THE AUCKLAND SECOND SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 329, 12 November 1896, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND SECOND SPRING MEETING.

[By

Atlas.]

ELLERSLIE has not the pretentions of the Bundwick, Flemington, or Caulfield courses, but nevertheless it is a convincing ground that must charm the visitor who steps on to it for the first time, even though he may be fresh from the greater racecourses in Australia, the truth is that nature has been more bountiful to Ellerslie than it has been to any rendezvous of Australian sporting men, and has done more for it than the golden coin that has been expended so lavishly on Flemington and Randwick. Na' ure has made Ellerslie beautiful, and from the grand stand — neat and commodious enough for all present requirements —a splendid view is obtained of the racing. The saddling paddock is at present undergoing the process of improvement, and good progress is being made with the committee and press stand} and before the next Auckland race meetings all these evidences of the progressive spirit of the Auckland Racing Clnb will have been given effect to, and breathing time afforded to the genial secretary in which he may contemplate the increased pleasure brought about by the chahgieß to the patrons of Ellerslie. The weal her on Saturday last, the second Spring Meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was inaugurated was beautifully line, but. the attendance was not equal to that of last year, a fact probably due to the counter attraction on the Domain, where the Australian cricketers were engaged in a match against Auckland. However, the muster was a good one and the general arrangements all that could be desired, a circumstance for which Mr Percival and his s'aff are to be credited. The well-kept appearance of the lawn and course were a credit to the caretaker and the excellent music rendered by Mr Impey’s band was a source of pleasure to those whose attention was not too deeply engrossed with the racing. The catering was mtru.-ted to Mr T. McEwin of the City Buffet, and gave every satisfaction. Major Banks presided over the judge’s box, but his duties were tolerably light, as he had only one really close finish—that in the first race—to decide. Mr George Cutts officiated as usual as starter at the barrier, and better praise cannot be given than the statement that all the starts were even and were effected without delay. A starter can do nothing more than that, and when on the subject of starting I may be permitted to express the satisfaction I felt on seeing that the machine had been, adopted here. It has revolutionised Starting in Australia, and the racing community owe a debt of gratitude to the inventor Mr Gray. By the way, I hear that Gray intends to pay New Zealand a visit just to see that there are no infringements of his patent. The racing during the day was not particularly interesting, there being a bigger percentage than usual of dead birds, and only in one race was the finish particularly exciting. It often happens that when the result of a race is regarded as a foregone conclusion for one horse the percentage of triers drops off, and perhaps to that fact the long tails in two of the events at Ellerslie may be attributed. • The first event on the card on Saturday was the President’s Handicap, for which a good field stripped, and Wairongomai was singled out as the public favourite, but he quite failed, although he had a good run. Lord Dunluce made most of the pace to the home turn, when he had shot his bolt, and Markinch, evidently full of running, took his place as pilot, with the colours of the favourite still handy and Quickfire on his girths. With their heads fairly turned forborne it looked a good thing for Markinch. Wairongomai was not in it, and Lillie, coming with a determined run, reached the leader at the Derby stand, and a ding-dong battle between the pair resulted in a head win for the mare, with Mantle, who made a late run, third, Wairongomai fourth, Quickfire fifth. The time, lmin4ssec, shows that the pace was pretty sound. The form exhibited by St. Paul at Wanganui appears to have frightened everything out of the Guineas, as there were only three starters, and one of these, Antares, was left in presumably to make the pace for his stable companion. However, St. Paul was confronted with one real opponent in Nestor, but from the outset the race was regarded as a foregone conclusion, a fact that was indicated by the solid manner in which the dollars were forthcoming in St. Paul’s favour. The son of St. Leger appeared to be in the pink of condition, and there were many, both before and after the race, who regretted that he had not been entered to represent Auckland in the New Zealand Cup. Nestor looked bright and well, and there were a select few who, in spite of his formidable opponent, backed him on the strength of an excellent private gallop. The few who invested on Antares probably did so in the hope that as pacemaker he might steal a march from the other pair, but that was not to be. Nestor, followed by Antares, made the pace solid, and St. Paul lay handy to tbe pair. At the home turn Antares was done with, and the favourite at once went up to Nestor, but as he dropped back again some of his backers got a shock. Chaafe, however, had felt Nestor and could see he could go no faster, and he therefore waited for the straight. Here he shook the favourite up, and before the distance was reached the race was all over, St. Paul eventually winning very easily by two lengths, while Antares was at least six lengths behind Nestor. The time was lmin4ssec, or two seconds faster than Fabulist’s time] last year.

The dividend -was -onev getting their sovereign back and six shillings to ..boot; but.httle fish- are sweet, and- it is better toback a good thing than tb angle for a big dividend, that only comes' off in such cases as that of St. Simon in the Hurdles. The Musket Stakes earned a field of seven to saddle up, and despite the circulated rumour that Coronet hud been bleeding at the nose he was well supported, and the touts whispered the story that he had done a good gallop the other morning. There was nothing in the appearance of the dashing son of Castor and Necklace to cause the slightest bit of uneasiness to hisnumerous backers, and the manner in which he reached out in his preliminary gallop brought him more friends than ever. Miss Rose, too, was in blooming health and was the popular pick. St. Evelyn had a taking appea’ance. Blairina is a pretty filly who should be heard of again, and Knight of At hoi, Canopus, and Royal Conqueror all showed a considerable amount, of snbstance, but all of them require to be a bit better than they were to beat Coronet, The nice is easily de scribed. S’. Evelyn made most of the pace, but once fairly in the straight Coronet for the first time commenced io move in real earnest, and the others became lookers on. St. Evelyn was soon dore with, and Coronet romped home. Miss Rose, the favourite, was >m inglorious third, while Knight of Athol w is f nir’li, and Blairina fifth. The time was one secoml faster than that of List year. A field of ten started in the Handicap Hurdle Race, the only absentee being Dentist. The race was the medium of a considerable amount of speculation, Miss Nelson, Bombardier, Beggarman, Erank, Kingswood, Aughadowey, and Starlight all being we'l supported, while the outside division, which furnished the winner, consisted of St. Simon,-Grenadier, and Clarence. Two of the outside division, St. Simon and Clarence, made the pace from the word go, and Bombardier was the only one of the heavy-weights who seemed disposed to follow them. At the hurdle between the six and seven furlong post*, Grenadier, who had been going well, suddenly lost his place, leading to the impression that he must have rapped the hurdle hard. St. Simon now sailed away with a four-length lead from Bombardier, and that was the ord-r along the back, but as they approached the home turn Bombardier was getting closer to the leader. Here, also, Aughadowey, who had waited 100 patienily in the vain hope that the leaders would come hack, made a forward move. Bombardier got within a length and a half of St. Simon in the straight, but he never could quite get up, although he struggled on gamely, and was beaten all out by a length. The leading pair were rolling at the finish, and had the distance been two miles Aughadowey, who was going strong in the straight, would have won. As it was he was a good third, a long way in front of Kingswood fourth, Grenadier fifth, Miss Nelson sixth, and Clarence seventh. The victory of St. Simon was, I genuinely believe, a surprise to the stable. He had been working with Frank, who was the elect of the stable, and had constantly been beaten by the Captivator gelding. On Saturday, however, there was a wide difference in their form, and the select few who supported St. Simon received a nice dividend. Mr Evitt’s adjustment in the Short’s Handicap appeared to give satisfaction to the owners, as the whole of the ten entered for the race, lined up in front of the starter. Waiuku, who had arrived at Ellerslie during the week, was made a strong order, and his appearance certainly warranted the thought that he had undergone a satisfactory preparation. Anniversary also had a good following, while Lufru, St. Elma, The Sharper, and Lady Cuisine were all in the betting. The start was an excellent one, and the first to make play in front was .Lady Cuisine, who was closely attended by Waiuku and The Sharper. After that the favourite was steadied, and The Sharper and Lady Cuisine cut out the work. Lady Cuisine led to the straight, but here Waiuku made his effort, and cutting down all opposition, won easily from Lady Cuisine, while St. Elma and Anniversary finished together third, The Sharper was fourth and Lufra fifth. Interest in the City Handicap waned, because of the presence of the victorious St. Paul. The form he had disclosed, even before the Guineas, had led to the result being looked upon as a foregone conclusion, and so it was. There were seven starters, and out of tbe 704 sovereigns on the totalisalor 374 had been invested on St. Paul. The story of the race is soon told. St. Regel made the pace, with St. Paul laying handy until the home bend was reached, and then Chaafe took the favourite to the front without an effort, and it was all over. From that out there was nothing to dispute St. Paul’s right, and he won just as he liked, with Haria and St. Regal in the places. There was a large field in the Pony Handicap, but notwithstanding that fact the supporters of Archduke planked the money down in a manner that showed that they knew more about the pony than the handicapper. Paobably Mr Evett is not to blame for that, because in pony racing especially, good things are often sprung upon the handicapper, and Archduke turned out to be the best of good things. He never left the issue in doubt, but taking the lead early he held it throughout, and won as he liked at the finish from Pearl 11. and Bob. I liked the game way in which Pearl finished; but while crediting Archduke with an easy win, I greatly fear that his private reputation disturbed the galloping power of some of those behind him. Some of them may exhibit a little more pace when Archduke is out of the way, or has a little more weight up. If they all showed their true form the handicapper will have to put the ground roller on Archduke to stop him. A big field saddled up for the Flying Handicap, and here again the punters found the pea. St. Clements was their pick, and he quite justified their confidence. After St. Elmo had shown the way to the straight, St. Clements run to the front and won hard held from St. Elmo and Waiuku.

'The second day of the spring meeting was -favoured -by even-better weather than on, the first day, and the splendid at'endance must have gladdened the hearts of the Auckland Club officials. The gate returns were of a satisfactory nature, and speculation by medium of the machine was greater than at the Second Spring Meeting last year. Monday’s investments amounted to £7,064, making the totalforthe two days £12,479, as against £12,013 last year. Mr Percival’s arrangements were perfect, and with lhe exception of an accident in the Steeplechase, which terminated the existence of Kildare, nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of an interesting days’ racing. Proceedings were opened with the Spring Handicap, which brought out a field of nine, and Lady Marion and St. Regel were most in request. The race was between this pair, and Lady Marion on entering the straight looked like a winner, but St.. Regel wore herdown and won a good race by a short length. When the field saddled up for the Second Hurdle Race, and the pen had been run through the names of Annabelle, Beggarman, and Dentist, speculators began to discuss Mr Evett’s handicaps in terms tb it were not favourable. O i performances there -was some reason on their side, because Bombardier, who had beaten Aughadowey, actually met him on better terms ; but on the other hand, St. Simon, on the first day’s running, had for his victory, when he just wobbled home in front of Bombardier, been raised 121bs in weight, while 31bs had been taken off Bombardier. The pair, therefore, met on 151bs different terms, all in favour of Bombardier, but the result was all the same. Mr Evett was right and his critics wrong. St. Simon, however, was ridden in a totally different manner to the way in which he was 'handled on the first day, for instead of cutting out the pace Jfergus kept a good hold of his head in the early pari —when Grenadier, Miss Nelson, and Frank ./ere showing the way. St. Simon at that stage was actually last, and Grenadier was allowed to assume a long lead, Miss Nelson being at the head of the main bunch ; but after a mile had been traversed Sterling joined Grenadier, with Miss Nelson. Frank came to grief at the seven furlong post, and St. Simon then moved right up. Negotiating the home bend, St. Simon got to the front, and Grenadier settled down to follow him. St. Simon, when in the straight, appeared half inclined to shirk it, and swerved a little, but Fergus straightened him quickly, and he won by a length and a half from Grenadier, Sterling third, Miss Nelson fourth, Bombardier fifth. Reflection sixth, and 2Vughadowey seventh. The time for the journey was five seconds faster than St. Simon s Saturday record. A protest against the winner for crossing Grenadier was entered, but was dismissed In the Nursery Handicap seventeen youngsters sported silk, and, despite the fact that Mr Evett had put the steadier of 9st 51b on Coronet, the Musket Stakes winner, he was the popular pick. Coronet certainly won the Musket Stakes easily, but St. Evelyn in this race showed that. Coronet’s win was not a stone victory. That, however, was Mr Evett’s judgment, and although he was wrong he was not very far out Although the start was a good one, St. Evelyn was first on her feet, followed by Blairina, and? for a while the all pink of Coronet was hidden in the big field. It was not for long however, as, rounding the bend, he shot out and passed Blairina; but the flying St. Evelyn was still two lengths to the good. In that order they turned into the straight, the field at this time having spread-eagled, and there were only the two leaders in made a gallant effort, but it was all’lo no purpose. He closed a little on St. Evelyn, but the task was more than he could accomplish, and St. Evelyn won by a length. The field of sixteen in the Prince of Wales’ Stakes was reduced to the insignificant number of five, and the public picked Nestox 1 as the best in it; but after Haria’s run on Saturday I confess to thinking it was a good thing for him. However, when the barrier went away Nestor was the popular pick, and Anita was the first to show the way. At the back of the course Anita was three-quarters of a length in front of Haria, with Nestor close up, and at the cutting Haria had joined the leader. At the home bond the son of Flintlock had assumed the lead, but once in the straight Nestor put in a claim, and although the St. Legei’ colt got within a length of the leader he was not able to keep the effort up, and Haria won an excellent race by half a length, a length between second and third, while Ant arcs was fourth, and Anita last. Nine saddled up in the Steeplechase, and most confidence was reposed in that old warrior, Levanter, but Belle and Bombardier received substantial support. The race was an excellent crosscountry exhibition, the mistakes made being few. Belle and Mozel acted as the pilots during the greater part of the race—first one and then the other taking the lead. At the stone wall Kildare, who had been running well, fell and broke his neck, but his rider (Coleman) fortunately escaped injury. Belle had a long lead at the last fence, and although Levanter- made a game effort to catch her, the mare won comfortably by two lengths. Bombardier was third, Sterling fourth, Mozel fifth, and Carbuncle sixth. Clarence fell passing the stand the second time. Lady Marion was the popular pick for the Maiden Plate, but she quite failed, and the race resulted in a tolerably easy victory for Mantle, who seems to come at the right end of a journey. Napoleon was served up very warm for the Pony Handicap, and those who backed the little black gelding evidently knew what they were about, as he nevei’ gave anything else in the race a chance, and won in a common canter. A very successful meeting was brought to a close by the victory of Lady Cuisine in the Ellerslie Handicap, for which Waiuku was made a hot favourite. He, however, did not get a very good run, and the mare, finishing very gamely, won by a long neck.