THE ASHBURTON MEETING

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 50

THE ASHBURTON MEETING

From the dual aspect of finance and sport the Ashburton Racing Club's autumn meeting must be marked down as being a fairly successful gathering. The attendance on each day was up to what has; been previouplv noticed at the track, but it was evident from the totalisator figures that those who were present had brought some money with them, as the amount

[ handled showed a decided increase on last year's returns, ilore than one tiling contributed towards this end. In the first place, the non-licensing of the bookmakers might be held to be greatly responsible for the increase, but this could have been only partially responsible, as the fielders were present as visual, and if they did not openly ply their business no doubt something wag done, whilst the reluctance to bet under the rose may have converted fielders into punters. Furthermore, it is said that the district is at present experiencing a period of prosperity, but whatever the cause, the figures show an increase which probably outweighs the license fees usually received from the fielders. The track was slightly holding on both days, and the sport was of a fairly interesting nature. Makaroff won the principal event on each day's card in a most decisive manner, and it was patent that he would have taken a good bit of stopping on the second day, as there was only one horse in the- race wher the field was racing fully three furlongs from home. On the first day Makaroff jumped- off in the lead, and won from end to end, whilst, apparently, under a pull all the way • and on the second day, although he allowed Hilarity to act as pacemaker, the son of Stepniak was always going well and lying handy until the business end of the journey, when he stiode away from the others to win just as ea^ilv as he' did on the first day over 10 furlongs. In the Ashburton Handicap the pen was put through the names of Convoy and Czarevna, and that did not leave the fighting strength of the opposition to be very formidable, as Hilarity has proved she is not partial to a journey. Tsitsihar did not look attractive to the eye, and never acted with any dash, whilst Farley Grove was outclassed in the field. On the second day Makaroff went up 51b, and had to meet Hilarity on 121b and Tsitsihar on 101b worse tenn=, whilst new blood in the shape of Convoy. Czarevna, Alexis, and Bagpipes was also engaged. In the face of Makaroff's excellent form it was somewhat remarkable to fiixl him only third favourite when the machine closed, but, there was a rumour floating around which, no doubt, materially contributed to that end. Czarevna appeared a bit light, but. Convoy looked well to the eye, and as he went out to go to the post "he carried himself as if he were likely to ?-epeat his Timaru form; but he didn't, and never seemed to take hold from the rise of the barrier. Makaroff, in a manner reminiscent of his dam, sweated freely about the middle-piece as he went out. and did not peem as good a horse as he was on the previous day, but. he was there just the same, and scored very easily, whilst ia* truth it misrht be eaid that there was no second, &>! though a good figibt took place for thai honour between Hilarity and Bagpipes, whilst Alexis finished close up fourth. The Grove Farm Handicap, which formed the principal sprint event on the first day's card, was an unsatisfactory sort of a race, as Zetlaixl. who was running second to Count Gorton, when turning for home, carried out a couple of the others, and this allowed Sandy, who was lying in behind, to get a clear run. The Soult gelding made the most of his opportunity, and, catching the fast-tiring Count Goi'ton at the distance, he gave him the go-oy, and strode home an easy winner from Grand Stand and Alexis, whilst the Count stopped to nothing, and finished last. Punters evidently did not regard Zetland's form as feeing quite correct, as he was made a strong order for the Wakanui Handicap, and carried twioe as much money as Matuku, who was sent out second favourite. The club are deserving of censure for the manner in which fche field was kept fiddling at itas post in this lace, as tlie horses must have been over 25 minutes on the track bsfore they were sent away. Of this iim-c they were kept walking about at the post fully 10 minutes, whilst about the same period elapsed before the starter succeeded in despatching his field. Zetland's chance was not assisted by the fact that for about 10 minutes, whilst Maluku and Grand Stand were rriss-crossing at the barrier, he was a'lowed to stand like a graven image. Eventually the horses were walked back a few paces and dispatched from a moving start, in which Matuku gos over a- length's advantage. This, no doubt, materially contributed to her ultimate victory, as although she fell back a bit when she eot into ihe dip in the straight, where Grand Stand looked a winnei, t.he Gold Reef mare came a.gain and won by a little over a length from her nearest attendant, whom the iudsfe announced was Zetland, but Grand Stand looked to be more entitled to that position than did tho bearer of the pink iaoket. The rest of the raoina was of an interesting nature, and taking it all round, the cards presented to the club's patrons contained sport well up to the average witnessed at the track.