AUCKLAND PONY AND TROTTING CLUB RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 44, 28 May 1891, Page 4

AUCKLAND PONY AND TROTTING CLUB RACES.

The pony and trotting races in aid of the Huntly Disaster Fund took place last Saturday at Potter’s Paddock. It was the worst managed meeting it has ever been our misfortune to witness. There were seven races on the card, the first of which was supposed to start at a quarter to one, but the starter’s flag did not fall until an hour later. What with further delays, the Handicap Trot, was run nearly in the dark, and the last two races had to be postponed until last Tuesday, when few except those interested were there. The attendance was very poor, as the Auckland public are rather tired of the way these races are conducted. There is no one to watch the going of the different horses, especially on the far side of the course, where they even gallop. Of all the horses that started you could count the number of fair trotters on your fingers, but no notice was taken of it, those in power being more inclined to enjoy themselves than look after their duties. Mr. T. McEwin provided an excellent lunch, which was appreciated by those in the grand stand. The contretemps that took place in the Selling Trot, and the decision of the stewards, was quite enough to show their incapability of carrying out their duties. In the first heat, as it may be called, Sailor Boy, the property of an up-country settler, who only entered his horse for the fun of the thing, and had not a ticket on the machine, won ; but because he carried the wrong numbered saddlecloth his horse was disqualified for that race, besides being fined £> and the race ordered to be run over again. Rambuster, who came in second, though he had continually broken and at times galloped, was a great favourite. In the second heat a rank outsider, Disappointment, who was a bad fourth in the previous heat, won, only one ticket being on him in the machine, Rambuster, the favourite, being only able to obtain second place after galloping most of the way. The races commenced with the Pony Handicap, five furlongs. All the seven acceptors started, Meteor, Bst sib, winning cleverly by a neck from Hercules, Bst, Pet, yst, third. The Maiden Handicap Trot brought out a field of sixteen, the majority of them having very moderate pretensions to trotting. The race fell to Dolly, 8 secs, won easily; Rambuster, 8 secs, second ; Laddie, 30 secs, who cantered more than he trotted, was placed third.

The Epsom Stakes Handicap, seven furlongs, brought out nine good ponies, Antic, gst ylb, winning by a neck from P’ca, gst 71b. These two were in front all the way 1 . Cocoon, 6st izlb, was a moderate third. The official time was imin 40 2-sths sec; private watches made it imin 41 secs. Considering the heavy state of the ground, the time must be considered exceedingly good. The Selling Trot, miles, brought out a field of thirteen, which resulted, after being run twice, in a win for Disappointment, 50 secs ; Rambuster, 36 secs, second; Jock, 50 secs, third. Won easily, the favourite, Rambuster, continually breaking. The Handicap Trot, 3 miles, was the principal race of the day. Instead of being run at 3.30 p.m., it was nearly dark when the start took place. Thirteen came to the post for it, the race resulting as follows:—Nellie, 45 secs,

Ist ; Chili, 75 secs, 2nd; Zachariah, 75 secs, 3rd. Chili was in front most of the way. Nellie, coming at the finish, won easily; a bad third. In this race there was‘but little fair trotting. Many of the starters on the far side of the course galloped at times, as there was no one there to watch them. The Hurdle Race and Pony Trot had to be put off until last Tuesday owing to the darkness. ‘L The two races left over from last Saturday’s trotting meeting at Potter’s Paddock were run off on Tuesday afternoon. There was a better attendance than was anticipated, about 300 persons being present, the machine being well patronised. ~ Handicap Hurdle Race. —Seven came to the •post for this event.- Antic, lOst 51b, including 31b over weight, 1 ; Pica, lOst 51b, 3. Meteor, 8 st, 3. The other starters were—Blackleg, Bst 71b, Hercules, Bst, Defiance, Bst, and Gladys, 7st. The two top weights were in front all the way. Antic, staying the best, got home by a length and a half; a bad third. Time, 2 min. 37 secs. Dividend, £1 ss.;'• Nine started for the Handicap Pony Trot, resultingas follows: —Nellie, 10 secs, 1; Ladybird, 20 secs, 2; Nightingale, 35 secs, 3. Chuznee, scratch, Mand S., 10 sets, Jip, 20 secs, Jessie, 40 secs, and Laddie, 40 secs, also ran. Nellie, after her performance on Saturday, was made a great favourite, and justified the confidence of her backers, as, after going a mile and a half, she went to the front and won easily. Ladybird would have troubled her if she had been properly ridden, but the jockey (?) was all abroad coming up the straight, so could give her no assistance. Nightingale was also not ridden judiciously. Maud S. declined to do her best, the heavy ground being against her. The others went at what is commonly called “ go-as-you-please.” . ? This concluded a most unsatisfactory meeting, and it is to be hoped that the “ Huntly Disaster Fund ” will benefit by it.