ROYALTY AT THE RACES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16726, 29 April 1920, Page 3

ROYALTY AT THE RACES.

PRINCE ENJOYS HIMSELF. A LUCKY INVESTOR. THREE DIVIDENDS DRAAVN. “The jolliost experience of his visit to Auckland” was tho manner in which a member of tho Prince of AVales’ official party in attendance upon him at the races summed up tho position, says tile Auckland Herald, on Monday afternoon before his Royal Highness left tho Auckland Racing Club’s course at Ellerslie. There was no doubt about the keen enjoyment of the Prince or tho zest with which ho entered into the spirit of tiio occasion. The sport of kings was palpably the sport of the King’s son, who, freed for the once of the necessity for formality, became one of tho scores of thousands of racegoers who thronged the beautiful grounds. The fact that his Royal Highness, to use the parlance of the sport, backed two winners and a second on the totalizator is a testimony to the whole-heart-ed manner in which he pursued enjoyment, and the thoroughness of his democratic way of doing so. Ho was accorded one of the greatest receptions or his tour, and his affable manner towards the people, his entire lack of aloofness, and Iris eagerness to mingle with the crowds rather than sit in state in the Royal enclosure provided for him added to his popularity a hundredfold. There was tremendous cheering from tho waiting throngs in the stands, on tho lawn, and in tho paddock, when tho Prince’s car appeared on tho course shortly before 2.30 p.m. The onlookers became frantic with delight when they saw him standing erect in the vehicle waving his bowler hat and bowing right and left, smilingly acknowledging the extraordinarily hearty greeting. Having taken oft his overcoat, the Prince was seen tjj he dressed in a plain grey suit, with a'turu-down collar and a blue and red tie. In his buttonhole ho wore a rod carnation, and around his shoulders was slung the .leather case containing his binoculars. Arrived in the Royal enclosure in the stand he lit a cigarette and surveyed the scene, himself the cynosure of tens of thousands of eyes, the people on the lawn all gazing no at him and those in the stand craning their nocks to get another glimpse. His Royal Highness was speedily immersed in a study of a race card, and then focused his glasses upon the horses at, the starting post for the third race. He followed the event with keen interest. It was noticeable that at the cry, “They’re off,” most of tho spectators still followed the actions of tho Prince, not turning to tho race that was proceeding until it was half riln. A HAPPY DESIGN. Immediately after this i race the Prince, piloted by. the president of tho club, the Hon. E. Mitchelson, left the enclosure and proceeded to enjoy himself like any democrat. First he was shown’ the flower beds near the public entrance to the paddock where tho club’s skilful landscape gardener had spelled out in floral letters the words and figures, “1901, Ophir,” and ‘1920, Renown,” in beds side by side. This happy reminder of his own and his father’s visits _to Auckland drew a. 'ratified exclamation from the Prince. Up through the saddling paddock ho was piloted through throngs of onlookers who pressed eagerly in upon him, often having to he held hack by the officers appointed for that duty. Tho Prince had already, bn his first crossing of the lawn, been the victim of hundreds of cameras, and now again on his tour of the grounds he submitted smilingly to'the same ordeal a score of times in every few yards. Nothing perturbed him. He was out to enjoy himself, and he liked to see the people enjoy themselves as well. Between his pleasure in tho flower hods and his acknowledgment of tho attention bestotrod upon him by tho public he had a busy walk. VISIT- 'TO TOTALISATOR.

At tho top of the saddling paddock the racehorse Arrowsmith passed, and was pointed out to the Prince. “Oh,” said he, “is that the English horse?” His admiration of the sleek racer with its glossy coat was plain to all observers* and as the sequel showed his Royal Highness had not failed to observe the animal’s possibilities. His chief guide led him now towards the totalisator, and on the way the Prince expressed his intention of having a bet. He was asked which horse ho fancied, and immediately replied, “The English horse. I shall put my money on him.” . His Royal Highness had to almost force his way through the crowd at the door of the totalisator,- the bystanders cheering him with redoubled vigour when it was seen that he intended to enter tho building. Once freo of tho attentions of tho swarming throngs outside the Prince walked through the totalisator, tho attendants keeping the public speculators at the windows waiting while they indulged in cheers for their Royal visitor, who lifted his hat and smiled his acknowledgments. Having made a. circuit of the interior the Prince finally came to a stop at the second window from the end, .where two young lady assistants were busy handing out tickets to importuning speculators.

FIVE POUNDS’ON ARROWSMITH

“How much do you bet here?” asked the Prince, dipping his hand into his right-hand trouser pocket and producing a roil of notes. Admiral Halsey, who was always at hand, informed him that pound bets were tho order of the day. Thereupon tho Prince stripped a note from the roll and handed it to the Admiral. “What horse?” he was asked. “Oh, the English horse,” ■ replied the Prince. “Number 1,” ho instructed, referring to his race card. As the Admiral turned-to -one of the attendants with the pound note tho Prince decided that he would punt a little heavier, “Only a sovereign,” ho remarked, “Might as well have some,more on it. Wo’ll make it five sovereigns.” Suiting tho action to the words ho handed the Admiral four more notes, and tho £5 yielded as many tickets on Arrowsmith, which the Prince tucked into Ills pocket. More cheering from the staff accompanied the. King’s sportsmanlike son down the length of tho room. At the end ho mounted the steps and proceecled to inspect the mechanism of the totalisator, tho club’s secretary and another official explaining the whole of the workings to him. Nothing would suit the Prince hut a closer inspection still, so he was led up higher again to the topmost platform. There ho leant over and examined all there was to bo seen, watching tho rapid running, up of the numbers indicating tho public fancy for No. 1, his own choice.

Anxious not to miss the race in which Arrowsmith was to carry his investment, the race bearing bis own title, moreover, the Prince left the totalisator a few minutes before tho time named on fho card for its commencement, and proceeded to the members’ stand. With the Admiral and his retinue and bodyguard in as close attendance as was possible, through the ranks of pressing forms and clutching hands, through cheering masses of people all calling out to him iu informal greeting, the popular Prince forced a passage. It was only

with difficulty that he gained the stand, but all the way he was laughing and I taking the keenest enjoyment in his environment. There was an interval for refreshment, after enjoying which the Prince went out on to the balcony of the membora’ stand and scanned tlio horses now standing at the post for his pace. Thcro was some delay at the post, several of the horses proving unruly-. The Prince waited patiently. At last they were off. His Royal Highness focussed his glasses on the flying group as they passed the stand. “Whore is No. IP” he asked. “I can’t see him.” , “Lying nearly last there,” said a member, sorrowfully. “Nearly last!” exclaimed the princely backer of Arrowsmitb. “That’s good!” And lie laughed gaily. ARROWSMITH WINS. As the horses went round the back stretch the sact news that jUTowsmitn was still last Out one m the lino was broitcu to tne Prince. His, cheeriness aid nut slitter in the least. “Oh, well,” no said, “no is in a good position.” As it, turned out, so no was. When they came into the straight tne vnlice was on liis icet, the iieid focussed in his over-observant .glasses. 1 tncu the cry wont up mat Ariowsnuth was coming to the front. A tew seconds later the t’rmeo’s horse had won the Prince’s race, and a pleased glow lit up the face of tne Ring s sou. tie must needs see Arrowsnuth at closer quarters, so ho went into the enclosure, where the unsaddling process was earned out. From there lie was' taken to witness the jockeys weighing out. Another visit, to the saddling paddock followed, the Prince again besieged by the racegoing crowds, whom he good-naturedly greeted as ho went. There was a natural curiosity on his part to know what liis bet had resulted in. “I wonder what we will got out qjf it?” was liis way of putting it. Later lie was notified that he had about doubled his money-. “Good!” he ejaculated with a pleased smile. “We must have another bet now, eh?” to the Admiral, as they passed on to see the jockeys weigh in for the next event.

PRINCE CONGRATULATES JOCKEY In the jockeys! quarters the Prince sent for Hector Gray, who had ridden -Arrowsmith to victory. lie shook hands with him, congratulated Him, and asked him a few questions before passing on. The Prince then took part in a presentation in t!ie members’ enclosure to thb assistant' clerk of the course, Mr. T. A. Brown,' and subsequently met and conversed with Mr. A. Selby, clerk of the ccursc. His Royal Highness was much interested to hear from the latter that lie had met his Royal grandfather, the late King Edward, many years ago. Hie Prince was now taken by the president of the club to view the steeplechase from the tower on the eastern side of the grandstand, which is tho highest vantage point on the course. Hero, with Admiral Halsey and a few of his attendant officers, tho Prince stood surveying the fine panorama spread out below. For quite a. few minutes his presence on tho tower went unobserved, hut presently there -was tho sound of cheering from the crowded grounds honeath and the-roof of tho stand, and the mass of people turned their eyes upwards, the shouts of greeting swelling into a roar.. Gaily tho Prince took off Ids hat and waved it above, his head in response, and the cheering 'was renewed. Pre.sently_ the Prince was joined in his high position by the Governor-General, the Countess of Liverpool, and Mr. Massey and others. ANOTHER LUCKY INVESTMENT.

On the*ivay to the Prince had entrusted another £3 to his attendant officers, and tho money had been dispatched to tho totalisator by a messenger with instructions to put it on Not 1 again for the steeplechase. No Surrender was tho appropriate name the Prince had selected for his second investment. His glasses were again in requisition for the nice, every incident in which ho closely followed. It was with renewed pleasure that ho saw Jiis choice again a ‘winning one. “Lucky No. 1,” ho remarked jocularly. An adjournment was made at this stage_to the afternoon tearoom, ou leaving which the Prince and his party repaired once more to the Royal enclosure. But not for long. Tho Prince grew restive, probably anxious, too, to escape the ordeal of such close inspection as he was being subjected to by tho admiring and staring crowds on tho lawn. Leaving the stand with his escorts again, the Prince made once more for' the totalisator, to tho delight of the onlookers. "He’s going to have another punt,” they cried. And so he was.' On the way through the press, jostled and pushed about like any citizen there, jibe Prince consulted his guides and his racecard, and finally decided to invest £5 in the next race on No. 2. Tho horse bearing that number was Crowhurst. Someone remarked that the Prince had gone off his lucky number, and another pointed out that ho had overlooked a horse hearing the royal colours and the Union Jack. His Royal Highness, however, was not to be put off No., 2. SECOND VISIT TO MACHINE.

Entering the totalisator for the second time, amid cheers and shoufed oleasantries, not nnmixed with a few' sure tips, the Prince proceeded to the window tenanted by two different young ladies to those he-ffiad patronised on the. first occasion and felt in his pocket for so ne money. He found that it contained less than li© liad thought. X don't seem to have brought enough with mo,” ho remarked with a laugh Several hands were stretched out towards him containing tho needful replenishment of his supply. Belore ho was put to tho necessity of accepting a temporary loan however, there opportunely arrived upon the scene a nice eager who had collected tho party’s dividends. He extended a rich handful of notes to Admiral Halsey, who, in turn announced to the Prince that his dividends were available. Laughing again, ’he Print© rcceivod his share, and another £5 of it passed into the hands of one of tho smiling girl attendants and wan rung up on Crowhurst,

As during the. Prince's previous visit to the totalisutor, his speculation was witnessed by a few of the public who caught sight of tho proceedings through the'windows at which they were standing outside. Many hearing that the Prince was betting in the machine would have given much to have been within earshot so that they might have followed his lead and ids luck. Crowi.urst ran second in his race, repaying tift. Prince for his investment with a lictlc to spare. On tho other two races he l ad about doubled his money. AN ENTHUSIASTIC FAREWELL. Hazing witnessed this race (the sixth) from'the members’ stand the Prince prepared for his departure, characteristically, lie was not content to go without visiting what is termed the outside portion of the grounds. So ins motorcar, on moving off, traversed tho length of tho course iu that direction, taking th e Prince along to the people’s end. How they cheered him for this' net! dboy shouted themselves hoarse as the Prince, standing erect in the car, his right hand holding his hat aloft, and Admiral Halsey steadying him by sup-

porting liis left elbow, drove past them and, turning, came once more down the' course. The people in the inner grandstand 1 burst into rival cheering as his Royal Highness drove on, waving to them and smilingly bowing, real delight at this final demonstration lighting up his: countenance. As he drew past the members’ stand those therein cheered likewise and then lustily sang “For He’s a. Jolly Good Fellow.” Out past the trees and into the members.’ entrance he was driven and so hack to the city. .Ho had made the day memorable in the history of racing in Auckland. He had made thousands of new friends; and. best of all, “Prince Charming” had himself spent the jolliest afternoon of his visit.