WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 98, 9 June 1892, Page 8

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S STEEPLECHASE MEETING.

(from our own correspondent.)

The above mentioned gathering 1 took place on Tuesday, 24thult. (Queen’s Birthday), when notwithstandiug the cold and windy weather, a good attendance was the result, some 1500 spectators being present, the racing itself being first-class, and everything passing off without a hitch. Since the late March meeting a lot of new improvements have been made, including the removal of the band stand to nearer the lawn, whilst a wire netting has been placed all round the lawn railing; also the erection of a summer house alongside the miniature lake, which greatly improves the appearance of the paddock. Owino- to the absence of Mr. Sam Powell (who was starting for the Dunedin Jockey Club) the starter’s flag was wielded by Mr. E. J. Chapman, who succeeded well, being warmly complimented for the manner in which he despatched his fields ; in fact, next to Sam Powell, I reckon him to be the best starter on the coast. The Flying Handicap was the first race of the day, and it was somewhat behind time in starting owing to some of the jockeys being late at the post, and the owner of St. Malo was fined £lO by the stewards for failing to scratch his horse half an hour before the race. At the fall of the flag Tulloch and Stranger made play, whilst Torpedo and Hakimana were left slightly at the post, but on entering the straight for the run home, McCormick managed to get Torpedo in the front, eventually winning easily at the finish, with Tulloch a length in front of Hakimana. Time, 1 min. 20 sec. Dividend, £2 Bs. For the Wanganui Steeplechase ten horses came to the post, the only absentee being Somnambulist, who no doubt was reserved for the Trial Steeplechase. Couranto was made a warm favourite, and he justified the confidence placed in him by winning rather easily at the finish, taking all his jumps in splendid style. Waterbury was the next best backed horse, but he ran an arrant rogue, sticking up at the first stone wall and persistently refusing to take the jump. Commotion finished fourth, and I fancy would have been a bit closer only Cameron had the misfortune to break one of his stirrup irons. The following is a description of the race, for which a splendid start was effected : —the first to show in front was Whalebone, followed by Shillelagh and Waterbury. After the first two jumps Shillelagh was in the van, and passing the stand the first time the Auckland representative had a clear lead of four lengths, with Whalebone, Gladius, Lyndoora, Couranto, The Dunce, Waterbury, and Commotion, the jumping of the whole of the field being’ splendid ; but at the first stone-wall Waterbury baulked, and thus was the first to retire from the contest. Going over the water jump Shilellagh still led, and was the first out of the course into the paddock, Whalebone having spoilt his chance by jumping inside a flag (at rail fence), On the horses coming into sight again it was seen that the black son of Hippocampus was still in the lead going strongly, but at the gorse jump coming into the course from the Recreation Ground, he baulked (Gladius also falling at this jump), leaving the Southern mare Lyndoora in command, with Couranto next, then Dangerous and The Dunce. This order was continued over the double event and round to the half-mile post, the two leading horses jumping splendidly. Here Shillelag-h had run into third place again, and this order was maintained till the gorse was reached, going out of the course. Here Couranto blundered, and lost some six lengths, leaving Lyndoora a couple of lengths ahead of Shillelagh. At the gorse in the paddock Shillelagh fell, and on the horses coming into sight again it was seen that the race, bar accidents, was all over, as Couranto had made up all his lost ground and was a couple of lengths to the good, and Redmond keeping his mount going he ran home an easy winner by a couple of lengths from Lyndoora, who was the same distance ahead of Flintstone. Then came Commotion, a length behind, followed by Dangerous and The Dunce, the time for the race being 6 min. 46 sec. Dividend, £3 6s. The Hunters’ Steeplechase resulted in a good race between The Master and Doctor, the former winning by a short head. The favourite (Marangai) fell at the first jump. Time, 4 min. 39 2-sth sec. Dividend, £4 18s. The Winter Oats brought out a field of eight, St. Malo being made favourite, with Prestige next in demand. The field was sent away from an even start, the colours of Tulloch and Torpedo being the first to show in front, with Prestige last. This order was maintained till the back of the course, when St. Malo improved his position, and on reaching the quarter-mile post he had

assumed. command, never afterwards being troubled, •grinning easily by two lengths ; Tulloch second, Durus third, Prestige being last but one. Time, 2 min. 45 sec. Dividend, £3 Is. The Trial Steeplechase was contested by a field of nine, Somnambulist and Glenelg being the favourites. Glenelg led until the second stone-wall was reached, when he blundered and came down, causing Somnambulist, who was close behind, to also fall, thus leaving Flintstone in command. This order was maintained till over the last jump (spar), when Empire came with a wet sail, and having more foot than Flintstone beat him home by a length, with Corsair a fail- third. Time 2 min. 48 4-sth sec. Dividend, £39 7s. The Hack Flat brought a field of fourteen to the post, Daisy Clipper, as was expected, being made a hot favourite, but she had to lower her colours to O’Rourke and Natatorial, who made a dead-heat of it, with Daisy Clipper a fair third. Time, 2 min. 6 4-sth sec. Dividend, O’Rourke, £5 3s. ; Natatorial, £l2 Ils. The Final Steeplechase brought a field of nine to the post, Whalebone winning all the way. Time, 3mm. 28 4-sth sec. Dividend, £5 9s. [Owing to the late arrival of the mail last week the above report did not reach us until after we had gone to press.—Ed. S.R.]