SPORTING.

Waikato Argus, Volume II, Issue 104, 9 March 1897, Page 3

SPORTING.

SOUTH AUCKLAND RACING CLUB'S MEETING. Notwithstanding the gloomy look of the weather on the previous night, Saturday last broke bright and sunny for the annual race meeting, under the auspices of the South Auckland Racing Club. This fixture is always a popular one, and by the number of visitors in town early on Saturday it required no great prophet to foretell that as far as attendance wasconcerned the snocoiis of the meeting w;'s assured. The course, which is naturally low lying, was a trifle heavy on account of the lute rains, but otherwise in good condition, and though the fields iu one or two instances were small, the rr.cing was most interesting The energetic secretary, Mr A. J. Storey, was ably backed up by a hard working staff of assistants, who did every thing in their power for the comfort and convenience of their pations. Mr E. B. Cox wielded the starter's Hug with a fair amount rf .success, and Mr Isaac Coatcs performed the duties of judge in a most satisfactory manner, but the ouly time he was called upon to decide any thing : n the way of a close thing was the finish for the Inst race—in the battle between Snip and Urena. The grandstand was well patronised, the number of ladies present being quite up to the average. Messrs Adams and Andrew's totalisators were on the ground, and under their careful management there was not the slightest hit.-li. There were no sensational dividends, the highest being £2 9s on Commodore in the first race, and £2 7s on Castashore in the Cup. It is pleasing to note that although the weights were adjusted by a professional man, all the prizes fell to local owners, with the exception of that of the hurdle race, which went to Mr S. Tooman, who owns the sterling performer Hairylegs. Mr R. Harmon, of Cambridge, who was the principal prize-taker, appropriated the Cup and Claudelands Handicap with Castashore, and the Pony Race with Winnie. The raeiug opened with the Trial Handicap, for which twelve weiuhed out. The Raglan mare Waiwcra, who arrived here accompanied by a big reputation, was the popular faucy, Commodore coming next in favour. An excellent raco ensued between the pair till the strait was reached, where the topweight drew away and won easily. When the time arrived for the Hurdle Race, Hairylegs, who has been the author of some nice dividends during his career, was at once made favourite, and notwithstanding his heavy impost he had little or no trouble in defeating his opponents, the ouly ono who troubled him at all being Mr Scarborough's little chestnut mare. The day being fine and' the track elightly improved, backers at once pinned their faith to their old favourite Folly for the Cup, and Merry Maid also had a fair share of supporters, but after the flag dropped Mr Huonou's chestnut, son vt Castor, immediately meed away to the front, and never giving the top weights a chance, won easily. The win was a moat popular one, and owner and horse received quite un ovation. The Pony Race was devoid of any excitement, and the public fancy, Winnie, justified the confidence reposed in her. In the Claudelands Handicap Cascashpre carried most of the money, and although left at the post-, he won as lie liked. The Steeplechase certainly did not furnish a first-class exhibition o: jumpers, as not a single horse went straight. Brown Bess ran splendidly and looked all over a winner when her rider, who appeared to suffer consider ably from the effects of the " sun," steered her e'ean off the course. This man should never have been allowed to start, as he not only endangered his own life but the lives of his fellow jockeys. It was exceedingly rough on the owner, but he will no doubt profit by the experience. Old Magpie witli 12st. s!b. up steered by Jack Rae was the first past the post, and returned his backersjust overlevclmoncy. In the F ying Handicap the delay at the post was exceedingly annoying, and the general opinion appeared to be that the Starter was too good-natured, and looked upon the offenders with too lcnieDt an eye. The despatch of one or two of the worst buck to the saddling paddock would have enforced the fact that the starter was there to be obeyed. Eventually the field got fairly veil away, and the race resolved i'self into a great go between Snip and the Thames mateOrena; the former just outlasted the run, ami was failing at every stride The following is a detailed account of the racing:—

Tktal Handicap, of ISsow. For horses tlr-t have never won an advertised race, at time of start, of the value of 15sovs. Nomination, 5s ; acceptance, 10s. Distance, 1 mile. 27—Mr H. Windsor's ch g Commodore, 4yrs, Bst 101 b (Pennell) 1 30—Mr J. Galvan's ch m Waiwera, syrs, 6st 121 b (including 31b overweight) (Buchanan) ... 2 7 —Mr T. Wise's b g Ihunderbolt, 7st 91b (Kerr) 3

21 Warrigal (Weston), 25 The Outlaw (Stewart), 0 Black Friar (Harwood), 8 Arena (Gargan), 12 The Needle (Quiuton), 1 Atalantn (Stewart), 2 The Monk (J. Stewart), 4 Shamrock (McKee), 12 Siren (Hart), also started. After some delay the flag fell to a straggling start, Waiwera obtaining a long lead, Thunderbolt being her nearest attendant, Commodore some leugths away, the rest of the field tailing off, with Arena last. The favourite cut out the running at a merry bat, but when the half-mile post was reached Commodore made a forward move, and on entering the straight was on terms with Ihe mare. After this the issue was never in doubt, the top weight winning easily by a length. Number of investors, 149 ; number on winner, 27. Dividend, £2 9'. Time, lm. 5Hs.

Handicap Hurdles, of 25sovs. ; second horse to receive usovs. from stake. Over six flights of hurdlrs. Nomination, 10a ; acceptance, 15s. Distance, 1-J mile. 75—Mr S. Tooman's b g Hairylegs, Gyrs, list 81b (Burns) ... 1 9 —Mi G. Scarborough's ch m Discord, Gyrs, 9st Gib (including lib over) (Windsor) ... ... 2 34—Mr R. Williams' br g Sepoy, aged, 9st 41b (including 41b over (Henwood) 3

Also started : 28 Awatuna (Sharp), 10 Seafoatn (Weston). The start was a good one, and Awatuna at once assumed command, and passiDg the stand the h'rst time she was followed by Discord and Hairylegs. Coming round the bush the trio were almost abreast, but the colours of the grey mare could still he distinguished. At the second jump from home Hairylegs put in his claim, and coming away won easily by five or six lengths fioni Discord, who was separated by about the same distance from .Sepoy. Number of investors on machine, 106 ; number on winner, 75. Dividend, 18s. Time, 3in. 13s.

Sotmi Auckland Cur, of 35sovs ; second horse to receive osovs. out of stake. Nomination, 15s ; acceptance, 20s. Distance, 1J miles. 34—Mr R. Haunon's eh c Castashore, 4yrs, Gst 71b (J. Stewart) ... 1 57—Mr Wm. Handley's b ni Merry Maid, Sst Sib (Buchanan) ... 2 86—Mr Jus. Muii's b m Folly, «Jst Olb(Quiuton) 3 3 Marionette (McKee) was the only other starter. Notwithstanding the heavy goina and the steadier imposed upon her Folly was the public tip, Merry Maid being next in favour. From a good start the lightweights rushed to the front, and Castashore led past the stand followed by Marionette, Meig-y Maid and Folly in that orders At the. hack of the course Merry Maid moved up and raced along a length or two behind the leader until entering the Bright, when the Castor

colt came with a " wet sail " and won hy ton lengths. No. of investors, 180; No. on winner, 34, Dividend, £2 7«. Time, 2m. 18s. Handicap Pony Rack, of 15sovs. For ponies 14 hands 2 inches and under. Ponies not holding A.R.C eeitifioato to be measured by the .Stewards. Diatauce, six furlongs. Moinination, 01;

acceptance, 10s 24—Mr R. Hannon's ch m Winnie, 3yrs, 7st 71b (J. Stewart) ... 1 21—Mr P. Joues' li g Bib, pged, list Gib (Moore) 2

This race requires little description. There wen: only two starters, and Winnie jumping to the front at the fall of the flag led ull the way and won hy a length. Number of investors, 45. Number on winner, 24. Dividend, 10s. Time, lm. 'aSAs. Claudkiands Handicap, of 20tovs. Second horse to receive 3-ovs, from the stake. Winter ot South Auckland Cup to carry "dj. extr*. Nomination, 10s ; accept u nee, 10s. Distance, 1 mile. 81—Mr R. Hannon's ch g Castashore, 7st 4lb, including 71b penally (J. Stewart) 1 32—Mr R. '1 eddy's b m Orena, 6>t 101 b (H.Hart) 2 6—Mr S. Wilson's b m Arena, 7st (Buchanan) 3

The other starters were: 40 roily (Quinton), 8 Warrigal (McKee), I Thunderbolt (Kerr), 1 Snamrock (Stewart). After a little delay the field were di«patched on their journey on fairly even terms, the colours of the top weight Folly being in front, Castashore being the last to leave the mark. The favourite rapidly reduced the distance between himself and the leaders, and bowling along merrily the Castor colt collared the fie d at the dip, and from there the others weie never in it. Total number of investors, 169 ; No. on winner, 81. Dividend, 18s. lime, lm. 495. Handicap Sti-ecles, of 35sovs. Second ho se to receive osovs. from stake. Distance, about 3 mites. Nomination, 15s ; acccptunce, 20s. 97 —Mr G. Coiner's blk g Magpie, . aged, l'2.ntslb (Rae) 1 27—Mr R. Williams' br g Sepoy, 9st 7ib(Henwood) ... ..'. 2 15—Mr T. Wise's blk m Brown Bess (Peuuell) 3

The only other starters were: 85 hairylegs (Burns), 12 Awatuna (Sharp). Brown Bess was first to move and she led the way over the wattle iuto Edmonds',at which Awatuna baulked and retired from the tontest. Coming bnck to the course proper Brown Bess was still in thß lead with Magpie next, Hairylegs third, and Sepoy last. Haiiylegs refused the water jump, but got over safely at the second attempt. The mare was still in command at the brush fence near the gate where Magpie baulked, and Sepoy ran into second place. Magpie and Hairylegs then took the jump in company, and raced along the back stretch forty or fifty lengths behind the leaders. The same order was maintained going iuto Edmonds' the second time, Brown Bess going very strongly with a lead of five or six lengths, but coming round the titree her rider mistook the course, and only found out his mistake when hopelessly out of the race. This left Sepoy in command, followed closely by Magpie and Hairylegs. The latter aguiu refused to tackle the water jump, leaving Sepoy and Magpie to fight it out. Passing the bush for the lust time the former was slightly ahead, but he fell at the logs. He was immediately remounted, but Magpie had obtained a long lead and won by about 100 yards amid great applause. Brown Bess finished half a mile behind. In falling at the logs Sepoy staked himself badly, and his injuries were afterwards attended to by Mr J. Browne. No. of investors, 336. No. on winner, 97. Dividend, £1 Is. Time, 9m. 10s.

Flying Handicap, of 20sovs. , second horse to receive 3sovs. ■ from stake. Winner of South Auckland Cup to carry 71b. extra; winner of Claudelands Handicap to carry 51b. extra. Distance, six turlongs. Nomination, 10s ; acceptance, 10s. SO—Mr Maxwell's b g Snip, aged,

6st 101 b (Buchanan) 1 20—Mr K. Teddy's b m Orcna, aged, 7st (H.Hart) 2 28—Mr J. Galvan's ch rn Wuiwcra, syra, Gst 7lb (Tait) 3 Also started : 32 Commodore (Punnell), 11 The Dutlaw (Stewart), 4 Atilunta (J. Stewart.), 3 Rebel (Kerr), 105 St. Edith. (McKce). There was a lot of delay at the post and numerous false starts, but finally the flag fell to a fuir start, Snip having the advantage of a length or two, with Urena as his closest attendant, the favourite (St. Edith) being the last to move. A great battle ensued between the pair, and when they entered the straight Snip was still slightly in front. A most exciting finish followed, both horses being loudly hailed as winners, but Snip just managed, to squeeze home by about half a head, Waiwera, five lengths away, third. Number of investors, 289 ; number on winner, 86. Dividend, £1 10.'. Time, Im. 2is.

The action taken by the club in paying out directly iifter the races was favourably eommeuted upon by all the horseowners, and it is undoubtedly a wise step. Thj following payment? were made on Saturday evening ;—R. Hannon, .€SB 18s ; G. Comer, £2B 10j ; S. Tooman, £l9 ; P. Jones, £l6 3s ; H. Windsor, £l4 5s ; R. Teddy, £5 14s ; G. Scarborough, £4 15s ; W. Handley, £4 15s ; R. Williams, £4 15s.