AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 9

AFTER THE RACES.

OTAHUHU RACING CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETIA GThe Otahuhu Racing Club's annual meeting took place on Wednesday last (Labour Day) and was attended by a large concourse of people. The road had quite a holiday appearance, and the route between the city and the racecourse was lined with all kinds of smart vehicles. The train also supplemented the attendance by a full freight, and arrived and left after the meeting to schedule time. The secretary (Air. F. Yonge) worked like a Trojan, and was successful in his department, so that everything went off without a hitch. The races filled well, and there must have been a record number of starters. The judge (Air. A. R. Harris) was not called on to judge any very close finishes, although there were some pretty races. Twenty-one members of Tattersail’s Club paid for the right to ply their calling, and there was no grumbling about the scarcity of money invested. Major started favourite in the Handicap Hurdles, and was an even-money chance, but one had to be content with third place. Te Papa won rather easily, but the backers of the winner were rather lucky to receive their money, as the winner was afterwards disqualified for being on the forfeit list, and the grey gelding Bachelor received the stake. The Dash Trot saw a field of eight line up to the starter, and it was easily won by an even-money favourite in Farewell 11. Specialist, who was well supported at the finish, ran second. The rider of the winner, a returned trooper, who had been wounded in the spine, had to be lifted on and off the horse, and could only walk with the assistance of two sticks. Needless to say, he was loudly cheered. 1 Omati, another even-money chance in the Maiden Plate, went down ~ k

to 1 against show in Kereru, who, well handled by Tartar Julian, won somewhat easily, while the favourite faded away to nothing. Lady Clements another muchfancied candidate, finished badly. In the Cup the lightly-weighted brace, Kola Nip and Little Mabel, each made the pace a merry one, and led from start to finish, and had their heavier-weighted rivals in trouble from the fall of the flag. No doubt the heavy and rough going was a factor which in a measure accounted for this. The winner started itol at first, eventually touching 2 to 1. The Pony Handicap was another runaway race for the light-weight Shrewsbury, who literally walked in. Hunhuri had a slight call in the betting. For the Labour Day Trot Handicap, Mangonui was made a screaming hot favourite, but had to succumb to the speedy Lady Love, 3sec start, this proving a turn up for the pencillers. Harold Abdallah was the only other backed for money. , The meeting was brought to a close with the Railway Handicap, which drew the good field of eight starters. lhe favourite, Lucrece, who was well backed by her owner, finished up with 2 to 1 laid on the daughter of Soult—Postmistress, and the mare never left the race in doubt, winning pulling up. The owner of Kola Nip was fined for late scratching. The stakes were paid away at Mr. W. Abbott’s hotel on Monday night, when the function proved the most successful yet held.