AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 750, 21 July 1904, Page 8

AFTER THE RACES.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING

The executive of the Wellington R.C. must include a Jonah amongst their number. The weather invariably revariably remains fine until the day prior to the meetings and then down comes the rain, and the success of their gathering is seriously interfered with. Visitors from a distance are, consequently, deterred from putting in an appearance ; many townspeople will not venture on the journey between the train terminus and the Hutt Park grandstand in inclement weather. On the present . occasion heavy rain fell the night previous to the first day’s racing, and rendered the going very heavy, whilst all the morn* mg a persistent light rain fell. The attendance was, notwithstanding, fairly good. His Excellency, Lord Plunket and suite, the Hon. J. Carroll, Sir William Russell, Sir George Clifford, Mr Geo. E. Stead chairman of the Canterbury J.C., and a large number of legislators and delegates to the Racing and Trotting Conferences were present. The grandstand was also well patronised by the fair sex, who braved the elements probably more out of deference to His Excellency than from any desire to witness the racing. Mr Whyte, the secretary, had ample preparations made for the comfort of the Club’s patrons. The catering of Mr and Mrs King, of Auckland, in no small way tended to make up for the discomforts visitors have to put up with at the Hutt racecourse in inclement weather. The double totalisator was a source of attraction, and many tried their hand at pinking doubles for the first time. The num of £669 was invested, all manner . of combinations being backed. The winning double was picked by twenty-five persons, who received each £23 Bs. Had Tupara got his head in front of Tahae at the finish of the Winter Hurdle Race, his owner, Mr F. Watson, and Mr Donald Fraser (breeder of Advance) would have scooped the pool (£600) for one sovereign, these two sportsmen being the sole investors (10s each) on the combination Kaitere and Tupara- • There is no doubt but that public double betting will become popular with the public, and this will probably tend to increase that class of business with bookmakers. The mechanisal double bettor gives a start with the first leg of the double, and investors from a distance thus get a run for their money. The totalisator turnover for the meeting, even including the sum put through the double totalisator, was £15,677, a decrease of £2517 as compared with last rear. This year is the lowest since 1899, when the sum handled was £14,149. The record was reached in 1901, when £21,765 was invested with the totalisator. The racing was interesting, inasmuch as the Wellington Steeplechase and Winter Hurdles is generally . the key to the Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase. The heavy state of the track did not suit Haydn ; nevertheless he ran a real good race. His rider kept him in a good position throughout the race, but when called upon for a final effort he was palpably tiring and could not respond. Kaitere ’ is built on better lines than Haydn for heavy going, and with his advantage inweight never left the issue of the race in doubt. Crespin ran well and took his fences cleanly but was outstayed by the winner. . Papatu on the first day hit several fences hard, which somewhat interfered with his chance. Aka. Aka fenced well for a beginning and will make a capital steeplechaser. He was well up .with his field throughout the race and finished just behind Papatu. Star jumped and galloped fast for over two miles, but failed to stay. The exhibition given by the halfdozen Auckland horses who had the race all to themselves was a capital one, and was much appreciated by the onlookers. The Winter Hurdle Handicap was not quite so exciting. Tahae and Tupara, aided by their handy imposts, staved off all opposition before they reached the turn for home. Pushful and Catherine Gordon were with them for a mile and ahalf, but were eased up when pursuit was hopeless. Lissa, who ran third, was a dozen lengths behind the leaders, and was probably the only other horse ridden right out. Creusot and Waiwera seemed unable to act in the mud, afid toiled in the rear from the fall of the Hag. The flat events were only remarkable for the number of starters. Kremlin, Okoari, Regulation, Scotty, Cannie Chiel,

and Loch Erin were a class by themselves, for numbers of others were started that would be more at home in less select company. As a well-known Auckland trainer remarked their prospects would not have induced him to pay riding fees, even had their owners offered him the whole stake in return. Such horses, however, help to provide sport and aid the coffers of the clubs. . . Kremlin, Loch Erin, and Cannie Chiel won their races without being extended. Okoari, at a disadvantage of two stone, was just defeated by the well-bred Repulse after a good race. Possibly had Mr Watson’s mare been more forward m condition the verdict would have been reversed. la, of the hack candidates, was a triton amongst the minnows. this mare will run well in any company. Ice would probably have won the Minmar Hack Handicap had she not been crowded in and thrown over the rails. A number of well-bred horses ran m the hack events but failed to display form beyond mediocre. Their capabilities can be gauged when it is noted that the pony Mataura more than held her own with them. . The second day’s racing was only noticeable from the fact that Tahae and Tupara fought the Hurdle Race over again, the result being reversed. Cannie Chiel then bolted with the Winter Oats Handicap with the result that his owner had to interview the stewards re his horse’s first day’s running. Usually the Canterbury baronet’s horses are welcomed with applause when they return to the enclosure after winning. On this occasion Cennie Chiel’s victory was received in silence, except for some individuals (who had probably backed the wrong horse) who cried “ Put him up,” and tendered sundry other advice to the stewards. stewards dulv met, and after hearing Sir Geo Clifford resolved to accept his explanation of his horse’s first day’s running as satisfactory. The difference in the state of the course and the weight carried may account- for Cannie Chiel s erratic display, but in the interest of pure racing the stewards were justified in asking for explanations. The July Steeplechase gave evidence that Kaitere is more than useful over country, for with his increased impost he ran a good race and had not Papatu fenced much better than he did on the first day Kaitere would have won again. Crespin, on the other hand, fenced slovenly, and lost ground at several fences. Possibly he was feeling the effects of his first day’s effort. . , Of the other runners le Kohau jumped well, and will prove useful later on. Star again failed to stay and Mourner ended a somewhat inglorious career by falling a the first fence and breaking his neck. The Final Hurdle was again a race between Tahae and Tupara. Old Waiwera was dropped to list 31b, but although Cameron rode him vigorously he seemed unable to get near the leaders, but he always acts badly in heavy going. Moceasin also ran badly and also seemed unsuited by the sticky going.