Auckland Trotting Club’s Spring Meeting.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 180, 4 January 1894, Page 6

Auckland Trotting Club’s Spring Meeting.

Third Day.—December 30.

[By

'Borderer.’]

The Auckland Trotting Club were very fortunate as regards weather on the day fixed for the conclusion of their summer meeting, but the good luck experienced in the way of atmospheric conditions was not extended in the direction of attendance. There were more people at Potter’s Paddock on the second day of the meeting than was the case on Saturday last, and it is more than probable that the club made a mistake in making their gathering extend over three days. Two days would have been ample, and had the meeting been limited to that the total attendance would have been far more satisfactory. For the number of people present last Saturday, speculation was fairly brisk the totalisator returns amounting to which added to the figures for the first two days brings the total to ios for the meeting. Although Saturday last was fine overhead, there was a fair amount of wind and this in conjunction with the dusty nature of the enclosure at Potter’s Padlock, made the afternoon none too pleasant. A shower of rain would, under the circumstances, have been gratefully received, and in this connection it may be remarked that the club would be looking after the comfort of patrons and riders if something were done to minimise the miriature dust storms which periodically occur in the enclosures and around the "course on windy days. A watercart drawn around the bend at the top of the course - would have made things much more easy for the horseman, who had in certain races to ride through blinding dust. This was especially the case during the run for the Steeplechase. Another matter the club might give their attention to is the way in which certain riders dress. There was nothing like uniformity, and the rule re riding breeches and tops was more honoured in the breach than in the observance. Some of the jockeys were well dressed, but others rode in tattered colours and ordinary walking trousers, while one individual adopted a compromise between riding boots and bluchers by wearing the latter and pinning the leather tops of the former below his knees. This kind of thing is alright in the back blocks, but one does not expect to find it at a meeting of an organisation like the A.T.C. The delay in bringing the, events off on Saturday resulted in the last race not being run until close on seven o’clock. In this matter no blame attaches to the secretary, for the jockeys were all got out in good time, and unless the machine was being waited upon the delay is hard to explain. Respecting the racing it must be admitted it was very good, and in the majority of cases Mr Halstead’s handicapping proved very correct. Yum Yum was treated rather harshly, but on the whole the handicapper acquitted himself of his task very creditably. No accidents of a serious nature occurred during the day, although when A. Greenwood came down on Butterfly at the double in the Steeplechase he appeared to have a very dangerous fall. He escaped, however, with a shaking and a painful bruise on the instep of his left foot. The quickness he displayed in remounting and finishing deserved the hearty applause accorded by the specThe racing started with the Second Maiden Trot Handicap of 40S0VS, two miles, for which Rocket and the Rat were the only withdrawals. These defections left a field of eleven, viz., Kaponga scr, The Broker 4sec, Tinker, Tom Hicks, Minnie and Ida i4sec, Vulture and Rutene zzsec, Rocket IL zqseci Welcome Jack 29sec, and

General Mite 35sec. Before the post was passed for the first time General Mite had been left behind by the horse on the second limit, Welcome Jack, who led the round with Vulture second, and Rocket 11. third. General Mite broke badly, and was never dangerous. Opposite the stand The Broker went through his field but broke and lost ground which he recovered however, before the straight was entered. Welcome Jack led past the post for the second round, Vulture being second and The Broker close on the mare’s heels. In the turn for the home run Welcome Jack broke badly, and The Broker tried to gain the lead, but Vulture had his pace and drawing away won comfortably by three foil lengths. Time, 6min zsec. Dividend on 10s tickets, £ 1 12s.

Butterfly declined to start in the Grandstand Handicap of 40S0VS, five furlongs, which was contested by Gillie 9.9, The Dove 8.5, Robin (who has gone over from the Ellerslie Club) 8.2, Coquette 11. 8.2, and Pukete 6.10. Gillie was the public fancy, and Mr Stewart’s natty grey gelding Robin was backed pretty heavily. Robin and Gillie made the running, and Pukete lay last hard held. Coming into the straight Kelly let Pukete have her head, and she swept past the field in great style, and stalling off a big effort by Robin won by a length. The Dove filled third position. Time, imin Bsec. Dividend on 10s tickets, £4 7s. There was only one scratching for the big race of the day, the President’s Handicap Trot of isosovs, two miles, viz.. Judy, who was being reserved for the Pony Trot Handicap. Yum Yum was on the scratch mark, and had to concede starts of from issecs to sosecs. Although the mare trotted beautifully she never had a chance of winning. In the last race, a mile trot, she had to concede starts varying from i3secs to 25secs, and despite a brave battle by Mr Budge’s mare her great pacing was of no avail against the start given to the field. This treatment of Yum Yum is in my opinion the one serious blot on Mr Halstead’s handicapping, and when he does so much good work it seems a pity that he should spoil the effect by putting such well nigh impossible tasks before Mr Budge’s trotter. When the limit horse Peter was set going he broke badly, and Coronel la, with 24secs advantage, quickly went through the field. Passing the post for the first time the order of precedence was Corina, Peter and Hurricane, but by the time the leader was opposite the stand Coronella had worked her way up to second position. A break by Corina, the leading horse, let Coronella draw up close, and Yum Yum, trotting like a machine, commenced to glide past the back contingent at a tremendous rate. Coronella meanwhile had caught Corina and led into the straight, and the order past the post for the second time was Coronella, Corina and Hurricane. Rosebud was last and Yum Yum was fighting her uphill battle in the most plucky manner. Opposite the stand for the last time Coronella had a very big lead, and from this out the race was a foregone conclusion Coronella winning easily. Mascotte was second, and Yum Yum third. Time, smin Dividend, £4 2s on £1 tickets. Butterfly was scratched for the New Year Handicap of sosovs, seven furlongs, in view of the Steeplechase, in which she had to carry 12.4 over miles, and the runners were La Grippe 9.10, Gillie 9.5, Lady May 9.3, The Dove 8.0, Robin 8.0, Coquette 11. 7.12, Pukete 7.3 (inc. 71b penalty), and Star 6.7. La Grippe was made a decided favourite, but her backers went down badly Mr A. Greenwood’s mare never being dangerous throughout the race. She went off with the lead, but the grey gelding Robin quickly showed he had her safe, and the Star ran close behind the two leaders. Opposite the stand La Grippe drew away and Star shot to the front, but just as the crowd commenced to hail him as a winner out came Kelly’s whip and it was apparent the chestnut had shot his bolt. Once round the home turn Gillespie sent Robin to the front and the grey won in a fairly comfortable manner from Gillie, who came too late to gain the verdict. Lady May was third. Time, imin 351 sec. Dividends on £1 tickets, £u ss.

Nine out of the eleven acceptors faced Mr Halstead for the Harness Trot Handicap of sosovs, two miles, and Commodore’s chance was considered so rosy that 424 out of the 954 investors on the machine named him as the winner. Rosebud, who was on the scratch mark, was the most in demand. With 22secs to the good from the scratch mare, Commodore went off at a great pace and started to make up his ground in a very

promising manner. The limit horse Sparrowhawk however kept well ahead, and his clean style of trotting and entire absence of anything approaching an inclination to break, quickly made it apparent that the favourite would have to work hard to catch him. The first time past the post saw him leading hard held, with Ike second, Rutene third, after whom came Gwendoline, Commodore, Ruby, Bit o’ Blue and Berlin Maid, with the scratch horse Rosebud a bad last. Gwendoline broke after passing the post, and opposite the stand Commodore had a similar piece of bad luck. Sparrowhawk, trotting very nicely, led past the post for the second time, with Ike second and the favourite third. The latter shot past Ike in the turn after the passing of the post, but Sparrowhawk’s lead was too much and the limit horse entered the straight well ahead. Commodore came with great determination up the straight, and a fine fight ensued between the leaders. Passing the stand the grey was on Sparrowhawk’s wheel, but Trubshaw kept the bay gelding going and secured the judge’s verdict by a head. Time, 6min Dividend on ios tickets, £ 4 1 is. The four coloured on the card for the Steeplechase of 6osovs. about milels, faced the flag, Butterfly was top weight with 12.4, and the others were Little Raven 11.6, Effie 9.5 (inc. 51b over), and Taffy 9.0 (inc. 141 b over). Brisk speculation took place over this race, the top weight being the favourite although Little Raven had a very big following. Butterfly took command at the fall of the flag, and blundered over the first obstacle so badly that she was within an ace of falling. Effie was last and appeared to be in no hurry to close with the field. At the finish of the back stretch Taffy took the lead and led into the straight, followed by Butterfly, Little Raven, and Effie lengths behind last. The double in front of the stand was taken in the same order, but the bend saw Butterfly take the lead, which Taffy quickly became possessed of again. Butterfly shot past her opposite the stand, but Taffy again asserted herself and led the way into the straight. Over the double for the second time the black horse caught her, and jumping in very clean fashion Little Raven just led Butterfly round the bend. The stone wall sent Taffy to mother earth and Effie commenced to close on the leaders. Rounding the top of the course she came at a great pace which brought her to the black’s girths and a win for Mr Tom Greenwood looked a very likely possibility. Little Raven however had a lot left in him, and drawing away at the entrance to the straight never left his backers in doubt. He flew the double in great style, and a race for second place between Effie and Butterfly resulted in both coming to grief over the second obstacle of the double. T. Greenwood was quickest on his feet and passed the post second. A. Greenwood was wonderfully quick in recovering himself considering the nasty nature of his fall, and a hearty cheer greeted his re-appear-ance in the saddle. Time, 6min losec. Dividend on ios tickets, £1 12s. Ladybird was the only scratching in the Pony Trot Handicap of 40S0VS, two miles, for which the starters were Ike and Sandfly ssec, Peggy Bsec, Dinah i2sec, The Rat iBsec, Judy and Rocket 11. 2 3sec, and Nat (late Paddy’s Land) 3osec. Ike was favourite, and the next best backed ones were Sandfly and Judy. The first to enter the straight in the opening round was The Rat, after whom came Judy and Rocket 11. Peggy made up a lot of ground, but broke while passing the post. Judy assumed command opposite the stand, and Peggy moved up through the field, and in the turn for the straight was second. A break sent her back, and Judy shot away, until nothing in the race had a chance against her, and she trotted past the post a winner by several lengths. Ike, who broke badly during the race was second and Sandfly third. Time, smin sssec. Dividend on ios tickets, £2 7s. The meeting was brought to a conclusion with the trot for the Telegraph Handicap of sosovs, one mile, in which Yum Yum, on the scratch mark, was again given a task far beyond her powers. Commodore was the first to pass the post in the opening round, with Ladybird second, Otakeho third, and Mount fourth. The positions were very much altered when the home turn was reached. Yum Yum came at a strong pace," which however failed to bring her up to the leaders, but Mistletoe caught them at the stand, and despite a bad jostle came away and won by four lengths. Hurricane was second; and Yum Yum was neck and 1 neck with the third horse.

Time, 2min 4osec. Dividend on ios tickets, £7 4s.