Anticipations.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 820, 23 November 1905, Page 7

Anticipations.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB'S SPRING MEETING.

(By “ The Judge.”) On Saturday next the Takapuna Jockey Club will make a commencement with the always popular spring meeting, and present indications point to another highly successful reunion at North Shore. Of course much will depend upon whether the weather is fine or not, but in the event of this being the case, despite the strong counter attractions of the Show and the opening of the sailing season, there is sure to be a large gathering when the racing commences at a quarter to one. A double event totalisator will be open, the events on which it will be operated being the St. Andrew’s and Cheltenham Handicaps. Judging by previous experience, this should prove very popular indeed; indeed, it has been proved that more windbws are needed at this machine, as there is such a rush for it that a lot of money gets crowded out. Mr. Wynyard, the club’s secretary, having had such a long experience of the game, has reduced the running of a race meeting to an exact science, and the result of this is always to be seen in the up-to-date nature of the arrangements. The course is in capital order, and as no doubt the rain which fell yesterday will be of material benefit to it, there will 03 nothing to complain of on that score. Proceedings will commence with the Trial Handicap, one mile, for which ten have accepted. Naturally class is not to be exported in a race of this kind, out judging by recent form it would seem that the three most likely to fill the places are KOLA NIP LADY CLEMENTS THE LARK The Cambria Handicap, four furlongs, follows, for which six remain in. None of the youngsters have so far distinguished themselves, but the likeliest to score appear to be CONDUCTOR LA MASCOTTE DUART The big event, the St. Andrew’s Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, has next to be considered. Eleven horses have been accepted for, and Mr. Chadwick would appear to have set punters a difficult conundrum to solve. The three which read to possess the likeliest chances are LANDLOCK GEORDIE MILLIE The Maiden Hurdles, one mile and ahalf, is next on the list, and the nice field of eleven has been paid up for. If the form shown at Ellerslie is any criterion, and it does not exactly follow as the horses will be running on a smaller course and the reverse way, the three whose numbers may go up are SEABIRD LADY CLARE SOL The Cheltenham Handicap, five furlongs, has, as usual, attracted a nice field. In his best form this would be a “ cake walk” for Black and G'old with Bst 11b, but his recent running has been very indifferent. With the sharp corners to be turned, the pony Sonoma should run well, for she has been very lightly weighted. The three I like best are SONOMA BLACK AND GOLD HOHORO There is another good field down to take part in the Melrose Handicap, five furlongs, fourteen yet remaining in. The event looks wonderfully open, but with a start it is not improbable that the place-getters may prove to be LADY CLEMENTS SIR HECTOR THE LARK There are only four left in the Tiri Hurdles, two miles, and the race does not look as though it would prove particularly interesting. Of the quartette VEXATION should prove the best at the weights. The first day’s racing will be brought to a conclusion with the First Pony Handicap, six furlongs, in which ten yet remain. It is always a hazardous task attempting to forecast races of this description, but judging strictly on form the most dangerous trio consists of LURESOME GIRTON GIRL STORYTELLER The meeting will be brought to a conclusion on Wednesday next.