THE PAKURANGA PROGRAMME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 8

THE PAKURANGA PROGRAMME

FIRST MEETING OF THE SEASON IN AUCKLAND The first race meeting in Auckland during the forthcoming new season is that of the Pakuranga Hunt Club, which holds its annual fixture at Ellerslie on August 20. The programme for the gathering has been issued, and is practically identical with that drawn up for last year. Out of the eight races four are for qualified hunters only. The principal event is of course the Pakuranga Hunt .Cup, about three miles, which carries with it£7oo in stake money, inclusive of a £SO cup. This contest is confined to horses that have not won a race of the value of more than 100 sovs. Greenmount Hunters’ Steeplechase, of 250 sovs., about 2A miles; Hunters’ Hurdle Race, of 250 sovs., 11 milesi and Ladies’ Bracelet, of 200 sovs., 1J miles (for amateur ridersj, completes the list of events confined to qualified hunters. FLAT EVENTS Of the four other flat races on the programme, the most important is the Jellicoe Handicap, one and a-quarter miles, carrying a prize of £SOO. This should attract quite a representative field. The sprinters are provided for in the Dunedin Handicap, of 400 sovs., six furlongs. The Auckland Handicap, of 225 sovs., one mile, is for horses that have not won a flat race of the value of 150 sovs., or races of the value of 400 sovs. There is a special condition attached to the Sylvia Park Handicap, of 225 sovs., and one and a-quarter miles. This reads: “No horse will be eligible which has at time of starting won a flat race of an advertised distance of more than seven furlongs.” Apart from this important proviso, the conditions of the race are really the same as for hack events. CHANCE FOR ALL The conditions applying to the Sylvia Park Handicap are really unique. The race now offers an excellent opportunity for horses running in weak classes and finding the distances too short. Taken all * round the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s programme is a splendid one, and it is obvious that the framing of it was only achieved as the result of mature consideration. There is little doubt that the hunters’ events will draw a liberal response, while the horse that confines its gallops to Ellerslie and other racecourses will be well represented.

Entries for all events are due on Friday, July 29.