BEACH PICNIC RACES

Taranaki Daily News, 2 April 1934, Page 13

BEACH PICNIC RACES

KAITEREMAI WINS THE CUP ENJOYABLE DAY AT WAITOITOI. SOME THRILLING TUGS-OF-WAR. The success that attended the Waitoitoi beach picnic race meeting on Saturday must have been very gratifying to those responsible for reviving that gathering, which should regain all of its old popularity. In fine Weather there was a large attendance, the gate receipts being £l9 10s, a record, while it is understood the membership showed an increase on that at previous, meetings. Financially, therefore, the meeting was successful. The fields in all the events were good. They were well dispatched by Mr. J. Edwin and his assistant, Mr. E. Northcott. The handicapper was Mr. C. Rumball. The judge was Mr. G. Luxton., A particularly good finish was that in the Waitoitoi Cup, in which seven started and the first three horses passed the post in a line, victory going to the El-tham-owned Kaiteremai by a bare head from Razor and Lady Iti. Many thought that Lady Iti, who finished close to the judge, should have been placed first, but in such close finishes, especially where two horses are locked together in the centre of the course and the third horse is right out under the judge’s box, which in this case was a dray, only the judge and his assistant were in a position to decide. Mr. Percy Cole was the most successful owner, winning the Bamitt Handicap with King Cole and the Ladies’ Bracelet and the Farmers’ Plate with Penelope who, ridden respectively by Miss T. Cole and A. Cole, had comfortable wins. P. Cole rode King Cole, who had a narrow win over Kaiteremai, the latter winning the Cup. G. Ayton was the only rider to score twice. This promising boy won well on Lady Iti in the Maiden and on Dawn Pops in the pony race. The inclusion of the pony races was very popular.

JUDGING OF CLOSE FINISH. At the conclusion of the Cup race Mr. A. H. Halcombe, president of the club, expressed pleasure at seeing such a large attendance and such a successful outing. Referring to the slight demonstration that had taken place over the decision of the Cup, he remarked that the judge was the only one whose word could be taken in a very close finish. He was in the best position to see and had given his decision in a sporting manner. He congratulated the club on its successful revival and called on Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., to present the handsome cup given by an anonymous New Plymouth donor to the winner, Mr. R. W. Stewart, Eltham. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson said he recognised there had been a little dissatisfaction, over the decision in the Cup race. He pointed out, however, that they all had to bow to some authority, and in this case the authority was the men whom they had placed in the position to judge. He was pleased to know that the meeting was a successful one. At his call cheers were given the officials. Following the Ladies’ Bracelet Mr. Halcombe presented the rider of the winner, Miss Tracy Cole, with a gold bracelet which had been presented by Messrs. F* Wallis and J. Bennett. An innovation in the shape of a five-a-side tug-of-War tournament pulled on battens made the time between the races pass pleasantly. Five teams competed on the two-life system and there were many thrilling pulls that kept the crowd at a high pitch of excitement. In two cases, including the final pull, it was not possible to give a decision as at the finish the centre tape was still at the dead centre, neither team being able to gain the slightest advantage. , In several other cases the decision Was given on margins ranging from half an inch to two inches after pulls Of three minutes; In all there were ten pulls and a decision was not reached even then, as after a tie Waipapa A and B, which had one life each, decided to divide the prize. Mr. G. N. Skelton was starter, Mr. A. G. Clark tnhe-keeper and Mr. J. Garcia judge. The committee, of which Mr. Geo. Baker is chairman and Mr, A. Zimmerman secretary, has every reason to feel gratified at the result, particularly Mr. Zimmerman, as it was largely owing ,to his enthusiasm that the club was resusciated. Detailed results ares—

MAIDEN RACE. Six furlongs. LADY ITI, C. N. Rumball’s bun., 3yrs, by Chaminade—Campfire mare, 9.0 (G. Ayton) .... 1 HINEPUNI, F. Calvert’s b.m., syrs, by Acre—Campfire mare, 10.0 (G. Baker) .. 2 PENELOPE, P. Cole’s br.m., aged, by Campfire—Cordon Ronge mare, 9.0, car. 11.1 (P. Cole) 3 Also started: Poatere, 9.0, car. 10.8 (A. Cole); Valkawa, 9.0, car. 9.12 (C. Crowley), A splendid start saw the field move 6ff in line. Lady Iti early established a lead, but a furlong from home Hinepuni challenged strongly but failed to get up by a length. Penelope wag half a length further back, with Valkawa close up fourth.

BARNITT HANDICAP. Six furlongs. KING COLE, P. Cole’s blk.g., 4yrs, by Chaminade—Campfire mare, 9.0, car. 11.0 (P. Cole) 1 KAITEREMAI, R. W. Steward’s b.g., 4yrs, by Sandstar—Potoa mare, 9.10 (S Oakley) 2 AIRDAILLE, J. Dickey’s b.g., aged, by Antagonist—Pro cula, 9.7 (G. Baker) 3 Also started: My Hero, 10.10 (P. Zimmerman). ' Airdaille and King Cole were the early leaders from Kaiteremai. A furlong from home King Cole had established a definite lead. Kaiteremai then came very fast and though baulking at the sea twice got to within a neck of the leader as the post was passed. Airdaille was a length and a-half away third.

PONY RACE. Five furlongs. DAWN POPS, Don Wilkinson’s (G. Ayton) 1 TOMMY, P. Evetts' (A. Hayward) ... 2 BRONC, G. Baker’s (T. Baker) ...... 3 Also started: Southern Cross (J. Gardiner); Peter (A. Phillips); Wendy (Jock Sulzberger). Won very easily all the way. Brone, who ran very wide, was two lengths away third. D

WAITOITOI CUP. Seven furlongs. KAITEREMAI, R. W. Stewart’s b.g., 4yrS, by Sandstar —Potoa mare, 10.0,(S. Oakley) ....» * RAZOR, R. Foreman’s br.g., aged, by Quarantine—Westmere mare, 9.12 (R. Brown) 2 LADY ITI, C. N. Rumball’s b.m., 3yrs, by Chaminade —Campfire mare, 9.5, inc. 51b. penalty (N. Bishop) . 3 Also started: Ngareta, 10.10, car. 10.12 (P. Cole); My Hero, 10.5, car.. 10.7 (P. Zimmerman); Gasform, 9.7, car, 10.0 (C. Baker); Hinepuni, 9.10, car. 10.0 (C. Crowley). * . , Hinepuni and Lady Iti were first to show out from an even start. When the field had settled down Hinepuni took the lead, wide out. A furlong from home i Kaiteremai joined the leader, wmlst

Razor and Lady Iti also took a hand. Lady Iti had to be straightened out, and though she finished very fast right .under the judge she failed by a head: to;catch Kaiteremai and Razor, which in a desperate finish passed the post in the centre of the course separated by bare heads. Ngareta just got up to beat Hinepuni for fourth place. LADIES’ BRACELET. Seven furlongs. PENELOPE, P. Cole’s (Miss T. Cole) I NGARETA, Miss E. Hicks’ (Owner) „ 2 RAZOR, R. Foreman's (Mrs. S. McGreal) 3 The only starters. Penelope hopped out smartest to establish an early lead and Win comfortably from Ngareta, which got up over the last furlong to beat Razor for second place by a length and a-half. . FARMERS’ PLATE. One mile and a-quarter. PENELOPE, P. Cole’s br.m., aged, byCampfire—Cordon Rouge mare, 10.10 (A. Cole) 1 AIRDAILLE, J. Dickey’s b.g., aged„.by . Antagonist—Procula, 10.0 (G. Baker) ...... 2 VALKAWA, R. Grant’s ch.g., 6yrs, by Valkyrian—Herekawa, 10.10 (C. P. Crowley) ...-. 3 Also started: Gasform, 10.10 (C. Baker); Hinepuni, 10.0 (E. Wilson). Penelope was the early leader from Valkawa and Gasform and was never headed, winning well by two lengths and a-half from Airdaille, which finished fast to beat Valkawa for second money. Gasform was fourth, followed by Hinepuni.

TUGS-OF-WAR CONTESTS. The competing teams in the tug-of-war were:— Waipapa A: M. Skelton, Tui Hape, S. Fraser, Tom Hape, C. Terrill, Geo. Cole (captain). Waipapa B: P. O’Carroll, R. Martin, P. Cole, A. Cole, J. Nuku, J. Stanton (captain). Tikorangi: A. Soffe, A. May, G. Young, B. Dean, R. Baker, L Stanton (captain). Okoke: A. Sanson, F. Snowden, H. McLellan, J. Newson, J. McLellan, L. Pepperell (captain); ' ’ Waitoitoi: D. Tate, M. Jonas, E. Perry, H. Phillips, Wi Kerepe. In the first round Tikorangi defeated Waipapa A after two great pull*. In the first pull neither side could gain any advantage and the three minutes was called without the rope having moved. In die second pull Tikorangi secured 1J inches as soon as the lever was released. Waipapa A made a gallant effort and regained all but half an Inch when time was called. Waipapa B easily defeated Waitoitoi. The winners gained three inches at the start and had pulled the full length of rope; with half a minute . to spare. Okoke had the bye.. , ■ In the second round Waipapa B easily defeated Okoke. Waipapa B took three inches at the start and went on to win in Im. 225. Waipapa A defeated Waitoitoi in Im. 325. Waitoitoi was eliminated. Tikorangi had the bye. Waipapa B (two lives) in the third round defeated Tikorangi (two lives) after a great pull. Waipapa 3 early secured half an inch, out With a minute to go Tikorangi had half an inch advantage. Waipapa B gradually regained a two-inch advantge, which they held to the end. Waipapa A (one life) defeated Okoke (one life) by four inches after a good pull. . Okoke were eliminated, ' Waipapa A (one life) in the fourth round defeated Tikorangi (One life). An even start saw Waipapa gain half an inch in the first minute. Tikorangi then secured an inch lead but lost it in the last minute, when Waipapa A went on to win by four inches. Waipapa B (two lives) had a bye. Tikorangi was eliminated. / z Waipapa A (one life) in the sem-final defeated Waipapa B (two fives) in another splendid pull. After a strenuous tussle for 1J minutes in which no one gained the advantage Waipapa A took a two-inch advantage. The B‘s pulled determinedly, but their opponents hung on grimly.. . . ‘ ; • Waipapa B (one fife) drew with Waipapa A (one life) in the final. It proved a fitting finale to a fine afternoon’s sport. The B’s took half an inch early and held it for the first minute and a-half, when the A’s drew level. Thereafter the rope see-sawed. With half a minute to go neither team held any advantage and despite their most strenuous efforts they could not move the rope, a draw resulting. As it was becoming late they de-' cided to divide the prize.