THE AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 430, 20 October 1898, Page 17

THE AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

LB-

Atlas.]

The trotting season in the Auckland district was inaugurated on Saturday with the Spring Meeting of the Auckland Trotting Club, and I am pleased to note that the opening was a successful one. The weather, fortunately, was fine and the attendance was good The course was in excellent condition, and thejsport throughout the afternoon, particularly the trotting, was interesting. Speculation was not very lively, there being a falling off in the investments for pony races. That, no doubt, is due to a great extent to the re-measurement that has taken place this year, but at the same time it must not be forgotten that the handicapper was not too fortunate in his gauge of the qualifications of the few little ’uns engaged, as two out of three events on the card resulted in a one-horse finish. The programme was carried out in a business and straightforward manner, and Mr Mark, the secretary, is entitled to congratulations for the combleteness of his arrangements. Everybody was [glad to see Mr A. B. Harris in his usual place in the judge’s box, and Mr Cutts was as successful as ever as starter. Proceedings were commenced with the Maiden Handicap Trot. It does seem to me a silly thing to start a season with a Maiden Handicap. No doubt it is quite right that the proceedings should be inaugurated with with a race for maidens, but why should it be a handicap ? At the beg nning of a season how can it be expected that a handicapper can know the respective capabilities of maiden horses, coming, as they do, from all points of the compass. Mr Knight, on Saturday, is to be credited with having brought about a fairly interesting race, but in these events he is always confronted with the risk of letting a good one in on' the limit as he did Lady Retford last year. Owners were evidently quite satisfied with Mr Knight’s adjustment on Saturday as the whole of I the fifteen on the card faced the starter, the popular fancy being Bob E.T. The grey mare, Miss Graham, went away in good style, but going around the baok Dick Henry had got Cob into second place, and he was going great guns in front of Waitekauri, the second favorite, while the favorite seemed to be quite outpaced, and Lady Retford was hopelessly out of it. At the bend Henry’s gold and green colors were carried to the front, and although Waitekauri looked dangerous nromentarily the issue was ’never seriously in doubt, and Cob won easily by four lengths from Waitekauri while Hero was a good third. The favorite finished about seventh with Lady Retford behind him. The official time for the race was given as 2min 55|sec not 2min 35|sec as reported by a morning journal. If that time were correct, Lady Retford’s defeat would have been accounted for, and her subse-

quent disqualification would not have been justified. Out of the five ponies that started for the October Handicap Nannie was voted the best of good things, and so she proved to be, there being nothing in the race capable of making her gallop. She led all the way and won as she liked by three lengths frsm Sweetheart. Merry Boy ran well for four furlongs, but seeing that pursuit of the flying leader was hopeless, he was not run out to the bitter end. Eight started for the Spring Trot, the only scratchings being Le Corbeau and . Pioke. Tip-top was favorite, but notwithstanding her failure in the first event, Lady Retford had only five less investments on the machine. There were only 26 investors on the mare in the Maiden Trot, yet, notwithstanding that failure, 108 tickets were taken out in her favor for the Spring Trot. It was very soon made observable that Lady Retford’s form in the first race was all wrong, as the field had not gone more than one hundred yards before Lady Retford passed the limit horses, among whom was the tavorite After this it was a chase after Lady Retford, who established a long lead from Tip-top, who was second for three parts of the journey. Three furlongs from home Lusitania got into second place, and Lawyer Bell, who did not seem to get into his’ stride for more than a mile, ran up third. Lady Retford, moving at an even gait all the way, won as she liked by quite forty yards in 4min 14sec for the mile and a half, whereas she was never near the front in the Maiden mile, which occupied 2min 52. The numbers went up in favor of Lady Retford 1, Lusitania 2, Lawyer Bell 3, but the machine did not pay out until the stewards had met to consider the running of Lady Retford, and they were not very Jong in deliberating. The rider, T. Greenwood, explained that the mare would not try in the first race, but that in the second, when she got to the front, she showed her best form. The stewards then unanimously passed the following resolution : — “ That Lady Retford be disqualified, and the jockey, during the pleasure of the stewards, and that Lusitaniabe declared the winner of the Spring Trot Handicap.” It was further resolved that all money invested on Lady Retford be returned. The decision, of course, caused discussion, but public opinion was distinctly in favor of the action of the stewards, many of whom were privately complimented on the firm attitude taken.

Only three turned out for the Hurdle Handicap, which in the past has been an interesting feature of the programme. Out of 294 on-the machine 157 declared in favor of Karaka, and although they won backers had luck in their favor. Effie and Karaka kept one another company from the start, but passing the stand it could be seen that Effie was losing her weights. Butterfly was a long last, and then as they rounded" the bend a fresh featrue was introduced into the race by Dr. Sharman’s horse and buggy joining in the contest. There was no one fortunately in the vehicle, and there was nothing to prevent the doctor’s grey from indulging in a hunt after the leaders, but' he cunningly dodged the fences, while Butterfly dropped still further in the rear, and his rider seemed half inclined to stop and go the other way. Meanwhile the issue between Karaka and Effie was being splendidly fought out, and it was anybody’s race when the straight was reached, but Effie by this time was minus her weight-bag. She forged to the front and finally won by two lengths. On weighing in, however, she was found to be 41bs shot, and the race and wagers went to Karaka. The story of the race would not be complete without recording that Dr. Sharman’s horse attempted to take a short cut at tho finish, but came to grief, or, rather, the buggy did, in attempting to negotiate the fence around the football ground. Some of the stewards were inclined to ask the rider of Butterfly to explain the inglorious figure which the mare cut, but I suppose it was recognised that it was excusable on his part not to try and do be ter with such a “boss of the road” as Dr. Sharman’s buggy in front of him. Six started for the Stewards’ Handicap Trot. That pretty little pony, Isabel, was carrying any amount of trotting gear and very little money. The limited number who did put their money on must have been backing the driver and not the mare, as Mr Knight, in asking her to give a start to such horses as Rosebud, Golden King, Tip-top and Alice was setting her a task which her best form in Australia never warranted. She was good in her class among the ponies at Lillie Bridge and the Driving Park in Sydney, but she was no more than a match for such ponies as Maud, Child Harold, and Satan, and when she trotted among the big horses she invariably got a substantial start from the back markers. On this occasion Tip-top trotted in better style than he did in the Spring Trot, and it looked as if he were going to win, but Golden King, driven with Chatteris’s usual skill, wore him down at the finish, and the veteran won a splendid race by a sulky length, Rosebud half a dozen lengths away. Eight saddled up for the maiden Pony Handicap, for which Sweetheart and Nora were made favorites. It is wonderful how people are foolish enough to lose their money on such a mad-headed brute as Nora, who has always been a nuisance to the starter, while her presence at the starting machine has been a positive injustice to the more quietly disposed ponies. She was up to her old games on Saturday, and was left. Sweetheart, Little Belle, Playboy and Merry Boy formed the first division, and they fought out a goodjbattle Merry Boy and Sweetheart entered the straight together, but although Sweetheart stuck to her task gamely she was beaten in the end by three parts of a length. A few foolish people, who had possibly backed Sweetheart, professed to think that she had won, but the judge is in the best position to know, and I am certain he was rightThere was only three starters in the Fhing Handicap, and Nannie again made a show of her field. Twelve went out for the Electric Trot, for which Cob was a strong fancy. Henry gave his

followers a good run for their money, but two furlongs from home it leoked as if Lawyer Bell was going to trouble him. Lawyer Bell, however, broke, and Cob, who was ridden out all the way, won by three lengths. This made Henry s second win with Cob, and his success was deservedly popular. Henry is now a resident of Christchurch, and he bought four horses up to the meeting. The whole of his string are in excellent condition, and it was bad luck that Bellman, who was going well in his preliminary for the Spring Trot; should have overreached and cut himself. The following are the results - Maiden Handicap Trot (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile. 51 Mr R. S. Henry’s b g Cob, aged, 13sec, owner... ... ... ... ... 1 92 Mr W. J. Greenwood’s b g Whitekauri, 3yrs, 13sec, owner ... ... ... 2 18 Mr R. Millen’s b g Hero, aged, 13sec, owner... ... ... ... ••• 3 Other starters —35 Le Corbeau, scr ; 26 Lady Retford, 6sec ; 13 Miss Emerson, 7sec ; 1 Happy, 9sec ; 155 Bob E.T., 9sec; 0 Mihangi, 13sec ; 33 Empress, 13sec ; 2 Bugler, 13sec; 1 Black Bess, 13sec ; 5 K.D., 13sec ; 1 Fairfield, 15sec; 9 Miss Graham, 20sec. Won by four lengths. Time, 2min SSisec. Dividend, £3 18sec. October Handicap of 25 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. For ponies 14 bands 2 inches and under. Six furlongs and a half. 307 Mr H C. Greenwood’s ch m Nannie, aged, 9.0 ... ... ••• ••• 1 119 Mr C. Hannigan’s b m Sweetheart, aged, 6.10 ... ... ... ... 2 17 Mr E. Stanley’s b m Effie, aged, 7.0 ... 3 Other starters —39 Brave Bobbie, 7.4; 21 Merry Boy, 6.7. Won by three lengths. Time, lmin 32sec. Dividend, 14s. Spring Trot Handicap (in saddle) of 50 sovs ; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile and a naif. 60 Mr W. K. Carter’s b m Lusitania, aged, Msec, Carr ... ... ... ... 1 92 Mr W. J. Greenwood’s b g Lawyer Bell, aged, 37sec, owner ... ... ... 2 Other starters —18 Duke C., scr; 28 Bellman, 7sec; 22 Old Judge, 14sec; 108 (money returned) Lady Retford, 33sec (disqualified) ; 113 Tiptop, 37sec ; 7 Butcher Boy, 37sec. Lady Retford finished first, but was disqualified for inconsistent form, .and the race awarded to Lusitania. Time, 4min Msec. Dividend, £2 Ils. Hurdle Handicap of 30 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. For ponies 14 hands 2 inches and under. One mile and a quarter. 157 Mr W. Turner’s br g Karaka, aged, 9.12 1 Other starters —79 Butterfly, 10.0 (distanced) ; 58 Effie, 9.0. Effie finished first, but was short weigh t, and the race was awarded to Karaka. Time, 2min 37sec. Dividend, 16s. Stewards’ Handicap (in harness) of 45 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile and a half. 35 Mr J. Game’s b g Golden King, aged, 16sec, Chatteris ... ... ... 1 74 Mr A. E. C. M. McGregor’s br h Tiptop, 6yrs, 34sec, owner ... ... ... 2 206 Mr A. Hughes’s ch m Rosebud, aged, 4sec, owner ... ... ... ... 3 Other starters —12 Isabel, 2sec; 17 Alice, 12 sec ; 127 Commodore, 38sec. Won by a sulky length. Time, 4min 16sec. Dividend, £6 Is. Maiden Pony Handicap of 20 sovs; second horse 3 sovs from the stake. Five furlongs. 49 Mr J. B. Davis’s g g Merry Boy, 6yrs, 6.7, Tonson ... ... ... ... 1 148 Mr C. Hannigan’s b m Sweetheart, aged, 7.0, Gunnor ... ... ... 2 37 Mr J. Higgins’s b g Playboy, aged, 6.12, Judd 3 Other starters —26 La Petite J. B; 5 Amateur, 7.8; 135 Nora, 7.6; 37 Handsome Jane, 7.5; 136 Little Belle, 7.0. Won by three-parts of a length. Time, lmin 10|sec. Dividend, £5 ss. Flying Handicap of 20 sovs; second horse 3 sovs from the stake. For ponies 14 hands 2 inches and under. Five furlongs. 38 Mr H. C. Greenwood’s ch m Nannie, aged, 8.10, Bigham ... ... ... 1 Other starters —10 Effie, 7.0 ; 3 Karaka, 6.12. Won pulling up. Time, lmin lOsec. Dividend, 13s. Electric Trot Handicap (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second horse 5 sovs from the stake. One mile. 254 Mr R. S. Henry’s b g Cob, aged, 22seo, Owner... ... ... ... ... 1 73 Mr W. J. Greenwood’s b g Lawyer Bell, aged, 20sec, owner ... ... ... 2 15 Mr P. Williams’s b m Alice, aged, lOsec, Duncan ... ... ... ... 3 Other starters —3 Lusitania, 4sec; 32 Le Corbeau, 13sec; 13 Winnie, 15sec ; 35 Miss Huon, 19sec; 1 Miss Emerson, 19sec; 39 Uric, 19sec; 0 Butcher Boy, 20sec; 23 Empress, 22sec; 19 Miss Graham, 25sec. Won by three lengths. Time, 2min 54sec. Dividend, 17s.