A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 68, 12 November 1891, Page 5

A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

FIRST DAY’S RACING. The A.R.C. Second Spring meeting commenced on Monday. The weather was fine, but the attendance was not as large as might have been anticipated, not more than 3000 being on the ground. The course was in good order and the racing good, though it was a bad day for backers, as the favourites in the majority of instances being beat, and the sporting writers were completely out. The Baron, though he looked well, ran very badly in both his races. The Welcome Stakes 'brought out nine youngsters, Brown Alice being made a great favourite, but at the half-mile post she got jammed and came on her knees, thus early her chance was extinguished. There was a good deal of jostling, so the running will most likely be reversed. Adelaide won by a neck from Glenora. Taking her Napier running as a line it does not say much for those behind her. She is quite on the small side, .being in fact a mere pony, and not likely to do much in future events. The two best youngsters by a long way were Brown Alice and Puwerewere, the latter however is very backward and will not be at her best until the autumn. First Nelson is a great fine colt, but his forelegs are none of the best, and it is doubtful if he will stand much training. His Worship is a useful one who will pay his way. He is by Brigadier, a most neglected sire, as when he has a chance he gets racehorses. The Workman has not improved a bit since last year; his legs are sure to give his trainer a great deal of trouble ; he was nothing like fit, and those that looked him well over before the Guineas were quite prepared to see him go down before Brigand, who has thickened into a nice little horse. The Hurdle Race was won easily by Fishmonger, having it all his * own way. The Prince of Wales Handicap brought out a good field. Brigand running very game just defeated Reprisal, who, if tnere had not been so much use made of him all through the race would have won. Hilda looked fairly well but was never prominent, while The Dreamer, who was made a hot favourite ran very badly. Lady Belle who has grown into a nice filly, won both the Presidents and Flying Handicaps. Hurricane came in first in the Selling Steeplechase, but was disqualified for jumping the wrong side of a flag, and the race was awarded to Relation. The Lad and Chance fell at the fence on the far side of the course, commonly known as “ Percival’s folly,” Dawson, the rider of the latter getting a nasty shaking, and was unconcious for some time.

The President’s Handicap was the first race of the day. Nine came to the post for it, The Baron being made a great favourite, but took no part in the race. After two or three breaks away the flag fell to a fair start. Kupe was the first to show in front follqwed by Resentment and Te Kooti. Coming past the half-mile post, the field, with the exception of The Baron, were well together. Turning into the straight Kupe, Resentment, and Lady Belle were in

the van, followed by St. Michael and Te Kooti. At the distance post Lady Belle came away and won comfortably by a length and a half from St. Michael, Te Kooti three lengths away, third. For the Welcome Stakes nine faced the starter. There was a good deal of difficulty at the post, the flag eventually falling to a pretty fair start. Glenora was first away, followed by Queen Rose and Dorothy. Passing the halfmile post Brown Alice got jammed on the rails, and came down on her iknees, narrowly escaping a bad fall. On entering the straight Glenora and Queen Rose were in front followed by First Nelson, Adelaide and His Worship. At the distance First Nelson challenged, and for a few strides held the lead, but soon gave way ‘to Glenora. Half way up Adelaide came with a run, and fighting it out to the finish won by a short neck. His Worship being a good third. Only four came out for the Auckland Guineas, The Workman being made a hot favourite. At the fall of the flag The Dancer went off with the lead, followed by Brigand and Vieux Rose. On turning for home The Workman went to the front and led into the straight, followed by Brigand. At the half distance the latter began to come up ; a hundred yards from home he challenged, and fighting it out he won by a length, The Dancer being a bad third. Ten faced the starter for the Hurdle Race. Soon after the start Fishmonger went to the front, and making all the running won easily from The Colonel, Tawhana third, the rest of the field tailing off. • The favourite, Ida, easily defeated Vasator, Nosegay and two others for the Shorts Handicap, a most peculiar race, as all carried the same weights, the minimum being Bst ylb. <• The Prince of Wales Handicap—the principle race of the day —brought out a good field. When the handicap first appeared it was generally condemned, but with his proverbial luck it turned out a really good one, the field for a long time being all together. The flag fell to a good start, Lochness, followed by The Dreamer, showing in front. When they had fairly settled down Reprisal took the lead, Lochness, Brigand and Pinfire following in that order. Going along the back side-of the course Pinfire went up to Reprisal, Hilda well up. Entering the straight Reprisal still led,, with Dolosa, who had been holding a good position all through, next. Brigand going well next the rails. At the distance Dolosa tried to get up in a faint hearted way, but soon fell back ; then little Davis, who had been riding with great judgment made a vigorous call on Brigand, who gamely responded, and gradually wearing down Reprisal, won by a head, Dolosa a length away third; the favourite, The Dreamer, was never prominent.

Six came out for the Selling Steeplechase, Relation and Hurricane being made great favourites. The latter came in first, but was disqualified for jumping the wrong side of the flag at the fence on the hill. For th 6 Flying Handicap the good field of ten came to the post. Lady Belle, on the strength of her win in the President’s Handicap was made a good favourite ; The Baron, notwithstanding his indifferent show in the first race was strongly supported, while Roie came in for a fair share. Lady Belle was always in front and won easily by a couple of lengths from Onslow, The Baron being a moderate third. Second Day’s Racing. The second day’s racing was not as interesting as the first, owing to most of the horses having previously performed. The handicapping was pretty fair, there being one or two close finishes, notably in the Steeplechase. HoWever, the running proved that some of the horses in the first day evidently were not wanted. The attendance, owing to the threatening weather, was very small, not more than 1,500 to 2,000 persons being present. The heavy rain of the previous night made the course rather heavy going, which might account for some of the reversals in form that occurred- during the day. First take Hilda. In the Prince of Wales’ Handicap she never showed prominently, but in the Spring Handin cap, seven furlongs, with .9st 101 b, she made a regular example of her field. She was again pulled out for the City Handicap, one mile and a quarter, with 9st 81b up. This she also pulled off pretty comfortably by three-quarters of a length. It was reported that the trainer had no tickets on her the first day, but this

time he had; the excuse made for the difference in running was that she was run in plates, and that the heavy ground settled her. Orakei’s running on the two days was also suspicious. It is quite true that he was meeting Fishmonger on 211 b different terms, but this was not enough to account for the great difference of form; also, his running with Try Fluke must be considered. The stewards, at the request of Mr. Morrin, held an inquiry (?) into the riding of th ft different jockeys in the Welcome Stakes, but as usual nothing was elicited, so the jockeys were dismissed with a caution. The racing commenced with the Spring Handicap, for which ten came to the post. Dolosa was made favourite. After several breakaways the flag fell to a fair start, Hilda, first of all, showing in front. Quadrant, however, soon rushed to the front, followed by Lady Belle and Warrior. In this order they made the turn into the straight, when Hilda began to go up to the leaders. Half way up the straight she took command, running home an easy winner by three lengths from Dolosa, Warrior a poor third. Eight faced the starter for the Hurdle Race. Fishmonger, on account of his easy win on the first day, being made a great favourite, Orakei being next in demand. Fishmonger, as usual, .made the running, followed by Good Day and Try. Fluke Try Fluke and Fishmonger led into the straight (where the former fell), followed by The Colonel and Orakei. At the last hurdle Orakei came with a tremendous .rush, and, catching the leader a few strides from the post, won by half-a-length, The Colonel a bad third. Cynical fell at the last hurdle, Capella falling over him. The winner’s form on this occasion was rather different to his previous day’s running, when he appeared unable to go the pace. Ten was,the number for the Nursery Handicap. Brown Alice, notwithstanding that she was top weight with gst, was made a great favourite, Dorothy also being well supported. They were despatched at the second attempt. Glenora soon went to the front, followed by His Worship and Brown Alice. In this order they entered the straight. Half way up the straight His Worship went to the front, but was soon challenged by Brown Alice ; but running very straight, he stalled her off, and won by a length, Glenora finishing third, a length away from second. Queen Rose fell at the start. The good field of eleven came to the post for the City Handicap, Reprisal being made the favourite. Hilda, on account of her previous running, was well supported. At the fall of the flag The Dreamer went to the front, followed by Hilda, Patchwork, and I.och Ness. At the seven furlongs post Reprisal went into second place. At the back of the course, going through the cutting, Pinfire went up to the leaders. At the half-mile post Reprisal fell back, Loch Ness going up to the leaders and led into the straight, followed by The Dreamer; Hilda coming fast, passed the latter, and catching Loch Ness half way up the distance, won cleverly by a length. Dolosa, who passed some of the slopping division, finished a bad third.

Eight starters came to the post for the Steeplechase, which resulted in one of the best finished ever seen on the Ellerslie course. Hopeful Kate was made a great favourite, Sentinel, Parnell, and Bit-o’-Blue all being well supported. Hopeful Kate and Bit-o’-Blue, followed by Scaltheen, were in front to the top of the hill. Bit-o’-Blue led on to the course with Hopeful Kate close to him, Parnell and Neck-or-Nothing leading the ruck ; Sentinel in the rear. At the top of the hill the second time there was nothing in the race but Hopeful Kate and Bit-o’-Blue. These two fought it out to the finish, Hopeful Kate eventually winning by a short neck, Parnell, who was not persevered with, finishing third. The others came straggling in. The Colonel, who was a great favourite, easily defeated Mangere for the Hunters Welter Stakes; Despised finishing a bad third. Chance and Maritana were the other starters.

Seven came to the post for the Maiden Plate, Never Miss being made a great favourite. Glaucus jumped off with the lead, and led to the half-mile post, when Never Miss went passed him, followed by Warrior. Half way up the distance Glaucus came with a great rush, and fighting it out with great determination, won by a head from Never Miss, Warrior a good third. This brought the meeting to a close.