AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume I, Issue 46, 11 June 1891, Page 4

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

These races were held last Saturday, having been postponed from the previous Wednesday ; for what reason it is hard to imagine, as there was nothing to prevent them coming off on the appointed day. Saturday was a miserable day, there being a cold southerly wind blowing across the course, with frequent heavy squalls, which made it very uncomfortable for those present. The course and its surroundings were very heavy, the ground, owing to the recent downfall of rain, being in a sodden condition. The attendance, seeing that the gates were thrown open, no charge being made, was not as large as was anticipated, but taking the state of the weather into account it must be considered satisfactory — there being about * 2000 persons present during the afternoon. After the third race a very heavy squall passed over the course; the jockeys who had weighed out for the Great Northern Steeplechase wisely declined to leave the sheds until it had passed over, notwithstanding the energetic attempts and threats made by the secretary. After the race many persons returned to town, having had enough of it. We were, glad to see that Mr. John Kirkwood, who for some weeks has been laid up with a bad knee, was able to take his place as judge. Mr. George Cutts as usual wielded the starter’s flag with great success, while Mr. F. W. Marks was in his accustomed place as clerk of the scales. The totalisators, which were worked by Mr. Bloomfield, gave every satisfaction. Notwithstanding the weather, Impey’s band rendered some excellent music. Mr. Tom McEwin, of the City Buffet, supplied an excellent lunch. The racing throughout the afternoon was good, the fields being large. The heavy state of the ground, however, upset many calculations, so some good dividends were paid to those who, either by good judgment or luck, were on the winner. The racing commenced with the Hurdle Race, for which Theorem was made a great favourite; he looked well and his party were very sweet on his chance. Sentinel, the top-weight, was in perfect condition, and was also heavily supported. Criminal, a chestnut gelding by Foul Play, was by far the best looking horse in the race. Passing the stand Theorem was leading, going well, but while racing with Cloth of Gold he came down at the next hurdle; Fergus, his rider, narrowly escaping injury, as several horses were in his track. After passing through the cutting, the race lay between Sentinel and Cloth of Gold, the former winning easily at the finish. An objection was lodged by the rider of Cloth of . Gold against the winner for interfering with him on entering the straight; the stewards dismissed the protest. It was quite evident that something interfered with him, as he had the inside running; immediately on entering the’ straight the winner had it, and Cloth of Gold was seen to swerve, and as no other horse was near, the matter ought to have been more closely looked into. For the Maiden Steeplechase, Yardman, in Williamson’s stable, did not run up to expectations, but he will, we think, see a better day. The winner turned up in Neck or Nothing, a sure jumper but slow, with Justice in close attendance. The Welter Race brought out the good field of eleven, resulting in a regular boil over; the ground just suiting Orakei’s dickey legs he won by a length from Priscilla, paying the good dividend of 6s, and £z\ 7s 6d. The Great Northern Steeplechase was the next item on the card; with the exception of Ival and Kate, who had both gone amiss, all faced the starter. Sentinel, on the strength of his running in the Hurdle Race was made favourite. Takapu, who looked very fit, waS also heavily supported. Williamson’s stable had four representatives ; Omata was’ well backed by the supporters of the stable, though there were ■some that fancied Parnell. The heavy state of the ground stopped Sentinel, and he came down at the sod wall., Takapu went splendidly the first time round, but suddenly stopped at the top of the hill —it was said his rider broke a stirrup leather. Going along the back of the course the last time, Omata and Parnell were in the van, and it appeared as if Williamson’s stable would furnish the first two, but Bit o -Blue, who had been jumping well and running far better than was expected, passed

Omata, but could never catch Parnell, who romped home an easy winner by ten lengths. Thus a cleverly worked coup came off. but none of the stable connections benefitted by it to any extent, so the trainer must have been the one. It seems extraordinary that a trainer having four horses in his stable does not know which is the best of them. Parnell has run several times without winning; it was given out that he was going to Sydney, in fact he was even entered in some races there as late as May 25th. These tactics enabled the trainer to bluff the public and land the nice little dividends, 15s 6d and 10s. The Selling Steeplechase was looked upon as a good thing for Jim, but Begorrah, in Williamson’s stable, which appears now to be in great form with jumpers, upset the pot. The Ladies’ Bracelet as usual was run in the dark, Priscilla defeating the consistent Leorina.

Mr. Cutts, who is gradually getting the jockeys into submission, had to fine Byers Marshall and Katterens £2, for disobeying orders in the Welter Race.

The following are the results : —Handicap Hurdle Race of 100 sovs., second horse to receive 10 sovs. out of the stakes; 2 miles. Sentinel, 11st i2lb, 1 ; Cloth of Gold gst idb, 2 ; Criminal, lost, 3. Bryan O’Lynn lost, Theorem lost, Try Fluke gst gib, Good Day gst 71b, also ran. Criminal took thd lead at the fall of the flag, leading until they came into the straight, but jumping badly. Theorem here went to the front and led past the stand, Good Day, Cloth of Gold and Sentinel being close up. On going out of the straight Cloth of Gold improved his position ; at the seven furlong post he was racing alongside Theorem ; at the next hurdle the latter came down, throwing Fergus heavily. This left Cloth of Gold with a lead of three lengths. Sentinel then came on; entering the straight he began to draw away, running home an easy winner by three lengths. Time, 4mm losec. A protest was entered against the winner for a cross, but it was dismissed by the stewards. Dividends — inside ss, outside 5s 6d. Maiden Steeplechase of 80 sovs., second horse to receive 10 sovs. out of the stakes ; , about 2| miles. Neck or Nothing, 11st 121 b, 1; Justice, ust gib. 2; Dan, 11st i2lb, 3.; Bryan O’Lynn .i2st 31b, Highland Laddie 11st 121 b, Yardman 11st i2lb, and Chance ust gib, also ran. Justice took the lead from the first fence, followed by Highland Laddie, Dan, and Neck or Nothing. Bryan O’Lynn, who was whipping in, fell at the puzzle. Justice led.up the hill and on to the flat, Highland Laddie and Neck or Nothing being his immediate followers ; on passing the stand the latter went to the front and led up the hill, the rails at the top being jumped by Neck or Nothing and Justice abreast. From that point the two came away together; on entering the straight Neck or Nothing began to draw away, and taking the last hurdle in beautiful style eventually won by two lengths. Dan, who was allowed to pass Yardman, secured a wretched third place. Time, gmin z6sec. Dividends —inside outside 10s. Winter Welter Handicap of 80 sovs., second horse to receive 10 sovs. out of the stakes; 1 mile. Orakei, lost, 1 ; Priscilla, lost gib, 2; Ingorina, ust 61b. 3. Leorina izst nib, Dolosa i2st, Te Kooti lost 71b, Lonely lost 71b, Warrior lost 41b, Bon Voyage lost 41b, Macaroni lost, and The Shaughraun lost, also ran. Macaroni jumped off with the lead, and led into the straight, when Priscilla headed him. Just before reaching the distance post Orakei and Ingorina came with a rush, Orakei getting the best of it fifty yards from thepostand won by a length ; half a length between second and third. Time, imin szsec. Dividends—inside 6s, outside 17s 6d. Great Northern Steep.echase of 300 sovs., second horse to receive 30 sovs., third horse to receive 10 sovs. out of the stakes ; about 3-J miles. Parnell, gst iilb, 1; Bit o’Blue, gst idb, 2 ; Neck or Nothing, gst 71b, 3. Sentinel i2st, Ingarangi ust 71b, Nap lost 71b, Omata lost 31b, Takapu lost, Yum Yum gst gib, and Duadine gst gib, also ran. At the fall of the flag Nap took the lead, but immediately afterwards Takapu went to the front negotiating the first obstacle, followed by Omata, Nap, Parnell, and Duadine in close attendance. In this order they went up the hill. On appearing in sight after passing through the plantatiqn, Omata had the lead ; coming down the hill

Takapu again took command, but on coming to the sod wall - on the course Omata went to the front, leading Takapu over it by about two lengths ; Parnell third, Neck or Nothing being next; Sentinel a long way behind, not being able to act on the heavy, ground. At the back of the course Takapu began to fall back, and was nearly last as they headed for the hill; Omata, Parnell, and Neck or Nothing goingup it together, At the top of the hill Omata had about two lengths lead of Parnell ; at the post and rails at the top of the hill Takapu blundered, and was pulled up. Parnell came over the stone wall on to the racecourse first, Omata and Nap second. At the sod wall Sentinel came down. Parnell continued his lead over the double, the ruck continually changing. At this point Bit o’ Blue began to make his way to the front; on ascending the hill he was third to Parnell and Omata ; at the post and rails on the hill he passed Omata, who was beaten. From this point, bar accidents, the race was never in doubt, Parnell sailing away and jumping beautifully won as he liked from Bit o’ Blue, Neck or Nothing fifty yards away, third ; the rest struggled in anyhow. Time, gmin i6sec. Dividends—inside lss 6d, outside 10s. Selling Steeplechase of 70 sovs.; about 3 miles. Begorrah, gst 71b, 1 ; Jim, gst 71b, 2 ; Justice, lost 131 b, 3. Relation lost sib, Kapai gst 71b, and Off Chance gst 71b, also ran. The race was confined to the first three, Begorrah finally winning by two lengths; five lengths between second and third. Off Chance refused the first jump, and was not persevered with. Dividends —inside 13s 6d, outside 4s 6d. This race was run in pouring rain. Ladies’ Bracelet value 30 sovs., second a bracelet value 10 sovs.; gentlemen riders; 1 mile. Priscilla, lost lolb, 1 ; Leorina, i2st 21b, 2; Ingorina, ust 51b, 3. Theorem list 131 b, Chance 11st 71b, also started. This race was run in the dark, so it is impossible to describe it. Dividends—inside 16s; outside £?> igs. 6d.