THE N.Z. CUP.

NZ Truth, Issue 73, 10 November 1906, Page 2

THE N.Z. CUP.

Won by Star Rose.

A Record Dividend.

Notes on the Meeting.

The weather for the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Metropolitan Meeting could hardly have been more favorable than it was. On account of the Exhibition there Was an extra large influx of visitors to Christchurch and consequently Saturday last produced a very large attendance at Riccarton. The lawn and saddling paddock looked their best, the going on the racing track was m first-class order and during the day fast times were recorded. The November meeting at Riccarton has always been noted as an • assembly of well-dressed ladies, but Saturday's gathering has probably no parallel m the history of the Club.. Before the Cup race started there was an enormous crowd oh the lawn and outside of it, and the stands were taxed to their utmost m "a futile effort to seat the spectators. The scene on the lawn was a magnificent one ; there were silks and satins of every shade, blending and clashing m the most fan^ tastic fashion. There were handsome women tastefully dressed, and handsome women who might have dressedin sacks for all the taste they displayed. There were women who had done well with print and paint and powder, hut there were others, God help them, on whom neither' colors nor clothes could fashion looKs.

Speculation during the day was heavier than on any previous occasion, though large dividends were the order of the i day. The dividend Tor the Cup is a record for the race, and the dividend on the double was the largest naid by any double machine operating m the colony.

The excitement was intense as the horses paraded m the bird cage prior to doing their preliminaries for the Qup. Paritutu attracted most a'ttentention, though one or two critics voted him too soft and wanting m muscle, while on the other hand equally good judges stood him on account of the excellence of his track work at Ri'ccarton. No fault could be found with the condition ' and the hay horse's appearance was favorably commented on all round. Lyrist looked big, as did Letherin,' but Ghoorka was the best conditioned horse of the field. He was musole all over and his beautiful black coat shone like satin. Prosser's polish was there m a very marked degree. St. Joe lopked a pony alongside some of his opponents, but his condition could not be' found fault with, and his stable mate Martello was undoubtedly the gentleman of the field, towering above every thing else ; on looks alone one would be forced to select him as superior to the remainder. Armistice had a nice mellow look and came well up to the others on the score of condition. The good-looking Stepniak colt, Landwern, carried himself jauntily and was much admired ; and Notus looked a far better horse than he is.. Little Stepdancer had a great many admirers and looked as well as ever she had been. After all the candidates had. gone through their preliminaries the betting public proceeded to make their investments and then quickly secured a good place to watch the race. "They're off," yelled a few hundred people who had been .watching the barrier at. the end of the straight, and the whole crowd stood up and during the race hardly an eye was' diverted from the colors. Martello was practically the first to become prominent, but Price steadied him. and passing the fish ' ponds - the . lightweighted Makaroff and Blythemaid were racing together m the lead, and then came Landwern on the rails, Paritutu, whom Jenkins quickly placed m a nice position, with Multir fid, Star Rose and Ghoorka nexk Here Armistice was many lengths behind the field and' it transpired that she was badly bumped at the post and got turned round. Past, the judge's box they thundered and each individual of the vast crowd present was watching his or her particular fancy. At a mile and a qwarter to go the leaders were m much the same position, except that Lyrist and Letherin had joined the second division and Paritutu had 1 dropped back a bit with Multifid. -■ Here the position seemed to be that Jenkins on Paritutu was watching McCombe on Multifid, and apparently each was much concerned about the other. At the mile post Star Rose had joined Blythemaid, but Makaroff held a length's advantage of the pair and behind the latter came Martello, Ghoorka, Letherin, and St. Joe. Next to them were Paritutu and Multifid and Stepdancer. With the last six furlongs entered upon, Star Rose assumed the lead, but everybody was expecting him to be speedily displaced and to join the rear division. At the half-mile post Stepdancer and Letherin were nearest the leader, Makaroff and Blythemaid dropped back, and Martello, who had run well forward up to this, compounded, while St. Joe improved his position. Star Rose led into the straight from St. Joe, and the letter's victory was hailed, but the little mannikin H. Price got into his mount (Star Rose) With the whip and shook off all opposition. Half way up the running Multifid got clear of the ruck and caught St. Joe, but had no . chance of extending Star Rose, who won m

ti:e easiest- possible manner by fully four lengths. After the placed horses followed Letherin, who was just clear of Stepdancer:; then came the favorite Pari tutu, and the last to finish were Blythemaid and Notus. Not a sound was heard as the horses passed the judge's box, and Mr Hartgill had hoisted the numbers before the crowd recovered from their amazement, x but then as the horse and rider were being led back by Mr Thompson a mic;htv roar escaped from the crowd and the horse and jockey came m Tor a huge amount of cheering. To say that the crowd was amazed is weakly expressing the dominating feeling^ They were amazed and astounded, too. The biggest race m New Zealand had been won by a rank outsider, the backers were hit and the Tommy Rooks were laughing all ; over their faces. After the race I looked up the principal riders, who recounted their different versions of "the event. Jenkins was puzzled at the favorite's poor display, but had no comments to offer. He said lie had a good passage all the way and was simply not good enougli for the winner. McCombe reckoned he was rather unfortunate m getting pocketed at a critical time, an opinion most of those present would endorse. George Price said, "I had a lovely position nil the way and my horse was pleasing, me immensely, when all of a sudden lie stopped, and ' I knew then that T was gone. fThis was about three furlongs from home. 1 ' Sid Reid sta,ted that had he not got such a bad run he would undoubtedly have been second, hut early, m, the race he was scratching for,, a position and this took a lot out of his mount. Willie Price was of the opinion that his horse ran' a good, honest race, and that nothing had a chance with Star Rose, once the last mile was entered .upon.

The next principal event was the Stewards' Handicap, and unusual interest was centred m it as $he win : ncr of the Cup. was not backed " on the double machine with severarof'the candidates, :and there was a likelihood of the money having to b« returned. The large field of eighteen faced Mr. Piper at the barrier and the start was delayed a considerable time by the vagaries of Signalman. '■ Jenkins had him. led up to the harrier several times, but he always whipped round, and when the lever was let go he was hopelessly left and took no part m the race. Declination was the first to break the line,; but was immediately displaced, and Ballarat. and Petrovna led the field. These two speedy mares led the field and the next division was headed by Master Alix and Fireiron, while Stead's pair, Munjeet and Eden, brought up m the rear. With four furlongs gone, Ballarat cried enough, as did Master Alix and Fireiron, and Petrovna led till well -m the straight, wlien Captain Shannon, King Billy, and Sir Tristram shot up, and 'the former caught the leader opposite the stand and beat her home by a couple of lengths. King Billy finished very fast and obtained third place, and just behind him came Sir Tristram and Declination. Aboriginal was the last horse to finish.

The day's sport was brought to a close with the Shorts Handicap and the North Island br-ed Clementine was made favorite, but The Seer also came m for a lot of support on the course. The latter lf>d from the barrier rise and looked to have the race m hand, but Jolly Roger caught him inside the distance and beat him by half a length. Tessera was, third. The winner was bought m at 142 guineas.