TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 19, 6 December 1890, Page 1

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

Comments on the Racing. The above Club brought off their Spring Meeting on Saturday. The weather was all that could be desired, in consequence of which the attendance was quite up to the average. The present was the third meeting held on the enlarged course. During the winter extensive draining operations have been carried on, and the course proper is now in excellent condition. We noticed, too, that further improvements have been carried out on the hill, a large number of ornamental trees having been planted. Mr. W. H. Fenton, as of old, occupied the judges box, and Mr. J. Wattie handled the starter’s flag. With one exception he was eminently successful, but in the Maiden Plate the start was about as bad as it could be. Mr. F. Voells kept the course clear, and Mr. Fred Marks officiated both as clerk of the scales and timekeeper. The success of the meeting was mainly due to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Robert’Wynyardj the hard-working secretary. Impey’s band played a choice selection of music on the lawn, which materially assisted to pass away a pleasant afternoon. The totalizators were in charge of Mr. W. Blomfield, and were worked with entire satisfaction. Three machines were on the ground, but they were all worked together, and one dividend was paid. Racing commenced with the Handicap Maiden Hurdles, for which event six horses were saddled up. Hailstone was made favourite and appeared in very forward condition. Cracksman, a Taranaki-owned gelding, was the subject of considerable attention, but he did not appear to have much condition to recommend him. Moderator and Paddy were strangers to racegoers, and although the former was backed to some extent neither ran prominently in the race. Irish Agitator, who looked well to the eye, struck the first hurdle, and gave Hawkins a nasty fall. Hailstone went to the front directly the flag fell, attended by Moderator and Paddy, and in this order they raced round the back of the course, Cracksman being fourth. Passing the stand these positions were unaltered, but here Cracksman passed Paddy and Moderator and went in pursuit of Hailstone. McMinimin rode a capital race on the latter, and, always holding the Taranaki horse safe, landed his mount an easy winner by a length, Moderator being about 20 lengths off, third. The time — three minutes —was very good going. Much interest was taken in the next race—the Devonport Handicap, for two-year-olds. All the six horses figuring on the card came to the post, and all were more or less backed, Dishonour, Brown Bess, and Tulloch receiving most attention. The start was a good one, and Dishonour, Tulloch, and Brown Bess were first in their strides. Rounding the turn Tulloch led by two lengths, but when fairly into the back stretch Gallagher took a pull at him, and at the same time Lady Belle rushed to the front, and Resentment made a forward movement. Lady Belle was never afterwards headed, and won easily by a length and a half from Tulloch, who made another effort in the straight to catch the little daughter of Brigadier. Resentment was a length behind Tulloch in third place, and then came Dishonour,

Brown Bess, and Brigade, tailed out in that order. The time —i min. 13 secs. —is by no means slow, being just a shade over 13 seconds to the furlong. Owing to the support accorded the favourites, backers of the winner received the handsome price of 9 to 1 on the totalisator. Only five, out of the eight entered, faced the starter for the Handicap Maiden Plate, the absentees being Octopus, Regel, and Master Pat. Of those left in, Warrior was selected favourite. The colt has improved considerably since we last saw him, and with a little more condition will make a good handicap horse. Unfortunately the start in this race was a very bad one, and the favourite was turned round the wrong way when the flag fell, and therefore what chance he had was lost. He made up his ground so rapidly, however, that we are led to beleive that if he had got away with the rest of the field he would have won. Premier, Ringtail, and Ma Boughal got away in that order when the flag fell, both Warrior and Victim being left twenty lengths in the rear. Passing the stand the positions were unaltered, and thus early Warrior had got within two lengths of Ma Boughal, who eventually finished less than a length from the winner. Round the back of the course Ringtail and Premier were racing on terms, and so they entered the straight, where Premier was beaten, and Ma Boughal passed him, but the black colt failed to reach Ringtail, who won by a length. Warrior was well up, fourth. A protest was lodged against Ringtail receiving the stakes on the ground that the mare had last season run on unregistered courses, but after hearing the evidence the stewards decided to pay out the machine money to backers of Ringtail, and to leave the question of payment of stakes for further consideration. The Handicap Hurdles was the next event on the card, and six horses faced the starter’s flag, Hune being elected a slightly better favourite than Orlando, while Hailstone and Fishmonger—who finished first and second —were the extreme outsiders of the party. Immediately the flag fell McMinimin on Hailstpne sailed away to the front, followed by Fishmonger, Orlando, and Hune, in that order. So they raced round the course the first time, but entering the straight on the second round Orlando went up into second place, Fishmonger striking one of the hurdles and losing his position. Passing the stand Hailstone had a six lengths lead of the top weight, Fishmonger and Hune following at short intervals, and Silvio toiling hopelessly in the rear. At the back of the course Orlando had reduced the gap between him and the roan horse to a length, and a desperate race took place into the straight, but the weight told its tale, and Orlando struck the last hurdle heavily, pitching Morrigan forward on to his neck, and he failed to recover his seat and rolled off —not being hurt, however. This left Hailstone with the race in hand. Fishmonger, who had been running about six lengths behind Orlando, came on and secured second money, Hune being a bad third. The dividend —/'iz 7s. —was the best of the day. Only a quintette were saddled up for the principal event of the day —the St. Andrew’s Handicap, of a mile and a half. Cartridge, who appeared in good condition, was a slightly better favourite than Leorina, and Antelope was the only one of the others that engaged the attention of backers. Te Kooti was con-

sidered out-classed, and Tamora’s running at Otahuhu did not savour well for her chances in this event. Leorina got the best of the start, and led from Cartridge and Tamora, but at the back Tamora went to the front, her nearest attendants being Cartridge and Leorina, Antelope being fourth. Passing the stand the order was unchanged, but at the turn Tamora’s jockey pulled out and took Cartridge out wide, at the same time letting Leorina dash up on the inside. Tamora then dropped back, and Antelope took up third position. Leorina, at the back of the course had a clear tour lengths lead of Cartridge, who made a vain attempt to reach her, and the issue was never afterwards in doubt, for, coming away in the straight, she romped home an easy winner by eight lengths. Cartridge was eased up when pursuit was found to be hopeless, and Antelope coming with a rush in the straight secured second money by a head. Tamora was fourth, and Te Kooti a bad last. The Selling Race was simply a walkover for Octopus, for going away with the lead at the start, the old gelding simply cantered away from his field, and, pulling Golding out of the saddle, romped home an easy winner by eight lengths in front of the others. He was bought in by the owner for £6O. Octopus showed such a turn of speed that it is probable he would have won the Maiden Plate, in which he was engaged with Bst., had his owner elected to start him. The Steeplechase was the most interesting event of the afternoon. Seven competors were saddled up, Orlando being the favourite, Silvio and Hune next in demand. Fishmonger, Orlando, and Hune led over the first Hurdle, but at the back of the course the order was Fishmonger. Hune, Orlando, Silvio, Fragrance. Over the hill the positions were unchanged, but Fishmonger lost ground at the water jump, and Orlando was first round into the back stretch. Morrigan steadied the topweight, and allowed Fishmonger to pass him again, Hune and Silvio being still in third and fourth positions. At the water jump the second time Orlando again gained considerably on Fishmonger and took the lead, but again Morrigan pulled him back on the flat and allowed both Fishmonger and Hune to pass him. Over the hill the last time Fishmonger and Hune were running side by side, Orlando being about four lengths in the rear, going strongly. Silvio was about eight lengths behind Orlando, and Fragrance following a similar distance off. Once over the water jump Orlando again rushed to the front, leading Hune by four lengths round the back of the course, Fishmonger being six lengths behind Hune. Orlando increased his lead at the home turn, where Hune crossed her legs and fell, leaving the top-weight with ten lengths to the good of Fishmonger, who, however, was destined to strike the last hurdle and fall. Silvio came on and followed Orlando home about 100 yards in the rear, and Fragrance struggled into third place. The riders of Hune and Fishmonger, although severely shaken, were not seriously hurt. Orlando and his jockey, “Dinny” Morrigan, received quite an ovation when returning to weigh. Orlando was in such excellent condition that he fairly wore his opponents down and ran them off their legs. The last race of the day —the Spring Handicap — attracted seven to the post, Leorina being chosen favourite, with Antelope next in demand. The race is easily

described, for Capella got away well, and leading throughout, won all out by a length from Antelope, who came up with a fast, but late, run in the straight. Leorina was third, hora moment Locket looked dangerous, but want or condition told its tale. Capella paid the respectable price of 7 to i to her lucky backers. The racing was concluded in good time, ano the public were able to get into town before it was dark. The Ferry Service ran their steamers continuously, and the usual crush was avoided. Altogether, the Takapuna Jockey Club must be congratulated on having brought their meeting off under such favourable conditions.