AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 670, 8 January 1903, Page 14

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S SUMMER MEETING.

DERBY DAY. It has always been the custom of Aucklanders to laugh at Wellington as the windy city, but truly our Northern capital has not a great deal to brag about in this respect, for nowadays there seems to be a long sequence of gales from all quarters. New Year’s Day was no exception to the rule, the boisterous sou’-wester bringing up clouds of dust, making the trip out anything but an enjoyable excursion. Still, undeterred by this, crowds of people journeyed out to the convincing ground.

The popular event was the Derby, and when the Auckland colt Wairiki romped home ahead of Orloff one of the greatest demonstrations ever heard at Ellerslie occurred. Horse and rider, owner and trainer were greeted with cheer after cheer from the crowd, and rarely has there been a more popular win. In running the mile and a-half in 2min and winning in a canter, Wairiki stamped himself as one of the best colts ever seen at Ellerslie for many a long day. Rain started to fall after the second race, which made matters very- unpleasant. During the afternoon the sum of £19,570 was put through the machine, a decrease of £658 on last year’s total.

All of the eight coloured on thre card went out for the opening event, the Glasgow Handicap, for which Landlock and Hohoro were the public fancies. When the barrier rose Landlock 1 was first on his legs, end he made strong play down the back stretch, leading by a length from Despatch, with Full Cry at her withers, and Paul Seaton last. As they rounded the bend the tartan colours of Hohoro were seen making a rapid forward move, and at the home turn his victory was loudly announced. The leader had, however, to be reckoned with, and so well did he run that at the distance Phillips had to draw the whip on the top-weight, but the Tasman gelding was unable to trouble his opponent, who won without effort by three length's, with Grey Seaton two lengths further back, and Despatch■ fourth. Time, Imin 29sec. Dividends, £1 19s fid and 13s 6d.

Nine horses went out for the New Year’s Hurdles, Papatu being a pronounced favourite. Directly they got going Rufus and Papatu went to the front, with Haydn falling back. At the bend Papatu sailed to the front, and the Crackshot gelding led down the bacK stretch closely attended by Inchcape, Rufus, and Princess of Thule. At the stand Rufus was at the head of affairs, and he led down the back stretch from Papatu, with Haydn and Waiwera Beginning to make a forward, move. At the home turn it was seen to be a race between Rufus and Papatu, ana they rose at the last hurdle together, lhe little chestnut, however, had the heels oi the favourite, and coming on won by a length from Papatu second, Haydn, Waiwera, and Princess of Thule following, with Inchcape and Marine last.

Northumberland, Golden Vein, and Lavalette were struck 1 out of the Derby, thus leaving five, Spalpeen, Wairiki, Porirua, Orloff, and Idas, to battle for the Blue Ribbon of the North. ’I he public came very strongly tor Orloff, and he carried more than half the total investments. All were keenly scrutinised in their preliminary canters, and the issue was popularly supposed to be a duel between the xaldhurst colt and Wairiki. Just prior to the race a shower of rain took place, and continued during the running oi the big event. Once again O’Connor got the field away to a beautiful start, Spalpeen immediately starting out to act as pacemaker, and he led past the stand from Orloff, who was followed by Wairiki, I orirua. and Idas in that order. As they turned out of the straight the Gossoon colt was a length ahead of the favourite, with Wairiki a length away third. Running down the back stretch Orloff closed on the leader, and at the cutting was in ad\ ance, but Gainsford, who was watching Hewitt closelv, immediately made a forward move” As Orloff came away, Mr Bradley’s colt singled out after him, and as they raced for the bend they were stride for stride. At the home turn it was seen that Hewitt was shaking up the Russian, and a roar from the stand proclaimed that the favourite was in trouble. Once in the straight Wairiki came right away, and won hard held by eight lengths from Orloff, who was a similar distance in advance of Porirua, and then came Idas, with Spalpeen last. Time, 2min 31 hsec. Dividends, £2 6s and Bs. On the declaration of the weights, the Midsummer Handicap was voted a cake walk for King Log, and it would, indeed, be hard to explain the allotments. There were five runners, Desdemona being first awav, with the favourite half-a-length behind". Before a furlong was traversed the Stepniak colt came right away, and w on with ridiculous ease by four lengths from Idasa, with Desdemona two lengths. fuither awav. ’Time, Imin Dividend, £1 5s 6d. . . After some delay at the post, a capital After some delay at lhe post, a capital despatch was effected in the County Handicap, .Landlock showing momentarily in front, but he was soon displaced by St. Olga. As they neared. the bend for home, the rose and white stripes of Marshal Soult were seen going to the front, and the three-year-old was two lengths ahead of Landlock at the distance. Coming on under the whip, Mr Walters’ colt won fairly comfortably by two lengths from Landlock, with Ayrdale, who came with a late run, third, and Pallas fourth. The latter was a white hot favourite, but was never dangerous, but the many backers of Landlock had a great run for their money. Time, Imm Dividends, £9 10s 6d and £1 4s fid- -4i ’There were no absentees from tile A.R.C. Handicap, for which Okoari was a slightly better favourite than Mars and Golden Rose. A splendid start was effected. Rosella leading from Okoari, but at the stand Bluejacket was at the head of affairs, closelv attended by Vai Rosa, Rosella, Okoari,” and Golden Rose, with Golden Vein last. Down the back stretch the St. Leger horse was still in command, with Golden Rose a length behind, and Okoari and Vai Rosa next. At the home bend Okoari and Bluejacket were level,. and a great race took place up the straight, everything being at the whip. In the last furlong Rosella came very fast, and gradually forging to the front won by two lengths from Bluejacket,' who came again very fast, with Okoari a little more than a length further away third, and Golden Rose fourth. Dividends, £5 15s fid and £2 Os fid. 1 , Sonica. Avalanche, and Annoyed carried most weight of money in the Pony Handicap. for which seven liliputians went out to do battle. The start was a fair one, Annoved getting the best of matters, with Avalanche and Orange and Blue close handv. Before the bend was reached Sonica was rushed to the front, and she led into the straight three lengths ahead . of Orange and Blue, with Girton Girl improving her position. The whips were cracking as they raced up the straight, but although Sonica had to be shaken up to hold her position, she won fairly comfortably by three lengths from Orange and Blue, with Annoyed a neck further away, and then followed Girton Girl, Gladys Rose, The Imp, with Avalanche last. Time, Imin 19-fsec. Dividends, £3 2s and £3 16s - > The Maiden Handicap ended the day s proceedings, and for this Tupra and Lavalette shared favouritism. Once off, Irish went to the front, and made play from Hillflower, with Tupara and Lavalette

close up. Down the back stretch Hillflower went to the front, and he piloted the field into the straight, when Tupara drew out, and looked to have • the race won. Lavalette, however, was not done with, and coming with a well-sustained run, just managed to get up in time to make a dead-heat of it with Mr Matsons gelding, Rosiphele being third. Dividends, £1 9s and £1 13s.