AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 717, 3 December 1903, Page 8

AFTER THE RACES.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

NOTES ON THE FIRST DAY’S RACING. The opening day of the Takapuna J.C. Spring Meeting was on Saturday, the racing being carried through under pleasant conditions as far as the weather was •concerned. There was a bright sun while the fresh easterly breeze pleasantly tempered the heat. Despite the counter attraction of the Agricultural Show the attendance was up to the average, while the racing proved interesting. The only untoward incidents of the day were the -disqualification of Inchcape for crossing Up-to-date in the First Hurdle Race, and a rather nasty fall which Burns received when Loch Ard came to grief at the first jump n the Maiden Hurdle Race. Just prior to the last race the clouds began to gather before the rising gale, but most patrons got home dry. r l he sum of £7466 was put through the totalisator during the afternoon. The opening event was the Trial Handicap, one mile, for which Geordie carried most money, with Cyrus also in good demand. After a long delay at the post, •caused by the fact that Cuiragno would mot face the barrier, and seven runners were despatched fairly together, the fractious one getting a flying start. He led past the stand, Sly Miss following with Geordie, the favourite, third. Down the back stretch Sly Miss closed up on the leadersi, while the field straggled out, Cyclone being last. As the home turn was neared Geordie closed up, and coming by won hard held by two lengths' from Cuiragno, with Sly Miss the same ■distance further back. Wellcast was fourth kfld Cyclone last. After a false start Mr Cutts got the youngsters engaged in the Cambria Handicap, four furlongs, away to a good start, of which Wairakau had the best. The Cyrenian filly led down the back from Eureka, with Conclusion and Promotion nexi in order. Turning into the straight the leader ran out wide, being almost into the opposite fence. This left Eureka in command, and the Soult filly appeared to be winning comfortably. Deeley took masters too easily, however, and Satman bringing Conclusion with a late run just got up in time to win on the post. Promotion, the favourite, was third and the rest of the field anyhow.

Eight runners went out to do battle for the Su. Andrew’s Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, for which Dolores and Maro were most in demand. An excellent start was effected, Maro and Soultfish getting away smartest, with Bonheur last. Passing the stand the first time Soultfish was making matters fairly lively from Jack Brown, with Dolores in third position and The Doctor last. Down the back Dolores' closed up on Soultfish, and at the bend for home had the call over the Soult gelding, with Maro coming fast. At the distance Maro brought Dolores to the whip, and coming away won very easily by over two lengths, with Soultfish third, while Jack Brown whipped in the field.

Eleven horses carried silk in the Maiden Hurdles, fo rwhich Vai Rosa was served •up a hot favourite. He, however, had one of his currish fits on and never at any time flattered his backers. After Ambition had delayed matters by playing up at the post a really excellent start was effected, the whole field charging the first obstacle in a body, Loch Ard coming to grief. Major and Ambition ’carried on the bulk of the running, with Crespin in a handy position. At the last jump Ambition all but unseated Noble, while Major came right away and won by six lengths from Ambition, with Crespin two lengths further away, and the remainder straggling in at intervals, Coma being last. The whole of those coloured on the card carried silk in the Melrose Handicap,, five furlongs, the public fancies for which were Bonomiana, Te Aroha and Liberator. Directly the barrier rose Te Aroha hopped off very smartly and, followed by Liberator, made matters so merry down to the bend that nothing was within five lengths as they turned into the straight. Liberator made a desperate effort to get level at the distance, but the daughter of Seaton Drlaval was not to be denied and, coming on, won by two lengths from the Freedom gelding. Ngatoro finished eight lengths further away third at the head of a bunched field. There were ten runners in the First Pony Handicap, six furlongs. Any amount of money was forthcoming for Avalanche and Whawhai, and there was not much to choose between them when the machine was closed. Two excellent chances of even starts were missed, but when the barrier eventually rose there was nothing to complain about. Shrewsbury was smartest away, the Robinson Crusoe gelding showing the way out of the straight from Annoyed, Whawhai and Avalanche. Down the back Annoyed led

with Avalanche next, while Whawhai temporarily improved his position, When heads were turned for home it was early apparent that the daughter of Regel and Torment had the race in hand and, although Avalanche chased her right home, she won comfortably by two lengths, with Lady Desborough a similar distance further away. In the First Handicap Hurdles, two miles, thete were but five acceptors. The general opinion seemed to be that Up-to-Date would be found hardest to beat, while followers of r vfvs were also forthcoming. When once Mr Cutts got the quintette away Inchcape was taken to the front, but Dingo supplanted him. The field ran in close order for a round, and passing - the stand Inchcape was leading from Up-to-Date. The first to hang out. distress signals was Pvincess. of Thule, while the pace set by the two leaders proved too fast for Rufus. With heads turned for home the race looked to be Inchcape’s' but Fergus sitting down on’ Up-to-Date got within a length of the leader. Opposite the stand Inchcape swerved across the favourite, who was thrown out of his stride and lost by a length. An enquiry was immediately held by the stewards, when the race was given to Up-to-Date, while Stewart, who rode Inchcape, was disqualified. The day’s proceedings terminated with the Cheltenham Handicap, five furlongs, for which ten cried content. It proved a fine betting race, most money being forthcoming for Cordon Rouge, while Austerlitz, Numa and Black and Gold were well backed. The race was run much after the advertised time, owing to the protest on the previous race taking up a lot of time, arid a long delay at the post did not improve matters. When eventually the barrier did go up the colours of Numa and Black and Gold were easily conspicuous in the lead, while the last to leave was Marshall Soult. ‘A very merry pace was set by the leaders to the home turn, where the green colours .of Geordie’s rider could be seen coming through the field. A fine race ensued, but Geordie on the outside showed the most foot, and coming very fast from the distance Mr Marshall’s horse ran home a two lengths winner from Numa, with the fast finishing Austerlitz third and the others in close order.