NOTES BY MONITOR.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXII, 3 June 1899, Page 770

NOTES BY MONITOR.

The Takapuna Jockey Club concluded their Winter Meeting on Wednesday, 24th. Although the attendance on the first day, owing to the inclement weather, was not up to expectation, yet turf patrons mustered in such strong force on Queen's Birthday that the financial state of affairs must come out very satisfactory. Fully 5000 people were conveyed over by the Devonport Ferry Company to the picturesque suburban racecourse, while no less a sum than £7375 was put through the totalisator, making a total of £ 12,026 for the two days. The racing proved exceedingly interesting. Mr Knight having concealed the winners in a very puzzling manner, dividends proving very high in consequence.

The Hack Handicap opened the ball, for which ten went to the post, the Napier-owned Quilted proved the popular selection, but he was never prominent, Mr F. Macmanemin’s bay gelding Corporal leading from start to finish, and winning by a neck from Wellington. Only four went to the post for the Second Handicap Hurdle Race, for which the bay gelding Tim was elected a red hot favourite. Once again the public were astray, as the locally owned Drum Major, aided by his light weight, won from end to end. The Britannia Handicap followed, a field of seven, weighing out for this. There was little to choose in the betting between Firefly, Red Lancer and Cuirasette, but once again the public were astray, as Mr J. C. Booth’s brown gelding Crusade dashed into the straight with a useful lead, and stalling off a vigorous challenge by the speedy daughter of Cuirassier, won all out by two lengths. The Second Tony Handicap followed and the bottom weight. Lady, proved the popular pick. Yet again the public judgment was at fault, the winner turning up in Mr H. Telfer’s bay gelding Edison, which defeated Rangiuru by a neck, giving the investors for their £1 a return of £22 12/.

Then came the Victoria Handicap, a good field of eleven runners lining up behind t'he barrier. Cuirasette carried most money, but could only run into third place. Mr P. Chaafe’s bay horse St. Elmo winning by half a length from Lillie.

The Handicap Steeplechase proved one of t'he most interesting items on the card, and there was little to choose between Glenlora and Nor'-west in the betting. The former cut out the running for about two and a 'half miles, when Nor'-west went to the front and apparently had the race at his mercy: four furlongs from home Crusado threw down the gauntlet to the son of Sou’-wester, and a great battle ensued. Both cleared the last hurdle almost together, when Crusado drew slightly away, and the race appeared to be his.

Fifty yards from home the top weight, finishing with the utmost gameness under terrific punishment, commenced to draw level, when Crusado swerved right across him, and finished about half a length in front. A protest for crossing was immediately lodged with the stewards by the owner of Nor’-west, and after lengthy consideration, the race was awarded to him.

The concluding item was the Welter Handicap, thirteen horses going to the post. For this Doctor and Merry Maid were strong orders, but neither could gain a place, the little thought of Regalia coining with a great dash at the finish and winning by a neck from Crusade. Mrs W. Handley’s bay gelding was the greatest outsider in the race, there being but fifteen investors on her. and these received the handsome dividend of £ 58 5/ from the inside machine, and £69 9/ from the outside. The arrangements for the whole meeting were admirably carried out by Mr R. Wynyard, the popular secretary, and it is pretty safe to say that had the weather conditions remained favourable, all previous records would have been beaten.

During the running of the Hack Handicap,when Entering the back of the course. Reconstruction came to grief by dislocating his shoulder, and had to be removed off the course with some difficulty. There were sundry falls during the running of the Steeplechase, but no serious casualties occurred. The well thought of Dingo came to grief at the sod fence when leading t'he last time round, while the post and rails proved fatal to Rifle's chance, but the jockeys escaped with a shaking.