RACING AT ELLERSLIE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2143, 28 December 1920, Page 17 (Supplement)

RACING AT ELLERSLIE.

A RECORD MEETING. [Special to The Snn.] AUCKLAND, December 27, Beautiful weather favoured the opening day of the Auckland Racing Club'p Summer Meeting. The attendance was easily the biggest seen at Ellorßlie, and the totolisator turnover bettered any previous years by several thousand. The course was in perfect ora"er, and the day's racing was full of interest. Eighteen of the 21 carded were saddled up for the Shortland Plate. Forest Gold was sent out a better favourite than Bonnie Heather and Marble I Slab. Bonnie Heather was one of the quickest to find his feet, but before a '.furlong was covered, McFlinn steadied him, and going up the hill he dropped back three lengths. Once in a line for home he finished well, and got up in time to secure second from Geoffrey. The winner was always in a handy position, and scored nicely. He is a three-year-old gelding by The Sybarite from Irish Mist.

Nine two-year-olds met in the contest for the Great Northern Foal Stakes, for which Mermin was backed down to a very short price. The Hawk flew out of the barrier, and with two furlongs covered was three lengths clear of the favourite, with Maunu and Grotesque putting in great work. Nearing the home turn, Mermin reduced the gap, and half-way down the straight ran up to The Hawk, finally beating him by a neck. Maunu and Grotesque finished gamely, but nothing had a chance with the favourite at the finish. Tinohoro was entrusted with the confidence of the public for the Robinson Handicap. TresOr and Night Time made play round the top turn, but once they hit the straight, Tinohoro, Hyrax, Lovelight and Clonmel came through. Half-way down the running, Tinohoro got his head in front, but a chain from the post Lovelight had him doing his best, and finally beat him by a neck. Glen Canny, Sunart and Kilgour were relieved of their engagements for the Auckland Cup, leaving a dozen runners. In the birdcage, First Salute, Gasbag, Oratress, Woody Glen, Tenterfield, Uncle Ned and Starland looked fittest for the fray, Bed Ribbon-carrying much more condition than she did last year. Prince Willonyx might have been ready, but he certainly did not look it. In the spirited betting, First Salute wound up favourite, with Uncle Ned, Gasbag and Oratress almost as well backed. The start was a good one. Blue Cross went out fast from Gasbag, but going up to the hill Gasbag ran to the front. Before reaching the stand, Blue Cross had replaced Gasbag in the lead, the pair racing, with Prince Willonyx, Oratress, First Salute, Uncle- Ned, Tenterfield. Red Ribbon and Starland, all in a bunch, and Nightraider a furlong away, last. Once into the back stretch, Uncle Ned, Starland, First Salute and Woody Glen all made a forward move. Rounding the top turn, First Salute, Uncle Ned, Starland, Oratress and Woody Glen improved their positions. Blue Cross was first in line for home, but at the distance Gasbag had his measure, and Uncle Ned commenced to tire. Halfway down the running, First Salute and Starland tackled Gasbag, and in a dingdong finish Starland beat First Salute by a neck, Gasbag being only a head further away, third, with Oratress, Woody Glen and Blue Cross next. Starland-was ridden by J. Glover, who for some time has been associated with B. Harmon's stable. Had Gasbag; enjoyed a better passage he would have won. Oratress had every chance, but the weight told its tale towards the close. Woody Glen was putting in splid work over the last half-mile, but he got hemmed in turning for home, and thus had what appeared to be an excellent chance frustrated by ill-luck. The amount invested on the event was £29,417 10/-, being £6606 10/- more than ; the sum invested on the Cup last year. The first mile was run in 1.47 3-5, the mile and a-quarter in 2.15, and the last furlongs in 50*-ssec. Oakleigh set out to win the Grafton Hurdles from end to end. He swerved badly at the last fenco, and Paddington Green got up in time to beat him by a neck. Khartoum ran a solid race, and, finishing well, got on even terms with Oakleigh as the judge was reached. With a bit of luck, Luperino would have won. At the second jump from home he blundered and lost five lengths, and met with interference when Oakleigh swerved while negotiating the last hurdle.

There was a big pool for the Kailway Handicap, for which Arrowsmith, Humbug and Statuette were the popular fancies. From an indifferent start, Silver Link hopped to* the front, closely 'attended by Statuette, Rossini and Humbug, with Right and Left in a bunch. Immediately they hit the straight, Statuette collared Silver Link, and Eight and Left improved his position, with Eossini, Humbug and Dovelet all in hot pursuit, and Arrowsmith a long way back. Making her effort on the outside in the run to the post, Statuette won nicely from Silver Link, who just beat Bight and Left by a head. Dovelot, Eossini, Humbug and Arrowsmith were the next to finish. First home describes Leithfield's victory in the Nursery Handicap, for which the race Was considered a duel between Toa Taua and Unahi. They finished second and third, respectively. The winner is the. property of Mr G. L. Stead, and is a pretty usoful youngster. She is by Nassau from Barston, and is trained by E. O 'Donnell.

In the Christmas Handicap, Tigritiya began smartly, and led to within 10 yards of the post, where Maioha, who was a long way back over the first furlong, came fast and just won by inches. Heather Sprig made a bold showing for six furlongs, where he began to tire. Eaceful and Trespass had every chance, but were not good enough.