Sporting Review. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1891. TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 71, 3 December 1891, Page 5

Sporting Review. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1891. TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB.

This Club held their Spring Meeting last Saturday The weather was fine, with a nice sea breeze blowing ; consequencely the attendance was large. The course, owing to the dry weather, was hard. Since last season the saddling paddock has been enlarged ; still there is not sufficient accommodation for the number of people that now attend this pleasant suburban meeting ; as it is easy of access, and the admission is very low. The Club intend to build a new stand ; also to enlarge the lawn, as both at present are far below requirements. Impey’s band as usual was present. The arrangements were good, the secretary, Mr. Wynvard, doing all he could to make things pleasant; but the stewards were not quite as active in taking cognizance of two or three cases of “curious” running, especially in the Hurdle Races ; also what was a case of suspicious riding in the Maiden Plate, when Hammond on Warrior greatly interfered with Brigade, coming up the straight. There was a talk of an objection, but it came to nothing, as Mr. “ Burke ’’ refused to enter a protest. In the Maiden Hurdleßace, Raerodeapeculiarrace on Lonely, who was top weight. Fie lay so far out of his ground that when he tried to pick up his position, half a mile from home, it was impossible for him to do so. Bit o’ Blue in the Hurdle Race showed a great improvement in form. At the same time Orakei, who seemed to tire at the finish,’ did not run nearly so well as he did at Ellerslie; the excuse being that he did not like the hard ground. Ingorina, by the way he won the St. Andrew’s Handicap, showed that he is coming to his form again ; while old Leorina, who ran second, and afterwards won the Spring .Handicap, looked wonderfully well, and fit to go through another hard season’s campaign. Bit o’ Blue made an example of his field in the Steeplechase, which was a series of blunders. Yardman and Chance ran off at the rails at the top of the hill, where Neck or Nothing came a fearful “purler,” giving Williams a nasty fall. It was a wonder he was ' not killed, as the horse turned a complete summersault. It was. rather a surprise to see Neck or Nothing come down as he is looked upon as a safe jumper, and the fence is nothing. Kate also fell dead beaten at the last hurdle, having been most injudiciously ridden ; but Crowl, her jockey, escaped uninjured. The racing was not of a very interesting character, as there were no close finishes, and the fields were all spread out, while the starting was something disgraceful, and it was a wonder the stewards did not interfere. There was not a good start during the whole day ; the two worst being the Devonport and Spring Handicaps. In the former only four two year-olds came to the post, His Worship being given a flying start, and when the flag fell there must have been some seven or eight lengths between the first and Adelaide, who was last. For the latter race the start was just in front of the stand. Te Kooti and Master Pat were away and over the line before the majority of the jockeys knew it was a start. Lady Belle, who was favourite, was half turned round; while Bulrush was left at the post. This was the last race of the day, or there is little doubt there would have been a disturbance. As the committee are giving good stakes at the Summer Meeting, there are two or three things they should do to make matters a success. Get a good handicapper ; also a starter that understands his business ; or owners will not send their horses to lose their money. They would also do well to pay more attention to the riding and language of some of the jockeys and stablemen. Owners would do well to pay more attention to this, as they can stop it. The races commenced with the Maiden

Hurdle Race, one and a half miles, for eight came to the post. Lorace, followed by Stepper and Barshot were the first to show in fro.nt. /It the second hurdle the latter took command, and led down the back of the course. On coming round the turn before entering the straight Stepper went up to Barshot, J ommy being third. When fairly in a line for home, Stepper, gst 41b, came away, and won easily by two lengths from Tommy, gst; Barshot, gst 121 b, the same distance away, third* Lonely, 11 st 41b, who laid a long way out of his ground, was eased up when he found pursuit was hopeless, finished fourth. General gst 121 b, Lorace gst ylb, Nightcap gst 41b, and Tim gst, were the ether starters. All four came to the post for the Devonport Handicap, furlongs. This race was spoilt by the wretched start. His Worship, Bst lolb, getting well away, made all of the running, and won easily by three lengths from Tit, 7St, King Cannibal, 6st lolb, a moderate third. Adelaide, Bst idb, who did not get away with them, finished a long way last. Nine out of the ten acceptors faced the starter for the Maiden Plate* resulting as follows Warrior, Bst, Ist; Brigade, ;st 41b, 2nd: Maid of Erin, 6st lolb, 3rd. Octopus Bst lolb, Brian Boru 7s! i2lb, Van Diemen 7st idb, Lorace 7st, First Love 7St, and Bulrush 7st, also started. Brigade was made a great favourite ; Warrior being second in demand. There was great delay at the post. Lorace and Bulrush bolted, and ran once round the course before being pulled up. First Love also broke away two or three times. The flag at last fell to an indifferent start. Octopus, followed by Brigade, were the first to show in front; Lorace heading the remainder ; Maid of Erin last. On rounding the bend Octopus fell back, and Warrior went up to Brigade. When fairly in the straight Warrior came away and won easily by three lengths; Maid of Erin, who came very fast at the finish, being two lengths away. The remainder struggled in. The following came to the post for the Hurdle Race, one mile and three-quarters: Bit o Blue, gst 81b, Ist; Stepper, gst, 2nd; Orakei, 11st 21b, 3rd ; Good Day, lost; Tawhana, gst 51b ; and Kate, gst. At the fall of the flag Bit o’ Blue went to the front, followed by Good Day and Stepper. As they passed the stand the latter assumed the lead ; Orakei and Tawhana improving their positions. On entering the straight Bit o’ Blue, passing Stepper, went to the front, and was never afterwards headed, winning easily by half a dozen lengths ; three lengths between second and third ; the rest tailed off. Time, 3min 55isec. The St. Andrew’s Handicap of zßsovs, one and a-half miles, resulted as follows : Ingorina, Bst 21b, 1 st; Leorina, 6st 61b, 2nd; Try Fluke, 7st Ylb, 3rd; Glaucus, 7 4th > Scot Free, yst, and The Barb, 6st 71b, also ran. Leorina was the favourite, but all, with the exception of The Barb, were well backed. The flag fell to an indifferent start, Scot Free getting away last. When they had fairly settled down The Barb went to the front followed by Glaucus, Ingorina, and Leorina last. Passing the stand Scot Free led, followed by Glaucus, the rest close together. Before rounding the bend for home, The Barb and Scot Free were beaten, Ingorina going to the front, Leorina, Try Fluke, and Glaucus close up. When fairly in the straight the latter was beaten, and Ingorina, striding along, won comfortably by two lengths, the same between second and third ; Scot Free and The Barb beaten off. Time, 2min 44sec. Seven came out for the Hack Race, five and a-half furlongs. Vasator, making all the running, won easily from Orina, Nosegay third. Badger, Eagerness, Bribery, and Heiress were the other starters. Time, 1 min lasec. The Handicap Steeplechase of Bosovs, three and a half miles—Bit of Blue, lost 41b, Ist; Try Fluke, gst 71b, 2nd; Relation, gst lolb, 3rd; Yardman lost sib, Chance gst lolb, Neck or Nothing gst 81b, Kate gst 71b, Pawa gst 71b, and Prospector gst 71b, also ran. Bit of Blue started a great favourite, being at five to four. Relation was the only other one supported with any spirit. Bit of Blue was the first off, but was soon pulled back, Pawa going to the front, making the pace a cracker leading up the hill into the country to the water jump, when Kate, by quick jumping, gained a length or two, racing down the back of the course proper followed by Chance and Pawa and up the hill

into the country the second time, Bit of Blue and Relation next. At the back of the stand Yardman and Chance refused, Neck or Nothing coming down a cropper at the post and rails, giving Williams a nasty shaking. Kate led over the water, Pawa second, Bit of Blue handy, with Relation and Try Fluke next. Kate 1 raced away with a long lead down the back of the course and up the hill, followed by Bit of Blue, who was quietly waiting on the mare, the pace telling on the others. Kate was over the water and on to the course first, but one could see that she was done with, and on entering the straight Bit of Blue went to the front and ran home an easy winner by any number of lengths. Kate, dead beat, fell at the last hurdle, leaving Try Fluke to get second, with Relation any distancs in the rear third. Time, Bmin sgsec. The Spring Handicap of sosovs, six furlongs, Leorina, gst 21b, Ist; Te Kooti, 7st 21b, 2nd; Warrior, 7st, 3rd; Lady Belle Bst 41b, Capella Bst 41b, Master Pat yst lolb ; Bon Voyage 7St 21b, and Bulrush 6st 711 b, also ran. Lady Belle was the favourite, but her chance was spoilt by the most wretched start ever seen, few believing it was one, there being a great deal of messing about at the post. Te Kooti and Master Pat were away before the flag fell, while the favourite was last, Bulrush being left at the post. Te Kooti led down the back of the course, followed by Master Pat. Capella, and Warrior. Coming round the bend Leorina began to go through her horses. Half-way up the straight she caught Te Kooti, and passing him in a few strides, won cleverly by a length, a couple of lengths between second and third. This brought a pleasant afternoon to a finish in good time.