AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIII, Issue 792, 11 May 1905, Page 9

AFTER THE RACES.

WAIPA J C ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of theWaipa J.C. took place on May* 3, on the Te Awamutu racecourse, kindly lent for the occasion by IVm. Taylor, Esq. With a little outlay the course could be made one of the best racecourses in New Zealand. The circuit is one mile and a distance, and the hills on the left of the judge's box form a natural grandstand. About 800 people were present from the surrounding districts. Mr M. S. Laurie, the secretary, worked hard to make a success of the meeting. The smallness of the fields were the principal drawback, and all the favourites (six) got home. The Handicap Hurdles opened proceedings with a field of three, and the favourite, Nick Hunt, an even money chance, won somewhat easily after Wairu had run round, and Don, who was leading, fell. The latter looked like winning, bar the accident. ’The Greenhill Handicap followed, when Mr Bond's Pukanui, a 2 to i on chance, made a runaway race, Tasmaid and Kaipaki filling the places*. The winner claims Ben Blair and Benair as full brothers. The (kip fell to Idas, on whom the merry punters (at the finish) cheerfully laid 3 to I, but had Mr McKinnon’s Loch Fine not bolted one and a-half miles just before the start, the son of Lochness would have made a better fight in the race. The mysterious Rapuhi came in third, but was in no condition to get the distance. With a change of jockey (Cress having the mount) Loch Fine had no trouble in landing the Maiden Welter from three other moderates; Pineal and Rapuhi filled the places.

Three faced the barrier in the Kihikihi Plate, and although Idas had the Welter weight of lOst 121 b she romped over her two opponents, Mangaho and Lucky* Jack; 4 and 5 to 1 was laid on the winner.

In the Flying Stakes Liberator being a fresh horse 5 to 1 was laid on his ability to land the stake from the already-beaten Tasmaid, Pukanui, and Rapuhi. Mr Hannon’S gelding won by* the length of straight, ending a very pleasant outing for the country people. Had the meeting not clashed with the three days’ Auckland Trotting Club Meeting a good many town people would have been present, and no doubt would have tried a little shooting at the same time. About ten bookmakers paid 30s each for the privilege of doing business at the meeting.

CHRISTCHURCH R C- AUTUMN MEETING.

The Christchurch Racing Club experienced fine weather for its autumn meeting, at Plumpton, on Saturday* last, and the racing throughout was highly interesting. In the first event, the High-Weight Handicap, Royal Crown and The Mohican had a big call in the betting. Royal Crown was the first to show out, but at the end of a furlong was passed by* Saranjess. The latter was leading until

weli into the straight, when Royal Crown shot out and won by a length and ahalf, The Mohican being a similar distance behind Saranjess. In the Maiden Handicap there .were six starters, Black Diamond being sent out a strong favourite. Taxpayer and Escort were early in the lead, and at the half distance the latter was well clear of the others. When once in the straight Taxpayer took command, and although tiring in the last hundred yards she won all out by two lengths from. Meth ven, who beat Black Diamond by* three lengths for second place. The Christchurch Handicap attracted eight starters. Tirole, Calibre, and Stepdancer were all well backed. The race was full of interest; Speculate and Lady* Lyonors led the field past the stand, but going down the back Antigone ran into second place just behind Speculate. Shortly* after reaching the half-mile post Ability ran into first place, while Calibre, Stepdancer, and Tirole also commenced to move up. Ability was first into the straight, and easily holding his own beat Tirole by three lengths, Calibre being another two lengths away*f There were only* four starters in the Flying Handicap, these being Sandy, Reduction, Tessera, and Quickfire. Sandy* was made a better favourite than Tessera: the quartette raced together for a furlong, then Sandy and Tessera drew away from the other pair. Sandy was in front half-way- down the straight, but Tessera beat him for pace in the last furlong and won by a bare length. In the Hack Handicap Melinda was left at the post. Blythe Maid was in front shortly after the straight was reached, and won easily by two lengths from Bayonet. The Welter Handicap brought out eight starters, Bagpipes being installed favourite.! Qrditanco was Xfirst away, and led for two furlongs, when Wet Blanket passed her. The latter was never afterwards troubled, and won by three lengths from Antigone, who beat Man jess by two lengths.

HAWKE’S BAY JOCKE’S CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING.

With the rain pelting down in a forcible style on Tuesday, it did not give promise of a good time for the Hawke’s Bay 7 Jockey Club’s Autumn venture. However, Wednesday* morning broke fine and clear, and though there was a keenness in the air the weather could be said to have been of a seasonable nature. On the concluding day* the climate was again favourable, and the good crowd of spectators, who evidently by* their actions had come well prepared with the, sinews of war, made the stands and grounds wear an extremely* busy appearance. The gathering was a success from every point of view, increased speculation, good fields, and interesting sport being the main features of the day’s sport. All the officials and the stewards were on the mark in the discharge of their many duties, and it is satisfactory to note that their efforts met with the appreciation they deserved.

The much-talked-of Maniopoto experienced no great difficulty in scoring in the Cup, for Jenkins had only to move on him in the straight and it was all over. Mystification led practically* speaking from the start to a few lengths from the post, when Soult’s son silenced him. Starshoot, who had kept company head and head with Mr Hunter’s colt, had enough four furlongs from home, when he fell back, Maniopoto, a couple of lengths in the rear of Mr Watt's horse. Coming to the home stretch Maniopoto had run into second place. Gold Dust here making a move and getting on terms with Starshoot in the run home bested him for third berth. That the winner further stamped himself as a real good one can be seen from the time he registered, 2min 9 l-ssec, and the comfortable style he annexed in led to the belief that better could have been accomplished by him had it been required. Judging from his appearance when he came back io weigh in Maniopoto could be made better than he was on Wednesday, as ! e was very* moist looking and did not have that firmness that suggests that a horse is at his best. Mystification never appealed better, and Mr Hunter's defeat can be tempered by the fact that it took a topnotcher to down his representative. Had Mystification run anything like as well at Waipukurau last week as he did it Hastings the big handicap there would lune gone to the Porangahau sport, and I am quite sure that a victory there would have given the chairman of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s committee just as much satisfaction as if fipremout’s chestnut son had secured Mr Dornflly'e trophy. After Mr Hunter ha 1 made a neat speech congratulating Mr H. E. Good on the victory achieve'! by the bearer of his colours, Mr G. P. Donnelly presented the Cup to him. With no Maniopoto 10 meet on Tlnrsday it looked good business for Mystifi-

cation in the Burke Memorial, but st|a.nge. to say* h« only occupied the position of fourth favourite, Veneer, Submarme, and Full Cry* all having more partisans than, he had. Veneer and My*stification were out in the lead for five furlongs when theformer subsided, and Starshoot put in his claim, a desperate argument between, the pair ending in favour of Mystification by a bare head, Full Cry an indifferent third. Veneer, who had conquered the previousafternoon in the Porangahau does not seem to be getting judiciously treated, for there is no doubt that for a growing colt he is getting too much raising. Given a chance, by* this I mean a retirement from the racing arena for a period, depend upon it Veneer will be upsides with some of the best in the landCarbine's relative. Sir Tristram, had no very hard task set him to conquer in the Hawke’s Bay* Stakes, for he really* speaking had the key* to the solution in his keeping from flag- fall to the winning mark, the margin in his favour as the* man in the box was passed being a good couple of lengths. Boris was trying hisvery best to secure the second money and dividend from King Billy. Mr Lowry’s representative. King- Ly*nn, was very wayward at the post, and as a result of his behaviour got away last. The Squire of Karamu's colt got a hearty- reception when he was led back to the paddock, and the pleasant look on Stewart Waddell’s face as he came up to greet thewinner showed conclusively* that he appreciated the meed of praise that was voiced by* the audience. Stronghold got into second place at the four furlongs post, but was no match for Boris or King Billy when they* got to him in the straight run to the chair. Another conquest gained by a cerise bearer was that secured by* Medallist in the Juvenile Handicap, and the resolute, determined style in which Target’s son stuck to his work under repeated calls from his pilot, J. Gallagher, showed! that the youngster inherits a lot of his dam’s pluck and endurance. It can be safely said without fear of contradiction that the contest for this event was the one of the meeting, for all the way up thestraight Medallist, Aorangi, and Marseillaise were at it hammer and tongs, and the balance in either’s favour was hard' to discern. As it was the Karamu gelding just got there from Aorangi, with Marseillaise at his throat leash. It was a curious coincidence that the two baby, races on the card should fall to owners of the same name, as Mr J. Ormond’s (no relative of the Hon. J. D. Ormond) filly Marseillaise gained the award in the Nursery Handicap on Wednesday*, Waipunehu running one of his very* best races behind her. Whakawehi, who performed very poorly at Waipukurau on Easter Monday, captured a double, and the easy style in which he settled his field’s on both occasions show that Mr W. Murray has obtained a colt of more than ordinary merit. It is satisfactorty* to note this, for the Dannevirke sport has been going at the game for some years and up to this has not met with luck commensurate with his efforts. Polyanthus acted as-runner-up to Whakawehi on both occasions, and it was bad luck for Mr J. McIvor, one of the hardest working of the Hawke’s Bay* executive, that he should have bumped up against such a solid chap as he did. Joe Chamberlain was one of those array*ed against Whakawehi in his first essay*, but he unfortunately* broke down in the race, one of his tendons giving way*. He was steered by* the English jockey Bainbridge, who also had the mount on Mr Quirk’s other representative, Electric Gun. Bainbridge informed me that he had made arrangements to settle in Feilding. and as he can go to scale at 7st 121 b should not wait for want of occupation, more especially as he brings good recommendations from the Old Country as to proficiency- and character.. Sleepwell, who never looked better,, macle no race of the Longlands Hack Hurdles, Nadador getting second berth, Needlework, who had been showing out well in his track essays, third. He rapped the obstacles very hard upon many occasions, and this naturally destroy*ed his prospects of victory. On Thursday, in the Omahu Hack Hurdles Sleepwell had to give Nadador 81b more than she allowed her the previous day, and the weight turned the beam in favour of Sir William Russell’s mare, whose gallop on the opening day* had apparently improved her, for she experienced no trouble whatever in going to the front early* in the race, and keeping there Needlework, who fenced in an improved style on his first day’s efforts, just mastered Sleepwell on the post for second honours.

That game little parcel Evening, whose owner, Mr F. Armstrong, was not present to see her run, had a soft snap in the Karamu Hurdles, Athol Maid running a good race and getting second money* and dividend. Creusot spoiled his chance by

running off at the hurdle in front of the stand, The Duffer third. Aroha, who has not been seen out lor some time, ran well for a mile and three-quarters, when he gave out. He, however, made amends for his defeat next day when the Alangatarata Hurdles came his way, wresting second berth from Athol Maid fifty yards from the post. The Duffer, who is not so forward as he might be, showed all his own cleverness, and if he ieeps on all serene should be heard of to advantage later on. The absurdly named Hippoflofla, well handled by A. Olliver, scored in the Maiden Hack, but the advantage he gained at the start had a great deal to do with his success, for Te Hawke, who was slow to leave the mark, gave him all his work to beat her in the last bit; King s T.ynn a poor third. Later on in the afternoon Hipporofla had to strike his colours to St. Bill in the Poukawa Hack, and the easy style in which St. Clement’s son triumphed speaks well for his prospects in open company when the hack class is closed against him. Sarilla, a light fleshed daughter of Saracen and Camilla, hailing from Gisborne, split St. Bill and Hipporofla, returning her supporters the good price of JDB 15s for each sovereign invested on her number. Her owner, Mr J. A. A. Caeser, must have been impressed with her capabilities, for out of the twenty-five tickets taken on Sarilla he held ten Veneer was in a good position right throughout the piece in the final item on the card on Wednesday, the Porangahau Handicap, and galloping in great style easily gained the verdict from Wet Reef, who put in a fine determined run a hundred yards from the chair, lhe Stake third. . Wet Reef had another go m the flarewell Handicap, which brought the venture to a close on Thursday. At the post he got rid of his rider, Gallagher,, who got his foot so badly injured that the starter recommended a new jockey being obtained for Gold Reef’s son. Gallagher, however, expressed his ability to ride, and Wet Reef therefore carried him. He led for three furlongs, when he passed out of the contention. St. Bill had only an exercise gallop to assert himself in the Scurry Hack, Captain Shannon just managing to silence White Squall in the last couple of strides tor the second award. Eone, one of the Hon. J. D. Ormonds cast-offs, settled the pack easily that opposed her in the Okawa Hack, Lady Warwick, a daughter of the Lochiel mare, Lady Lome, by Torpedo, second, Hipporofla third. Mr W. J. Stratton as usual had his hands full, but found time to attend to the wants of all, and his efforts tended to make the venture what it was, one ot the successes of the club. The Hon. J. D. Ormond headed the list of winning owners with £370 to his cresit, Mr H. E. Good coming next, his cheque amounting to £l5O, and Mr Hunter a good third with £l3O. _

The high-class character of the racing was maintained right through the Autumn campaign at Bandwick, and the meeting proved a record one in several other respects. Better weather could not be desired, (says the •• Sydney Mail ) and the tracks were in such wonderfully good condition that records were put up every day. In the St. Leger, Dividend lowered the time record to 3min ssec; in the Cup, Tartan reduced Wakeful’s record time for two miles by a second, and Canteen’s time for that distance at Christchurch, by one-fifth of a second. On the third day that good colt Charles Stuart clipped the fractional part off Sequence’s record for a mile ; Emir ran the fastest two miles on record at w.f.a. in 3min 27fsec, and Marvel Loch reduced the time for a mile and a-haif to 2min 34 ¥ sec in the City Handicap, while Long Tom went one better over that distance in the Place Handicap, on Saturday, by knocking off the fraction, the record now standing at 2min 34sec. Though slightly over the record time for three miles at w f.a., Emir put up a great performance in the A.J.C. Plate, by making his own running from end to end, and w'nning by nearly 30 lengths in firnin 24Jsec, or a second worse than the time registered by Wallace and Quiver, when that weH-performed pair deadheated for the V.R.C. Champion Stakes, 1896. In the other races on the card fast times were also registered.