AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 510, 27 September 1900, Page 13

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

Second Day, Wednesday, September 19. fßy Petroned.” WEATHER FINE AND RACING GOODA BIG DIVIDEND FROM TEXAS. LABOURER WINS THE PLUMPTON HANDICAP. After the previous Saturday’s terrible weather, a fine day was confidently looked forward to for Wednesday’s racing. On the whole, though now and then it grew dull and the clouds looked rather threating. However, only a few drops of rain fell all day, and the public who turned out in large numbers had an enjoyable time. During +he day the sum of £5804 was invested on the totalisator, and this, added to the first day’s takings, made a total of £10,631, a deficit of £B7l on the money speculated at last year’s Spring Meeting. But for the bad weather on the first day, last year’s figures would have been badly beaten. The racing was throughout very interesting, although only three horses turned out for the Avondale Guineas. Though there had been plenty pf growling about Mr Evett’s handicaps, very respectable fields turned out, and only three first favourites got home. Mr Cutts was not in his usual good form, and in the two yearold race, the Plumpton Handicap and the Hack Race, the starts resulted in disaster for some of • the horses engaged. In the Plumpton Handicap Solo and Hohoro, second and third favourites, were badly left, and Formula also got a start that somewhat spoilt her chance. The secretary and the various other officials all worked hard, and the musical and catering arrangements left nothing to be desired. Racing commenced with the Hurdle Race, and as Straybird was an absentee, onlv four faced the starter. Hylas was favourite Cannon gate was first away, but was soon afterwards passed by Forty-seven, who held an advantage throughout. Drum Major made a bid once in the straight, and the pair rose at the last hurdle almost together. On landing, Forty-seven swerved right in on the rails and stopped Drum Major. The chestnut eventually reached the post a length ahead of the brown horse. THE CROSS WAS VERY PALPABLE and consequently very few people were surprised when a protest was entered. After hearing evidence, the stewards disqualified Forty-seven and awarded the stakes to Drum Major. There could be no doubt about the matter, for Fortyseven was not thetwo lengths ahead, allowed by

the Bules of Racing, when he crossed in front of Drum Major, and took the latter’s position on the rails The eight acceptors for the Electric Handicap were all started. Telephone was a well-backed favourite, but the support accorded Rosiphell and Kett edrum made the winner’s dividend a good one. From a good start Kettledrum was, as usual, smartly off the mark, and he led the field right away to the straight, where Telephone forged ahead, and, getting through the holding, going like a warrior, he WON RATHER EASILY by better than a length from Kettledrum, with Bosiphell third. St Klyn was well fancied for this race, but she was unable to go the pace with the leaders in the heavy turf. The scratching pen was freely used in the Avondale Guineas, and only three turned out, Beddington, Landlock and Golden Roae. With Landlock giving Beddington 51b, odds of 5 to 1 were laid on the Seaton Delaval gelding. They were landed certainly, but only after a rather inglorious display on the part of the crack. Running along by the G.olden Rose nearly came down, and she afterwards took no part in the contest. The other two raced in company until the home turn was reached. Here Landlock went to the f < ont, and Gallagher had to ride all he knew to get his mount home first. Probably had Gall streaked away when Landiock got ahead, instead of waiting, the result would have been different. Perhaps Beddington did not like the going, for his form wss not high class, and not by any means up to expectation. The nine two-year-olds on the card sported silk for the Nursery Handicap. Liquidator, Sparkling Water, Green and Gold and Maroon and Gold were the best backed in the order named The start was not a good one. Sparkling Water was badly left, and Green and Gold, Liquidator, and Kissaline all got away after the leaders, Maroon and Gold and Little Bess. The first named got all the best of the dismissal, and though Little Bees made a game effort to tackle the Ida gelding it was of no avail, and Maroon and Gold RAN HOME A COMFORTABLE WINNER by a couple of lengths. Kissaline was third, and Liquidator fourth. The Pony Race attracted the twelve acceptors, of whom Mara wasjbacked as a moral. Clansman was second favourite and Brookland third choice. The outsider, Texas, was quickest on his feet, with Blue Paul at his girth, and the Derringer pony making every post a winning one SCORED SOMEWHAT EASILY, ultimately winning without ever being troubled, by two lengths from Rapit, with Clansman third and First Whisper, f urth. Texas paid the sensational dividend of £75 3s. The stable had a share in the tote money. After the race, of course, there were many people who ought to have backed the winner. Winsome and Sultan were the only scratchings from the Plumpton Handicap. Of the twelve starters St Ursula was made first favourite with Solo, Hohoro, Dayntree, and Toroa in close attendance in. the estimation of punters. This race was spoilt by the start, for when Mr Cutts raised the barrier Solo and Hohoro had their tails to the tap?, while Formula was not ready. Dayntree and Swiftfoot were the fir<t to break the line, and were in th 1 van until going along the back. Here Toroa and Brilliant joined the leaders, and, followed by St Ursula and Dayntree, this order was m>intained until the escapes were reached. RnjndicgThe home turn St Ursula ran up to the front rank, .and Labourer also made a forward move The mare turned into the straight about a leng'h ahead of Labourer and Toroa, and a SLASHING RACE HOME resulted in the victory of Labourer by a length. Toroa was third, two lengths behind S . Ursula Dayntree was fourth, and Hohoro, who ran tremendously fast for three-quarters of a mile, finished fifth. '. The six coloured on the card came out for the Hack Handicap. Ambition was first fancy, and then backers liked the Papakura trained Defender From the straggling start, of which Defender got the worst, Bacchus and Balbirnie went away with the lead When nearly two furlongs had been covered, Minerve joined issue and raced alongside the others until well in the straight. Then the Hestia filly went away, and though Ambition did his best to eatch her she won comfortably by two lengths. Balbirnie was third, and Voice fourth. Sultan, Toroa, Vai Rosa. Miss Blair, Balbirnie, and Mara going out reduced the field for the Mount Albert Handicap to seven 1 Of this number Winsome was a strong fancy, with Kettledrum second choice. Cuirasette, Kettledrum and St Elyn wereifresponsible for the earlyjpacemakirg, but Winsome was going very well, and once in the straight she quickly settled the pretensions of the others, and raced home

A WINNER BY A LENGTH from Rosiphele, who came with a great dash at the finish, as did Swif foot, who got third position.