THE WELLINGTON RACES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 35

THE WELLINGTON RACES.

Extracts from New Zealand Mail's comments: — Tke Second Hock and Hunters' Steeple served to show how some jockeys lose their- heads. The race was looked upon as a good thing for Black Dust, despite his 12st 61b, and the betting was in his favour. He led for a mile, hoping to out-pace his opponents, but came a cropper at the brush opposite the stand. His jock quickly remounted, however, and set sail. At this slage the race was practically all over, Riot, in command, being the apparent winner, but his rider must take the wrong course by way of variety, and Taleteller followed suit. M'Loughlin, who rode the latter, was the first to perceive the mistake, and wheeled his mount back to the right track. Meanwhile Black Dust had pulled up his ground, and had a go at Taleteller, but the latter had naturally all the advantage and scored. Had Black Dust not fallen he would have won ; had Riot not gone the wrong course he would have scooped. But such are the fortunes of 'chasing. Taleteller got home and paid over £8. The Weliington Steeplechase was ono of tho best races of this class that the writer has seen, and praise is duo to the handicapper, Mr Evelt, in connection therewith. On the strength of her fine past performances over country Muscatel was picked upon as the plum of the handicap with a couple of pounds under list. She was ridden by her favourite pilot, Percy Johnson, who invariably steers her, but it was evident that she was not herself, or did not like the heavy going. Kauri Gum, after his Napier Park win, was second in evidence on the machine, while The Friar, who won this race a couple of years ago, Hangfire, Nor' west, and Blackberry were also recipients of good support. The three least backed were Nayborn, Venture, and Morag, and the latter won. Kauri Gum's performance in the Wellington Steeple shows that he is not much chop. He was dead hired when he nearly camo down nt tho hurdle in front, of trie stand, and the low water jump passed him out altogether. Morag was prominent in the vnn all the way, Nor'-west lying last. The jockey on the latter thought it best policy not to take any part in making the running, and trusted to luck. Well, 'lhe result was that ho had 100 much to make up at the finish, and he was unable to catch Morag when the pinch came. [langfire ran a good horse in the Steeple, but tired perceptibly at tho finish, and had to lie content with third place. Even had Nayborn not unseated his rider he could not havo won, but Blackberry would probably have proved dangerous had he not come down at the brush. Something went wrog with The Friar ; he did not soem to be able to gallop after a couple of miles hod been travei'secf, and he was pulled up. Venture ditto.