Auckland Racing Club’s Spring Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 120, 10 November 1892, Page 6

Auckland Racing Club’s Spring Meeting.

A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE.

[By

“Sir Launcelot."]

The Auckland Racing Club, as usual, took advantage of the Prince of Wales’ Birthday for the commencement of their Second Spring Meeting. The early morning broke beautifully fine, but the hopes then raised by turfites as to a lovely day at Ellerslie were speedily dispelled, for about 10 o’clock it commenced drizzling. Noon saw it clear a bit, and the sun shone out brightly at the commencement of the racing, but after the second race a steady downpour commenced which alternated with drizzling rain throughout the whole afternoon. The attendance, all things considered, was most satisfactory, and it was very hard luck for the Club that, with such an excellent day’s sport as the handicaps and weight-for-age races furnished they were not looked upon with favour by the clerk of the weather. The arrangements were most complete; the stewards had no protests or complaints to deal with; Mr. John Kirkwood as judge gave his decisions—some of them intricate ones — with precision ; and no less a sum than £4., 300 odd passed through the totalisator. Warrior was the only scratching announced for the President’s Handicap of 6osovs, one mile and a distance, and his defection left half a dozen to face Mr. Cutts. Lottie, who it was evident had not stood still since she won the principal event at the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s Meeting, had been voted to be leniently treated by Mr. Evett when the weights appeared, and as soon as it was seen that she was pink the public rushed on to her so that she left off an odds-on chance. Tulloch was next in favour. This pair, as things turned out, made play from the fall of the flag—which was dropped by Mr. Cutts when they were in a beautiful line—and Lottie, leaving her opponents when the straight was entered, won in a canter by two lengths from Yattaghan, who supplanted Tulloch in the run from the home turn. Scot Free, who looked rather “jolly,” was last as they ran round the back stretch, and though he made up a bit of ground after that it was evident that he would have been benefited by a bit of time. Lottie’s success added one more to the list of victories achieved this season by animals sired by sons of Musket, for her sire is Muskapeer, who is by Musket out of Venus Transit. The time was 2min 6sec. and the dividends— Inside, £1 16s; outside, £1 17s. Priest rode the winner.

All the seven two-year-olds coloured on the card for the Welcome Stakes of 150S0VS, five furlongs, put in an appearance, and a very nice septette they were. When business opened on the machine Heartof Oak was made favourite, and then Eve was well backed, but by the time the flag fell Pegasus was installed second favourite; Eve still holding pride of place, as backers did not forget that she had won the initial two-year-old race over the same course. Had better tactics been

pursued with Eve she would probably have got home, but Hodson instead of keeping her in a good position “yawed ” about with her a lot. She got to the front turning for home, but then lost her place, and Captivity took the lead half way up. She looked like winning easily a furlong from home, but Pegasus on the outside then put in a strong claim. The pair ran out a ding-dong finish, Pegasus winning by a neck from Lottie’s stablecompanion. Eve was third two lengths away, Heart of Oak fourth, and Royal Rose fifth. Time, imin 6sec. The dividend, both on the inside and outside totalisator, was £2 16s. Pegasus, who was bred by his owner Major George, is by the old champion Nelson out of Tenambra (sister to Dougalston), by The Marquis out of Lady Manners Sutton, and was bred by his owner. He is a particularly shapely colt of the same colour as his sire, for whom he has scored the first win any of Nelson’s progeny have gained. Again did the whole lot coloured on the card face the starter, when half-a-dozen three-year-olds saddled up for the Auckland Guineas of 150 sovs, one mile. Of these, three had good credentials to carry forward from last year, viz., His Worship, Tit and Brown Alice. His Worship had, however, not been taken up early in the winter, and would have been materially benefited had the race been run a fortnight later. Brown Alice looked a bit lighter than I had expected to see her, but Tit, though she lacks size, was a ball of muscle. On two-vear-old form Brown Alice seemed to have a bit the best of it, and backers made her favorite. They were not far out, though she did not get home, for she ran a good race, succumbing only by a length to Tit, after a good finish between them from the distance. Tit would undoubtedly have met with a lot more support than was accorded her had it not been for thejheavy going, a good many people who had previously been loud in their praises of her standing off her at the last moment, on the ground that her size was against her carrying 8.5 through the dirt. However, she won well. After His Worship and Nile had got to work for about a furlong, Brown Alice showed the way, and Dorothy and Tit took second and third positions respectively. Brown Alice continued her advantage round the bend for the straight and into tha straight, but Pit challenged her at the Derby stand, and having most left in her won as above stated. The time—l min s°sec —was only moderate, even allowing for the state of the track. IT is Worship was three lengths in the rear of Brown Alice. As indicated above Tit was not in so much favour as would have been the case had the weather been fine, and consequently those who stuck to her reaped rich rewards in the shape of a dividend £l3 Bs. inside and £1 1 ss. outside. Tit is by Leolinus (imp.) out of the imported Orest—Queen Mab mare Titania. As a yearling she realised 85 gns. at the dispersal of the N.Z. Stud Co.’s establishment.

Once more was the scratching pen not brought into requisition when half a dozen went to the start for the Hurdle Handicap of 80 sovs. It was freely rumoured in town during the morning that Belmont would be a non-starter and would be reserved for the Prince of Wales’ Handicap, but with heavy going suiting the horse, as in the case of his winning the Great Northern- Hurdle Race, his owner elected to send him, and he was established favourite. His backing caused Fishmonger to lengthen in price, and then when Tupara was seen to be stripped well by Weal he received a bit of support; but the other three starters were befriended to but a small extent comparatively. Ika Vuka and Fishmonger drew out for the first furlong, when Ika Vuka took the lead. Fishmonger deposed him of premier place in time to lead into the straight, but by the time the Stand was passed Belmont had got up to Fishmonger, and headed him past the jockeys’ enclosure, the rest well together, with Megoulet whipping in. Megoulet went up third in the next furlong, Belmont and Fishmonger running together in the lead. Going up the hill Fishmonger asserted himself, but Belmont came again, and led for about 100 yards, when Fishmonger got to the front, and led over the last hurdle, closely attended by Belmont and Tupara, the last mentioned having come with a great rush. Fergus had to sit down and ride Fishmonger, who gamely responded, but Belmont — very wide on the stand side —and Tupara were equal to the occasion, and a brilliant struggle saw Fishmonger get home by a neck from Belmont, who was ridden very badly. Tupara was a

length behind the favourite. The time was 4min 6sec, and the dividends —inside, £4. 2s ; outside, £4. Mr. Cutts had again a good field in point of numerical strength to take in hand in the Shorts Handicap of sosovs, five furlongs, for ten faced him, Warrior and Tamar being reserved for the last race of the day. St. Clements, although he carried top weight of 8.10, received most support, Florence, 6.9, being deemed next best—presumably because of the strong form previously shown by two of the other occupants of James Kean’s stable. The start was decidedly not one of Mr. Cutts’ happy efforts, the ten competitors being dismissed in straggling order, Florence and His Worship being almost left standing. The Sharper, who was the rankest outsider of the crowd —there being no investors on him in the outside machine, and only 11 inside —nearly followed in the footsteps of his sire Kalo, who a few years back paid a dividend of odd at Ellerslie. The Sharper in his preliminary canter bolted and threw his jockey, but notwithstanding he was equal to the task of running second to St. Clements, who beat him a couple of lengths all out, with Warrior three lengths away in third berth. Considering the state of the track the time recorded —imin ssec — was excellent, and the dividends paid were £2 7s inside, and £2 3s outside. St. Clements is one of the progeny of that hitherto somewhat neglected sire St. Leger, and is out of Satanella, whose full sister Hippodamia, alias Speculation, won several races in this colony. St. Clements was bred by a much-esteemed official of the Auckland Racing Club, who has the good fortune to own his dam, and has mated her this season with St. Leger. Tulloch was withdrawn from the Prince of Wales’ Handicap of 200 sovs., one mile and a half, eight thus being left to weigh out. Belmont was again somewhat indiscreetly saddled up, but his chance was almost entirely disregarded. Major George and his trainer were perfectly confident as to Coalscuttle’s chance, the only danger they feared being from Lottie or Ida, and these three, we may say, were the general public pick when Mr. Evett’s handicap first appeared. Coalscuttle and Ida both stripped well, and the former’s chances were certainly enhanced, if anything, by the heavy going, and she ran with plates on her hind feet. From an even start Master Pat cut out the running, followed by Tit. At the turn leading to the back stretch Warrior led with Glaucus second, and Lottie pulling double at his heels, and Coalscuttle last. At the four furlong post Warrior retired, Lit taking Up the running, with Lottie closing on her, Ida and Coalscuttle simultaneously making a forward movement. At the bend leading to the straight, Lottie had her head in front, Ida and Coalscuttle coming on the outside under the whip. Lottie was first to head for home, and preserved her advantage to the Derby stand, where Coalscuttle came with one run, and holding Lottie and Ida at the whip won comfortably by two lengths from Lottie, who was a length in advance of Ida. Tit was fourth, and Warrior fifth. Time, zmin 45sec. Dividends —inside, £2 it>s.; outside, £2 17s. Coalscuttle was, like Pegasus, bred by Major George. She is by King Cole (sire of Nelson) out of Florence, by Papapa out of Marchioness (dam of the dual Great Autumn Handicap winner Longlands). Lottie, the runner-up to her, is, curiously enough, descended on the dam’s side from Marchioness also, her dam, Ladybird being by Fdve— Polish, by Day and Martin out of Marchioness.

The Selling Steeplechase of sosovs, about three miles, was an item which was rather a redundancy in the present programme, and brought out only a poor quartette in point of quality. The race may be very briefly described by saying that thesod wall saw Hurricane, Daisy, and Prospector got over safely, Te Ata baulking and taking no further part in the contest. At the water jump Daisy gave her rider a “souser,” and then retired. Meanwhile Hurricane and Prospector were flying their jumps in excellent style, the old horse leading by two or three lengths till the last jump on the hill, where Prospector bungled, and lost some half-dozen lengths. Hurricane from that point came on, and won easily by three lengths. He was an odds-on chance in both machines, and on being submitted to auction was purchased by Mr. T. D. Halstead The Flying Handicap of 60 sovs, six furlongs, terminated the card. Yatta-

ghan, Tit and Florence being withdrawn left , nine competitors, out of which backers once more rallied to the support of St. Clements, despite his having incurred a penalty of 51b for winning previously, and he was made a red-hot favorite. Brown Alice and Loch Ness received most support of the others. A straggling start resulted in Transit and Brown Alice leading. Loch Ness, St. Clements and Warrior at their girths. Half-a-mile from home St. Clements drew out, followed closely by Transit and Tamar. At the turn into the straight Warrior put in his claim, and coming gamely under the whip, overhauled St. Clements stride by stride, eventually winning by half-a-length from the favourite, who ran a great race under his weight. Brown Alice was two lengths away, the rest of the field easing up. Time, imin 2o|sec. Dividends —Inside, £~] 19s. ; outside, £5 19s.

The following are the weights for today’s races:— City Handicap, i| miles.—The Workman 9.7, Scot Free 8.11, Regel 8.8, Coalscuttle 8.8, Lochness 7.11, Lottie 7.10, Lady Belle 7.6, Ida 7.5, Tit 7.5, Brown Alice 7.4, Warrior 7.4, His Worship 7.4, Tulloch 7.2, Glaucus 7.0, Master Pat 7.0, First Nelson 6. it, Woodbine 6.10, Dorothy 6.8, Florence 6.7, Sir Roland 6.7. Handicap Hurdles, i| miles.-Fishmonger 11,12, Belmont 11.5, Hopeful Kate 10 6, Tupara 10.5, Mangere 10.3, Deceiver 9.10, Ika Vuka 9.0, Cloth of Gold 9.0, Megoulet 9 o, New Chum 9.0. Nursery Handicap, 4 furlongs.—Pegasus 9.4, Yattenfeldt 8.5, Captivity 80, Eve 7.11, Royal Rose 7.1 T, Cobweb 7.6, Dark Rose 7.5, Specimen 7.0, Heart of Oak 7.0, First Love 7-°> Bay Bess 7.0. Steeple, 3 miles.—Nero 11.7, Fishmonger 11.2, Carronade 11.0, Mangare 10.7, Tupara 10.4, Kate 9 10, Spectator 9.8, Despised 9.7, Yum Yum 9.7. Maiden, one mile and a distance. — First Nelson 8.7, Dorothy 7.11, King Cannibal 7.2, Sir Roland 7.0, Florence 6.12, Transit 6.11, Orini 6.1 1, Maid of Erin 6.8, Vienne 6.8, Jessica 6.8, Retaliation 6.8, Acacia 6.8. Welter, i| mile.— Ingorina 10.0, Warrior 9.8, Tuna 9.8, Glaucus 9.5, Vieux Rose 9.2, Retaliation 8.7, Jessica 8.7. Spring Handicap, 7 furlongs.—Lochness 8.7, Warrior 8.5, Lottie 8.5, His Worship 8 4, Tit 8.0, Master Pat 7.10, Tullock 7.10, Yattaghan 7.9, Helen McGregor 7.6, Woobine 7.4, Dorothy 7.3“ Calvi 6.10.

TIPS FOR TO-DAY. My selections for to-day’s events are —writing before the acceptances are declared : — Spring Handicap.—Loch Ness or Yattaghan Second Hurdles. —Tupara or Megoulet. Nursery Handicap.—Royal Rose or Heart of Oak. City Handicap—Scott Free or Lottie. Welter Handicap.—lngorina or Warrior. Maiden Handicap.—Dorothy or First Nelson. Steeplechase—Fishmonger or Kate.