AFTER THE RACES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 824, 21 December 1905, Page 10

AFTER THE RACES

NGARLAWAHIA MEETING. Ngaruawahia - held its annual race meeting on Wednesday last, and was very fortunate as regards the attendance and the weather. The club had gone 'to a considerable expense putting up a permanent booth and saddling paddock, besides partly fencing the straight. No grandstand is needed, as the winning post s just opposite a hill, and the spectators could see the horses all the way round. The course is in splendid order, and is about nine furlongs round. About 20 bookmakers did business, and all seemed to have smiling faces at the conclusion of the day’s racing. The hurdle race was the first event on the card, and the public picked the anc ent Evermore as the right pea, and the bookmakers demanded 6 to 4 on, and la’d 3 to 1 each of the other two starters. Nick Hart fell at the second hurdle, and The Frenchman and the favourite battled it out till the last furlong, and then the old foreigner never left it in doubt, and won with something in hand. Six started in the Maiden Plate, and Mr. Cass’dy’s Freehold was made an even money chance. Korenne made the pace for the fitst six furlongs, attended by the favourite, when Orakau came on .the scene and won somewhat easily. The winner is by Muskapeer. The Cup was the next to claim attention, and Brom de was made a red-hot favourite, backers having to lay 2 to 1 on the son of Insomnia —Minnie, and had to be content with second place. Lord Seaton won easily, and the stable were lucky to get on at the n’ce price of 3to 1. Stepney ran third from Lalla Rookh and Lucky Jack. Only four faced the starter in the Publicans’ Hand’cap, which needs very little description. Mr. J. Clarkin’s Franklin, nicely handled by Ben Deeley, romped home from the other three moderates.. The noble punter was doomed to disappointment when the Hack Race came round. Kaipaki was made favourite and led well into the straight, but Mr. Dawson’s Jess, r dden by Philips, came fast and made hacks of her opponents. Bromide made amends for his Cup. defeat bv winning the Waingaro Handicap from five others, and the pubhc had to lay 2 to 1 on to try and get their money back. Lalla Rookh and Konenne filled the places. The scratching pen was pretty busy in the concluding event of the day—the Flying Handicap—and only five started out of 15 on the card. Mr. P. James’ Storyteller was an odds on favourite, Ben JPair coming next-. The hollow-backed son of Ben Godfrey looked too jolly to have any chance, and his. seven months’ spell seems to have done him good, and if will be some time before he wins a heat. Ben Deeley’s riding was one of the features of the meeting. This successful Sloanite had three w'ns, two seconds, and a third—not a bad performance for six races. The judge, Mr. A. H. Waring, was not called on to judge any. very close finishes, and a word of praise is due to Mr. H. Booth, who handled the flag with success. Mr. J. Chadwick, the handicapper, was present, and must have been pleased to see his work come off so successfully.