NAPIER PARK R.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 14

NAPIER PARK R.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

Fine weather was responsible for a really good attendance, and speculation was brisk, which can be seen when comparing the sum passed through the machines on Tuesday and Wednesday and that at a similar meeting last season, the figures reading : 1902, £9786 ; 1903, £11,305. The racing was of a fair average sort, on the second day particularly the public picking the winners with a steadiness that was simply appaling. T. Cameron had possession of the starter’s baton, "'and it is no fanciful assertion to say that on the opening day that his dismissals were not of a high-class sort. On Wednesday when he used the barrier his send-offs were excellent, leaving no ground for fault finding. The curtain rose on Tuesday to the First Hack Hurdles, which was won by the favourite Sunmos, who was in a measure fortunate to capture, for be screwed badly at the last hurdle, and got right on to Ogle. Sloightear, a full sister to Morag, got favoured by the mishap that occurred to Sunmos and Ogle, and got the second money and dividend. Shackle was: made favourite for the Esk Handicap, the ultimate winner, Taura, having the next best following. A great race up the straight saw Taura just get there from Louisa, who only had £25 invested on her number on the machines. Shackle was an excellent third. Creusot, who is a big gelding by Torpedo out of Aegyphta (a half-sister by Ingomar to Nordenfeldt) was slow to leave the mark in the Welter Race, but when once heads were turned for the final run, got going in' great style, and wearing down The Rioter, won cleverly by a head advantage, Faria the same distance in front of The Rioter. Creusot, who is owned by that genuine follower of the game, Mr T. H. Lowry, is more than a fair sort, and someof these days will be seen to advantage in more fashionable society than he mixed with last week. Ringman's admirers rushed him to the top of the poll in the betting over the Napier Cup, Tupara beating A.B.N. by a couple of sovereigns for second choice. Tradewind led from start to finish, crossing the line two lengths in front of the favourite, whose closest attendant as they flashed past the man in the box was Menura. Lindsay, who steered Ringman, had the bad luck to break one of his stirrup leathers shortly after starting, and on that account was not able to do justice to Castor’s son. Tupara ran very badly, while Ja had a very rough passage, getting continually blocked and pocketed just as she looked as if she had chances. The first selection in the 'Sapling Stak.es, Melodeon, again gave a taste of his quality by comfortably silencing the half-dozen opposed to him in the contest. ’This son of Medallion is a rare stayer, with plenty of toe, and should be well forward in the fight for prize-money next season. Regiment, a full brother to Ring-

man was second, and Bandmaster third. Rose Madder ; got well away, and her friends were very sanguine regarding her when they saw her well in front for the first two furlongs, but she soon cried enough. Roseplot, Scallywag, and Tauhei were the order in favouritism for the Hurdle Race, but after going a furlong it could be seen that bar mistakes the grey mare Tauhei held the key of the problem. She improved as she went along, though her fencing was at times not of the very best description, but having the pace of the others she comfortably held them in check, and rewarded her party, who had a tidy sum invested on her. Croupier was sent out a thirteen pounds better favourite than Optimist for the Redclyffe Hack Handicap. The first fancy gave his friends a nasty kick, for he ran badly, honour resting with Mr Rathbone’s gelding, who was humoured by Jenkins, and was thus induced to try his best. Madrigal made no race of the Flying Handicap, fairly kicking out the contest; with consummate ease, Assayer and Eland being second and third. The second favourite, Chasseur, gave in fifty yards from the line. As on the opening afternoon, proceedings started with the Hack Hurdles on Wednesday, and as it. has always, or nearly always been good business to back the first day’s winner for the second day’s race. Sunmcs was elected favourite. Up to the last obstacle the favourite never gave his friends any cau'se to regret having pinned their faith in his ability, but nearly came to grief there. Lynch, however managed to pull him together again, and won from J3enedictine. Optimist had the softest of cinches in the disposal of the quartette' who sought to down him in the Scurry, for he was never asked a serious question. Again were the backers of first favourites' on the spot when they put their pieces down on Shackle for the HighWeight, as the bay gelded son of Chainlink came in by himself, Croupier second, and Kowhete (who for once in a way acted generously) third. The betting public got to it all right in the Bennett Memorial, for they supported Ringman, Ballyneety, and Menura in that order, and that is the way they were placed by the judge at the finish. The only win secured by the Squire of Karamu was that in the Two-year-old Handicap, which fell to Enna, a sweetly proportioned filly by The Officer out of Enid. Starshoot got second berth., and Auratus third place. Rose Madder, on sweeping into the bend, was quite eight lengths away from the leader, Auratus, but once in the straight run to the chair put in some terrific fast work, which brought her up to the tails of Starshoot, Enna, and Auratus, who were battling it out in front.a Just when it appeared as if she would upset the pot her rider seemed to lose control of her, and let her go right into the rails. Starshoot settled Auratus twenty lengths from the post, and looked a winner, but his hopes of annexing were short lived, for Enna put in a fast run, and carried the all cerise across the line in the van cleverly. Roseplot had no difficulty in disposing of Scallywag and Cobra in the Second Hurdles, his victory being practically speaking gained five furlongs from home. As the boys say, another cake walk. This was in the Stewards’ Stakes, Taura, the favourite, nicely handled by Jenkins, getting away with the stake. Louisa again showed good fight, her pilot, Malone, riding a desperate race upon her, but his efforts were futile. ...'rhe last race of the gathering, the Waverley Stakes, attracted seven runners, Madrigal being pounced on as the best of good things for the recovery stakes. Madrigal had the most comfortable win it would be possible to imagine, for Jenkins was sitting like a statue all the way up the straight. Mussell put in a brilliant piece of work in the last half-dozen strides, which gave him the pull over Mangonui for second place. ■ Mr Lowry had a fair share of luck at the meeting, for he captured three events, and his dual winner,’ Madrigal, ought to be in the future hard to beat, for she is a genuine bit of stuff, though unluckily not over sound. Only one accident occrred at the meeting, and that was to Bruce Lowe in the Sapling Stakes, for just after passing the post in that race he dislocated one of his fore joints, and was being led away for execution when he made a sort of stumble and set it back again. The death sentence was accordingly delayed to see if he will pull around, but though it isr possible for him to be used as a hack, 1 should say hisi racing careei- is ended.