AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 39, 25 April 1891, Page 4

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S MEETING.

The above Club held their meeting at Avondale on Saturday (last. Although, the weather ,in town looked threatning, the rain kept off with the exception of one or two slight showers, which in no way affected the going. There were some 700 people present. The. arrangements for the conduct of the meeting were carried out in first-class style, and the sport was fairly interesting. Hunter’s band was. in attendance, and helped to keep up the excitement. All the events were got off fairly in time. The railway arrangements gave every satisfaction. A posse of police was in attendance, but the public appeared to be in a very orderly mood. The Committee and Mr. Hayr, the secretary, worked hard to make the meeting what it was —an unqualified success. The racing commenced with the Maiden Plate, which brought out six runners, and was won by "Warrior, his next attendant being Tuna, who was conceding 121 b, which does not speak very highly of his form. Theorem, one of the runners, after passing the stand in rounding the turn slipped and fell, the horses legs going under him. Tommy Hodson, his jockey, escaped with a severe shaking. This race was succeeded with the Hurdles. Orakei made the running, which we would have hardly thought he would have done, being the top weight and having a bit of speed we fancy his position should have been in the rear, and have made a waiting race of it. At the finish Ingarangi came out and won easily. The Avondale Cup followed with three runners, and here we fancy a mistake was made in the allotment of the weights. At the South Auckland meeting Leorina gave Try Fluke 351bs, and if Leorina had been in at 9st 51b, we should have thought her well worth backing. At Tattersall’s meeting Try Fluke gave The Dream er 41bs and was close to him in the Tattersall’s Cup, and now receiving 121bs from him which made 161bs difference, we thought very highly of his chance. He made the whole of the running for his two companions, and won by three lengths. The Flying Stakes brought out a field of six, Maccaroni being made favourite, which he justified by winning ; Octopus second, Warrior third. A good deal of interest seemed to be taken in the Steeplechase, £426 being invested on the totalisator, Ingarangi carrying the. most money. The race was a chapter of accidents, Takapu and Orakei ran off, Ingarangi fell at the hurdles in front of the stand, and Hopeful Kate continuing her journey won, followed by Orakei at a distance of twenty lengths; no third horse being placed. We are glad to see Hopeful Kate win, as her form has been most consistent and true, and although a moderate mare we trust her party has benefitted by the win.

This was followed by the Novel Race. The owner of Bacchus not being able to obtain a jockey, he was withdrawn at the last moment. Moderator won from Sambo, who carried. 81bs overweight. After being weighed the winner was submitted to auction by Mr. D. Tonks, and was knocked down to Mr. A. Buckland for a tenner. The last race of the day, the Avondale Handicap, brought out four runners. Master. Pat was made a favourite, but as he was giving Maccaroni 141bs, and at the last Tattersail s meeting where Master Pat was giving him 21bs and we fancied at the time could have been a bit nearer than third, we were to-day not at. all surprised to see him win easily, Octopus being beaten a neck after the best race of the day. We heard several opinions that Octopus should have won, but we do not think so. Maccaroni is a speedy horse, but not a stayer, and Octopus never could get near him, although Maccaroni was stopping very fast at the finish. This concluded the day’s sport, and evening turning quite chilly a rush was made for home, everyone having thoroughly enjoyed the outing.