AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 21, 20 December 1890, Page 2

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING.

This meeting was brought off last Saturday on the Club’s course at Avondale. There was a very fair attendance of the general public present to witness the racing. At first the weather was all that could be desired, but just prior to the start for the Flying Stakes a heavy shower of rain fell, and the grandstand being uncovered considerable inconvenience was experienced, especially among the ladies who were present. Later in the afternoon the weather cleared up again, but not until sufficient rain had fallen to make everyone wet through. Mr. J. Bollard officiated as judge, assisted by Mr. R. Garrett, and Mr. E. D. Halstead performed the duties of starter. Mr. C. Best was clerk of the scales, and Mr. A. T. Creighton clerk of the course. Mr. H. H. Hayr fulfilled the onerous duties which fall to the Secretary of a race-meeting with credit. An unfortunate mistake appears,to have been made by Collins and Fergus, who were riding respectively Silvio and Fishmonger in the steeplechase. From evidence. adduced by the trainer of Hurricane, the stewards disqualified Silvio and Fishmonger, and awarded the race to Hurricane, the only other horse in the race that was supposed to have finished. . The general impression seems to be that Hurricane did not complete the course, as he was so far behind the leaders that the hurdle in the straight had. been removed by the Club’s officials before Hurricane got to it. However, this point was not considered by the stewards, who were lustily hooted when their decision was made known. As Hurricane had never been in the “ hunt,” and finished over a quarter of a mile behind the leaders, it was hardly likely that the verdict would give satisfaction. The general impression seemed to be that if the stewards had declared the race null and void and run it over again after the last race, they would have done the correct thing. As it was the decision almost resulted in a riot. The totalisators were in charge of Messrs. Adams and Andrews, and were worked with entire satisfaction. Much time was saved by paying out at the back of the machines, and investors were thus able to get their money on in good time. Racing commenced with the Handicap Maiden Plate, for which only a trio saddled up. Coalscuttle was made a hot favourite and won easily from Premier Ma Boughal fell early in the race, and J. B. Williamson lodged a protest, but on what grounds it is not quite clear. However, the result of the race was not affected the>eby. but Golding who rode Coalscuttle was fined £1 as the result of the enquiry. Five horses faced the starter for the Hurdle Race, Sentinel and Hailstone being very nearly equal favourites, the former having slightly the call. The race is easily described. Hailstone led for most of the journey, and at the back of the coui se on the last round Sentinel went up to him, but just when it seemed he had the race in hand he dropped back and apparently made no further effort, eventually finishing fourth. The other opposition to Hailstone was not strong, and he won rather easily at the finish by a length and a half from Fishmonger, Larrikin being a length away third, with Sentinel at his girths. Carronade was some distance behind. Only four went to the post for the Avondale Cup. Antelope was a warm favourite, but Vendetta also carried a lot of money. Ingorina was the least backed of the quartette Passing the stand the first time Cartridge and Vendetta were racing abreast two lengths in front of Antelope and Ingorina. At the back of the course the four horses were abreast, going stride for stride, and it seemed anyone’s race, but shortly afterwards Vendetta fell back beaten and the other three raced “ locked level” into the straight. Here Ingorina singled himself out, and coming away won easily by two lengths from Cartridge, who beat Antelope by the same distance. A protest was lodged on the ground of a cross, but not sustained. The Selling Race appeared to be a good race between Johnnie and Octopus but had the latter sailed away to the front as he did at Takapuna, no Johnnie would, have got near him. Eight was the main for the Flying Stakes. Capella was a better favourite than Cambria, the only other to carry any confidence being Locket. Cambria appeared in perfect condition, which. reflected great credit on

George Wright, his trainer. Before the race a heavy shower of rain fell, which delayed the start for a considerable time. During the interval the spectators were treated to a gallop by Premier, who took charge of his boy, and galloped about three miles before he could be pulled up, much to the disgust of the six individuals who had entrusted him with their confidence. When the flag eventually fell,; Locket and Capella were the first to show? prominently, but once in the straight Cambria came with a very wet sail, and striding along in great style the little son of Nordenfeldt and Erycina won without an effort. Hailstone the hurdler was third, and Capella fourth. Seven horses were saddled up for the Steeplechase, Hurricane and Hune being the favourites, Silvio meeting with more support than the remaining four. Hune led over the double, followed by Fishmonger and Silvio, but Hurricane ran off and had to be turned round and brought back. At the back of the course Hune struck the post and rail fence and came down, and Larrikin shared a similar fate. Neli, who was next to negotiate the obstacle, dislodged his rider, and this left Huntsman in the lead, but at the next jump the old steeplechaser broke his leg, and had subsequently to bo destroyed. Only Fishmonger, Silvio, and Hurricane were now left in the race. The first two were a quarter of a mile ahead of Hurricane, Fishmonger leading, but on the last round Silvio cleared away from his opponent, and ran home an easy winner by eight lengths. Hurricane finished some minutes after, and, as stated above, the stakes were awarded to him, Silvio and Fishmonger being disqualified for running inside a post. The Steward’s Stakes was the last race of the day, and only five horses were sent to the post. Cambria was a good favourite, but Ingorina also had a strong following. Coming up the straight Ingorina and Priscilla were leading, but inside the distance the favourite, who had been blocked, came with a rush, and getting up in the last stride won by a head, Priscilla being second, a head in front of Ingorina.