THE OTAKI MAORI RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 8

THE OTAKI MAORI RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

The above meeting can be numbered amongst the most successful of that club’s pleasant gatherings. With capital fields, including a large number of well-known performers, it was only to be expected that visitors from ail over the province would assist at the meeting. Amongst those present were Messrs. Moorhouse, H. F. Johnston, J. W. Abbott, W. H. Turnbull and A. E. Whyte (representing the Wellington Racing Club), P. E. Baldwin. Walter Young, J. H. Hankins, C. F. Vallance, Wm. Duncan, “Wire Tokeno,” C. H. Smith, L. Pascal, D. Thompson, P. F. Tancred, and numerous other racing men well known throughout the colony. Speculation was spirited throughout the meeting, £8822 going through the machine on the first day and £6455 on the second day. making a total of £15,277 —which constitutes a record amount for the club’s Winter Meeting. Big fields contested almost every event on each day. and several exceptionally close finishes were seen. Three separate races were won by a head or less, two dead heats were recorded, and there was not a winner of double events at the meeting. The Raukawa Cup was contested by 13 runners (Martello being reserved for the Otaki Hack Handicap). The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s gelding Lyrist was made favourite, but Ellerton, Black Reynard and a number of the other runners were solidly supported. Ellerton and Black Reynard, closely followed by Marguerite, were responsible for the pace, but the Porirua filly compounded at the end of a mile, where Lyrist drew up, and with Ellerton and Black Reynard rounded the turn for home. Mr. Ormond’s horse sustained his run, and shaking off his opponents won by a length. Ellerton just beat Black Reynard for second place. Asteroid and Bourrasque ran disappointingly. Lyrist’s victory was very popular. Sixteen horses were saddled up for the Rangiuru Handicap, six furlongs. The all cerise jacket of Mr. Ormond was again favourite, while a number of other runners were very evenly supported. Ailsa was the first to show out, but compounded at the end of four furlongs. Medallist then drew to the front, and with Contender and St. Claimer showed in front. The son of The Officer—Target, finishing very true, won nicely by a length, with Contender, St. Claimer, Jolly Friar and Gawain close up in the order named. The Hack Flying was won cleverly by Mataari, who just defeated Tupono and The Voucher, who deadheated for second place. Eleven others ran. Silverlene, Hokio and Jack Pot provided a great finish in the Hack Hurdle Handicap, the Wairarapa mare Silverlene securing the verdict by a head, Hokio beating Jack Pot by a short neck, with Gold Seal close up fourth. Black Squall, Catspaw, Domain and Matatara also ran. The Hotchkiss—Rose of Wellington colt Martello was selected as the good thing for the Otaki Hack Handicap, but although he ran a good race he had to give way to Prospector and Silver Lead, who ran a dead heat for first honours. Martello was in front till within the distance post. Six others ran. The Wellington-owned St. Hippo gelding Pytchley defeated Mr. E. J. Watts’ imported Carbine—Revelry colt Campfire after a good race for the Maiden Plate. The latter is a shapely colt( and was made a warm favourite, probably on account of his relationship to the English Derby winner Spearmint. A dozen horses were saddled up for the Birthlay Welter Hack Handicap. The three bottom weights—Montigo, Compass and Pawa—finished in that order. Recreation, Lingerer, Honyhnhhnm and Landwern seemed hampered by the heavy going. The course was in much better order on the second day. Sixteen weighed out for the Telegraph Hack Handicap, which was won after an exciting contest by The Swordfish— Fleur de Lis filly, Miss Adeline. The St. Clements’ filly St. Maria was second, and the useful Mataara third. The principal event of the second day. the Huia Handicap, brought out 13 runners, of which Black Reynard, Ellerton and Lyrist were favourites in that order, while Martello was next i in demand. Ellerton was fractious at the post, and ran off the course when 1 the barrier flew up, and took no part in the race. The favourite. Black ] Reynard, was quickest to. begin, and i held his position for six furlongs. £ Rose Petal and then Martello passed i the favourite, and the latter staying 1

the longest won by a length from Maui, who put in a late run and defeated Rose Petal for second place ; Lyrist finished strongly in fourth place.

The Second Hack Hurdle Race provided an exciting set-to between Jack Pot, Hokio and Silverlene, heads only separating them when the line was crossed. Gold Seal looked like winning, but compounded after crossing the last hurdle; four others ran. The Stewards’ Hack Handicap provided another good finish, Honyhnhnm just defeating the Stepniak—Leda colt Landwern by the shortest of heads, with Splendid Idea, who was favourite, close up; eight others ran. The Railway Handicap provided 11 starters, including Medallist and the Meryiwee colt Aboriginal, who was made favourite, while Delamere, Contender, Marguerite and St. Claimer were all well backed. Medallist, Marguerite and Contender were prominent in the early stages of the race. Delamere, however, came with a strong run on the outside, and wore the leaders down, winning by half a length, with Medallist the same distance behind Contender. The Porirua-trained gelding Pawa, by Mahaki—Basilisk, showed up better than on the first day, and managed to win the Hack Welter Handicap from Montigo by half a length. Nine others ran, including Maharanui and Devonia.

The Porirua stable also provided the

winner of the Final Scurry in the well-bred Kuku (Gold Reef Mousquetaere), who defeated 12 other runners, including a couple of strong favourites in Ensign and the Carbine colt Campfire. Kia Errin and Eruption filled the places behind Kuku, who won by three lengtrs.