WHEN BATTLEAXE WON THE GN.H.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 694, 25 June 1903, Page 18

WHEN BATTLEAXE WON THE GN.H.

The following verses, which are quite

epic in style, and strongly reminiscent of the best work of Robert Browning and Adam Lindsay Gordon, with here and

there a touch that is truly Homeric, are from the pen of Mr David C. Ingram, of Auckland, who kindly forwards them for publication : —

With the Great Northern Steeple just over —a fitting conclusion to May— We come to the Great Northern Hurdles, renowned like the Prince’s Birthday. The event is decidedly open, who’s going to win is not clear, The knowing ones have different fancies, which jump a la the wild deer.

All classes attend at this meeting, rich and poor alike run the game, At this time of the year the sun’s not too clear, even without the rain. The contestants look in condition, especially those from the South ; What a bustle there’ll be for position when all on the journey set out.

At the post they make a grand picturewhy not —it’s the Sport of Kings ! There’s hardly a horse that’s a fixture, one would thipk they were all on springs. / Just now they’re all very steady, though some won’t come into line ; Now they come up and are ready—* they’re off,” and the aspect is fine.

The National’s worth five hundred, and eleven are after the spoil. Battleaxe, Moko, and Tresham are doing best work on the soil; The others right close up behind them take the first fence just as well, And now o’er the flat they are flying ; the best of the eight’s Lady Bell.

She gets up to Moko and Tresham, whilst Battleaxe drops a length back, .. He is joined further on by big Haydn, the Northern Steeplechase crack ; Hurdle number two they’re and a tightening rein goes on ; The leaders rise -up and clear it, but Otairi somewhow goes wrong.

There’s now a slight change in position, for Mars takes a hand in the game; The lot are all out for a mission—there’s five hundred to win—and some fame. Now into the straight they are racing, Waiwera has charge of the rear, To the jump near the stand they all hasten, they take it—and the crowd cheer.

Lady Bell, Haydn and Tresham, with Mars are in front past the stand, Puffing Billy, Battleaxe, and Gilnockie are keeping the sport well in hand ; Lingard, Mokomoko, Waiwera, is the order next on the run, You couldn’t move them any faster if you applied a shot from a gun.

The colours of Haydn and Tresham are clearly discerned in the van,. Whilst Battleaxe displaces the others—you can’t blame him if he can. As the seven furlongs post they are leaving, Tresham is best of the three, But Haydn’s again moving forward, get up—and it’s “ please follow me I”

The four furlongs post hurdle’s taken, and Haydn’s still holding his own; Tresham’s now on his quarters, with

Battleaxe following home; The latter’s three lengths from the leaders, Lady Bell and Mars just the same. From the Derby Stand in the distance there’s a faint cry of some horse’s name

As they’re rounding the bend for the finish Battleaxe leads all a dance, Get’s over the very last hurdle about a - length in advance. •; The crowd are becoming excited as Tresham and Haydn give chase, But the brown son of Queen Cole—Hotchkiss for them has too much pace.

“ Battleaxe wins,” they’re proclaiming, naming Haydn and Tresham in turn, Though the latter are battling gamely, they’ll never the five hundred earn, For Battleaxe, striding quite freely, leaves Haydn, who’s under the whip, Secures the judge's verdict, whilst Haydn gives Tresham the slip.

Mars leads the rest ip procession, in order ... they finish like this— Lady Bell, Puffing Billy, Gilnockie, who fin'shecl without cheer or hiss; Waiwera, Lingard, Mokomoko each had a good view of the show, Though to lose a golden five hundred it costs too much to go slow. “ Belmont,” Auckland, June 4, 1908. ,