TARATAHI-CARTERTON RACES-

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 225, 15 November 1894, Page 7

TARATAHI-CARTERTON RACES-

[by WIRE. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, November 13th. The Taratahi - Carterton Racing Club was favoured with beautiful w’eather for its first meeting on its new course, at Clareville, on Friday last. The club has spent a lot of money on its course, besides erecting a double grand stand to accommodate 400 or 500 persons and a stewards’ stand. The course is sixteen ya’, ds short of a mile in circumference, and is perfectly level going, but was a trifle loose on Friday ; but given a little time, it will be a really good course. The sum of £2,399 was passed through the machine during the day. The ball was set rolling with the Hunters Hurdles, of 25 sovs., If miles, for which only two horses faced the starter—Half Caste and Giraffe. Half Caste, a wiry piebald, had little difficulty in disposing of his opponent, winning comfortably by a couple of lengths. The winner took the fences in capital style, and should be heard of in the future. Sixteen horses went to the post in the Maiden Hack Handicap, of 25 sovs., about 1

mile, backers selecting Brooklet (Torpedo—Rivulet) as the pick of the basket. The mare came with a great reputation from Woodville, and looked in capital form. Swordfish, the Hutt representative, a short son of Piseatorious and Giriri, was ’sent out second favourite. The field was despatched to a straggling start, the favourite being the last to move. Swordfish jumped away in front, and the boy ramming the spurs into him, he lashed out after going a few yards, but afterwards went kindly and led into the back stretch, at which stage of the race Field Gun (half brother to Mahaki) went up to him. Turning for home, however, Swordfish shook him off comfortably and won easily by two lengths, Field Gun beating Miss Massey by threequarters of a length for second place, Brooklet three lengths away away fourth. The mile was run in Imin. 50sec., not a bad go indeed. Of the seven starters in the Taratahi - Carterton R.C. Handicap, of 40 sovs., about miles, Senator, w-ho looked in capital form, was sent out favourite, Prince Cole and Revolt being next in demand. Revolt was not so troublesome at the start on this occasion, and has lost much of his fractiousness. Senator wag taken to the front when the word was given, and although Revolt and Purepo put in decided claims at the bend, he won easily by two lengths, Revolt being a clear length in front of Purepo, and Brookfield fourth. Prince Cole cut a sorry figure, being last all the way. Five were sent out for the Hack Huddles, of 25 sovs., about 1£ miles, Oddfellow being entrusted with the bulk of the money. He made all his own running,-and won in a canter from The Bird, Makomako obtaining the barren honours of third place. Lord John fell at the second last hurdle when going well, but I do. not think he could have beaten Oddfellow, although he would have troubled him at the finish. Nine competed in the ClarevilleHack Handicap of 35 sovs., about 1 mile, Voltaire and Swordfish being selected as the best goods. From an indifferent start, of which Royal Tar got the worst, Fresh Deal, Brooklet, and Swordfish took command. Fresh Deal cried ago after four furlongs had been traversed. Brooklet, Swordfish, Silent Friend, and Voltaire were together at the bend, and a fine run up the straight ended in Davis’ chestnut gaining the judge’s verdict by a length, Voltaire being two lengths away, third, and Silent Friend fourth. The mile was run in Imin. 48 3-sth sec. Senator was sent out a hot favourite for the Railway Handicap, of 30 sovs., about t mile, but Swordfish’s connections were, confident of victory. Purepo and Sword Belt popped off the mark together, and the latter appeared to be winning easily at the home turn, but his rider afterwards taking matters comfortably, Senator tackled him about fifty yards from home, and before bhe brown horse could be got going Senator had passed him, winning under punishment by a length and a half, Purepo three lengths away third. Cheque was last the whole distance. Time, Imin. 19sec. Nine cried content for the Grand Stand Handicap, of 20 sovs., 6 furlongs, in which Swordfish declined with 8.7. Voltaire, with 8.9, was picked out as a really good thing over 6 furlongs —his pet distance —and so it turned out, as he never gave his opponents a chance, leading all the way, and romped home in front of a rank outsider in Mr. Macrae’s colt, Dinah Shad, Silent Friend being just clear of the black colt. Voltaire ran the 6 furlongs in Imin. 19sec., rather good time for a hack.