NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 692, 11 June 1903, Page 14

NORTH NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL MEETING.

SECOND DAY.

The second day of the big winter gai thering at Ellerslie was well attended, in fact, nearly a record being achieved. This, of course, was due in a large measure to the fact of it being, a holiday—Empire i Day—while the weather, although dull, was very pleasant. The enjoyment of the afternoon was to a certain extent marred by an extraordinary demonstration made against the winner of the big event, and, as the subsequent enquiry by the stewards lasted a very long time, the racing was much delayed, while the result of so much money being temporarily locked up in the totalisator prevented a much larger amount going through the machine during the afternoon. The Second Maiden Hurdles was the first item to be discussed, this being considered to lie between Up-to-Date and Spalpeen, while of the other seven Fencer and .Revealer had most friends. A somewhat curiotis incident occurred in the race, for at tlhe second hurdle Revealer got rid of his rider, despite which fact he continued on, 'clearing every obstacle in good style, and ultimately passed the judge’s box the second time round some lengths ahead of the actual winner, Spalpeen. This colt shaped very proficiently, and fairly spreadeagled the field, being easily able to stall off Up-to-Date’s final challenge at the finish. Fencer was four lengths off, third, and then followed Master Model' Mount Zeehan, and Oingo. Jn the Ranfurly Maiden Welter, Croupier was dropped on as most likely to prove the winner, while Soultfish and Lavadel also had plenty of admirers. Lavadel led his ten opponents all the way down the back of the course, closely attended by Irish and the favourite. When heads were fairly turned for home a great race ensued. Muskerdale, on the outside, could be seen making a great race, and he lasted Jong enough to win by nearly a length from lan and Irish, who made a deadheat of it for second place. Croupier was fourth, and Lavadel next. Then the big event, the Grand National Hurdle Race, of 500 sovs, came up for decision. At first it seemed as if Otairi or Mars would he favourite, but such a strong demand set in for Tresham that he went to the post with more money staked on his ability to win than anything else in the race. Just eleven went to the post, or just half the number originally handicapped. Battleaxe led at the start, and at , the second jump Otairi came to grief. Tresham thereupon took up the running, . and passing the stand was showing clear ’ of Lady Bell and Haydn. At the back of the course the son of Catesby was still making play from Haydn, while Battleaxe ’ commenced to make a forward move. At the entrance to the straight Mr Watson’s , gelding had the measure of Tresham, and ‘ coming away won with the utmost ease by three lengths from Haydn, who beat the ' favourite by a similar distance in the run 1 home. The winner and his rider, Johnson, 1 came in for one of the most hostile de- * monstrations ever seen on the ground, but E the protest against him was dismissed. s

After the great excitement had cooled down, and much after its time, the Tallyho Steeplechase was run, there being six runners for this. Favouritism was divided between Nor’-West and Sudden, the former having a slight call in the betting. Sudden was speedily taken to the front, and at the ba’ck he was some ten lengths ahead of Straybird, while Nor’-West almost came to grief. Going up the hill for the last time Nor’-West ran up to the leader, but when it was expected tuat Sudden would come away again he broke down. This left Nor’-West to open out a big lead, and despite a desperate chase by Stray bird, he- won very easily indeed by ten lengths, while Sudden, who was very lame, cantered in a bad third. The Prince of Wales’ Handicap, of P.«io sovs, run over seven- furlongs, proved the best race of the meeting, and was indeed . one of the finest struggles for supremacy ever seen at Ellerslie. There were just a dozen competitors, Paratutu and St. Olga being most in demand. Following her usual custom, St. Olga was first away, and she cut out the running down the back, followed by Paratutu, Maroon and Gold, and Miss Lottie. The St. Leger mare was still in command at the distance where several others joined issue, and a magnificent finish ended in Mr Lusk being unable to separate St. Olga, Paratutu, and Miss Lottie. Only half a head away came Cygnet, while Zulieka was a head behind Mr Marshall’s filly, the latter having Green and Gold within, a neck. Such a wonderfully close go must indeed be considered a feather in the cap of the handicapper. Hinemoa was generally considered something very choice for the Selling Steeplechase, in which she was opposed by four moderates. She ran very indifferently, and finished absolutely last. Kanaka was responsible for most of the running, and, ati hope was neared, it looked as though the : : ... h.. ...... > .■ ' ■ • ■

black gelding, who was almost without a friend on the machine, would win. Marine, who has evidently improved a good deal, came at him in the last hundred yards, and won fairly easily by nearly two lengths, with Hylas a long way off third. The Ladies’ Bracelet closed the day's proceedings,. This was run in the dusk, a somewhat dangerous proceeding on a heavy course. Tuni was served up pipping hot for this, Great Shot being the only other backed. Punters guaged the position to a nicety, for the favourite was soon in front, and, making no mistakes, won in a canter by ten lengths from Great Shot, with Boxer a dozen lengths off third.

During the afternoon the sum of £9754 was handled by the totalisator people.