WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 26 May 1898, Page 10

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

Proceedings commenced with the Flying Stakes, from which the Manawatu hack (The Archer, 6.10) was withdrawn, leaving five to go to the post. Aquatic was voted the good thing, the Natatdr mare carrying £256 out of a total of £638, whilst Light was better supported than Surrey. Aquatic and Surrey got all the best of the start, Light and Rangipuhi being very slow to move. The two first-named carried on the ruririirig with a strong lead of Indian Shot to half way round the turn, when Tommy Scott’s cast-off began to move up, and at the quartermile post Iridian Shot had reached the leaders. Aquatic then retired, leaving the issue to Indian Shot and Surrey, and a good go saw Indian Shot win by a neck from Surrey. Light came fast in the straight, finishing in third place a length behind Surrey. Indian Shot paid the good price of £lO ss. The big event, the Wanganui Steeplechase, was robbed of considerable interest by the pen going through the names of Prince Charlie, who hopelessly broke down at work on Monday morning, and Toriki, who was reported to be sore. Needless to say Plain Bill was installed a strong favorite, 389 being on him out of 970. Muscatel, with whom Tally-ho was evenly backed, was next in demand. When the field went on the journey

Tangaroa was the first to show in front; Troubadour and Muscatel lying next. At the first jump —the stiff spar near the. six furlong post—tlie two leaders (Tangaroa arid Troubadour) toppled over and took no further part in the race, leaving ClaymoirS to take up the runri’ihg with Mustiatbl and Tally-ho as his nearest atteridarits: Clay-' more still led as tfiey came round the bend front Muscatel; while Plaid Bill had moved up a bit. No alteration took place as they swept past the stand or as they passed through the centre of the; course, except when approaching the water Hig. gins rattled Plain Bill at.it, reducing the gap somewhat. Claymore showed the way through the trees into the Recreation Ground, Muscatel lying close, with Plain Bill third, Riot and Tallyho being handy to the top-weight. When they came into the course proper, Muscatel was iri command, the rest being bunched in close attendance. Riot, Claymore, and Muscatel crossed the double in. front of the judge’s box all abreast; the second jump bringing Tally ho down and giving Sweeiiby a nasty shaking: Mqkcatel;goirig strongly, again assumed a decided lead from Riot and Claymore as they went down the back of the Plain Bill lying a bit far Out. At the half-mile post Higgins got to work on the toji-weight, and he quickly overhauled Riot and Claymore, leaving Muscatel to tackle next. Plain Bill got to Muscatel about a quarter of a mile from home, and cries went up that the favorite would win, but Percy Johnson drew the flail on the Taranaki mare, arid it could be seen thatPlain Bill had met a touch custoirier. When the pair rose at the last fence—a stiff hencoop spar —Muscatel had a slight advantage, and both riders rode for all they were worth, but Muscatel was not to be denied and drew away; winning comfortably by two lengths, with Claymore eight lengths away third. Riot was the, only horse to finish, both Retter (the rider of la,n--garoa) and George Laing (who was on Troubadour) were carried in, but, beyond a severe shaking, they were none the worse for their mishaps, both getting about later in the day. Tommy Scott not holding the necessary certificate for Kohurere’s qualification as a hunter, led to his withdrawal from the Hunters’ Steeplechase, leaving four runners. Menaderva, with that successful young gentleman-rider, Mr Nelson Mcßae up, found most favor on the machine, Coastguard being next in demand. The feature of the race was the fine jumping of all four horses, who negotiated the same fences as those used in the big Steeplechase in fine style. Menaderva and Coastguard alternately held, command the first time round, and when they went down the course Menaderva showed the way, Frisco moving up into second place as they approached the water jump. Menaderva still led on going i out into the Recreation Ground, coming out of which she was still in front of Scimitar. At the double in front of the stand all were together except Frisco, who was outpaced. Menaderva went away again down the back stretch, with Coastguard in pursuit. The latter reached Menaderva at the turn, and they raced together till the last jump, when Coastguard came down, leaving Menaderva to wjn very easily from Scimitar and Frisco. Mr Harley, rider of Coastguard, fortunately escaped unhurt. Pokomoko (9.0) was the only withdrawal from the Handicap Hurdles, leaving seven to compete. The good things said about Opai since going into Jos. Prosser’s hands had ardently impressed iriany, and he was sent out a very strong favorite, only a little longer price than evens. After him, punters placed most reliance in Dummy, and the . result went to show the public’s estimation was a correct one. FrOm a nice even.despatch Dumriiy and Opai were in charge over the first jump, with Flirt on their quarters. Turning into the back stretch Klima momentarily displaced Dumriiy

Wild sbbn W ui> running with Klima, Opal, an j'ifcfahnia close handy. Coming down the home slight Dummy arid Qpm were in command,' with the top.- whigh t (Mtssfire) lying third Dante being a long way-out Going round the back again, Dummy and Opdi's superior pace began to tell a tale, and W gradually dre* awa£ from tl e rest of the field. Both horses were locked levd aS they came into the home turn, but Opdi was not to be denied, and gradually drawing away won comfortably by two lengths, Missnre being third'sii lengths away.' It wbuld be a farce to attempt to describe A Inin a* a win in the Hack Hurdles. Her only opponents were Cairo and Star King, both giving weight to Alpinfe, whose performances entitled them to receive weight from her. Alpine went right away with a strong lead, neither of the others getting within coo-ee of her at any part o£ the race. She cantered home in a ridiculously z easy manner by six length*. Plain Bill, Prince Charlie, and Claymore were scratched for the Suburban Steeplechase, leaving only three to fight it out. Bradshaw, the winner of last year’s big steeplechase, was served up a warm favorite, Barbarossa also having a good following. Barbarossa was quickest away, a,nd led past the Starid from Bradshaw, Cheque lying back. Going through the centre.cburse Barbarossa still led froin Bradshaw, old Cheque being a long way in the rear. Barbarossa went into the Bemeation Ground with a strong lead, but by the tim.e the double was reached Bradshaw- had moved up alongside the leader, who blundered badly at the second jump of the double, but again went away from Bradshaw.. He, however, hit the fence on entering the back of the course very heavily, Bob Arnott making a clever recovery and maintaining his lead. Bradshaw again moved up rounding the home turn, but failed to reach Barbarossa,' who won comfortably by two lengths, Cheque finishing nowhere. Bob Arnott was loudly cheered on returning to scale for his clever horsemanship. Barbarossa inflicted a nasty gash on his off hind leg when he struck the fence. Another small field of four contested the First Hack Flat, for which The Hempie, c.espite her heavy impost of 9.10 for a three-year-old, was made a hot favorite. Quetn’s Guard and Worry acted ; as pacemakers, The Hempie lying third. Down the back the speedy daughter of Sou’-Wesier—-Romp moved up, and going to the front at the home bend won most comfortably by two lengths from Worry, who was the same distance z in front of Queen’s Guard.