’s b g Daunton, 7.7 (Deeley) 6 Also started —7 Avaunce 9 (Nodder), | 2 Dirge 8.11 (Emerson), Monologues.? (W. Young), 4 Semaphore 8.2 (Berry), 4 Courtly 7.5 (Bell), 9 Otaraia 7.5 (Weller), 10 Valtire 6.12 (Mclntosh)., Time, Imin 19 3-ssec. SHORTS HANDICAP, Of 120 sots; five furlongs. 6—W. Nidd’s b f Peroneal, by Achilles —Prelude. 7.4 (W. Bell) 1 S —E. Lonergan’s b m Blue Lake, 8.9 (E. Lowe) 2 2 D. J. Simmonos’ b g Prosper, 7.11 (W. Ryan) 3 Also started —1 Naumai 9.8 (Thompson). bracketed with Mount Victoria 8 (Ij. Wilson), 10 Gladiolo 8.13 (W. Young). 7 Crown Pearl 8.9 (Oliver), 8 Piriwai 8.6 (Nodder), 4 Styx 7.11 (Deeley), 12 Allurement 7.9 (O’Shea), j 13 British Maid 7.8 (Weller). 11 Lockwood 6.13 (Stephenson), 14 .Stepney 6.13 (Emerson), 3 Early Morn 6.10 (Berry), 9 Distinction 7.3, including 101 b overweight (Tricklebank). Time, Imin 6 2-ssec. SPRING SELLING PLATE, Of 100 bovsj six furlongs. 3 Murray Hobbs’s b g Crosbie, by Lupin—Vanguard mare, 8.8 (F. E. Jones) . 1 1— J. Furze’s b g Medallist, 8.8 (Donovan) 2 2 P. Daly’s br g Torpoint, 8.3 (Ryan) 3 Also started—4 Simila 7.7 (Berry). Time, Imin 2osec. WELLINGTON HANDICAP, Of 400 sovs; one mile and a quarter. I 5 Monckton and Addington’s b h Brow.i Trout, dv Tupuhi—Miss Leighton, 6.7 (Bell) 1 6 J. Harle’s b g Byron, 7.12 (Deeley) 2 I—Hon J. 1) Ormcnd’s b g Haskayae, 7.7 (Ryan/ 3 Also started—4 Sea Queen 8.5 (W. Price), 8 Mtirivonia 8.4 (Jones), 10 Sir Knox 7.12 (McGregor), 7 Odessa 7.7 (Emerson). 3 Patriotic 7.6 (Tricklebank), 2 Obligant 7.8 (Berry), 11 Lady

Afout-oa 7.3 (O’Shea), 12 Ngatimaru 7 (Weller), 9 St Felix 6.7 (O’Halloran). Time, 2min 26 l-ssec. FIRST HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE. Of 120 sovs; two miles and a half. 2—o. Bradley’s br g Kelp, by Castashore Purity, 10.12 (Cress) n'lX 1 3 E. Short’s br g Gondolier, 9.10 (Porter) ;• 2 I_G. A. Wheeler s ch g Rangitane, 10 (Futcher) 3 Also started —4 Elwell 9.7 (Thompson), 5 Zulu 9.7 (Pine). Time, 6min 24seo. WAINDI HANDICAP, Of 100 sovs; one mile. 4 A. Rare’s b g Beacon, by Euroclydon—Guiding Step, 8.9 (including 41b over) (Traill) 1 2 H. Whitney’s ch f Ceylon, 8.13 (Reid) 2 6 H. Hodge’s b m Negative, 8.11 (Catt) 3 Also started —5 Midnight Sun 9.12 (L. Wilson), 1 Bollin 8.13 (Ryan), 3 ! Ivilosteri 8.10 (Smart). Time, Imin WELLESLEY STAKES, Of 550 sovs; four furlongs. 2—J. B. Reid’s b c Mowbray, by Menschikoff —Lady Melton, 8.7 (F. E. Jones) 1 3 W. Nidd’s br f Pferonella, 8.2 (Emerson) ... 2 5 E. J. Watt’s ch c Jason, 8.7 (L. Wilson) 3 Also started—7 Prince Laddo 8.7 (W. Young), 2 Martel 8.7, coupled with the winner (R. Wilson), 1 The Hague 8.2 (F. D. Jones), 4 Hoopoe 8.2 (Deeley). Time, 64sec. FINAL SCURRY, Of 100 sots; five furlongs. 6—W. E. Bidwill’s b g Exertion, by Birkenhead Declination, 7.6 (Tricklebank) 1 2—H. Friedlander’s ch f Early Morn 8.7 (F. E. Jones) ■ 2 I—Hon. J. D. Ormond’s b g Missile, 8.1 (W. Ryan) 3 Also started—4 Gay Lawless 8.10 (Traill), 9 Red Book 7.8 (L. Wilson), 8 Daunton 7.6 (McMullen), 7 Ladino 7.4 (Cress), 5 Aleoto 6.13 (Bell), 3 Merry Guy 7.4 (Emerson). Time, Imin 7 4-sseo.

Proceedings commenced with the Uimutaka handicap, ten going to the post, and of these Black Lupin and Dirge were best fancied, 'the start was a good one Dirge and Patronule, who had drawn inside positions, showmg out in front of Daunton. There was little change as they ran round the bend, where Black Lupin gamed ground on the outside. Below the distance Patronale was in front, with Daunton and Dirge next. The leader drew out and appeared to be winniug comfortably, but in the last bit Jones brought Black Lupin with a great rush and he just got the verdict, although to most it looked as though Patronale, on whom Ayres rode a poor finish, lasted long enough to win by a long head. Daunton was a length off third, followed by Avaunce, Monologue and Otaraia. This was the winner’s fourth success this season and, as he had by no means the best of the luck, the performance was rather meritorious, even if he was lucky to get the verdict. THE STORM B BUSTS. A nice field of fifteen turned out tor the Shorts Handicap, and a very unpleasant time they had of. it. The storm burst over the course while the norses were at the barrier, where Pinwai, as usual, delayed proceedings. vVhen eventually the tapes rose the start was a very bad one. So far as could be seen through the rain Blue Lake got a flying start, while the rest of the field went off in Indian file. Blue Lake was well clear of Prosper as they entered the straight, but here Peroneal came fast and, catching the leader inside the distance, beat her home by half a length; Prosper was three lengths off third, followed by Crown Pearl, Early Morn and Lockwood. The winner was bred at Waikanao, being by Achilles from the Merrie England mare Prelude. She | ran with very far success last season, 'scoring three wins and . four placed positions out of twelve starts. Her victory was not anticipated, and she returned the biggest dividend of the , day. THE SELLING RACE. The weather by this time had rapidly grown worse, a howling southerly sweeping over the ground with very heavy rain. Only four turned out for the Spring Selling Plate, Medallist being a warm favorite. The start was a capital one, but Crosbie soon forged to the front, leading round the bend by three lengths from Medallist. The latter made a big effort to get on terms up the straight, but failed to seriously trouble the leader, who won very comfortably by over a length. Torpoint was four lengths off third, with Simila almost alongside. BROWN TROUT’S EASY WIN. By this time the course had become in a terrible condition, while everywhere small lakes had made their appearance. In the Wellington Handicap the totalisator was closed before the horsese left the paddock. Haskayne and Obligant were the public fancies. There was some delay at the barrier owing to several of the horses refusing to' face the storm, and when the barrier at last rose Sea Queen was left standing and took no part in the race, while St. Felix was left many lengths. Haskayne, attended by Lady Moutoa, led round the back, with Sir Knox and Brown Trout next. The order was unaltered' at the bend, but directly the straight was reached Brown Iroul shot to the front and the race was over. Fairly relishing the heavy going he romped home four lengths ahead of Byron, who beat Haskayne by three lengths. Patriotic was a good fourth, followed by Lady Moutoa and Odessa. CLEVER JUMPING. Five turned out for the First Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, Rangitane being made favorite. Kelp immediately took on the role of pacemaker, with the favorite next and Gondolier third. All fenced beautifully, and the order

was practically unaltered for two miles, where Gondolier ran up into second place. Kelp had the race in his keeping a long way from home, and he won without the least apparent effort, by three lengths from Gondolier, who just beat Rangitane by a short length. Elwell was a hundred yards back, and Zulu down the straight. All the horses jumped well despite the state of the track, and it was pleasant to find no casualties when such might have been looked for. MANY WITHDRAWALS. The scratching pen was very busy in the Wainui Handicap, owners being chary of risking their horses in such awful weather. Six out of sixteen went to the post, the withdrawal ol the Cup horses robbing the race of a lot of interest. Boliin was made a bet, ter favorite than Ceylon. Directly Mr O’Connor pulled the lever Bracken shot to the front, and, followed by Midnight Sun, led down the back, the field being in open order. Bracken held his own all the way, running home tho easiest of winners by over two lengths from Ceylon, who boat Negative by four lengths. Kilostori was fourth, Boliin next, Midnight Sun being beaten off. It is interesting to note that Bracken was placed in every race he started for last season without scoring a win, but hero his consistency was rewarded. A GOOD TWO-YEAR-OLD. The Wellesley Stakes came next, and under ordinary circumstances tho juveniles would have been closely scrutinised, but the rain prevented anything of the sort, the horses being sent straight to the pose and despatched at once. The Hague was most fancied of the eight runners. Without delay they ncro sent off to a beautiful start. Jason was the first to get pace on leading to the straight, where ho ran wide, at which point Mowbray and Martel wore well back. Peroiulla had a nice load at the distance, but hero Jones brought Mowbray on the outside, and the southerner, finishing at a great pact, sailed to the front and won without difficulty by a length and a half. Jason was a length back third, followed by Tho Hague and Prince Laddo. The winner is a very nice type of colt by, tliat beautifully-actioned galloper Menschikoff from Lady Melton. Ho had been doing some excellent track work at Riccarton prior ,to coming north, and Murray Hobbs sent him to the post in capital racing condition. Some of the classic events should certainly come his way. THE FINAL EVENT. Torrents of ram were still sweeping over the ground as the nine runners wont out for the Final Scurry, no less than fourteen on the card declining to continue their engagements. The Karamu gelding Missile was a warm favorite, but the water seemed to bother him, and victory went to another son of Birkenhead in Exertion. A wellfancied southerner in Early Morn was tho first to begin, and he led into the straight from Missile. At the distance it looked as though Mr Friedlander’s filly would hold her advantage until tho end, but here Exertion put in a big run in the centre of the course, and, fairly smothering anything else for speed, romped home two lengths ahead of Early Morn, who beat Missile by six lengths. Ladino and Daunton were the next to finish, the field being spread-eagled. So ended the most unpleasant day’s racing ever experienced at Trentham.

At the time of writing it looks as though the W.R.C. meeting, which opened in storm on Saturday, will be brought to a close to-day under much more favorable conditions, and doubtless many of the holiday-making folk will pay Trentham a visit. The track has dried a great deal as the result of yesterday’s sunshine, but cannot be other than heavy. The acceptances in most of the events are rather small, but the racing should prove not devoid of interest. The Champion Plate is the stai event, and it is a pity that only four have been found willing to do battle for the handsome trophy. Los Angelos was not brought north, but wdth such good ones as Bobrikoff, fequitas, Bronze, and Sea Queen in the race »t should prove worth watching. Bobrikoff is not a mudlark, and Bronze seems scarcely her old self, so that Equitas may be made favorite, even chough the distance is a little too far for her. Sea Queen, it may be noted, has some excellent performances to her credit over this distance. TO-DAY’S ACCEPTANCES TAEAEIJA HANDICAP. Of 100 sots; seven furlongs. et lb st lb Brown Trout.. 9 3 Torpoint 7 2 Avannoe 8 10 Otaraia 7 0 Dirge - 8 4 JUVENILE HANDICAP, Of 200 sovs; four furlongs. Peronilla . 8 S Pavlova 7 7 Gladful .1 7 12 Landrail 7 7 Secret Link ... 7 7 Guiding. Way 7 5 Prince Laddo 7 7 SPRING TRIAL STAKES,' Of 100 sovs; six furlongs.' Missile 8 6 Expect 7 8 Merry Guy ... 8 6 Otter 7 5 Courtly .... 8 4 Exertion 7 5 Parky 8 4 Elevated 7 5 Paramarama 8 4 (Jtakura 7 8 Borsil 8 2 Neirene 7 3 Lockwood 7 8V altlre 7 3 Red Book 7 8 Simla 7 9 PEARCE HANDICAP. Of 300 sovs; one mile. Byron 8 3 Afedallist 7 2 Sir Knox 7 12 Ngatimaru 7 0 Patriotic 7 10 _British Maid 6 13 jlira - 7 10 "Ladrone 6 13 Sir Tristram... 7 6 Ceylon 6 13 Lady Moutoa... 7 4 Sir Solo 6 10 Beacon 7 4 Kilostere 6 7 SECOND HACK AND HUNTERS' STEEPLECHASE. Of 120 sovs; two and a half miles. Kelp 11 7 Rangitane ... 9 10 Gondolier 10 1 Elwell 9 7 Ranter .... 9 13 Zulu 9 7 Highden 9 10 Major Webb 9 7 CHAMPION PLATE, Of 400 sovs; one mile and a quarter. Bobrikoff 9 1 Sea Queen ... 8 13 Equitas 8 13 Bronze 8 9 BUAHINE HANDICAP, Of 100 sovs; six furlongs. Lady Volga ... 813 Lady Louisa 8 0 Avaunce 8 10 Ladino 7 4 Sanguinary .... 8 8 Suratura 612 Monologue 8 3 Hamarama ... 6 12 War Queen ... 8 0 NAINAI HANDICAP. Of 120 sovs; six furlongs. Undecided 9 0 Leapuki 7 7 Gipsy Belle ... 8 12 Allurement ... 7 3 Makara 8 2 Bracken 7 3 Piriwai 8 0 Lady Volga... 7 3 Prosper 7 12 Negative 7 1 Mt Victoria T 1 Distinction. 6 7

JUCOAiITON TRA.UK. WORK.

Special to the ‘‘Times."

CHRISTCHURCH, October 26. At 5 o’clock this morning the weather was fine, and betore 6 o’clock a iair number of gallops wore accomplished, but after this a heavy sou'west rain set in.

Uuome traversed a mile in Imm oOseo, while Stardancer moved nicely, running six furlongs in Imin 2Usec. Vocation, Mumura and imagination were indulged in a good gallop, and iNigntwutcu (McOluskey) put up a really pleasing performance in defeating meatnerbrae over half a mile. The two-year-old was carrying a substantial impost, and finisned in great style. U arstep spurted five furlongs on the course proper, while Andrea finished up a six furlongs gallop in Imin 2dsec.

Colleen Mary and Winning Way took one-fifth of a second longer to run the same distance, while Martina took imin 26sec.

Foam Flake was worked on tha tan, and Query rattled oyer the last lire of six furlongs in Imin 8 4-ssec. Autumnus and Masterpiece were companions in a mile and a quarter gallop, and they covered the last nine Furlongs in 2min sseo. Both horses finished exceptionally well, and the Derby colt’s performance was an attractive one.

Lady Marcia and Britain’s Crown galloped a mile in Imin 51 l-sseo. Brown Owl (McCluske'y), assisted by Countermine (P. Gibbons) over the first six furlongs, moved very nicely, running a mile and a quarter in 2 nun 20sec, ’

Taskmaster did three-quarter pace

work, and Scottish Star and Quarantine ran nine furlongs in 2min 4 l-ssec. At this stage a heavy snowstorm swept the course, and further work was impossible. SYDNEY RACING NEW ZEALANDERS SCORE AT CANTERBURY PARK. By TWerraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 27, 5 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 27. At the Canterbury Park meeting two of the races fell to New Zealand-bred horses, these being as follow: CANTERBURY HANDICAP, One mile and a quarter and 100yds. H. McKenzie’s hr g Monoplane, by Monoform —Lycia 1 H. Chippendale’s b g Barlow 2 Barnes and Bedford’s b g Bon Frisco 3 Five starters. Won by half a length. Time, 2min 17sec. WELTER HANDICAP, Six furlongs. J. Birk’s blk g Wild West, by Soult —The Squaw 1 G. Paine’s ch m Lady Maltster —.. 2 S. Whitworth’s ch f Black and Gold 3 Sixteen starters. Won by half a length. Time, Imin 143 sec. FLEMINGXON NOTES MELBOURNE, October 26. At Flemington Wilari covered eleven furlongs in 2min 3bsec, and Piastre nine furlongs in 2min. Lord Alwyne was in front of Duke Foote over leu furlongs in 2min 25isec. Harpist ran a mile in Imm SOsec, Wolaiva beat Uacie Matt over twelve furlongs in 2min 45is©c, Cider beat Elystan over eleven furlongs in 2min bOsec, Eyeglass and Perdita covered ten furlongs in 2rain 2b(sec, Mountain Princess three furlongs in 3/sec, Burra- , Wang ten furlongs in 2min 18sec, Lady Medallist ten furlongs in 2min lofsec, Hallowmas nine furlongs in 2min 1 fsec, Cadonia and Sandbath ten iurlongs in 2niin 22sec, Adagio and King Mostyn ten furlongs in 2min ITsec, Shuja a miie in Imin 47£sec, Flavian eleven furlongs

in 2min 34Jseo, Captain White ten for* longs in 2min 20sec, and Uncle Sam eleven furlongs in 2min SSseo. Gogrd is amiss.

Trafalgar, on his return home on his retirement from the turf, was greeted as a hero on leaving the train, girls strewing rose-leaves on his path.

Nominations for the Feilding Jockey Club’s meeting close at B.SO p.m. next Friday. Three of Mr Watt’s string, Theodore,. Tatterley, and Ventura were exercised on the Tinakori hills yesterday, going as far as the wireless atalion. They will be shipped south tonight.

The Southland Raffing Club has decided to give £2400 in stakes for their summer meeting, to be held on January 2nd and 3rd. The Invercargill Cup, one mile and a quarter, carries £500; the Southland Handicap, one mile and a distance, on the second day, is endowed with £300; and no staks is worth leas than £IOO.

The traffic on the Hurt* rood was exceptionally heavy yesterday. Tally clerk* were kept busy taking records, and between the hoAre of eight in the morning and four in the afternoon over five hundred vehicles passed through the barriers at Koro kora.