After the Races.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 609, 25 September 1902, Page 14

After the Races.

AVONDALE J.C. SPRING MEETING

(By

“Atlas.”)

On Saturday last the racing season in the Auckland province was inaugurated, the responsibility of the occasion resting with the Avondale Jockey Club. The Spring Meeting of the Avondale Club possesses much interest to the sporting community, for it is the first re-union after the dull winter recess, and again the programme contains three events of unusual importance, namely, the Avondale Stakes, the Guineas, and the Cup. The Avondale Stakes is important from the breeders point of view, as . it gives us. our first idea of what the young blood is like; the Guineas; run on the second day of the meeting, affords us an opportunity of guaging the form of our three-year-olds, while the Cup always re-introduces us to many of our best handicap horses. Unfortunately for the Avondale Club this year the weather conditions" so far have been decidedly adverse, and it speaks well for the drainage at Avondale that the going was as good as it was. Of course the track was holding, but the going was safe and sound. A glimpse of fine weather in the morning encouraged the hope that the afternoon would be fine, and the early trains were well patronised, but the people had only time to reach the course when a fierce north-westerly squall, accompanied by a cold rain, came on, but this was only the forerunner of other showers. ,As a consequence the beautiful green lawn had, as a rule, to be admired from the’ shelter of the grandstand, and here it may be said that both the grandstand and St. Leger afforded snug retreats. The increased accommodation in the refreshment rooms, which were presided over by Mr Abbott, of Otahuhu, w r as much appreciated, as, no doubt, also in such weather were the comforts dispensed therein. The management of the sport by Mr Hayr and his staff was all that could be desired. In the absence of the president of the Club, Mr John Bollard, the judge’s box was occupied by Mr R. B. Lusk. The starter, Mr Geo. Cutts, handled his fields very well, and this in such unfavourable weather redounds to his credit. In squally, rainy weather it is difficult to get horsps to line up well, particularly the young ones, but Mr Cutts got through the ordeal with credit, and handled the youngsters in the Avondale Stakes with effective patience. The starting machines w|ere furnished with Mr George Rhode’s new gear, which worked better that the ordinary webbing Would have done on such a boisterous day. In such weather it is not surprising to find that there was a falling off in the speculation. It is difficult to prevent the British public speculating on a horse race, but rain and heavy going has a stronger tendency in that direction than the united influence of the anti-gambling crusaders. On Saturday the sum of £5775 was passed through the machine, as against £9424 on the corresponding day last year, but the meeting in 1900 was held at Ellerslie, and was favoured by beautiful weather. Hunter’s Band discoursed suitable music during the afternoon, while the catering of Mr King in the dining-rooms gave satisfaction. THE RACING. / ' ’ ,i f! i•' ' ' Just before the time of starting the first race a disagreeable westerly squall,, accompanied by a cold rain, was experienced, and was not at all a promising opening. St. Rowan, Seatonia, ■ Gold Web and La Polish were the scratchings, leaving eleven to go to the post. Punters seem to sniff a good thing, and they made the somewhat unknown quantity, Romeo, favourite. Mr Cutts sent the field away to a fairly good start, the horses having a stiff westerly in the teeth. The light-weight, Strathavon, was the first in front closely attended by Sly Miss, Romeo and Mechanic. At the beiid Romeo ran past Sly Miss and Strathavon, and led into the straight. The issue was never afterwards in doubt, the favourite. finishing up four lengths in front of Strathavon, who was a length in advance of Sly Miss, the rest strung out. Time, Irnin s3sec. Dividends, £2 15s and £6 Is. z , Dingo was the only absentee from the First Handicap Hurdle Race, eight facing the starter. Bellman was made favourite, although he looked on the big side. , When they were despatched . on their journey Bellman went to the front and soon established a substantial lead from Sirdar, who was followed by Mars. At the first jump Sirdar came to grief, leaving Bellman ten lengths in front of Mars. At the second hurdle. Commodore baulked, and crossing Win- t some caused her to stop also. Bellman sailed along with a strong lead to , the'' straight, where Mars began to friend his pace, and materially decreased the gap at the bend out.pf the straignt, hut at the fifth hurdle BELLMAN FELL, . . ' , ■ .)■. ■■■ and this left Mars with a long lead. He was eased off a bit, and bungled

badly at the second to last jump, but Stewart made a clever recovery, and Mars, making no mistake at the last jump, won very easily by half-a-dozen lengths from Tim, Cannongate a similar ‘distance away third. Time, 4min 13sec. Dividends, £3 9s and £2 10s. t The very nice field of fourteen were left in to do battle in the first two-year-old race of the season, the Avondale Stakes, and a very good lot they were, albeit that on such a bleak day they could not be seen to advantage. ■One of the most handsome of the lot was- St. Paul’s half-brother Stibbington, by Ben Godfrey—Satanella. This fellow was kicked a , little time back, and it is possible that he is not as forward as some of the others, but I feel confident that as the season wears on the veteran trainer, John Chaafe, will have something good to treat us to. Mr Friedlander’s pair, Sans Peur and Kamo, had a lot of friends. Although there was a whisper about that Kamo was the representative of the stable, the public, if the totalisator investments are to be accepted as an indication, thought more of the capabilities of Sans Peur, and the running seemed to say that the public were right, for although Kamo just beat her stable companion the latter, in my opinion, would have won if she had made her run. sooner. Sans Peur is a beautifully-turned filly, and was bought at the last yearling sale at Wellington Park for 510 guineas, and after the BRILLIANT DASH OF PACE she showed in the straight on Saturday her owner has every reason to be satisfied with his bargain. Sans Peur is the half-sister to Cruciform, being by Soult ■out of Forme, and this young matron’s stock will be an object of attraction in the future. Kamo is the full sister to

Porirua, and was bred at Sylvia Park, and was purchased at the last sale. Cordon Rouge is a beautiful colt, on the small side, but he is quick on his legs, and on Saturday showed us that he can gallop. Mr Cutts had a little difficulty in getting his field to line up, a driving westerly squall blowing into the faces of the youngsters. They were despatched to a very nice start, Sans Peur, Kamo and Stibbington being the advance' guard, with the others fairly together. Cordon Rouge was in the middle of them, but he was quickly going, and very roon he! was one of the front division. When the bend was reached 7 Kamo was in front, closely attended by Cordon Rouge, with Sans Peur and Stibbington close up together. At this; sthge the youngsters seemed to run erratically, and Stibbington threw his head up as if something had crossed him,' and dropped back a little, while Kamo was first into the straight, but once their heads were turned for home

it was seen that Cordon Rouge had Kamo in difficulties, and as they ap- ■ proached the Leger Stand this advantage became more pronounced. At this juncture Sans Peur put in a great run, and rapidly began to overhaul the leaders, hut it was all too late, as she had not time to get up, and Cordon Rouge well ridden by Sam Lindsay, who kept him at it, won all outt by over a length from Kamo, who was only a head in front of Sans Peur. Then came

Te Aroha fourth, Matua fifth, and Stibbington sixth, Kola Nip being the last to finish. Time, 55seos; Cordon Rouge paid the very fair dividend of £4 6 while Kamo and Sans Peur, who were bracketed, returned their supporters 10s. A protest, lodged against Lindsay for alleged foul riding, was dismissed. The Whole of the twelve horses on the ■ card for the Avondale Cup stripped to fulfil their engagement, and with such a really nice field the only subject for regret was that the weather conditions were hot more favourable. Ever since the weights have appeared The Shannon has been the popular choice, and remained so to the finish, and when she stripped in the saddling paddock she bore the appearance of having undergone a thorough preparation, while her powerful build suggested the thought that she was just the cut of a mare for heavy weather. Formula was turned out by Frank Macmanemin in real good trim, but she had not the same robust appearance as The Shannon. Matamataharakeke had a‘ strong following on the strength of her performances in the mud at Ellerslie" last season. Grey Seaton

looked well,- but his party were not confident that he would act in the heavy going, and subsequent events justified their doubts. Tresham, after all the hard work he had done, looked fresh and vigorous. This fellow has a lot of bottom in him, and it is quite apparent that on the flat his ability has been underrated, otherwise he would have had a bigger following at Avondale than he did. One of 1 the best conditioned horses in the race was Durable. Vai Rosa and St. Olga both looked well, but a mile and a-quarter in .heavy going is not their forte. The other candidates did not attract much attention. Mr Cutts sent the field away on good terms, and passing the stand Solo was in the lead, followed by The Neehle, Durable, St. Olga and Vai Rosa, io that order, while The Shannon SB

was one of the last. Very much the same order was maintained around the bend and back, where The Needle headed Solo, and then close up came St. Olga and Durable, while the favourite was threading his way to the front. As they raced round the bend into the straight Tresham, The Needle and St. Olga were together, and once in the straight Tresham was in front, and at the half-distance looked like the winner, but here the favourite, who had been steadily coming up, made her appearance on the scene, and Torpedo’s daughter, sustaining heh.effort to the fifiish, beat Tresham home by a length and a-half, while Durable was third, a couple of lengths away, Vai Rosa fourth, St. Olga fifth, Formula sixth, The Needle seventh, Kelburn eighth, Grey Seaton ninth, the last division being composed of Matamataharakeke, Solo and Up-to-Date. The time of the race was 2min 21secs, but slow as that time no doubt is, it is three seconds faster than Toroa’s time when the race was run under similar weather conditions. The record Tor the race is held by Nonette, 2min llsecs, but that was made in fine weather on the Ellerslie course. A considerable amount of interest was lent to the First Hack Hurdle Race by the presence of La Valette, who has so recently been backed for the New Zealand Cup, but unfortunately the race was run in heavy rain. There were ten starters, and La Valette was made favourite, with Marshal Soult next in demand. When the field were sent away Marshal Soult was in front, with La Valette next. At the bend the favourite dropped back, but he came again. When the straight was reached Marshal Soult had SHOT HIS BOLT, and Strathavon took up the running. Half-way up the straight La Valette headed him, but in a real good finish Strathavon beat the colt home by a head. This pair were four lengths clear of Hippowai, with Irish fourth and Marshal Soult fifth. Under all the circumstances La Valette’s first effort in public was not unsatisfactory. The way in which he finished showed that he is game, and it is pretty certain that if the going had been dry he would have carried the top weight to victory. However, those who have backed him for the New Zealand Cup would probably have felt that their confidence in him was better justified if he had won in hack company. Prior to the start of the race Lingard played up and fell, giving his rider, Jack Chaafe, rather a severe shaking. Nine saddled up for the Handicap Steeplechase, the brother’s, Dingo and Nor’-west being the most popular selections of the punters. Stockman and the pony Hinemoa led the way, followed 1 Kowhai. At the obstacle opposite the stand Pungarehu ran off. The same order was maintained to the back, where Kowhai ran off. At the double-in front of the stand Hinemoa and Stockman "were racing together, fifty lengths in front of Matarawa,' while' the two favourites were conspicuous in the rear. There was but little alteration in this round, Hinemoa and Stockman being again together when the double was negotiated the third time. Going along the back Matarawa began to close on the leaders, and had them beaten in the home bend, eventually winning very easily from Stockman by three lengths, a similar distance separating Stockman and Hinemoa, Nor’-west fourth, Dingo fifth and Pullack sixth. Matarawa who, like Mars, is trained by Jack Rae, paid the best dividend of the day, namely, £l3 15s. After the race the stewards carpeted the rider of Nor’-west and told him that they were not quite satisfied with the way in which he handled his mount, a feeling probably shared in by those who wanted the horse to win. Still it should not be forgotten that the horse has not been long in work. The First Pony Handicap was run in another pelting shower. There were only six starters. Avalanche, on the strength of a private reputation only, being made favourite. Not many cared to watch the race, seeking shelter in pre- ’ ference. Girton Girl made all the running, winning easily from Avalanche and First Whisper, and paying her supporters £4 7s. The pony race is generally one of the best betting events of the day, but this race was an exception to the rule. . The fact that the cpurse had suffered severely by the afternoon’s galloping probably accounted for the free use of the pen in the Flying Stakes. That section of punters who indulge m doubles were much disappointed at the elimination of Wairiki as wefl a 3 La .Valette, Formula and Durable. Although she had already had one severe gallop during the afternoon St. Olga figured out by punters as the best of the halfdozen left in. Spalpeen was the first awav, and cut out the running closely attended by Landlock to the straight, where the leader retired in favour of the nonv Orange and Blue, but before the distance was reached St. Olga put in an undeniable claim, and won by a length and a-half from Gladisla, with

Orange and Blue third, Landlock fourth, Spalpeen fifth and Bluejacket last. The condition of the course at this stage was shown by the fact that the time registered for the race was I min 25 listh sec. St. Olga rewarded her supporters with £1 19s only. On Monday last the Committee of the Club paid a visit of inspection to the course, and finding that it had been very much cut up, while there was every indication of a continuation of the boisterous and wet weather it was determined to postpone the second day’s racing until Saturday next.