AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 780, 16 February 1905, Page 8

AFTER THE RACES.

?APAKURA„BACING CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING-

I'he old-established meeting at Papakura is always a popular one with Auckland sportsmen, so that it is not surprising to find that, despite the counter attraction of the big cricket match, there was a heavy load on board when the special train 'drew out of the city station bound for the races. The day proved an ideal one for a run in the country, and as the sport was good an enjoyable time was spent by all. Racing commenced with the Maiden Plate, six furlongs, in which hdlf-a-dozen carried silk. Cuiragno and Jean were about even favourites at 2 to 1 against, and they were the first two home, the Cuirassier gelding winning by nearly three lengths, while Jean only beat Incognito by a head for second place. Ben Blair was served up very hot for the Flying Stakes, five furlongs, as short a price as 6 to 4 being accepted about Mr Smith’s gelding. The race was a good one, the finish proving very exciting. E. Cotton got Hector home by a neck from the favourite, with Calle Iris cl j? !- i.o thi) o A nice field of eight came cut for Ihe Pony Race, six furlongs. Luerece was backed down to 6 to 4 again-t, Gladys Rose being at twos and Sentinel at sixes. The race was a really capital one, a desperate finish occurring. E. Cotton, who had ridden the previous winner, just landed Sentinel home by a head from Lucrece, while Gladys Rose was only a neck away third. The Papakura Cup, one mile, followed, most backers supporting Annoyed, the pony going out favourite at 2 to 1, Dunmore and Bonomiana being the most fancied of the others. The latter jumped . off in front and made the running till heads were turned for home, when Ryan brought Dunmore with a good run, and an exciting finish resulted in a neck win for the son of Hotchkiss, while the outsider of the field in Soultfish was only half-a-length behind Bonomiana. Punters were unable to choose between Celerity and Incognito in the Hack Race, five furlongs, both being quoted at 4 to 1 against.' There were eight runners, and Celerity won by a neck from a 20 to 1 chance in Autahi, who beat Incognito by a head after a great finish. The Railway Handicap, six furlongs, brought matters to a close, and another ■good race was the result, Bonomiana winning by half-a-length from Wood-' mount, with Annoyed a close third.

CANTERBURY J.C- SUMMER MEETING.

(By our Canterbury Correspondent.) The Summer fixture of the Canterbury Jockey club’ was held in perfect weather, and the general surroundings were in excellent order, the rain? which fell early in the week brightening up lawns and flower beds, 'lhere was some very good racing, although fields as a whole were small. ihe feature of the racing was the great success of Sir G. Clifford’s stable, the four principal races being captured by it. A start was made on the first day with the trial Stakes, in which the Bill of Portland filly, Lady Wayward, was made an odds-on favourite in a field of five. Lady Wayward and Saranges jumped off together, and held a slight advantage from Cat hr on at the half-distance, but when fairly in the straight Lady Wayward came away and defeated Cathron by two lengths. A field of eleven saddled up for the Hornby Welter. Reduction had a slight advantage in the betting. Calotype, Nor’-west, and Speculate comprised the leading division in the early stages of the race, but the two last-named were done with at the home turn. Here Reduction came through, and getting in front at the distance went on and beat Tirole by four lengths, Ordnance being another three lengths away third, Speculate and Ability being next in order. The Filly Stakes was contested by ten youngsters, a strong favourite being made in Lady Lyonors. Ingleneuk got off very smartly, and at the end of a furlong she was out by herself, Hillarity being second ; at the half-mile post Ingleneuk was striding along six lengths ahead of the field, Hilarity still being second. Half way down the straight Chryseis and Lady Lyonors commenced to move up, and in the last hundred yards Chryseis took the lead and beat Lady Lyonors by three lengths for first place, the latter being half that distance in front of Ingleneuk, with Hilarity fourth. The Telegraph Stakes brought out ten starters. Cerise and Blue was in front nearly the whole way, and won by a lengths from Toney, with Te Taiha third. The Midsummer Handicap was confined to four horses, Cannie Chief, Stepdancer, De La Rey and Sea Lion. Cannie jChiel was Sjfirst away, but DeoLa, Key poon displaced him and ran past the mile and a-quarter post with a two-lengths’ lead, with heads turned for home, De La Rey maintained his position, but when half way down the straight Cannie Chiel passed him and won by two lengths. After the race Hewitt was called before the stewards to explain his action in crossing over on to the rails soon after the start before he was a sufficient distance clear of the others, and after consideration the stewards suspended Hewitt for the remainder of the meeting. With Hewitt disqualified, Derrett had the mount on Munjeet in the Lyttelton Plate, and when the veteran horseman piloted the son of Stepniak to victory, he received an ovation which he will remember for many years. Derrett rode in very vigorous style, and made every post a winning one, eventually landing his mount home five lengths in front of Handel. The Craven Plate attracted five starters, Master Alix being sent out a hot favourite. Sandy went off at a great pace, and was leading Master Alix by four lengths at the end of two furlongs, but he tired in the last few yards, and was beaten by Signalman by nearly a length, while King Stork was five lengths away third. Master Alix and Lee-Enfield both performed badly, the latter being right out of form. The Halswell Welter produced an interesting race between Wet Blanket and Slow Tom. The pair were running together at the distance, but the former had the best of the finish, and won by a length and a-half, while the favourite, Catherine Gordon, was never prominent. Racing on Saturday commenced with the Richmond Plate, eleven two-year-olds going out to contest it. Munjeet was at once installed favourite, but she failed under the steadier of J Ost 51b, having to give way to Ingleneuk. Czuczor ran across the course when the barrier was raised and interferred with Handel, Glenowlet, and Buccleugh. Ingleneuk was in front all the way, and won by two lengths from Munjeet, who defeated Grand Poplar by four lengths for second place. Five horses saddled up for the Belfast Plate, one mile and a-half, Slow Tom going out favourite. Gold Bangle made the running for over a mile, when Slow Tom and Wet Blanket closed on her. Wet Blanket had the best of the run home from the distance and beat Slow Tom by two lengths, with Carlo six lengths away third. The Middle Park Plate, the principal race of the meeting, only brought out

three starters, Stronghold, Marguerite, and Noctuiform. Noctuiform ' was sent out a \ery hot. fa\ ourite, but he never seemed able to get fairly going, being in the rear all the way. Stronghold made the pace fast from the start, holding the lead throughout, and beat Marguerite by two lengths, with Noctuiform three lengths behind the Porirua filly. The time, Imin 14 2-ssec, was very fast, and this is Sir G. Clifford’s first win in the Middle Park Plate. Only four went out for the St. Albans Handicap, one mile. Golden Vein, who was a film favourite, had the race well in hand throughout, and beat De La Rey by two lengths, with Ability four lengths away third. The Linwood Welter furnished an interesting struggle. Reduction was. sent out favourite, but after running well for three furlongs she faded out of the contest. At the half-mile post Stepaside was in front, with Lee-Enfield second, but the field closed up in the straight, and after a slashing set to Speculate won by a neck from Stepaside, who defeated Antigone by a length, with Secret Society a head away fourth. The Selling Race produced the best race of the meeting, Ordnance, Clanburn, Merrymaker, and Nor’-wester finishing in’ a bunch, the judge placing them in the order named. Tessera, Sandy, and Master Alix were all well backed in the Flying Handicap. Master Alix, who was purchased by Mr Buckley, of Oamaru, for seven hundred guineas, won somewhat easily by tw r o lengths from Man jess, after being in the lead most of the way. Replete was third, a head behind Manjess. The Post Handicap saw Golden Lily in her best form, for she took command at the home turn and won by two lengths from Stepdancer, who came very fast from the distance and beat Tirole by half a head.