Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 179, 28 December 1893, Page 4

Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting.

First Day—December 26th. REVIEW OF THE RACING. [By ‘ Borderer.’] Threatening looking clouds and moist atmosphere on Tuesday morning last made the pessimistic section of the racing public prophesy a bad day for the inauguration of the summer campaign at Ellerslie, but fortunately the weather fiend was only allowed to ruffle his dripping garments and the few showers which fell in consequence served but to loosen the hardness of the track and give to the grass on the paddock and lawn a fresher shade of green. When the first train started for the course the croakers were in strong evidence and were ready and willing to foretell an indifferent attendance, but fortunately the reverse was the case. A bigger assemblage on Cup day than that of last Tuesday has seldom been experienced, but it is a significant fact that although there were probably more people present than was the case last year, the amount of speculation was not so great. Does this mean a diminution of interest in racing ? 1 think not —neither does it necessarily mean a decrease in the amount of ready cash in the pocket of the public. However, that is a matter for the Club to investigate. As far as the public is concerned there is no room for regret respecting the meeting. It was an excellently managed one, there were some fine finishes, and no accidents of a serious nature occurred, although I regret that that fine crosscountry horseman, Mr Jack Rae, had his Cap-a-pie gelding badly hurt while taking ; jxm over the last jump in the Hurdle

Race. The result I fear will be a lengthy absence from the track on the part Lonely. Three riders came to grief in the Pony Race, but none of them, snflh tained serious harm. And iu addition to the general run of good finishes the publie were given a charming exhibition of how a horse like Loyalty can play with local performers at certain weights, and come cantering home with his mouth open, as though in derisive glee at the “ throw in?’ Quito an exhilarating spectacle! And to complete the entertainment there was the Cnp boil over—and what a bubbling boil it was I What a surprised yell came from the stand when it was seen that the ‘ out-of-form ’l’egasws. whose lead for a mile ami a hadf waa eonsidered sheer * cheek/ was going to the distance and carry the black and white hoops of Major George net only first into the straight, but first past the post. Such a general, look of astonishment on the faces of backers has not been seen at Ellerslie for some time I’ll be bounds Yes, taken altogether it was a fine days racing and if the concluding days aw as successful, the A.R.C. officials will have every reason to. congratulate them* selves. For their work of Tuesday last they are entitled to warm praise from the hon. judge to the secretary, who worked hard to see that everything was as it should be. But to come to the racing! The Trial Handicap of 70 soys., one mile and a distarce, was the first item to rattle the sovereigns on to the machine, and with Loyalty on the card there was a big prospect of one-sided speculation. But 70 soys, did not tempt Mr O Brien, and the St. George colt dropped oat, and so did The Bulldog and Heart of Oak. Even with there three withdrawals the card still showed the respectable field of eight, and the punters planked their dollars on Van Dieman, upon whom George Wright had evidently bestowed a careful preparation. The Vasco de Gama gelding looked well and strong, but his owner’s luck was again oui, and the horse never flattered his supporters. Quadrant’s late illness did not deter backers from naming him a. winner, but the son of Robinson Crusoe had anything but a winning look about him. Adam Byers’ Sword Dance horse looked in great form, and his proud look in the paddock sent many a pound up on him. But for racing condition there were few to equal Annabelle, and so the race proved. By the time Mr Edwards had his field manoeuvering for a start, the clouds opened for a rattling shower and the rain poured down in torrents. There was a good deal of disturbance amongst the starters, Retaliation evincing a desire to lash out at Coalscuttle, and Annabelle showed as usual a decidedly fractious disposition. At last the starter got them in a line, and down dropped the flag and off went Annabelle, followed by His Worship, whose hoof has completely healed up. Past the post the leader was Annabelle, and His Worship and Retaliation raced neck and neck in pursuit. Going round the turn Mr Burke’s filly was still stretching away in front, and His Worship and Retaliation were galloping hard for a lead, while the black and white hoops of Major George showed Coalscuttle was in the rear. Opposite the stand Tulloch opened out and glided through the field, but fell back immediately, and by the time Annabelle was showing the way up the hill Adam Byers’ horse was last. As they raced for the home turn Retaliation made a short spurt, but gave way to His Worship, who was giving a good account of himself. But Annabelle had her head well in front, and despite a great fight by Mr Baker’s horse she shot past the post a winner by a neck, leaving His Worship in the same position he held in the race last year. Coalscuttle came with a rattle at the last, but third place was her only reward. Annabelle’s win from start to finish confirms the opinion that she’s a very hard one to catch over a mile and a distance if she gets anything like a start. The time for the race, 2min 4see, was just two seconds slower than last yeaFs time.

The two-year-olds were the next to come out. and some curiosity was felt respecting the performance the raking roan Castor—Vivandiere colt Three Star would show us- We all knew how he had been going on the track in the early mornings but there were some who said he would not fight a finish. Before many seconds were over, however, his detractors had no reason to find fault with his pluck- As the youngsters were paraded around the paddock prior to the fight for the Great Northern Foal Stakes of 300 save, six furlongs, .they were surrounded by their backere and € a -fine tot* was the kwmheul

verdict. The St. Lager filly Doria was greatly landed, but she showed just the faintest trace of the shaking she received at the last Ellerslie gathering. Three Star showed up well and his racehorse head was admired even by those superstitious ones who were ready to decry his chance because of his colour. * Never knew a good roan yet * many were heard to mutter, but before the day closed they were destined to see two of that colour flash first past the post. The Hon. J. D. Ormond's Daniel O’Rourke—Waterbaby filly Nixie was the centre of an admiring circle and after a dose examination I gave her my vote after a hard struggle caused by the fine looks of Three Star. The finish proved I was wrong, but only to a very small extent for the riding—-but of that anon. Her Ladyship looked in great fettle and Formd was close on top form, but Anniversary was voted a trifle big. On assembling at the starting post Her Lady* ship made play on her hindlegs and Nixie's disinclination to come up with her field, did not assist the starter in his troubletotne work. At last he got them Off pretty fairly, Nixie getting a slight lead. Her Ladyship wis second off the mark, and the Wapiti black and white hoops in the rear showed that the Nordenfeldt— Sister Agnes filly was in a bad position. Anniversary #as hevfer dangerous throughout the race, and evidently requires time Forme was also in a rear position, and never appeared comfortable behind the leaders. Stretching routid For the home turn Nixie steadily increased her lead until the gap which lay between her and the field made, her price look like odds on. but Gallagher kept Three Star going, and a too easy rounding of the home bend by Lindsay was quickly noted by the rider of the Castor colt, who was racing as game as a pebble. Lindsay, who probably reckoned the race won on entering the straight, heard a yell of ‘Three S ir’s coming,* and worked the Daniel OT.ourke filly desperately, but Gallagher, riding with great power, came on inch by inch until Three Star’s nose was on Nixie's shoulder. A last energetic move by the jockey, answered by the roan colt, and Nixie was beaten, and one of Cactoris get walked up to the weighing room a game winner by half a neck. Lindsay undoubtedly took matters too easily; but it must be said the way Gallagher brought Three Star along was a big thing to fight against. Had Nixie’s jockey got his mount quicker round the bend and made play with his whip a few second’s earlier the favourite would have been beaten. There was the start in Nixie's favour, and this helps the idea that Three Star is no cur but a very promising two-year-old. Doris took the the third position. The time, imin 19!sec, is half a second behind Reflector’s time for last year, when half a dozen started, and the winner got] home by a head. The victor of 1893, Three Star, is by Castor from Vivandiere, who is by Musket out of Georgi, by Bishop of Osnoburgh out of Althoea, by Maeonides. Three Star’s sire was got by Zealot from Lady Yardley, by Sterling from Leda, by Weatherbit from Wish, which brings the blood back to Touchstone. A full sister to Three Star is to be offered at Wellingon Park on January 3rd, and with the Foal Stakes win in their mind, buyers should pay more than a passing glance to the latest result of a Castor—Vivandiere union. Next came the ‘ plum * of the meeting —the Auckland Cup of 600 sovs, 2 miles —the contest which had been in everyone's mouths for months, and for which the Southern Island had sent its Derby and New Zealand Cup winners. It was Ndrth against South and a fortnight ago * the ! local supporters, while secretly afraid of the Southern fliers, pinned their faith to the supposed bad two miler, The Workman. The black and white colours of Wapiti would, they fondly hoped, pull them through, but their expectations were chilled by their favourite’s experience on the course last week. With The Workman down, and Pegasus all out of condition —as everyone thought — the race jseemed open to the visitors, but the magpie colours of Major George were to arise and on. Pegasus’s back fly before the field to the discomfiture of the Southrons. But I am anticipating. In the paddock the usual rings of admirers were formed, and many an admiring glance was cast at the late arrival Thame, who appeared to be as fit as a fiddle Boeefehit and Skirmisher, the two favourites, looked in the pink of condition, and Dilemma had no backward look about him to disconcert backers. Cusdin was in the saddle, and the statement freely circulated that Mr J. B. Raid intended sending both his horses for the •take made many punter* stick to Oua-

din's mount. Brigand prancing around as proud a* a peacock, looked fit to run for anything, and Ida was in better form than I have ever seen her in before. But they all looked well with the exception of Pegasus, who with dripping sides and lathered shoulder was pooh poohed as even an outsider. But there where those in the paddock who knew that his sire had the same habit of starting wet, and accordingly placed no reliance upon that as regarded his condition. A glance at the machine before the start showed Skirmisher in the post of honour, with Rosefeldt next and Thame close up third. Then the crowd rushed the points of vantage, and all eyes were centered upon the eight contestants as they drew into line for the flash of the flag. After a slight suspense down fell the red cloth and away went the cracks on their race for the Cup. Brown Alice darted off first and Ida was second, with the almost despised Pegasus after the pair like a shot. Closing up to the six furlong post Rosefeldt was sent up into second position by Lindsay and Ida fell back fourth. The next post saw Pegasus taken to the front, while Rosefeldt stuck to second position and McGrath moved on Skirmisher and took the Vanguard colt up to third place. Through the cutting the Wapiti colours were still leading and Rosefeldt and Skirmisher were kept close up, while the rest of the field were handy in a bunch. Down to to the four furlong post Pegasus maintained his command, and Ida came up again and held to the heels of Skirmisher. The black and white was still at the head of affairs at the three-furlong post, and Brown Alice was last. When the straight was entered Pegasus led the way, and Rosefeldt's and Ida’s colours were next in prominence. The same order was maintained past the Derby stand, but by the time the grandstand was reached Ida had dashed up second, and Brigand was third. At the mile post Pegasus gave way to Ida, and Rosefeldt successfully challenged Brigand for third place. The seven furlong post was passed in the same order, Brown Alice being last, and Skirmisher, Dilemma, Thame well together in the middle division. At the five furlong post Pegasus gave way to Rosefeldt,, and through the cutting let Brigand pass him. Ida was in command, and a slight move back by the black and white jacket sent up a cry of* Pegasus is done,’ but the next moment there was silence, and it was seen that the son of Nelson —Tenambra was pulling strong and was up in third place again. Rosefeldt rushed past Ida at the three furlong post, and like a shot after the leader went Pegasus catching her in a few strides. Then it became apparent thvt Major George’s representative was anything but done, for after a short fight with Rosefeldt he entered the straight first, and the crowd that had cried out his defeat a few seconds before roared with one accord ‘ Pegasus wins 1’ Ida came after the leader in the straight with great determination, but the Nelson colt had won his fight, and Ida though hard on his heels, had to take second place. Rosefeldt was third, Thame fourth ; and where was the favourite? Absolutely last, being headed by his stable companion Dilemma. It was apparent while the struggle was going on that the race was a slow one, but surprise was general when the watches showed jmin jqsec. Last year St. Hippo did the distance in jmin jojsec, and the year before Pinfire got it in 3tnin 3zfsec. The time Tuesday's race took instantly called up the broken down Workman. Would he have had a show in a race that took jmin 39sec ? I rather think so. In the if mile gallop which broke him up he smashed jmin 39sec (allowing for the extra quarter mile) to pieces, and the way in which he would have figured alongside Pegasus was shown by the fact that although in that gallop Coalscuttle took him half the distance and Pegasus rattled him home, he easily beat the pair of them ! But the winner came from the same stable, the 4 broken-down’ one, as general report had it; but the only broken down object proved to be the great army of backers. The Hurdlers were next to claim attention, and as there were no scratchings the field numbered half a dozen. Marechai Neil was well backed when the machine opened, but before the flag fell the public had made Despised and Lonely favourites, the latter being the most fancied. An even start was given, and the first to detach themselves from the ruck were Otakeho, Ika Vuka and Marechai Neil. There was no change up to the four furlong post and into the straight, and it was noticed that Lonely who was lying fourth was not jumping too well. Passing the post the leaders were in the same

order, and going round the bend Despised moved up and Waterbury raced along last apparently badly out of it. Opposite the stand Despised was taken to the front and Lonely followed him. The Cap-a-pie gelding led down the cutting followed by Lonely, Otakeho and Marechai Neil, and here it was seen Waterbury was not m the race. No change took place until the turn for home, when Rao rattled his mount along and got almost abreast of Despised. Williams had his horses' head well in front of Lonely, and when closing with the last hurdle the rider sent Despised for a gap, which Rae also made for. The result was a cannon, of which Lonely had all the worst, and his one dangerous opponent out of the way, Despised won easily by two lengths. Lonely came in on three legs, and when Rae dismounted opposite the judge’s box it was seen that his mount was badly broken down. After Lonely had limped up to his box an examination showed that he was injured badly in one of his fetlocks and from present appearances it will be a long time before his accomplished rider sends him over the sticks again. Otakeho took the third position. The time for the three miles was 4 m ss, being 14 seconds over that taken by Mangere in last year’s hurdle race. The winner then, however, had 10.9 and Despised was jumping beneath the steadier of 12.0.

Great interest was taken in the Railway Handicap of 100 sovs, three-quarters of a mile, owing to the son of St. George —Fair Neil being engaged. With Loyalty at 8.11, just 7 lbs above Quadrant, who was second in the weight list, three owners, Messrs Wright, Halward, and McManemin, failed to see the advantage of running their horses and Stanmoor, Van Diemen, Swordbelt and St. Clements accordingly dropped out. The public failed for some time to turn up to the machine and risk a dividend of a few shillings on Loyalty but at last the adventurous spirit of the backer came out, and a sufficient number of phi lanthropists appeared to give Loyalty’s backers a return of Bs. on their investments. What possible chance Quadrant, First Nelson, The Bulldog, Tingara, or Sunbeam had in the minds of these people it is hard to say, but the Bs. dividend shows that a few people had that audacity. Tne race calls for no description, for Loyalty played with his field from start to finish and cantered home a ridiculously easy winner with a reflective look on his face as though he were meditating upon the beauties of handicapping which saved him from the indignity of the whip and spur. First Nelson and Quadrant filled the places. The time for this interesting race was Imin 20|sec. Last year Loch Ness, with 51bs less than Loyalty, did it in Imin 16sec, which shows how the rival of Carnage must have exerted himself over the three-quarters of a mile. Twelve youngsters contested the Nursery Handicap of yosovs, five furlongs, and Stepfeldt and Ivy found most favour in the eyes of backers, and with Mr Nathan’s luck in with Three Star, the bulk of the investors named the Nordenfeldt—Steppe filly. Lady Marion and Her Ladyship both looked in fine form, and there was a pretty fair section of racing men who admired Norina, the Nordenfeldt —Rosarina filly sufficiently to back her quietly. She proved the correct thing, and paid the fair dividends of £q inside and £i z ios outside. At the start Lady Marion’s bad luck was again in evidence, the filly getting a bad move off. Ivy had the best of it from the jump, and coming into the straight she looked a big winner, but the Rosarina filly came with a great rash which swept her past Mr Sutton’s candidate, who was also collared in the ran down the straight by Her Ladyship and Lady Marion. The latter made a great bid to catch Norina, but the latter won her first race by a half length, Her Ladyship finishing third. For her first turn of the race track the winner ran a verv steady race, and this sister to Rose and White will repay the future attention of backers. That puzzling race the Pony Handicap of toosovs, one mile, was the next item on the card, and with thirteen out of the fourteen acceptors announced as starters backers were in a pretty quandary to spot the winner. Romeo was favourite, and Pearl 11. had a big following. From the start the race was an eventful one, three runners, Pearl IL, Sweet Lavender and Siwash falling shortly after the fall of the flag. Romeo appeared to have a clear run until the home turn, where Sepoy (another unlucky one according to the roan oppositionists) came with a determined rash and won fairly comfortably

from Romeo, Carbuncle filling third position. Picking the winner of the last men* the Christmas. Handicap of iocwws, one mile and a quarter, was like doing the same in the Railway Handicap, which feat in both instances was a trifle easier of accomplishment than the proverbial shelling of peas. Lottie, at 7-iz, was a distinct throw in, and the investments on the machine showed, the public were alive to the fact. Annabelle, Ttalloch, and Van Diemen were first to pass the post for the opening run up the straight, and the order at the five furlong post was the same. When the three furlong post was reached Brigand put in a temporary claim for second place, but once into the straight Lottie waslet outaud won comfortably, her two immediate followers being Tulloch and Coalscuttle. The time, 2 min ij jsec, was afisecs better than Tulloch’s time for the race last year when the Sword Dance horse won with 7.7 up. This concluded one of the most successful Christmas meetings ever held by the club. The winning sires at the meeting 1 were Lionel, Castor, Nelson, Cap-a-pie, St.. George, Nordenfeldt, and Muskapeer,. who sired a winner apiece. Like the sires no jockey scored two wins. The successful ones were Smith, Davis, Hudson , Gallagher, Cusdin, Williams. Stewart and Hammond.