AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 695, 2 July 1903, Page 7

AFTER THE RACES.

HAWKh’S BAY J-C- WINTER MEET ING FIRST DAY. The Metropolitan Club, of this district did not have any too good a time of it fQr - their annual winter re-union. The climate (good old climate, how often does it give one a peg on which to turn the corner) was of the mast ungracious sort, while the tote investments showed a dropping down of £2278, when, compared with the sum that passed through the machine, that never lies or gets over a fence when a screaming red-hot 2 to 1 on favourite romps home./ It was truly a melancholy affair and, as a friend of mine gays, who has been everywhere except in gaol, it was more like a small suburban meeting, judged by the small amount of bullion that found its way to the totalizator premises. Notwithstanding the paucity of betting, the abundance of rain, cold wind, and sloppy going, the racing in a great number of instances was of a very high grade Mr Henry s’ ideas of the weight-carrying capacities of the horses went t6oz to the pound, without the package, as not a single first choice got across the line in the front during the first afternoon's sport, and consequently good prices were gathered in by those who picked the conquerors. Oh Thursday four of the highly-fancied ones scored. The contest for the Ladies’ prize on the opening day was not a handicap affair, consequently the weight-adjuster does not get any credit for that. Mr Piper’s send-off as'* usual were excellent, and the rest o£j the officials did their level best to make matters as pleasant- as possible for their patrons, who, though the outside gate tariff was lowered’’to the modest “ Robert,” were not more numerous than when it was twice as muchf A charge which has been in force up to this meeting, and the weather could not be to blame for their non-attendance, for the rain did not commence till after the start of proceedings. Mr GeOrge Cross, who attends to the totalisator department in the supply of the necessary figures and dividends to the press and public, got through his duties well, albeit that he was carrying a bit of over-weight in having increased duties at a reduced salary, which looks a hard way to treat an old and respected employee of the club. Hostilities started with the Trial Steeplechase, tor which seven was the main. An evgnly-backed lot saw Eucharis a slight first favourite, but he failed to carry out the good opinions formed of him by his fanciers, for Hurricane took the stake to the South Island. Light broke one of his legs at the double, three furlongs from home, and recourse was had to the gun to put him out of his sufferings. Mr Watt’s pair, Tradewind and Roseshoat, were selected favourites for the Winter Handicap, being coupled on the machines. . When heads were turned for home half-a-dozen horses in Kohupapa, Menura, Roseshoot, Waimoe, Eland and Herminus, appeared as if they would all win, but Menura then put in her claim, and getting a lucky opening, got up in time to win by a nose from Roseshoot, with Waimoe a fair third.

Only four in Repulse, Defoe, Creusot, and Apres weighed out for the Ladies’ Bracelet, the latter overpowering Defoe in the last few strides, her success no doubt being due to the capable artistic style in which she was handled by Mr P. Neagle. Eight filed out for the Hack Hurdles, Comfort having the largest following. The event is easily described, for Evening was always in the lead, and none of the mob were able to wrest the position from her. Ogle got' second berth, Rags, who had 12st in the saddle, third. The winner is a younger full sister to Evening Wonder, and her performance was full of merit, for she has only been in work during the past four months. Meteor macle the pace very sudden for a mile and a-half in tihe Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, but after going that distance commenced to slow down. At the home bend Hurricane made a forward move, and coming to the last fence, too yards from home, was on terms with the Auckland gelding, who, though he strenuously strugr gled to avert defeat, succumbed to Gorton’s son by a long neck. Cobra fell at the hurdle in the straight the first time round.

Hinewai, a slashing big four-year-old by Waterfall ' out of Maori Belle, had the softest of snaps in the Hunt Club Steeple- i chase, in which Benedictine was allotted the first favo-irite’s place, the winner being the secoi d pick. Hinewai was out by herself in xhe last: half-mile, and the procession that followed her home looks I bad for the calibre of hunters in this dis-J trict at present. Draga got second, and the favourite third.

Recoil and Mongonui weere supported for the Corinthian Stakes in the manner in which their names are written, it being a case of write-your-own-ticket price about the other two, Musketoon and Kim. Recoil, ridden by Mr Thomas, who had got nome Hurricane in his double win earlier in the day, made an exhibition of the favourite in the last fifty yards, his annexation of the stake being obtained in the most hollow fashion. SECOND DAY. . Hinewai again showed her superiority by easily settling the field of four in number opposed to her in the Hunter’s Hurdle Race, Modesty, a Black Rose mare, second, The Gun third. The betting showed that the public had got the matter well worked out, for Hinewai was strong first favourite, Modesty second selection, The Gun third pick. The good field of eleven, toed the mark in the June Handicap, Kohupapa scored comfortably, Waimoe just settling Roseshoot for second honours. The winner is a solid constituted gelding by Wonderland out of Lady Leger the dam of Philanthropist., an.d is one of the entrants for the New Zealand Cup. He is the property of Mr G. E. G. Richards uhe owner of Hinetaura and several others. With Light dead, and Frost broken down, the field for the Hawke’s Bay Steeples was reduced to a quartette, a brace of whom, Cronje and The Gryphon, were bracketed on the machines. Pipi was elected favourite, Jack O’ Lantern next choice. Though nothing more than an ordinary lot, they gave a first-class performance. Up to the double the last time round,-when Pipi passed out, Jack O’ Lantern, who had always been next up, was here at the. front, and passed the post a head in advance. The winner is a full brother to Eucharis, while The Gryphon, who ran second, is a full brother to Evening Wonder and Evening. Defoe, who was set to give Andree 23 pph'nds, Borax 24 pounds, Talune and Urutonga, each 29 pounds in the Ladies’ Necklace, proved capable of doing the task, though' he did not have much to spare at the finish, for Andree was a good second. Defoe is a half-brother by Robinson Crusoe to Moifad. The winner is owned by Mr A. Ellingham, the proprietor of the Pacific Hotel at Hastings, and ran in the nomination of his Wife/in whose name Moifad also used to compete.

Mourner, with McGregor, the Auckland horseman in the saddle, easily settled the pretensions of the eight opposed to him in the Hurdle Race. He made his own pace from the fall of the flag, and though Cobra gave him some trouble for a time, he landed the prize without any great exertion by a good two lengths from Rags, who just beat Smithy to second honours. Evening fell at the first fence, and Hurricane, who started second favourite, was a bad last. Great Shot had not the slightest difficulty in getting away with the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, a trio of moderates, in Draga, Counterbine and The Gun, being the lot he had to silence. It was only an exercise gallop for Crackshot’s son/ Business was brought to a finale with the Final Handicap, the recovery stakes attracting n starters. Optimist having the first call in the betting, Recoil second choice. Backers were somewhat astray in this contest, for Optimist was the last to get going and the last to cross the line, Recoil just blowing out Eiland who had been well to the fore right throughout the journey, by a head, Mongonui third.