After the Races. AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 426, 22 September 1898, Page 13

After the Races.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

[Br

Atlas.]

The racing season in the Auckland district was opened on Saturday with the Spring Meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, and I think that everyone connected with the gathering had reason to be pleased with the success achieved. The few threatening clouds hanging about in the morning cleared away, and a beautiful afternoon waa experienced by possibly the largest attendance that has yet patronised the Avondale convincing ground. The public are not slow to notice anything that has been done for their comfort, and the improvements made to the grandstand were heartily appreciated. Amongst tho«e present was Mr W. R. Wilson, of St. Albans, Australia, and during the whole afternoon he took a close interest in the sport. The general arrangements were excellent, a fact which entitles Mr H. H. Hayr, the hon. secretary of the Club, to a special compliment. Mr J. Bollard was not present to occupy the new judge’s box, but his place in the early part of the. afternoon was taken by Mr George Dunnett, and subsequently by Messrs T. Morrin and Donald McLeod. The stewards were on the alert, and as the starting and handicapping proved to be all right, the progra nme was moit satisfactorily carried out. The bookmakers appeared to do a good business, and that their presence did not have a bad effect upon the machine, is shown by the fact that the sum of £3436 was handled during tbe afternoon, that total being over £2OO in excess of the best on record at Avondale. The machine was managed by Mr J. Cook, on behalf of Messrs H. H. Hayr and Company, and the staff appeared quite equal to all the demands made upon it. Mr Akers, of the City Buffet, supplied a first-class luncheon in the new diningrooms, and Mr Caulton’s large staff were kept busily engaged in supplying liquid refreshments. The racing right through was interesting. The First Juvenile Stakes of the season always provokes interest, and this year the friends of the proprietors of Sylvia Park were delighted with the highly creditable debut of Seaton Delaval’s progeny. Another pleasant feature of the day’s sport was the fine form displayed by St. Paul, who won the Cnp under 10.8, like the race horse that he is. I don’t think Jack Chaafe ever had a doubt about it, and he must have been a proud man when he heard the cheers which the little bounder’s victory provoked. The Maiden Plate Handicap, six furlongs, opened the campaign and of the eighteen acceptors only Drum Major and St. Edith declined the contest. By the time the sixteen runners were saddled up there was a big crowd of spectators in the paddock, and punters were on the qui vive to find the first winner of the season. Not a few looked on Reaction as a tip not to be lightly put aside, and when it was whispered about that the son of Blairgowrie and Reproach had the confidence of his stable connections he met with steady support.. South Pacific was another well-backed one, and on the strength of training track performances his chance of victory was considered an excellent one, as was Auld Reekie’s. Doneraile, who had good form at Takapuna and a third to Crusoe and Castashore at Ellerslie to back his credentials, also found plenty of adherents, while Partan Jeanie,-promoted from pony ranks, was regarded as the likely one by many knowing students of the game. The Owl and Knight of Athol had many admirers, who declined to look further afield for the winner. Mr Halstead got the big field away in capital form, and the line was broken by The Owl, who was closely followed by Partan Jeanie and- Reaction, with Knight of Athol in immediate attendance. At the turn into the bottom of the course Reaction had run to the front, and by the time the turn into the straight was reached held a very comfortable lead. Increasing his advantage at every stride, Reaction won very easily by three lengths from The Owl, who was the best part of a length in front of Knight of Athol, who put in a strong run coming up the straight. The numbers of Belle and King of the Gipsies were missing from the board when the contestants for the Handicap Hurdles went up, leaving eight to go to the post. Antares was the centre of attraction in the paddock, and certainly the Auckland Cup winner was a picture. Franks had got him in rare condition, and, bar his big knee, Castor’s son was one of the handsomest horses on the course. Antares has never been a clean jumper, but his known speed gave him public preference, and he met with very strong support. Atlantic, looking beautifully well —a fine stamp of cross-country horse he is—met with favorable criticism, as did Atalanta. Reindeer, who perhaps lacked the polish of the three A’s, has always proved himself a reliable customer, and consequently received very fair support on the machine. Bonnie Blue made his first, appearance over sticks, and as the Clan Stuart gelding has plenty of pace he should win a hurdle race before very long. W hen the field was despatched Flukem led the way, with Reindeer his nearest attendant, Atlantic, Antares, Bonnie Blue, and Atalanta all close together. Mrs Hand’s gelding showed the way over a couple of hurdles, which the favorite got safely over, though he lost ground at every jump. Flukem led the first time into the straight, but passing the stand Antares held the advantage, with Flukem, Atalanta, Reindeer, and Atlantic close on his heels, lhe Muskapeer mare moved to the front as they went round the top of the course, and Reindeer passed Antares going along the back, owing to the latter hanging at the hurdles. Atlantic made an effort to close on the leaders as they came out of the back, but soon retired, and Reindeer and Antares came along together. Castor’s son easily held his own

between the jumps, and rising at the last hurdle a couple of lengths in front of Reindeer, he ran home an easy winner by five lengths, and scored the first victory in New Zealand for the Hon. H. Mosman’s colors. Atalanta was third, some distance away. St. Peter, Malachite, and Rosella were the absentees from the Juvenile Stakes, which was an event of much interest, as some of Seaton Delaval’s stock were seen out for the first time. Hastings, by the imported sire out of Liquidation, was the one to receive most attention from the public. He is a nice colt to look at, and a model racehoroe, and as it was known that the stable was confident the public followed wit and made him a very hot favorite. Bacchus, by Castor out of Vivandiere, a full brother to Dayntree, is rather on the leg side, and owing to the “drabbiness of his color has not the taking appearance of his elder brother. Hazeline, by St Leger out of Hazel, is a sweet filly, and the same can be said of Volee, by Cuirassier from Dolosa. The remaining runner was Miss Delaval, by Seaton Delaval out of Campania. At the last Sylvia Park yearling sale I fancied the Campania filly immensely, and expressed the opinion in the Sporting Review that I thought Mr Dan McLeod had secured the bargain of the sale when she fell to his bid of 80gs. She has grown into a lovely filly, and proved in the race that she has pluck as well as beauty. When Mr Halstead let the barrier up Hastings slipped awav with a two lengths lead of Hazeline and Bacchus, with Miss Delaval and Volee whipping in. Gallagher let his mount go for all he was worth, and as he increased his lead going round the bottom it looked any odds on the favorite. As they turned into the straight Mark Ryan made a call on Miss Delaval, and responding in the gamest fashion, the filly romped away from the colt and won all out by a couple of lengths from Bacchus, who passed the fast stopping Hastings. Thus a Seaton Delaval won, and gave Ryan his first win in New Zealand. Gallagher b oke a stirrup leather in the straight, and this may account for the inglorious display Hastings gave whan tackled by the filly. The race of the day, the Avondale Cup, was next on the programme, and the whole of the thirteen colored on the card were saddled up. St. Paul, of course, was the chief attraction. He wore a bandage on his near hind leg, but that was the only outward and visible sign of the “ cracking up ” that has been so freely rumored St. Leger’s son looked blooming, and bore himself most jauntily in the paddock. He was very strongly backed, and went out favorite at 11 to 10. Supplejack came next in popular favor, the belief that if he once got in the van the son of Hippocampus would not be caught being very prevalent. Coronet was looking in the pink of condition, and a good many backers evidenced heir trust in the gay deceiver once again. Ex plosion who has grown into a big raking colt, :iiso had many admirers, and Waiorongomai, St. Gordon and Lufra all had respectable backings. Mr J. W. Russell’s old warrior, Panoply, looked in capital trim, and many would have delighted in the victory of this hard-working servant of a right good sportsman. Mr Haistead started this race with the flag, as no machine is yet erected at the mile and a quarter post. The thirteen runners were despatched to a beautiful start. St. Paul’s colours being the first to break the line. The favorite led for a few strides, with Waiorongomai at. his girths, but entering the straight Chaafe let the others close up, and when they passed the stand Panoply, in the centre of the course, was in the van, Supplejack on the rails being second, with Explosion, Lufra, St. Paul, and Waiorongomai following almost in line. Going out of the straight Supplejack was just in advance of Explosion, who assumed the lead passing the House. At the five furlong post Supplejack again took first place, with Panoply and St. Paul following close to Explosion, and Lufra next. Coming out of the back St. Paul ran up to the leader, and the pair coming away from the field raced along the bottom in close company. Before entering the straight St. Paul had the best of the struggle, and coming away at every stride, welcomed by loud cheers, he cantered home an easy winner by four lengths from Supplejack, who was a couple of lengths in front of Lufra.

The eleven acceptors for the Hunt Club Cup Steeplechase all went to the post. Popular fancy pointed to Marksman and St. Leonards as the pair likely to supply the winner. 5 However, St. Leonards, Marechai Neil, and Farrier ran off at the first jump, and Marksman toppled over during the second round, and the contest lay between Forella, Shillelagh, Jimmy, and Rainbow. The latter proved too fast for Shillelagh, and jumping in nice style won somewhat easily from Jimmy with Shillelagh third. Rainbow is the property of that typical sportsman, Mr A. Selby, and paid the biggest dividend of the day Drum Major, The Owl, and Purvoke being withdrawn from the Flying Stakes, left twelve to go to the post. The Taranaki owned gelding. Telephone, was heavily backed, a lot of foreign money going on the machine on His behalf. When the tapes went away St. Eimo and Parian Jeannie were the earliest to show, but before a furlong had been covered, Telephone was in front, and going along at top he seemed to have the race at his mercy when they entered th® straight. Half way own, however, Lillie, who had come through the field in fine style, came at the leader and a rattling finish saw the mare first home by a neck from the favorite, with St. Elmo a neck away third It was a great race on Lillie’s part, and Satman is deserving of praise for the determined finish he rode.

Maungakawa was the only scratching for the Pony Handicap for which Rangiuru was made favorite with Little Wonder next in demand. At the post Rangiuru threw her head up and smashed Gillespie’s nose nearly stunning him. This accident probably accounted for the bad manner in which his mount got. away. She was left half a dozen lengths at the post. Nannie and St. Owen made the running for the best part of the journey, with Little Wonder lying handy. Coming into the straight Little Wonder was on terms with

St. Owen, and drawing away won easily by thre® lengths from Rangiuru, who made up a lot of ground in the straight and j ust beat St. Owen for second place.

“ The Three Cups ! ” —Pick the three winner® and win £lOO. See the last page this in issue.