THE SPORTS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 347, 18 March 1897, Page 9

THE SPORTS.

The fact that it rained all Friday night and up to five o’clock on Saturday morning, was by no means favourable to the prospects of the Polo Sports to be held on Saturday afternoon on the Ellerslie racecourse. However, it cleared up during the morning, and the afternoon was beautifully fine, and when the counter attraction at the Domain is considered, the attendance was excellent, the ladies appearing in force. Ellerslie and its surroundings presented a beautifully green appearance, but the going was a trifle heavy, especially for ponies carrying welter weights. The management was good if we except the fact that the events were not despatched according to time, and thus led to the inconvenience of the general public who waited to see the last race. The special train had by that time left with but few passengers, and several hundred passengers assembled on the racecourse platform, where, after waiting for some time, the truth dawned upon then} that there would be no train until 7 o’clock, and that even then the iron horse would not stop at the racecourse platform. Under such circumstances it is not surprising that many of the disappointed ones vowed in favour of ■ lumbering ’busses in future as the surest mode of transit between Ellerslie and the city. The officials, more especially Major Banks, in the judge’s box, and Mr G. Outts, with the red flag, gave every satisfaction, and pleasant music was discoursed by Impey’s band. Notwithstanding the aristocratic nature of the gathering, the bookmakers were permitted to ply their calling in a corner of the lawn, and their presence did not appear to shock any of those present, not even when they announced in the Polo Cup they would “ take 2 to 1 on the field,” and that field consisted of eight. The favourite was beaten, and altogether the pencil wielders Jiad occasion to rejoice, for they carried away aristocratic money in their bags. There can be no doubt that their presence

materially assisted in maintaining interest in the various events of the afternoon. Bending Competition. Mr A. S. Baker’s b m Daisy ... ... ... 1 Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s ch g Ratan ... ... 2 Mr A. S. Baker’s Lady Polo ... ... ... 3 There were twelve competitors, and they raced in three heats, the winners competing in the final, Daisy being if anything the favourite in the small amount of betting done. The final was won by Daisy by a length. Polo Ball Race. Mr A. S. Baker’s b m Daisy, owner ... ... 1 Mr E. Keiller’s b m Mildred, Wilson ... 2 Mr E. Keiller’s b m Wild Rose, owner ... 3 The competitors were required to hit a ball from the starting-post round a flag 150 yards away, and back to the post. The several heats were won by : First, Mr W. D. Lloyd’s Musket; second, Mr F. P. Snow’s Dolly (walk over) ; third, Mr E. Keiller’s Wild Rose; fourth, Mr E. Keiller’s Mildred (walk over) ; fifth, Mr A. S. Baker’s Daisy ; a bye, Mr A. S. Baker’s Lady Polo. The final was won comfortably. Hurdle Race, six furlongs. Mr H. C. Tonks’ g g Maxim, 11.10, owner ... 1 Mr S. Bennett’s ch g Ewi, 12.2, owner ... 2 Mr W. B. Lloyd’s b m Vanity, 12.2, owner... 3 Other starters —Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s Gisborne, 12.2, Gordon; Mr P. Dolbel’s Racket, 12.2, owner; Mr P. Dolbel’s Marino, 11.4, C. Bennett. Betting—Evens Maxim. 2 to 1 against Vanity, 5 to 1 bar two. The favourite lead from start to finish, and won comfortably from Ewi, who beat Vanity for second place. Time, Imin 37 2-ssec. Ladies’ Bracelet. Mrs A. S. Baker’s Lady Polo, Baker... ... 1 Mrs H. C. Tonks’Lucy Grey, Tonks... ... 2 Miss Esme Elliott’s Junkett, Gordon ... 3

The conditions were—“ Ponies to be nominated by ladies. Compeitors to stand each with a man to hold his pony, one chain distant from the ladies, and at the given word to run to the latter, and when needle threaded, run back to ponies, mount, and gallop round post one furlong distant, finishing at starting-point with needle threaded.” Upon the dexterity of the ladies much depended, and Lady Polo, being well served in that respect, won comfortably. Auckland Polo Cup, four furlongs. Mr C. E. Purchas’ ch g Chance It, 12.2, Lloyd 1 Mr H. C. Tonks’ g g Maxim, 11.10, owner ... 2 Mr A. Hanna’s bm Nellie, 12.2, Whewell ... 3 Other starters—Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s Nimble, owner; Mr T. Crosse’s First Whisper, S. Bennett Mr W. G. Keiller’s Sweetheart, Wilson ; Mr R. H. Rhodes’ Stella, Dalrymple; Mr R. S. Abraham’s Princess May, Shearman. Betting—2 to 1 on First Whisper, 6 to 1 against Nellie, Princess May, and Stella, 10 to 1 the others. The favourite was quickest on her legs and led until turning into the straight, when Chance It shot out and won easily from Maxim and Nellie. Time, 55 l-ssec. Tandem Race. Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s ch g Ratan and br g Salvator ... ... j Mr R. H. Wynyard’s ch g Saint and b m Maggie Mr A. S. Baker’s b m Dinah and b m Irene 3 Other starters Mr A. Keiller’s b m Sweetheart and b m Q,ui Vive. Betting—Evens Mr O’Rorke’s pair, 2 to 1 the others. Mr O’Rorke soon assumed the lead and won easily. Steeplechase. Mr H. C. Tonk’s br g General Mite, 10.3, owner... ... j

Mr E. G. Elliott’s ch m Ikaora, 12.2, Gordon 2 Mr W. B. Lloyd’s Vanity, 12.2, owner ... 3 Other starters —Mr S. Bennett’s Ewi, Mr R. W. Dalrymple’s Cocky, and Mr G. H. Wilson’s Bay Rum. Betting-—5 to 4 General Mite, 4to 1 Ikaora, 5 to 1 Vanity and Cocky, 8 to 1 Ewi. The favourite led all the way, but Ikaora and Vanity were always pretty handy. The little pony, however, won comfortably, at the finish. Time, 3min 38 3-ssec. Consolation Race. Mr M. Herrold’s Ginger, E. Bennett ... 1 Mr R. W. Dalrymple’s Cocky... ... ... 2 Mr A. Hanna’s Nellie ... ... ... 3 There were ten starters. Betting—Even money Nellie, 5 to 1 Stella and Princess May, 6 to 1 Ratan, 10 to 1 Ginger and others. The favourite flattered her supporters for a time, and then died away, Ginger winning easily. Costume Race. Mr E. D. O’Rorke’s Nimble, owner ... ... 1 Mr H. C. Tonk’s Lucy Grey, owner ... ... 2 Mr A. S. Baker’s Lady Polo, owner ... ... 3 Much amusement was caused by the odd costumes donned by the riders. Mr O’Rorke appeared as a country yokel, Mr Tonks as a clown, and Mr Baker as a very life-like celestial. Nimble won easily. There was no betting worth recording on this race.