AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 707, 24 September 1903, Page 8

AFTER THE RACES.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING NOTES ON THE FIRST DAY’S RACING. 1 (By “ The Judge.” ) The first meeting of the season may always be depended on to draw a large number of people, and therefore I was not surprised to find that the attendance at Avondale on Saturday was quite up to expectations. To say that those who made the trip out enjoyed themselves is, however, another thing. I must confess to having something of a weakness for the Avondale bourse, but there is no Sain saying the fact that in cold weather lere are few bleaker spots around Auckland. On Saturday a regular wintry breeze was blowing, and there seemed no escape from its chilly attentions. Some of the ladies, who had risked wearing their new spring dresses, must have rued their rashness, for if there was one bleaker spot than another it was on the stand, when even those who were well wrapped up must have wished themselves back at home.

In the opening event nothing pleased the punters so much as Onewa and Maoriland, but neither succeeded in getting a place. First honours fell to the Seaton Delaval horse Lavadel, who, coming at the right moment, won very comfortably from Aka Aka and Leo Delaval. With Haydn engaging five moderates in the Hurdle Race, it was very certain who would rule as favourite, and the confidence in the son of Sou’-wester was not misplaced, for he won very easily, Tim being the only one to offer any sort of opposition to the top-weight. Making as they were their first appearance in public, the .youngsters in the Avondale Stakes came in for a lot of attention when saddling up preparations were commenced. Perhaps Kilmarnock held the biggest levee, for the Ellerslie cognoscenti were very sweet on his chances. He is certainly a very commanding looking colt, coal black in colour, without a white mark anywhere, reminding me rather strongly of Sir George Clifford’s champion Treadmill. I was greatly taken with Messrs Nathan’s colt Beau Seaton, who looked a perfect aristocrat compared to the actual winner. This son of Seaton Delaval is, to use a homely simile, “as handsome as paint,” and his nomenclature was a very happy inspiration. Muthema, compared to the two mentioned, looked quite a commoner, her rough coat, ragged hocks, and enlarged fetlock detracting a good deal from her appearance. When pulled to pieces, however, many good points speedily became apparent, while her even temper was tested when the snapshotters were at work getting' pictures of her with the coveted blue ribbon round her neck.

With a numerous field of highly-strung two-year-olds making their first attempt to race, it was almost inevitable that the start would be a ragged one, and so indeed it proved, for beforee they had travelled a furlong the field was spreadeagled. Beau Seaton held a commanding* position on the rails as the leaders turned into the straight, but at the distance Muthema shot out, and galloping in great heart won easily by quite two lengths. Kilmarnock came very fast under the whip in the last hundred yards, but just failed to reach Beau Seaton, with Love Link fourth, and the others anywhere. There have been few more open events run at Avondale than was- the Cup. Out of the thirteen runners at least eight appeared to have excellent wanning prospects. The actual favourite at the start was Romeo, with Marshall Soult, Idas, Torchon, Vai Rosa and Putty backed in that order. The race was a very good one, the issue remaining- in doubt to within a hundred yards from the post. Romeo made matters very merry for a mile, and his admirers commenced to loudly proclain his victory. Want of condition, however, then told its tale, and. when Dolores challenged him she was soon at the head of the field. At the distance it looked as though she might win, but Idas came along with a wet sail and won comfortably from the black daughter of Freedom, while Putty, who finished fast, beat a bunch for third place.

Idas' win in the Avondale Cup hardly came as a surprise, for she started third favourite. Before half-a-mile had been run Satman was hard at work on the little daughter of Seaton Delaval but, although possibly lacking pace, she is a genuine stayer, and from last place she had run up to third , when the straight was entered. When called on for a further effort she came very fast, and won handily.

Tn the Hack Race Porangi, who was made favourite, jumped away in front, and was never troubled, although the badlv-named Noteorini (based the son of. St. Hippo home. Nor'-west was very hot for the Stet piechase, but ‘‘the carthorse,” as 1 heaid

him described, not only jumped badly, but seemed also to be troubled with the slows. Kanaka took the field along all dropped on by the public as being good by several lengths from Fuflmg Billy. McGregor had the mount on the winner, riding a good race all through. That consistent mare Girton Girl was dropped on by the public as> Jeing good enough to take even money about for the Pony Handicap. Jumping tiff in her usual style at the head of the field she looked to have the others at her mercy at the distance. Julian took matters a Lit. easy on the chestnut, and when Moonev brought Lottie with a late run M<* Ma rshall’sl mare was very nearly caught on the post, but was just got going again in time to win by a neck) with Sweet Marie three lengths off third. The public dropped on to Kamo as something pretty solid for the 1- lying stakes, although not a few stuck to Ropa and Cygnet. The latter was in a nice position till a hundred yards from home, when the favourite, who had been in a bad place, came with a ■wet sheet, and leaving everything standing won in a canter by two lengths from Ropa, who finished very gamely under the whip.