After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 499, 15 February 1900, Page 13

After the Races.

TARANAKI J-C, AUTUMN MEETING. [By our Taeanaki Cobeespondent.] The club’s principal reunion for the season opened on Wednesday, February 7, and was concluded on the following day. Fine weather favored the meeting throughout. The attendance was, however, not up to the usual proportions—a fact which has been variously accounted for. Changing the dates no doubt affected the entries so far as the Auckland contingent wasjconcerned, for the meeting coming just after the three days’ racing at Takapuna curtailed the number of horses from the North, and, necessarily, also might have affected the interest, as money and men follow the neddies. Then, again, the poor entries received for the open events was, no doubt, due to the fact that the club closed their nominations at a bad time—namely, in the Xmas season, when owners and trainers were away “ assisting ” at different fixtures. Many entries along the Coast and elsewhere were missed on this account. The bush fires prevailing in the district also prevented many country people from coming io, and, again, there was a certain percentage of people who did not attend because they were under the impression that the meeting was going to be a poor one. However, the fixture passed off very successfully, from a racing standpoint, and the public who attended were treated to some excellent and exciting finishes. Speculation was good, considering all things, and the total investments exceeded those of last year. On the first day Messrs Neylon and Spriggins machined £3094, about £5O short of the total last year, and on the second day a total of £3611 was put through, being a total of £6705, or an increase of £225 on last year. A 10s tote was run on the outside. 'his time the club made better arrangements for lunch ; they placed this important matter in the hands of Mr Joe West and his wife, who gave entire satisfaction in their arrangements ani the quality of the viands provided. All the officials of the club

worked well. Mr M. Fleetwood, the secretary, carried out his duties well; Mr O. Chavannes manipulated the barrier expertly j Mr E. B. Haworth as judge gave his decisions promptly, and in some events he had close finishes to decide ,- the handicappers (Messrs J. O. Evett and R. G. Pardy) carried out their duties well. One of the stewards who was missed was Mr J. Paul, who. was away on a holiday in Auckland. A feature of the meeting was the excellent music interpreted by the Taranaki Band, under Mr G. Garry, who was complimented all round on the treat afforded the public. Racing was started with the Stewards’ Handicap, seven furlongs, for which five went to the post, St. Jack being the only absentee. Crusoe and Gowrie were the best backed. At the start Daystar, who looked big and lusty, took the lead, but before much ground had been covered Gowrie took command, attended by Crusoe, Sedgebrook, Okoari, and Daystar in order. Rounding for home Gowrie still showed the way, and led into the straight from Bedgebrook. Half-way up, Okoari came with a late run, but swerving slightly she missed getting up, and suffered defeat by a head, Sedgebrook well up. Time, Imin 30 4 ssec. Dividends, £3 4s (inside) £1 18s (outside). Daystar wore a bandage on his foreleg, covered with a leather case, which slipped and inte> fered with his chance. Volcano was the only defection from the Hur-, dies, two miles, leaving six to contest. Tui and Light were best backed. Osborne just showed out, but, jumping slowly, he lost ground at the obstacles. Tui and Nay born carried on the running in the last round, attended by Voltaire and Light. Tui dropped back on the far side, and Voltaire and Light went after the leader, but Nayborn had the race won at the second to last hurdle, and coming along lull of running, won easily from Voltaire, Light a fair third. Time, 3min 56sec. Dividends, £ll 3s and £7 16s. Tarrigan droppped out of the Hack Hurdles, one mile and a half, leaving seven in. Hautonga and Bonus were the best supported. The winner turned up in Kaimate, who, jumping proficiently throughout, came away at the finish and won comfortably. Hautonga was second, and Bonus third. Time, 3min 0 2-ssec. Dividends, £5 16s and £3 7s. Waiorongomai and Lasting defected from the Cup, one mile and a half, leaving but four st-rters for the £350 prize. Coronet was installed f ivorite, with Battleaxe next in demand. Wilson made play at the start, closely attended by Coronet, who cut him down at the far side. Coronet was never after wards headed. St. Jack made a plucky attempt to get up, but could not make any impression on the top-weight, who won by a couple of lengths easily, Battleaxe a moderate third. Time, 2min 39 2 ssec. Dividends, £2 4s and £1 3s. Ihe sixteen figured on the card went out for the Hack Flat, one mile. Heart Whist and Tito, and St. Ada and Calliope, were bracketed on the machines. Lubra and Tito were most fancied. Mr Chavannes effected a beautiful start. Immediately after they got going Waylay drew out, and negotiating the bend first sh-- got a break on j the ethers, who crowded out at this point. Round the far side Waylay was streaking along ' wilh a commanding lead, the others being hard ' ridden to get up. Three furlongs from home the rider on the leader began to get to work on his mount. Waylay led into the straight, pur sued by ady Helena and Lubre, and just lasted long enough to win from Lady Helena by half a heiid, Lubra a head off third. Time, Imin 46 1 ssec. Dividends, £9 10s and £8 13s Only two went out for the Henui Handicap, five furlongs. This race was a repetition of last year, when a brace competed, and it should convince the club that this event, and the Huatoki Handicap on the second day, ought to be wiped out and more popular races substituted. Faugh - a-ballagh won anyhow from Gowrie. Time, Imin 6sec. Dividends, £1 13s and 19s.

Three was the field for tlie Flying, six furlongs. Ok oari was made favorite, and justified the confidence by winning, with a bit to spare, from Sedgebrook, Faugh-a-ballagh third. Time, Imin 18sec. Dividends, £1 18s and 18s. Second Day. Proceedings opened with the Grandstand Handicap, seven furlongs, for which five went out. St. Jack and Gowrie raced in front till reaching the bend, when Bedgebrook ran up and cut them down, and, coming on full of running, stalled off a challenge from St. Jack and won by a bit over a length, Okoari third. Time, Imin 32sec. Dividends, £3 15s and £1 17s. The trainer of St J ack entered a protest for inconsistent running, and also interference. A number of stewards were selected to hear the proteat, which, after a lengthy hearing, was dismissed. The evidence in the inconsistency was to the effect that the horse was unreliable, and instances were given (notably at Feilding) where the horse had ran in a similar manner. Four went out for the Second Hurdles, one mile and a half. Voltaire was made favorite. Osborne led at the start, but faulty jumping now told its tale. Voltaire held the lead for the best part of the journey, and stalling off a challenge from Light and Nayborn, won by a length from Light, Nayborn half a length away third. Time, 3min 3-ssec. Dividends, £2 2s and £1 Is. Diamond dropped out of the Second Hack Hurdles, one mile and a half, leaving seven to compete. Kaimate and Bonus were beet backed. Tarrigan (a plain-looking grey son of Swordsman) held a good position throughout, and, jumping well, lasted long enough to win by a length from Bonus; Kaimate a fair third. Time, 3min. Dividends, £3B 8s and £8 16s. Ruru when leading fell at the second jump, his rider (A. Greenwood) sustaining a fractured collarbone. Okoari dropped out of the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a quarter, leaving five in. Coronet was made favorite, with Uhlan next in demand. Wilson went to the front from the start, with Coronet, St. Jack, Uhlan, and Battleaxe handy. At the far side Battleaxe fell back last. Rounding for home, Coronet was in command, with Wilson and St. Jack very handy, and Uhlan coming very fast. When turned for home Coronet, St. Jack, and Wilson were fighting a strong battle, but Uhlan swooped down with a determined challenge, and forging ahead in the last chain, won by a length from Coronet, St. Jack a good third. Time, 2min 12 4-ssec. Dividends, £4 19s and £2 Bs. Okoari was scratched for the Huatoki Handicap, one mile, leaving a brace in. Gowrie won easily from Crusoe. Time, Imin 46 l-ssec. Dividends, £1 6s and 14s. Lady Helena, Lady Belle, and Raukura defected from the Hack Flat, one mile and a quarter, leaving eight in. Legion of Honor was made f ivorite. Wild Vixen took command when the barrier lifted, and, setting a strong pace, was never headed, winning easily from Dartmoor, with Legion of Honor third. Time, 2min 14 l-ssec. Dividends, £4 8s and £2 2s. Eight went out for the Farewell Handicap, seven furlongs Lady Helena led to within thirty yards of the post, when Daystar came with a strong run and beat her by a head; Osborne, who was galloped on and had a leg stripped, third. At the far side The Crown and Cairo fell, the firmer smashing his shoulder so badly that he had to be destroyed Trigger, the rider of Cairo, had his shoulder hurt. Time, Imin 32sec. Dividends, £7 19s and £4 13s. An eighth race—the Transvaal Stakes of 20 sovs, for hacks, six furlongs—was added to the programme, the proceeds being devoted to contingent purposes. Eight were saddled-up. Dartmoor was installed favorite, and won through Gallagher’s horsemanship by a head from Bonus, Flying Jib a good third. Time, Imin 17 4-ssec. Dividends, £2 10s and £1 Bs.