After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 529, 20 September 1900, Page 13

After the Races.

THE AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING. 4 First Day, Saturday, September 15. 1 ,

[By]

Petronel.]

WEATHER BAD AND GOING HEAVYTHE AVONDALE STAKES. TOROA WINS THE CUP. Last week, when writing of the prospects of fine weather for the opening day of the above meeting, I said that the promise of blue sky and bright sunshine was fair. I was wrong as regards the weather, but I was not very far out in selecting the probable winners. Saturday was truly an awful day. It started to rain early, and showers were frequent during nearly the whole of the afternoon. The earlier showers were light, and people hoped that each successive fall would be the last for the day, and therefore they braved the elements and journeyed out to Avondale. Those who choose the railway at least got to the course dry, but the many who travelled by brake and ’bus were in a measure hardened to the discomfort they had to endure at the scene of operations. The rain was heavier about the time racing commenced, and very soon the paddock and the lawn were inches deep in a thick and slinging slush. The gentleman who so thoughtfully oblige the public by bringing out money and betting with it, were in a very nice situation. Naturally there was plenty of traffic around them, and the ground was churned into a mass of sloppy and greasy looking mud. Woe betide the unfortunate individual who made a slip I There were two or three, and nice objects they were when they emerged from. the slush ! Feelings were too deep for words of expostulation and condemnation, and they were only relieved by some very powerful, very comprehensive —and no doubt very soothing —swearing. Truly it was a dreadful day. A day for waterproofs, leggings, and thick boots, a day when not even Mrs Grundy could be shocked at seeing something more than a shapely ankle —for those brave ladies who boldly faced the situation, had a kindly regard for their skirts and petticoats, and skilfully held them out of mud’s way when perambulating in search of possible winners. On such a day music seemed a mockery, but still Mr Hunter’s band did well and the members are certainly deserving of praise for the courageous way in which they stuck to their task. Mr A F. Stillwell, the Club’s caterer, was as usual up to the mark in his arrangements for satisfying the requirements of the public, and as he had control of the bar as well, he must have had a busy time of it. In tbe absence of Mr J. Bollard, M. H.R., Mr F. W. Coombes occupied the judge’s box, and ‘ the judge” filled the posi tion with complete efficiency. Mr George Cutts was, of course, in his old position at the startingbarrier, and save that in the two-year-old race his charges gave some anxiety, his dismissals were very good. It was a pity that the weather was so bad, for the meeting should have been a great success, as all the arrangements were excellent. The Club’s Executive, and especially Mr Hayr, had everything in good order, and from a racing point of view all went well Of course the going was heavy, and perhaps this accounted for some of the falling off in the totalisator receipts. People recognised that they had very much more than the legitimate odds against; them, and they either held off, or limited their investments very considerably. During the day the sum of £4827 passed through the machine. On a fine day this amount would probably have been nearly doubled. The racing started with the Maiden Plate, and eight of the nine acceptors were saddled up. Blossom was the absentee. Balbirnie was made first favourite, but Minerve and Swift foot were not far behind in public estimation. From the start Swiftfoot led the way, and remaining at the front all through he beat Balbirnie rather easily. Minerve, who did not seem to like the mud, was a good third. Tim was made a pronounced favourite for the Hurdle Bace, and The Master, Straybird, and Hinemoa were the best backed pf the others. Bellman and Hylas made the pa.ee from the start, and first one and then the other was in the lead, but they kept close together until half-a-mile from home. At the last hurdle but one Hylas got the better of Bellman, and thereafter he drew away, and though he was chased home by Forty Seven and Oannongate HE WON EASILY AT THE FINISH. Bellman was fourth. The victory of Mr Boss’ gelding was a surprise, and he paid the biggest dividend of the day, £l5 10s. The Avondale Stakes was the next item on the card, and nine youngsters sported silk. The state of the ground prevented many from inspecting the youngsters in the paddock, and only the enthusiasts faced the mud. Nonette (late Chantilly), Rattler, Maroon and Gold, Liquidator, and Green and Gold, were the most admired as the lot went past the stand, and

nothing moved batter in the preliminary gallop# than Mr Ryan’s colt, though the action and build of the others I have mentioned was very pleasing. The starter had some trouble in getting the nine to line up all at the same tune, and when he did let the barrier away some of the juveniles were slow in starting. Hesper and Nonette were the smartest to get going, and thee®, followed by Liquidator, were the leading division round the escapee. Approaching the home turn Nonette had drawn clear, and he came into the straight with a three lengths lead challenged soon after, and Buchanan and Byan both had their whips out. The favourite ran very stoutly, and drawing away again he won with a little to spare by a couple of lengths. Green and Gold, who made a smart finish, was third three lengths away, and Battler close up fourth. Nonette was very well backed, and the Mangere colt, Maroon and Gold, second choice. The winner was purchased by Mr J. T. Byan at Messrs Nathan’s last yearling sale for 105 guineas, and is trained by Frank Macmanemin. The head lines of the colt’s pedigree are: — NONETTE.

After Mark Byan had weighed in, the colt was brought on the lawn and decorated with the classic ribbon, by Mr Thomas Morrin, the vicepresident of the Avondale Club. Winsome and Leetitia were the only withdrawals from the 12 acceptors of the Cup. Bluejacket was, of course, a pronounced favourite, for the report of his last week’s trial with St Paul had become widely known, and the public made him about 3to 1 chance. Hohoro, Bosella, St Paul, Honesty, and Toroa were then fancied in the order named. In the preliminary cantering St Paul went along with plenty of dash, Hohoro moved excellently, but Bluejacket seemed nervous and afraid of the mud. Coronet looking well, and-Bosella both pleased, while Honesty galloped very resolutely through the heavy going. La Gloria seemed to labour, and neither Zealous or Landlock appeared to relish their tasks. From a nice despatch Coronet was first to show, but > was soon passed by Hohoro, Honesty, and the rest of the field The Tasman gelding was in front as the stand was reached, but once in the turn Honesty ran into the lead followed by Toroa. The Cap-a-pie mare led the way right along the back, with Toroa in close attendance, until the escapes were reached. Here Messrs Alison’s mare went past her opponent, and, being vigorously ridden by Satman, she speedily made a gap. Bounding the home turn Toroa was a length and a-half in front of Honesty, next to whom was Hohoro, with Coronet and Bosella improving their positions. When in line for home a fine race ensued, and though Coronet made a gallant effort to overhaul the leader

SHE FOUGHT A VERY GAME BATTLE, and lasted long enough to win by a couple of , lengths. Bosella was third, a length behind/ Coronet, Hohoro was fourth, St Paul was seventh, and the favourite, who could not raise a gallop in the mud, was eighth. Toroa was well ridden by Batman, who applied the whip a long way from home, and got every ounce out of the mare. She is trained by Adam Byers, who is certainly entitled to praise for the excellent condition of his charge. He has not won a big race for some time past, and it is to be hoped that he may speedily have another term of good luck. The Hack Handicap was a good thing for Mr Dan McLeod’s St Elyn, and the Lady Evelyn filly, after running second to Ambition for nearly a furlong took the lead, and kept it to the end. In the straight she was pressed a bit by Gulden Rose, but Mark Ryan finished well, and landed his mount by better than a length. Dingo, Stockman, Hinemoa, and Hylas going out left seven runners for the Steeplechase. The betting foreshadowed a finish between Stray bird and Volcano, and this happened.; Marksman was responsible for most of the pace-.' making, with the favourite in close attendance, and Volcano and Natation running neck and neck next. Kapai ran off at the first fence, and/ . Kowhai did the same thing at the first jump of the double. Both were subsequently got over, but they were hopelessly behind when they were got going again. Going along the back for the last time, Straybird went to the front, and though Volcano made a good attempt to get on terms ae they raced along the escapes, it was of no avail, and the favourite jumping the hurdle in the straight like a deer ran home A VERY COMFORTABLE WINNER by three lengths. Marksman was third, the only other horse to finish. First Whisper was best backed for the Pony Race, with Clansman second favourite. Lady Avon and First Whisper were smartest when Mr Cutts despatched the field, and the pair, led for five furlongs. Then Clansman got -/-s going, and quickly gaining he led into the; straight. Whips were then out all round, and the Blairgowrie pony had to race in earnest to beat, Nora by nearly two lengths. Mamoa was third, and Lady Avon fourth. For the last race of the day, the Flying Stakes, Vai Rosa was made a red hot favourite, with M Toroa and St Peter equally backed next in favour. ■ Mr Cutts got the fourteen starters fairly well i away, and Rosiphele, Miss Blair, and St Peter > were the quickest in moving off, and the firstnamed led until the straight was reached. Then St Peter made his effort, and he quickly took the lead. At the distance Swififoot and Labourer both put in challenges, but St Peter answered them gamely, and RAN HOME NEARLY TWO LENGTHS in front of Swiftfoot, who was three lengths ahead of Labourer. Toroa was fourth, and Cuirassette fifth. Vai Rosa, who looked as if he were coming through at one time, faded away.

Chabente Seaton Delayal * (0 2 o a>. u p* a> P* S’ 1 Bt p. • £ ts 8*