AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 721, 31 December 1903, Page 8

AFTER THE RACES.

ZTHE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB’S KtygMS SUMMER MEETING. CUP DAY. Nothing could well have basu mure pleasant than She conditions, as fax as the weather was •' .nccrned, under which the Summer Meeting of - he Auckland Racing Club was inaugurated on Saturday last. ■ “A southerly wind and a cloudy sky” may proclaim a hunting morning, but it is also just the thing for racing at Ellerslie, especially when the sun is a good deal in evidence. Under the circumstances it was mot altogether surprising to find a huge assemblage of people visiting Ellerslie with a view of seeing the race for the Cup, the number being estimated at twelve thousand. Very picturesque the course was looking, too, everything being, fresh and green, while the flower beds were just ablaze with colour. In addition to the Auckland contingent, there were a large number of visitors present from the South. Among those to be noticed were His Excellency the Governor! who was accompanied by Lord Northland. The Southern contingent was made up of Sir George Clifford, Mr G. G. Stead, the Hon. C. H. Louisson, Mr W. Clifford, Mr J. B. Reid, Mr J. Cook, Mr P. Campbell, Mr J. Gould, Mr F. McLean, Mr T. M. Wilford, Mr H. Friedlander, Mr M. Friedlander, while visitors from Australia included the Hon. H. Mosman, the Hon. Mr Carrick, Mr L. H. Darlot, and-, Mr T. Fenton, while pretty well everyone of note in Auckland seemed to have made it his or her business to see the race for the Cup. The opening piece was the Trial Handicap, seven furlongs, for which a field of eleven carried silk, Brave Heart being made a pronounced favourite. An excellent start was effected, the first to show out being Solo and Brave Heart. This pair and Numa soon put a good gap of daylight between themselves and. the main division which was headed by Merry Soult. Solo was just clear of Sir George Clifford’s filly as they turned into the straight. A great race took place up the straight, but, although Hewitt made every effort on Brave Heart, she could never catch the leader, who won all out by a clear length, with Numa two lengths off, third, and Miss Lottie fourth. The race for the Great Northern Foal Stakes admits of little description, for it was a case of Silkworm first and the rest nowhere. Only four filed out to do battle for the £5OO Stake, Silkworm being a strong favourite. Considerable delay occurred at the post owing to the quartette being down too early, but when the barr er rose, Beau Seaton was first to show from the favourite, while Stronghold began very slowly. At the cutting Silkworm was in front, while Beau Seaton fell back last. Then Kilmarnock closed up a little bit, but directly Hewitt gave Silkworm her head he came right away, and won in the commonest of canters by twenty lengths from Beau Seaton, who was a length in front of Kilmarnock, with Stronghold another length further back. Then the big event of the day came on for decision, and prior to the dozen candidates going out they were all closely scanned. The biggest crowds were of course to be found in the vicinity of Treadmill and Wairiki, and it was noticable that the former displayed none of the nervous fretfulness that has so often characterised his behaviour. Wairiki looked well, but many of the supposedly shrewd ones considered that he was short of work. These two were very stoutly backed, but Sir George Clifford’s colt carried such a lot of Southern money that he went out favourite, although Aucklanders stood to Wairiki very solidly. When the barrier rose to an excellent start, the favourite was verv soon in front, carrying on the running from The Needle, Romeo and Wairiki, with Jewellery in the rear. Passing the stand the order was Treadmill just leading from The Needle, who was over a length in front of Romeo, half a length to the good of Wairiki, and then after a good gap came General Symons and Mars. Running down the* back Wairiki close on the favourite, and the pair commenced to drop the field. Half a mile from home it was evident the issue would be fought out by this pair. Treadmill landed into the straight first with Wairiki on his heels, and nothing else within several lengths. Below the distance, Wairiki challenged the leader, who instantly compounded, leaving the bir son of Soult to win in the hollowest possible fashion by four lengths from Treadmill, whife Melodeon, who singled out from the beaten field in the last few strides, was five lengths further away, third. Romeo was fourth, being followed in by General Symons . and Mats, while the last to finish was Strathavon. Wairiki was awarded a magnificent reception on returning to slcale, for the performance was a really great one. After the excitement cooled down, at-

there were thirteen starters the public would have nothing but Spalpeen, who was fairly rushed in the betting. The surprise of the race was the great show ing of the outsider Hautapu. This gelding led the field throughout to the last when the favourite passed him, and coming away Spalpeen won by three lengths from Hautapu, with Khama third, Up-to-Date fourth, and Lingard last. A fine field of sixteen went to the post for the Railway Handicap, six furlongs, the great sprint event of the day. Betting was very lively, Gladsome having a slight call over Hohoro,; with Nonette next in demand. The race proved about the best of the day. Idea and Starshoot were first to move, with Austerlitz in next position. These three were still in the lead when the straight was entered, when the field closed up. A great struggle ensued up the straight, and it looked as if Starshoot would last it out. Jellings, however, saw an opening on the inside, and bringing Hohoro with a great rush got up in time to win bj . length, while Petrovna was another length away, third, with Idea fourth. For the Nursery Handicap, Gladstone was sorted out as the right pea, with Rambler next in request. The latter, who is a brown son of Hotchkiss and Queen Cole, had the assistance of Hewitt, and he won fairly comfortably from Gladstone, who got a poor start, but finished very resolutely. Conclusion and Veldt were wifihin heads of the second horse. Withy Bulawayo pitchforked into the Pdny Cup Handicap, seven furlongs, it • was not surprising to find the son of ■Perkin War beck 11. a screaming favourite. • In fact, nothing else but Avalanche, who was supported by people looking for a second money dividend, was backed at all. Hewitt got off very smartly wi - the favourite, and steadily increasing the gap, won withoufi the semblance of an effort by six lengths from Avalanche, who beat Gladys Rose by two lengths. The concluding event was the Christmas Handicap, one mile, for which nine carried silk. Rosella was a strong order for this, but plenty of money was forthcoming for Windwhistle and Solo. Maro and Solo were responsible for most of the running, but at the distance, Idasa and Windwhistle put in a claim. Sir George Clifford’s mare finished in great style, defeating Idas’ sister by a clear length, with Bonheur and Solo, third and fourth respectively. SECOND DAY. Nothing could possibly have been better than the weather for the second day of the meeting, the blue sky being scarcely flecked with a single cloud. Although the attendance, naturally, was much less than on the opening day, still it was distinctly good. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the acceptances, some of the fields being very small indeed for a big meeting at i'.Ueilie. Especially was this so in the Pony Race in which only two went to the post. There were no absentees from the Alexandra Handicap, eight going to the post. The most fancied were Starshoot and Petrovna. After a very long delay at the start, the field was dispatched in very straggling order, Starshoot and Gold Seal getting away by themselves. Racing down the back, this pair were five lengths ahead of St. Olga and Idea, but at the cutting the latter had closed up considerably. Starshoot was in command' as they turned into the straight!, and coming up Che straight in great style won very easily by three lengths from Delania, who beat Petrovna by quite two lengths, while Idea and St. Olga were the last to finish. With but four remaining in the Ponsonby Hurdle Race, it was easily apparent that the issue would be with Spalpeen and Hautapu, and these two were alone supported, the race being a very poor betting one. Spalpeen was meeting Hautapu on a pound betterterms than when he triumphed on the first day, but the shorter distance was thought to suit Hautapu. The race

between the pair was a splendid one throughout. The other two were verysoon out of * it, while Major came to grief at the back. Spalpeen and Hautapu fought out ja great batftle the whole of the way, but the chestnut having a little more foot at the finish, won all out by two lengths, with Lingard thirty lengths off, third. There were seven starters for the Criterion Handicap, six furlongs, for which Stronghold was elected favourite despite his running last on the opening day. The race admits of but little description, for Stronghold got two lengths the better of a fair start, and gradually gesting away from the field won in the easiest of canters by two lengths from Romola, who was a length and a half ahead of Beau Seaton, with Galahad and Kilmarnock next in order.

For the big event of the day, the Summer Cup, one mile and a quarter, the eleven horses coloured on the card went so the post. When the machines were closed down the best backed candidates were Romeo and Float. A very long delay took place at the post owing to the antics of Float who played up very badly. When the barrier eventually went up, it was seen that Mr O’Connor had got the field away on very good terms. Passing the members’ stand the order was Quarryman just in front of Romeo, and Gladsome with the rest bunched. At the top bend, Sir George Clifford’s colt was joined in the lead by Float, this pair setting a strong pace, with Putty last. At the six furlongs post the order was unchanged, and so they ran to the home turn, where Romeo took charge. A great race took place up c-he straight, Gladsome coming with a fine run and winning by two lengths from Romeo, with Float rhe same distance away. A nice field of ten went out to compete for the Salisbury Welter Handicap, one mile. Windwhistle being made a pronounced favourite, while Miss Lottie, Idasa, Mars, and Bonheur were very evenly supported. When the barrier rose, Miss Lottie and Crecy were soon out, making play with Waikato as their nearest competitors. At the bend for home, Miss Lottie was in command, and coming right away she won by five lengths from Mars, whose rider, George, was almost caught napping by Hewitt on Windwhistle, with the rest straggled out. The presence of Buluwayo in the Pony Handicap had the effect of frightening everything else out of it. Instead, therefore, of the race being, a good betting one, as it usually is, there was hardly any occasion to open the machine, there being only thirty-one investments altogether. Sally Horner alone went out to oppose the chestnut, and she chas.ed the flying Southerner over the six furlongs, Buluwayo winning by some four lengths. Brave Heart was served up very warm for the Visitors’ Plate, for which nine out of the eighteen on the card sported silk. Some delay took place at the post, but when the barrier rose, The Middy was immediately out, making play, from Brave Heart and Gladstone. Positions were unaltered as they turned into the straight, when a rare set-to ensued tight up to the judge’s box, Brave Heart just winning by little more than a head from The Middy, who was nearly a length in front of Gladstone, with the others close up. The second day’s sport was brought to a conclusion with the Waitemata Handicap, one mile and a half, for which r field of seven went to the post, the most fancied being Cyrus. Ngatoro was responsible for most of the running, but half a mile from home Irish challenged him and looked like winning. Buchanan, however, brought Cyrus with a longsustained run, and the Cyrenian colt, running kindly for once, won all out 1 two lengths from Irish, with Ngatoro a similar distance away, third. The following are the results : — THE ALEXANDRA HANDICAP of 150 sovs ; seven furlongs. Mr E. J. Watt’s ch c Starshoot, by Hotchkiss — Crescent, 3yrs, 8.7 (Hewitt! 1

Mr W. L. Thomson’s b f Delania, by ' Seaton Delaval—Campania, 3yrs, 7.7 * (Jones) 2 Mr J. Jeffs’ ch m Petrovna, by Stepniak —Irene, 8.10 (Pine) 9 Other starters : Gold Seal, 8.4; St. Olga, 7.8 ; Idea, 7.8 ; Green and Gold, 7.6 : Lady Bobs, 6.7. Won comfortably. Time, imin 29 1-5 sec. Dividends, £2 '6s 6d and £1 16s 6d. PONSONBY HURDLE RACE (HANDICAP) of 100 sovs ; one mile and threequarters. Mr L. Marshall’s ch h Spalpeen, by Gossoon — Windmill, 4yrs, 12.6 (Bums) 1 Mr R. Hannon's b g Hautapu, by Mitiora —Lady Sarah, 6yrs, 10.4 (Wilson) . . 2 Mr E. J. Sage’s ch g Lingard, by Leolantis —The Orphan, syrs, 9.3 (Julian) 3 Other starter : Major, 9.0. Won by two lengths. Time, 3min 20 2-ssec. Dividend, £2. THE CRITERION HANDICAP of 150 sovs; six furlongs. Sir G. Clifford's ch c Stronghold, by Clanranald—Safeguard, 8.7 (Hewitt) 1 Mr E. Alison's br f Romola, by Wallace —Lissadurn, 7.7 (Jones) 2 Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan’s b c Beau Seaton, by Seaton Delaval— Tree Belle, 8.11 (Cress) 3 Other starters : Kilmarnock, 8.9 ; Rambler, 8.7 ; Galahad, 8.0 ; Promotion, 6.12. Won by half-a-dozen lengths. Time, imin 16 4-ssec. Dividends, £1 19s 6d and £4 10s 6d. SUMMER CUP HANDICAP of 500 sovs ;. one mile and a-quarter. Mr J. B. Reid’s ch f Gladsome, by Seaton Delaval —Miss Gladys, 7.9 (McCluskiej 1 Mr P. James’ b g Romeo, by Leolantis—Signet, syrs, 8.1 (S. Lindsay)... 2 Mr E. J. Watt's ch m Float, by Captain Webb —Bonnie Idea, syrs, 7.6 (J ones) «■ Other starters: Nonette, 10.0; Hinataura, 7.13; Quarryman, 7.13; Putty, 7.10; Menura, 7.4 ; The Needle, 7.4; Onewa, 7.0; Jewellery, 6.10. Won by two lengths. Time, 2min 10 i-ssec. Dividends, £l5 15s 6d and 16» 6d. WINNERS OF THE SUMMER CUP. 1898— Mr L. Marshall’s Coronet, 8.0 2 10| 1899 — Messrs L. D. and N. A. Nathan’s Explosion, 9.6... 2 lO£ 1900— Mr' W. Lovett's Hohoro, 8.6 2 10| 1901 — Mr J. Ryan’s Nonette, 9.0 2 12 1-5 1902— Mr S. Bradley's Wairiki 8.5 2 11 1903— Mr J. B. Reid’s Gladsome, 7.9 2 10 1-5 THE SALISBURY WELTER HANDICAP of 200 sovs ; one mile. Mr W. C. Ring’s b m Miss Lottie, by St. Hippo—Lottie, syrs, 8.7 (F. Davis) 1 Mr J. George’s ch g Maro, by Lebel Durus, aged, 8.11 (George) 2 Sir George Clifford’s b m Windwhistle, by Clanranald—Weathereye, syrs, 10.8 (Hewitt) 3 Other starters : Count of Kolmar, 9.0; Dolores, 8.9 • Idasa, 8.7 ; Torchon, 8.7 ; Bonheur, 8.7 ; Waikato (late Porangi), 8.6 ; Crecy, 8.6. Won easily by four lengths. Time, imin 42 2-sgee. Dividends, £4 11s 6d and £1 14s. PONY HANDICAP of 100 sovs ; six _ furlongs. Messrs C. and H. Teschemaker’s ch g Buluwayo, by Perkin Warbeck II. — Crest, 4yrs, 10.3 (Hewitt) 1 Mr W. K. Carter’s b m Sally Homer, by Hornpipe —Anteros mare, 6yrs, 7.0 (Deeley) .. 2 Won easily by about four lengths. Time, Imin lOsee. Dividend, £1 4s. THE VISITORS’ PLATE of 100 sovs; five furlongs. Sir George Clifford’s ch f Brave Heart, by Clanranald—Safeguard, 3yrs, 8.9 (Hewitt) 1 Mr E. Cecil's blk c The Middy, by Torpedo —Antelope, 3yrs, 9.0 (S. Lindsay) 2 Mr H. Friedlander's ch c Gladstone, by Seaton Delaval —Miss Gladys, 2yfs, 7.9 (Buchanan) • 3 Other starters : Coronation, 9.0 ; Noteorini, 8.11 ; Cuiragno, 8.11 ; Te Aroha, 8.9 : Daffodil, 8.9 ; Bonomiana, 8.9. Won by a short head. Time, imin 4 2-5 sec. Dividends, £1 16s 6d and £3 13s 6d. WAITEMATA HANDICAP of 100 sovs; One mile and a-half. Dlr H. Friedlander’s b c Cyrus, by Cyrenian—Silk, 3yrs, 7.11 i Buchanan) 1 Messrs Colbeck and Williamson’s b g Irish, by Eton —Asthore, 4yrs, 7.0 (Deeley) . —• 2; Mr T. Wylie’s br g Ngatoro, by Lebel Maid of Honour, aged, 7.0 (Cotton) 8 Other starters : Haydn, 8.10 ; Wellcast,. 8.5 ; Escape, 7.7 ; Vanquish, 7.0. Won by a neck. Time, 2min 40 3-ssec.