Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 136, 2 March 1893, Page 5

Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting.

(BY WIRE —FROM OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

First Day—Wednesday, February 22.

I sent you brief results of to-day’s racing in time for last week’s Sporting Review, and I now proceed to supplement that message by some details of the sport. First then let me say that the weather was beautifully fine, and that there was a very large attendance, though I must say I haxe seen more than one bigger muster at the Forbury on Cup day. Mr. P. Miller filled the judge’s box, and Mr S. Powell acted as starter with his customary efficiency. A great surprise to all concerned was the victory of Tempest in the Cup, and she takes rank with Adamant (who won the same race in 1883) as the most sensational winner of a big race ever seen at the Forbury. It was generally expected that her owner would decline the final payment with her, and, in fact, she was only left in because Mr Stephenson always likes to have something carrying his colours in the Dunedin Cup. He didn’t back her for a copper, himself, I understand, except that he invested £Q on her coupled with Huguenot for the Publicans’ Handicap. Mr. Hazlett, who is partner with Mr Stephenson in his racing transactions, put £1 on Tempest in the totalisator, and Bishop, who trains the mare, did likewise. There was only £57 invested on her altogether out of £2,14.2 in the “ totes.” The’ business of the day commenced with the Hurdle Race Handicap of 80 sovs, one mile and a half, for which eight ran. Magpie, who was nicely treated with 10.10, was made favourite, but he didn’t run up to the form expected of him, and Clarence, 9.4, coming away at the home turn, won in a canter by fully half a dozen lengths from Rebel, 10.3, with Justice, 9.9, third. Clarence, who hails from Christchurch, is trained by that accomplished hurdle horseman T. Stewart, who now had the mount on him. The dividends were —inside, £lO 7s ; outside, 2s. Half a dozen very nice two-year-olds weighed out for the Champagne Stakes of 250 sovs ; colts 8.10, fillies and geldings 8.7, with certain penalties; six furlongs. They were Mr E. Cutis’ br c Lake Shell, by Lochiel —Nautilus ; Mr J. Stephenson’s br c Outpost, by Vanguard — Titania; Mr R. Brown’s be Gitano, by Le Loup—Gitana; Hon. J. D. Ormond’s ch f Spinaway, by Nordenfeldt— Spinaker; Mr D. O’Brien’s b f Response, by Richmond —Bis Bis; and Mr H. Lunn’s b f Persuasion, by Apremont — Flattery. Lake Shell had come on a good bit since he ran in the Middle Park Plate, and he presented such a handsome appearance when stripped that the public made him favourite at first. But Mr O’Brien put down his money on Response, and she supplanted Lake Shell in the betting, and eventually left off favourite. Outpost and Spinaway were also well supported, but comparatively little money was laid out for either Gitano or Persuasion. Lake Shell drew out at the start and led for a furlong, with Spinaway in close attendance. Spinaway then ran up to him, but Lake Shell drew away again and showed the way into the straight, where Spin away, was in second place, and Outpost and Response next. When they had fairly headed for home Response made her effort, and overhauling those in front of her one by one, got home by a length from Lake Shell, who was a little over two lengths in front of Outpost. The six furlongs were cut out in imin i B£sec, which is 2sec more than when Day Dream won last year, and Cajolery the year before. Response was one of Mr. O’Brien’s purchases in Melbourne last season, and he gave loogs for her. She was bred by Mr W. Blackler of Adelaide, and is by Maribyrnong’s son Richmond (winner of the V.R.C. Champion Stakes, Australian Cup, etc.) out of Bis Bis, by Countryman (imp ) out of Miss Heslop (imp.) by Plaudit or Costa. Bis Bis for some time held the four furlong record for the colonies, having covered half a mile in 4-Bsec. Sextant, however, lowered it to 47fsec. The dividends paid out on Response’s victory were —inside, qs ; outside, £’3. The Dunedin Cup of 6oosovs, 2 miles and a distance, now attracted all attention. The eight that had been paid up for on the final acceptance all went to the post, viz.: Prime Warden, 8.11 (Cochrane) ; Clanranald, 8.7 (Clark); Scot Free, 7.9 (Gall) ; Thame, 7.5 (Price); Captive, 74 (Ray); Awarua Rose, 7.0 (Ross); Tempest, 6.11 (Pine) ; and Wyvern, 6.9 (Connop). As yonr

readers are aware, ever since the weights appeared Prime Warden and Clanranald have monopolised the betting, and though disquieting rumours about Clanranald were circulated here about a fortnight ago he was never materially knocked back in the betting, and as soon as he came to the Forbury he found plenty more friends. There were several, however, who maintained that he would not get the distance, but it was freely admitted that the field all round were non-stayers, and as Prime Warden and Clanranald were admittedly better class than the others they held the bulk of the totalisator money when the flag fell, Prime Warden being a slightly better favourite than the son of St. Leger. Nothing had been doing more sterling work at the Forbury than Thame, and when she stripped well those backers who remembered her meritorious second to British Lion in the New Zealand Cup piled their money on to her to such a good tune that she was third favourite at the start. The winner Tempest, I may here remark, was the absolute outsider of the whole crowd. Mr Powell, despite some fractiousness on the part of Clanranald, had them well together when he gave the signal. Tempest asserted herself in the first few strides, and when the odd “ distance” had been negociated—- /.<?., when they passed the stand Tempest was just leading Captive, with Clanranald third/ and Thame next. In the next quarter of a mile there was no alteration in the leaders’ position except that Awarua Rose ran up to Thame, and Clanranald fell back. Tempest was still first, Captive second, and Awarua Rose third running along the back and into the straight, and when they passed the stand Tempest had a length lead of Captive, who was just clear of Awarua Rose, Thame and Scot Free being most prominent of the others. At the end of the next quarter of a mile Clanranald and Captive held out signals of distress. In the next furlong Prime Warden put on steam, and ran up second to Tempest, and Thame also made a forward movement. Tempest held her own into the straight, though only with a very slight advantage, but Thame came again, and would undoubtedly have headed the outsider but for one of the stirrup irons breaking. Price, though nearly losing his seat, bravely kept the Napier mare going, but the accident cost her the race, and she was beaten a length by Tempest. Prime Warden gained third money three lengths away—the same position he occupied last year when he had gib less than now Tempest’s time was jmin si£sec, and the dividends were 7s inside and 6s outside Tempest is an Australian-bred mare, and was purchased as a yearling by Dick Mason in Sydney. Mr Stead raced her as a two-year-old, when he put her in a selling race, having found her jady and being desirous therefore of getting rid of her, and Mr Stephenson bought her. The season before last she ran no less than 13 times without securing a win, and last season out of 15 attempts the only races she won were the Suburban Welter Handicap, one mile and a furlong (9.0), at the D.J.C. Autumn Meeting, and the Central Taieri (Otago) Autumn Handicap, one mile and a quarter, 8.12. in which she only had Don Pedro and Lady Mab to beat. Tempest is by New Holland (son of Old England) out of Tornado, by Gang Forward (imp.)— Typhoon (imp.), by Wild Dayrell. Her time, 3min si£sec, was i-Jsec slower than when Occident won for Mr Stephenson last year. Though there were only four starters for the Selling Race of sosovs, one mile and a distance, it produced a rattling finish between Stonehenge, 7.2, and Mr Stephenson’s Derby, 8 6, and Stonehenge won by but a head, with Finetta, 7.7, third. Leinster was the only other starter. The dividends were £"9 16s, and £7 3s. It was the irony of fate for Mr Stephenson to be beaten this time by one of his own cast-offs, for Stonehenge was imported by that gentleman from the land of his birth. He is a son of the Melbourne Cup winner The Assyrian. There was a good field of nine for the Publicans’ Handicap of zoosovs, seven furlongs, and after Tempest’s win, Huguenot, 7.4, in the same stable, was made a warm favourite. Heather Bell 7.2, Saracen 7.2, and North Atlantic 7.2 were, however, all well backed. The race is briefly described, for Heather Bell made nearly the whole of the running, and though challenged strongly in the straight by Conjuror, Kulnine, and Lady Zetland, she won by a length and a-half from Conjuror, who just pipped Kulnine, g-5- The time was imin 3osec,

and the dividends were £4 9s. inside and £ 4 7s. outside. Nothing was backed to any extent in the Maiden Plate of Bosovs, one mile and a quarter (for which eight started), but The Lumper and Frivolity who fought it between them, Lumper winning by half-a-length. Dividends, 6s. and £"4 is. Taranua was favourite in a field of eight for the Selling Two Year Old Race of ioosovs, five furlongs, but he didn’t get a place, the winner being Mr Stephenson’s Viscount, by Sir Garnet out of the St. Albans mare lona, who won by half-a-length from Mount Royal, with Busybody third. Kate Greenaway was favourite for the Stewards’ Purse Welter Handicap of 100 sovs, six furlongs, with Inez next in favour, but nothing had a show with Mr P. Butler’s colt Au Revoir, 8.2, who won by two lengths from Warrington, 9,6, with Mariner, 9.8, in third place. Au Revoir is a full brother to Marlborough, a horse that did good service to Mr Butler in the past. The dividends paid out on him were the substantial ones of l6s. and £>l3. The Club added a Queensland Relief Fund Stakes of zosovs, five furlongSj to the programme, and here again Butler scored with Emperor, who was favourite. There were three other starters.

Second Day. — Thursday, Feb. 23rd. The weather was again fine for the second day’s racing, but the attendance naturally showed a falling off on that of Cup day, though it was quite up to expectations. There was some capital sport provided, but it was to a certain extent marred by more than one unfortunate accident in the Domain Handicap. Forbury, when in the lead, ran into the ditch that has proved treacherous to so many horses ere now, and just as they were rounding the turn for home Reflection, when going strongly, stumbled and fell and rolled into the ditch, her jockey Regan having his collarbone broken. Then just after the winning post was passed Tangi Maid, who was third, crossed her legs and came down. Rosehill fell over her, and Kate Greenaway followed suit. There was, as may well be imagined, quite a scene when the accident occurred, several lady occupants of the stand fainting. As luck would have it, none of the jockeys were very seriously hurt, though Emmerson, who rode Tangi Maid, had to be carried in on a stretcher. Connop and Jackson were also severely bruised. Sport commenced with the Tallyho Handicap of 90sovs, two miles, for which Magpie 11.12, Erin-go-bragh 11.10, Rebel 10.7, Justice 9.7, and Moonlight 9.5, went to the post. There was little to choose for favouritism between Rebel and Magpie, but Rebel had a very slight call. After Magpie and Moonlight had made most of the running, Rebel came up and knocked the last hurdle down, and appeared to have the foot of his field on the flat, but Magpie was brought up, and after a great struggle won by half-a-length from the Dunedin horse, with Moonlight third. A protest lodged by Rebel’s owner (J. Poole) against Magpie on the ground of inconsistent form as compared with the first day’s running was dismissed. The dividends were—lnside £3 55., outside £3 12s. The City Stakes Handicap of 120sovs, for two-year-olds, five furlongs, always creates a good deal of interest after the Champagne running. With the Champagne winner Response out of the way, Lake Shell, 8.7, who had run second to her, was served up very warm, and Spinaway, 7.11, was next in favour. Lake Shell was quickest away, and led into the straight, but he was challenged by Beadonwell, 7.11, before they reached the distance, and Beadonwell, being full of running, came on and won very easily by a length. Taranua was two lengths away. Beadonwell, who was bred by the Hon. G. McLean, is by the Musket horse St. Clair out of Dione, by Traducer —Gilda, by Ravensworth —Mermaid, and has won creditably before this season. The dividends paid on him were—£9 inside and £6 Is. outside. The Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap of 350sovs, one mile and a-half. was the next item, and the following septette went to the post:—Prime Warden 9.0, Clanranald 8.11, Tempest 7.12, Scot Free 7.8, Free Lance 7.8, Awarua Rose 7.4, and Wyvern 6.11. Clanranald left off favourite, but Prime Warden and Free Lance were also well backed—the latter presumably on the strength of Thame’s second in the Dunedin Cup. Awarua Rose soon got to the front when the flag fell, and at the end of half-a-mile he had a slight advantage of

Wyvern, who was just in front of Scot Free and Tempest, Prime Warden acting as whipper-in. The field were bunched up well, with the exception of Prime Warden, as they ran over the next furlong, but Awarua Rose then, took command, with Scot Free, Wyvern, and Tempest most prominent of the others. The lot again took close order soon afterwards, and Prime Warden drew into the middle of the ruck. It was anybody’s race when the home turn was rounded, but half-way up Clanranald came along on the outside, and won, with nothing to spare, by a short length from Tempest, who was only a head in front of Wyvern, with Prime Warden but a neck behind Mr Hungerford’s horse. The dividends paid on Clanranald (who was bred by the N.Z. Stud Co., and is by St. Leger out of Escutcheon’s defunct half-sister Scottish Lassie) were £3 7s. inside and £2 12s. outside. The Novel Handicap of 70sovs, one mile, did not evoke much excitement. There were nine starters, and the “ resurrected ” Francotte (who is by Musket out of L’Orient, is owned by Mr J. Stephenson, and has in previous years shown himself a very speedy horse) was made favourite. He didn’t get a place, the winner being the Dunedin-owned Rothamstead, 7.10, with Langley, 7.5, second and Stonehenge, 8.6, third. Rothamstead is by Gorton out of Hippona —not the dam of St. Hippo, but a half-sister to Beadonwell’s dam Dione. The dividends were £8 4s. and £5 19s. The capital field of a dozen mustered for the Domain Handicap of lOOsovs, six furlongs, Kate Greenaway, 7.10, being made favourite. Lady Zetland, 8.4, and Forbury, 7.7, were also well supported by the partisans of their respective stables. Forbury, who was smartest at beginning, went (as above mentioned) in the ditch when leading. This left Paramu, 7.12, in front, and he was being challenged by Reflection, when the daughter of Tasman also went into the ditch. Lady Zetland then came through, and holding her own to the end won easily by a length and ahalf from Glencairn, 7.2, and Tangi Maid, 6.12, gained third place. Dividends —£6 9s. and £7 19s. Though weight for age races are not as a rule popular in this colony, the four furlongs weight for age race, the Railway Plate of lOOsovs at the D.J.C. Autumn Meeting generally seems to furnish a good contest. On this occasion particular interest attached to the meeting of Scrowan and Response and as the conditions of the race do not provide for penalties, the colt was simply giving the filly 31b. After running had been made by the outsider of the crowd, Roseguard, Response, who bad been lying last, came up to Roseguard and Strowan, who were in the van. Roseguard gave way, but Strowan kept on till challenged by Response, and after a good finish Mr O’Brien’s filly beat him a length. Persuasion was a good third. The half-mile was cut out in and the dividends were £3 Ils. inside and £3 6s. outside. . Seven were weighed out for the Suburban Welter Handicap of lOOsovs, one mile and a furlong, and most money went on to The Lumper, 8.10, and Frivolity, 8.3. Backers made no mistake for the pair had the finish between them. Frivolity, who was ridden by Clark, beating The Lumper, who was ridden by Derrett, by half a length. Both are sons of Cadogan, Frivolity being out of Nonsense, who was such a rattling good two-year-old. Au Revoir, with 8.10 up, was third. Divivdends —£5 ss. and £4 9s. Langley, who was favourite for the Post Stakes of 20sovs, six furlongs, brought the day’s sport to a conclusion by winning that event. Lady Mab was second and Pennine third. £6936 went through the totalisators.

Third Day—Saturday, Feb. 25. The weather was once more fine, and the attendance was very good. The Hurdle Race of lOOsovs, two miles and a quarter, which commenced the card, only brought a quartette to the post, viz., Magpie 12.5, Rebel 11.5, Erin-go-Bragh 11.0, and Moonlight 9.2. Magpie was favourite, and he and Rebel made all the running up to half a mile from home, where Magpie had had enough, and. Rebel going on won by two lengths. The dividend was £3 12s on both machines. The Hopeful Stakes Handicap of 120 sovs, 6 furlongs, for two and three-year-olds, was a capital betting race. The starters were Vogengang 8.10, Response 8.10, Saracen 8.5, Beadonwell 8.2, Persuasion 7.7, Au Revoir 7.2, and Rosehill 6.12. It was a great betting race, for Response, Saracen, Vogengang and Beadonwell were all pretty equally be-

friended. When Mr Powell dropped his flag Saracen swerved across both Response and Beadonwell, and materially interfered with them. Au Revoir and Rosehill made play, Saracen and .Response being last off. Persuasion joined Au Revoir and Rosehill at the home turn, and a good finish between the three saw Au Revoir win by a length and a half from Persuasion, who was a head in front jf a of Rosehill. Beadonwell was fourth. The dividends were £4 15s and £5 9s. Nine was the strength of the field for the Forbury Handicap of 250sovs, one mile and a quarter, which nine were made up as follows: —Prime Warden 8.10, Kulnine 8.5, Heather Bell 7.12, Scot Free 7.5, Free Lance 7.5, Lustre 7.2, Captive 7.1, Awaruaßose 6.12, and Conjuror 6.12. Prime Warden was a slightly better favourite than Kulnine, and Lustre was also well backed. Ceptive and Con juror made running till six furlongs from home, where Prime Warden came to the front and led along the back of the course, with Lustre second, Scot Free third and Kulnine fourth. The leaders kept their positions till the straight was entered, but soon after it was rounded into Prime Warden asserted himself, and not being headed won by a length and a half from Heather Bell, who was two lengths in advance of Kulnine. Dividends, £5 3s and £4. Strowan, 7.7, was only opposed by Outpost 7.5, The Lumper 8.7, and The Changeling 7.11, in the Marshall Memorial Stakes of 250sovs, w.f.a., with certain penalties and allowances, 6 furlongs, and odds of 5 to 2 were laid on him. He jumped off in front, but Outpost soon passed him, but it was evident that Strowan was pulling Buddicombe out of the saddle. Outpost led into the straight, but though Buddicombe had to take outside berth Strowan gamely responded to the call made upon him, and won by a short head from Outpost. The Lumper was a very moderate third. Dividends—£l 8s inside, and £1 9s outside. | Nine horses faced Mr Powell for the Flying Handicap of lOOsovs, one mile, the start for which was not a happy effort, for Hugenot’s head was turned the wrong way when the signal was given, and as she was left so much behind her rider did not set her going. Frivolity also lost a lot of ground. Wyvern 7.5, and Lady Zetland 8.7, carried the bulk of the public’s money, but neither got into a place. Saracen led to the home turn, where he was put under the whip, and his stable companion Lady Zetland made a strong effort, but failed to get up. As soon as Au Revoir challenged Saracen he collapsed, and Au Revoir beat him by a little less than a length. Paramu was third three lengths away, and Wyvern was at the head of the rest of the field. Dividends—£7 12s and £9 19s. Lake Shell was again served up warm in the Maiden Two-year-old Handicap of 80sovs, 5 furlongs, and again was Ted Cutts doomed to disappointment with him. His weight was 8.5, and he was opposed by Errington 7.5, Taranna 7.4, Busybody 7.2, Mount Royal 7.0, Crown Prince 6.9, Miss Lochiel 6.7, and Gitano 6.7. Next to Lake Shell Mount Royal and Taranna were most backed. Taranna led to the distance, where Gitano came up with one run and headed him, and ran home an easy winner by a length from Lake Shell, who got away none too well, but came very fast in the last furlong. Taranna was third. Dividends—£23 9s and £23 2s. Gitano is by Le Loup out of Gitana, and is therefore full brother to Gipsy King, who won the Dunedin Cup and D.J.C. Handicap of 1888. Rondinella beat Rothamstead, Emperor, Langley, Lady Mab, Andover, Gloaming, Pennine and Francotte in the Disposal Stakes, and again did a good dividend reward backers, £ll 6s and £ll 8s being paid. Rothamstead was second, and Emperor third. The undermentioned half-dozen contested the Consolation Handicap of 80 sovs, one mile—Vogengang 8.5, Inez 7.9, Forbury 7.3, Wyvern 7.0, Awarua Rose 6.7, and Lumper 6.7. Vogengang was favourite, with Awarua Rose next in demand, but neither of them was a match for Wyvern, who beat Awarua Rose by a length, and Vogengang was third two lengths off. The dividends were £7 4s and £5 3s. This concluded a most successful meeting. The arrangements of the officials were as usual perfect. Mr Dowse made excellent handicaps, and Mr Powell’s starting was all that could 1 e desired with the exception of the two races on the third day to which reference has been made above. During the last day’s proceedings seven cash fielders were reported to the

club for betting “tote” odds on the course, and were warned off the course. A number of others who were reported were warned that if they offended again they would be disqualified. One of these latter, Mr T. Barnett, the secretary of the so-called Bookmakers’ Association, was later on reported to the club as having again offended, and the stewards thereupon held a meeting and disqualified him, and he was removed from the course.