WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB’S MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 404, 21 April 1898, Page 10

WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB’S MEETING.

[By Our Own Correspondent.]

Weather of a charming nature favored the above club for their gathering on Easter Monday, a bumper attendance being on hand to assist in the day’s sport. The train arrangements were bad. Speculation was very brisk, £4514 going through the two machines. A start was made with the Hurdle Race, for which the four colored on the card weighed out, but, previous to starting, the owner of Greenstone was informed that a previous owner of the Turquoise gelding had allowed him to get into the unpaid forfeit list, consequently he had to stand out of the contest. A good send-off saw Great Britain and Outlaw in front, Aorere lying a dozen lengths behind. For over a mile of the journey he plodded along the same distance in the rear, and when steam was turned on he failed to decrease the distance, Great Britain easily holding Outlaw, who allowed Aorere to come with a rush and snap the second money irom him on the post by a head. Douglas Watt rode a good race on the winner.

Out of the six acceptors for the Easter Handicap Nukurau was the only omission. The Trenton filly, who was drawn by a Porongahau resident in the St. Alban’s Lotte" t some time ago, had a pull in the betting, Moonraker, who it was thought would not be suited by the hard going, being next in demand. After going about three furlongs King Wai bumped into a post, cannoning against Girofla, who in turn touched Donovan, which no doubt saved her from falling. This contretemps interferred with Moonraker a bit, as at this stage he was just beginning to feel his way. Sweeping round the bend Whiritea shot to the front and soon placed himself at the head of the party. Moonraker made his run at the same time and attempted to get up on the inside, but J ones shut him out, which compelled Griffiths to pull round, considerably hampering him and giving the black gelding a chance, but The Assyrian’s son was not to be choked off, and again getting into his stride went for his opponent, who was wavering greatly as they neared the line, the long run he had made telling its tale upon him. Moonraker just captured the stake by a head, with King Wai a fair third.

In the Trial Handicap, Te Ori had no difficulty in settling the pretentions of Beauharnais, who, I am afraid, is a bad lot and no credit to his aristocratic sire and dam, as the winner is no wonder.

Martyrdom was installed a hot favorite for the next item, the big event of the day from a monetary point of view, for which the half-dozen figured on the card lined up. Te Ngaehe and Maid Marion led till a few yards from the judge’s box the first time round, when the Maid assumed control. Round the back she was still prominent, Te Ngaehe succumbing when a mile had been covered. Then came Martyrdom and Aphony, with Dottrel! at their heels and Donovan out of it. Three furlongs from home Lister rushed Dottrell through and she quickly had the premier place. Martyrdom, being second, made an effort half way down the straight to get on terms with the Cuirassier filly, but she failed and her chance of victory looked very remote. Twenty yards from the post Dottrell looked the best of good things, but just here she faded away, and White appealing once more to Martyrdom for another try she responded in a way that fairly electrified the onlookers and revived the hopes of her supporters, for her effort had brought her on

terms with Lowry’s filly, who fell back a length by the time the line was reached. Dottrell most decidedly came too soon arid ran herself to a standstill, thus enabling the game and consistent daughter of Apremont to add another success to her long list. Atlas White deserves credit for his patient and persevering ridin t, and it is a pity that this lad is growing so rapidly, as he does not get the chances that he otherwise would if he could keep down that too solid flesh. Four lined u p for the Hack Race, one mile and a half. Daphne, who had the heavy import of 9st 51b, was picked as the pea. A previous winner (Te Ori) was among the contestants. When it came to the final struggle Forerunner’s daughter found that the 261 b she was conceding Progress was more than she could do, for Archer’s daughter (ridden by her trainer, Banks), won comfortably. Half-a-dozen ranged up for the Flying Handicap, Nukurau haying a very slight call over Dottrell in the betting, Moonraker, who carried a 71b penalty for her previous success, being the fourth favorite. When in a line for home, Whiritea held the leading place, but Dottrell had too much foot for him when the final struggle took place, and landed the stakes by half a length, a distance she could have comfortably increased without much ado. Although the winner made such a meritorious struggle in the Waipukurau Handicap she paid the best price of the day, £4.Bs.

The Final Hack Handicap was the last item on the card, and was won by Pansy, who defeated six others and paid her followers a dividend of £1 13s. Forecast got second money, while the top-weight, Daphne, was third. Mr W. Edwards handled his fields in an able manner, his dismissals being particularly good in every instance. Now that he has shown his ability at the game, and proved his worth by practical demonstration, other clubs will no doubt avail themselves of his services.