THE RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 454, 6 April 1899, Page 12

THE RACING.

[By

Atlas.]

The scratching of Admiral Hawke for the Tradesman’s Plate showd that his owner meant business in the Easter Handicap. The only other absentees were Straybird and Boadicea. After her recent performances at the Thames Boadicea seemed to have a real good chance, but her owner, by putting the pen through her name, expressed a very contrary opinion. Of course, as was expected, Tauhei, after her recent performances, was made a hot favourite. Since her arrival at Ellerslie she has done good work, and there are few mares that have improved more in twelve months than this grey daughter of Castor and Vivandure. She has furnished into a powerful animal with a beautiful sweeping stride. There was a little delay at the post owing to the disinclination of Porangi Potae and Anita to face the tape, but when the barrier was released it was

to a good start, Canopus just showing clear of the others, but as they swept; past the mile post Doneraile was on terms with Canopus, while Hylas, Tauhei, and Porangi Potae. were following - in the order named. Very much the same order was maintained to the cutting where Doneraile ran to the front and Canopus began to drop back, while both Hylas and the favourite improved their positions. Negotiating the home bend the .grey seemed to have the race in hand, but her head was not let go until well in the straight, and with her telling stride she caught Doneraile before the distance was reached and coming on won comfortably by two lengths, a similar distance between second and third, Porangi Potae and St. Lawrence being the last joint of a long tail. The official time was 2min 1 l-sseo. The fact that the mare paid less than level money in a field of ten showed that {punters had formed a much higher opinion of her ability to. gallop than the handicapper, and the punters were right. Swordfish the 11. was a starter in this race; but although he looked fairly well to the eye he was one of the unseen division during the race. The Northern Ohampage Stakes has always a charm for the lovers of the thorough-bred, and those who take a wholesome interest in breeding. Unfortunately, this year the field was not large, and our breeding establishments were not evenly represented. Sylvia Park was strongly represented by the two Seaton Delaval fillies —Miss Delaval and Rosella. Wapiti was represented by the handsome Seahorse (by Nelson). Mr Percival’s establishment was represented by St. Peter (the full brother of the little bounder, St. Paul); and|Wellington Park, usually the foremost in these races had to depend upon the services cf the evergreen colt The Afghan (by our champion sire St. Leger). No doubt he is a fine colt, but he will require to have more time to mature before we will see him at his best. The performances of Rosella, at Napier and elsewhere of late, caused her to be the popular choice; but when saddled up I confess that 1 thought she looked a bit dull, and it is just possible that for the time being she has had quite enough travels •by land and sea. Her party, however, were sweet on. her chance, and they had lots of followers. I was particularly pleased with the appearance of that beautiful little picture Miss Delaval, and .when I saw her in the paddock it was with a pang of regret that I remembered that I had not my little bit on with the owner, as I had in the three first races of the season, when she showed her two-year-old opponents the glory of catching the eye of the judge first. Mr Dan McLeod is- a plucky owner, and when he has something fairly good on he does not forget to back it, and on this occasion I am not sorry to know that he won a grand stake. The filly when beaten by Screwgun and Rosella a few months .back was not herself, but the services of' Mr Hoagland in removing some bad teeth had worked no end of good, and her display on Monday showed that she is her brilliant little self again. St. Peter looked well, but the knowledge that he had experienced, the ill effects of a bad cold a month ago, caused me to fight shy of his chance. The race is easily described. When they settled down The Afghan took up the running, with Seahorse in close attendance, St. Peter third, Rosella fourth, and Miss Delaval last. In this order they ran to the home bend, where the pace having mended The Afghan began to drop back, while Seahorse took command, and Mark Ryan on Miss Delaval darted up to the side of Rosella. At the top of the Straight St. Peter was beaten, and although both Rosella, and Miss Delaval were in hot pursuit of Seahorse, it was not until near the distance that Miss Delaval got close to him. It was a fine race, but Miss Delaval finished as game as anyone could wish, and won by about two lengths in front of the Nelson colt, who won by a . length in front of Rosella, with The Afghan. ,whipping in. Miss Delaval paid the good dividend of £3 15s. The pen being put through the names of St. Gordon Red Lancer, Oingo, Crusoe, Mantle, Regulus, Doctor, and Hylas there were thirteen left in for the Easter Handicap. Battleaxe was looking well in the paddock, and as it was known that his party believed in his ability to win Queen Cole’s son was made a warm first favourite. Waiorongomai and Douglas both looking fit . battled for the position of second favourite and in the end the mare bad the call of the Hawke’s Bay representative. Rex had a big following and certainly the gelding looked in great form. After these Auld Reekie and Picklock were best backed, while St. Ursula was the outsider of the party. There was some little delay at the post, and when the barrier did go up Dayntree and Roxana were left at the post. Waiorongomai was quickest into her stride, and going along the bottom she was just in front of Douglas, Rex, and Admiral Hawke with Auld Reekie and Picklock in close attendance. Once past the six furlong post Auld Reekie was in the lead just in front of Picklock, who was closely pursued by Douglas, Admiral Hawke and Waiorongomai. At this time the favourite was in a good position and seemed to be doing well. Auld Reekie led slightly as they ran along the top, but as the runners made for the home turn Rex ran up to the leaders, and half-a-dozen ran into the straight bunched with Battleaxe and Coronet coming coming fast. The lastnamed was with Picklock just ahead of Auld Reekie, when the horses were fairly in the straight. Approaching the Derby stand, Booth’s gelding made a fine rush in the centre of {the course and he quickly got the best of matters and ran home an easy winner by about four lengths from Waiorongomai, with Battleaxe half a length away third. Douglas seemed to tire to nothing running along the top. Out of the four coloured on the card for the Hurdle Race, Tip at the last moment dieappeared leaving only three Cairo, Nor’-West and Bellman to fight out the issue. Cairo’s Hawke’s Bay form made him favourite, and his presence probably frightened a lot of horses out of the contest. The race was a very simple one to describe. Cairo and Nor-West were together for nearly once round, but on entering the second mile Bellman,

who had evidently burst one of his girths, joined them. In this way they raced to the jump near the five furlong post. Here Bellman, who was going well blundered, and Hannon who was riding made a good recovery. The mistake, however, was quite sufficient to cost him all chance of the race. Cairo sailed on with the lead with Nor-West in pursuit. When the straight was reached, and indeed long before, it was quite evident that the Gipsy King gelding could have left Nor’-West, but Alec Hall took extraordinary liberties, and R. Hall on Nor-’West very nearly stole a march on at the finish as Cairo only won by a head. There is no doubt that Alec Hall is a good rider, but he cut matters uncomfortably fine for Cairo’s backers, and if he had been beaten there would have been trouble in store. Probably he wanted to cut matters fine for the sake of future handicaps, but he certainly did not succeed as the liberty he took showed that he must have known he had a lot in hand. Oingo and nothing else was the cry for the Eden Handicap when it was seen that Rex, Tauhei, Okoari, Lady Marion,- St. Elmo and Boadicea were out. Sylvia Park was second favobrite, and then Doctor and Lillie were best supported. Sylvia Park was a bit frisky at the post and made a little delay. He got a good start when Mr Cutts sent the horses on their journey and with Eton and Oingo nearest to him he cut out the running at a souud pace. The Torpedo gelding joined the leader running along the top and long before the straight was reached he was acclaimed the winner. He did have an easy win for he won with Noble sitting still on his back. Eton was a good third, and Doctor very close up fourth. There were no scartchings in the Onslow Stakes Handicap, the six two year-olds on the card saddling up. Bluecap’s form at North Shore was not forgotten, and as the handicapper made Hastings, Labourer, and St. Peter all give him weight, he was made such a warm favorite that had he won he would not have paid even money. However, for once in a way that much abused official (the handicapper) knew more than the cunning punters, as the three top weights filled the places. Hastings added fresh lustre to the name of Seaton Delaval, and everyone was pleased to see the trainer, George Wright, and owner, Mr L. D. Nathan, get a turn of luck, especially after their Champagne Stakes disappointment. The Seaton Delaval stock generally are blessed with good tempers, but somehow Hastings does not impress one with the idea that he is a good angel in that respect. However, he is a nicely shaped horse, and when in the humor undoubtedly smart, as shown by the way in which he hopped off the mark when Mr Cutts let the barrier go aloft He show< d the way to Labourer Bluecap, and St. Peter, running in the order named, round the home bend and into the straight. Howard on Labourer made a vigorous effort to bring the colt up, but although he looked dangerous for a minute he failed, and just then St. Peter made a gallant effort, but he also could not beat the leader. Bluecap was an indifferent fourth. When the numbers were posted Hastings was placed first, The Labourer second, and St. Peter third. This caused surprise in the press stand, the occupants of which thought that the second honors belonged to St. Paul’s brother. Bluecap, who was not ridden right out, finished fourth. Hastings rewarded his followers with the very nice dividend of £6 10s. This makes his second win for the season. A very nice field of nine lined up for the Pony Handicap, favoritism being divided between Little Wonder and The Slave, but a comparatively unknown mare, Temptation, received sound support from some shrewd judges. Roy dashed off with the lead, followed by Temptation, Clansman, and The Slave. Roy was first into the straight, but The Slave came at him at the distance, and it was soon seen that Major Georg s’s representative had the race in hand. The Workman’s neat little daughter had no difficulty in silencing the pretensions of the others, and won by two lengths from Little Wonder, who was a length in front of Roy, with Temptation a creditable fourth. It was only a pony race; but that did not prevent the public from testifying to the popularity of the colors of Major George when The Slave returned to scale. The Railway Handicap brought an excellent day’s sport to a close, and out of the thirteen sprinters on the card the visiting horse, Faugh-a-

Ballagh, on the strength of the reputation of being a flier, was made a warm favorite, while Sultan, who had run away with a similar event at North Shore, was comparatively neglected. I am not surprised at that fact, for was it not industriously circulated that he had, while romping in the home paddock, lost an eye. If that story be true, it did not affect his galloping powers. Indeed, on the contrary, he galloped better than he has ever done, for, jumping away with the lead he never gave anything a chance, and leading from start to finish he won by two lengths from St. Jack and Miss Emmy, who were close together. St. Elmo was fourth. The favorite was never conspicuous in the race. Proceedings opened with the Stewards, Handicap, for which the poor field of five only faced started, and Waiorongomai was picked as the good thing. Mr Cutts started the field on good terms, Canopus being the first to take up the running, followed by Anita, St. Ursula, Tauhei, and Waiorongomai, in the order named. There was absolutely no change in the order of running right round the back, but at the home bend Waiorongomai and Tauhei closed up, and on entering the straight both had passed Anita, who was dropping back, but St. Ursula was going strongly almost on terms with Canopus. Waiorongomai momentarily looked dangerous, but was unable tc sustain her effort, and then Tauhei shot up in the centre, while St. Ursula, very prettily ridden by Jack Chaafe, got to the front, on the inside. St. Paul’s sister lasted it out very gamely, and won a good race by a short neck, two lengths between second and third. Waiorongomai was fourth, and Anita last. There is no doubt that Jaek Chaafe rode a real good race on the winner, and I have a strong opinion that he is seen at his best when the field is small. The distance was cut out in 2min 1 3-ssec, or 2-sth of a second faster than Tatlhei’s performance on the first day. St. Ursula paid the very acceptable dividend, in a .field of five, of 11 guineas, and no one begrudged the straight-going Ellerslie veteran Jaek Chaafe, the victory. The Ellerslie Handicap, for two-year olds, only attracted five starters, and the mildest interest only was evinced in the event. Labourer, Bluecap, and Halberdier jumped away together, but before the cutting was reached Booth’s colors on Bluecap were in the vau, and for a time it looked as if he intended to make amends for hie defeat on the previous day. Entering the home turn the outsider, Panella, was Blueoap’s nearest attendant, but when heads were turned for home Laborer ran past St. Peter and Halberdier and Panella, and on entering the straight was on terms with Bluecap, but he swerved badly, and the issue was in doubt until The Workman’s fine son was straightened up. Then he came on as straight as a gun-barrel, and at the end won easily by two clear lengths, Bluecap finishing a length ar.d a half in front of Halberdier, with St. Peter fourth, and Panella last. The distance was cut out in Imin 18 2-ssec, or Isec slower than Miss Delaval’s time on the previous day The 500 so vs offered for the Autumn Hannicap had a disappointing result, as only half a dozen saddled up for the event and Battleaxe, notwithstanding his failure in the Easter Handicap, was again made favourite, thefnext in demand being Rex. When the barrier went away Coronet and Battleaxe were in front, but soon afterwards Auld Reekie took command, and led Coronet past the stand by four lengths, Bluejacket, Battleaxe, and Explosion following in that order. Before reaching the six furlong post Coronet began to creep on the leader, and it was seen that Castor’s son, for once in a way, was in a racing humor. He got on terms with Auld Reekie at the cutting, Bluejacket being three lengths away, closely attended by Battleaxe and Explosion. Entering the home bend Auld Reekie was beaten, and Coronet had a substantial lead on entering the straight, where Battleaxe and Explosion left the others and went in pursuit of Castor's son, who was going great guns. He was not to be denied, and striding along resolutely, he did not leave the issne in serious doubt, and finally won by a couple of lengths from Explosion, Battleaxe, as in the Easter Handicap, filling third place, Bluejacket fourth, Auld Reekie fifth and the Easter Handicap winner, Rex, last. The winner paid a dividend of £7 15s.

In the limited field of seven for the Autumn Hurdle Race it was disappointing to find that Splinter and Opou were scratched. The scratching of Splinter by his new owner was not un-

reasonable, as the handicapper had set him a severe task when allotting him top weight, but Opou under any circumstances could not have expected more lenient treatment, and his absence, it may be assumed, was an evidence that he is not himself. When the barrier went away Dentist took advantage of his light weight to make the pace, and°he was followed at the outset by Cairo, Tim, Nor’-West, and Bellman in the order named. Dentist continued in the van, with the others all handy to the home bend, but at the jump near the four-furlong post Dentist fell, and Tim seemed to fall over him. This left the race* to Nor’-West, Cairo, and Bellman, and the trio raced on good terms right round to the jump near the six-furlong post, which Bellman struck hard, and thereafter began to fall back, while Nor’-West and Cairo raced on together half a dozen lengths in front of Bellman. At the home bend Nor’-West began to forge ahead, and was first into the straight A. Hall was hard at work on Cairo, but Nor’-West came on strongly, and won by half a .dozen lengths from Cairo, with Bellman, pulling up, third. The time was 3min 56sec, or 4secs longer than Cairo’s run on the previous day. The latter, however, on this occasion carried 171bs more than he had been asked to put up on the first occasion. The winner paid a dividend of £3 6s. The only scratching in the Flying Handicap was that of the top weight, Tauhei, whose owner looked askance on the handicapper’s allotment of 9st 91bs. This left the public eight to pick from, and the cunning division settled down in favor of Eton and Lillie. When Mr Cutts despatched them on their journey Faugh-a-Ballagh cleared the way, and his nearest attendants were Eton and Picklock, Cannongate, who had been fractious at the post, being last. Faugh-a-Ballagh continued in the lead right round the bend, and entered the straight with a substantial lead of Eton and Picklock, but just above the distance Eton challenged the leader, and although the Irishnamed horse struggled on, Eton outlasted him, and won by a long neck, Picklock, who came fast in the straight, being three lengths away third, Lillie fourth, and St. Jack fifth, with Cannongate last. The time, Imin 16 2-4 sec, showed that the pace was sound. Eight little ’uns went out for the Second'Pony Handicap, six furlongs, and the public fastened on to The Slave as the most likely to get home first. Next to Major George’s filly, Lena was most fancied, and then, in order, backers fancied Little Wonder, Cuisine, and Temptation. Lena was the first to break tbe line, but as soon as the ponies were in their stride Cuisine, fallowed by Edison, dashed to tbe front. Cuisine showed lhe way round the home turn and up the straight, and though Edison put in a strong challenge opposite the Grandstand Satman could not keep his mount straight, and Cuisine won by half a length. Picklock, St. Elmo, and Puhia going out of the Shorts Handicap, left eleven starters to go to the post. Dayntree was preferred by backers, and then Mies Delaval, Rosella, Faugh-a-Ballagh, Sultan, and Seahorse were supported in the order named" From a fairly good start—Sultan was on the move—Dayntree, Faugh a Ballagh, and Seahorse were quickest to get going, and very soon the Vanguard gelding got to the front, and sailed away for home at top. He led into the straight, and was not collared till the Derby stand was reached. Here the leader was joined by Rosella, Seahorse, and Dayntree, with Miss Delaval, who got none the best of the start, coming fast. At the grand stand Seahorse, Rosella, and Faugh-a-Ballagh were runding level, and the latter tiring, Seahorse came along and won by half a length from Rosella. Dayntree was fourth, and Miss Delaval, who seemed to be disappointed in her run, fifth. <

Doctor and Firefly were the only scratchings from the Welter Handicap, and of those left in Sylvia Park was made a pronounced favorite. Cavalier and St. Ursula were best backed after the favorite. From a good start Miss Emmy was the first to show in the lead. Mr Nathan’s mare was followed by Partan Jeannie, Lufra, and Sylvia Park, and she led into the straight, where Lufra closed up. At the Derby stand the latter was in front, but Sylvia Park, comiug very strongly, ran home an easy winner by a length from St. Ursula, who came with a rattle at the finish and defeated Lufra by a head for second place. Cavalier finished fourth, anfi next to him was Knight of Athol.