A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 277, 14 November 1895, Page 7

A.R.C. SECOND SPRING MEETING.

A large attendance and Good Racing — Fabulist, carries off the Guineas — Blarney wins the Handicap — A Castor Filly heads the Itvo-year-olds —Folly retrieves her reputation — Bombardier and St, Laura each win a double.

The second instalment, of the Auckland Racing Club’s Spring Card was laid before us at Ellerslie last Saturday under the most favourable circumstances, fine weather, good going and excellent fields combining to make th e

gathering an emphatic success from a racing point of view t From a business standpoint things were just as satisfactory, the attendance being particularly good, some 4,000 race-goers putting in an appearance ; and that their moneybags were also on hand is evidenced by the totalisator returns, which figure up to £1,313 in advance of last year’s figures, the money handled on the eight races totalling £6,604. In the matter of management there was room for much favourable comment, the races being got off punctually to the advertised hours, while the many details were watched in a manner that reflected credit upon Mr Percival and his assistants. There was, however, a loophole somewhere ; for those who patronised the top of the grandstand during the progress of the various events were annoyed by a batch of fifteen or twenty urchins, whose tattered garments did not favour the supposition of ten shillings having been paid on their behalf at the gates. The loophole (under a fence, most probably) responsible for their entry should certainly be blocked in future. The management of the totalisators was carried out by Mr Blomfield’s staff in their customary efficient style, and Mr Cutts’ starting was quite satisfactory, while Major Banks’ task in the judging-box was a light one, all the wins being recorded in decisive fashion. Backers had their creature comforts looked after by T. McEwin, the well - known caterer’s luncheon being, as usual, the finest racecourse spread to be found on any of the New Zealand racing grounds. The racing track was in excellent order, thanks to the favourable spring weather and Mr Hill’s watchful care. As regards the racing, better sport has seldom been

given at any of the A.R.C. Spring re-unions ; and I think we may congratulate ourselves on having a really creditable lot of cattle this year. The classic event —the Auckland Gruineas — showed up an undeniably good three-year-old in Fabulist, the Fabulous —Inisthona coltthat was obtained by Mr W. Duncan as a yearling for 25 guineas. As a two-year-old Fabulist showed fair form, but was always smothered by Forma, whose supremacy over her two - year - old competitors was undoubted. But the additional age appears to have given Fabulist an improvement superior to the advance made by Forma. At the same time the mare has done well, and during the season should justify the hopes formed by her displays of last year. The Natatorcolt, Ngatuere, who failed in the Gruineas, is a handsomely built colt, but his mileage stands a. rung lower than that of Fabulist, who should show up well in the three-year-old contests of this season. St. Clements proved himself to be the daisy cutter the present writer has always maintained he is by simply slaughtering the runners in the Shorts Handicap. Set him going in fighting commission over five furlongs, and weight has little terror for this famous St. Leger. On Saturday the favourites had a point the best of results, five first choices getting home out of the eight events decided.