AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 870, 8 November 1906, Page 10

AFTER THE RACES.

THE AUCLAND RACING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING. FIRST DAY. Brilliant sunshine, with a nice cool breeze augured well for a big attendance for the opening day of the Spring Campaign aat Ellerslie, but for some reason or other anticipations in this respect were not realised, for there were fewer people present at headquarters than has been seen for many a long day. Everything was exceedingly well carried out by Mr Hartland, the courteous secretary, and his staff, no room for complaint being left anywhere. The numerous improvements effected since the last meeting came in for general praise, and there is no doobt that Ellerslie is now perhaps the most up-to-date course in the colony. With so few people present it was hardly to be expected that the volume of business transacted at the totalisator would reach last year’s figures, and when results were totted up it was found that £8852 10/ had gone through—a decrease of £lO2B 10/ on last year’s figures. Proceedings were commenced with the President’s Handicap (one mile), and of a dozen runners the public fancied Celtic and Ben Johnson most. Mr O’Connor got them away sharp to time, Waitati just showing from Tui Cakobau with a bunched field, Metallist being the last to begin. Down the back Tui Cakobau led from Aqua Regia and Ben Johnson, and as the straight was neared Celtic ran into fourth place. With heads turned for home, Ben Johnson passed the Messrs. Duder’s gelding, but at the distance he was challenged by Celtic, and although Phillips called upon him for every pound he could not stall off the son of Seaton Delaval, who won by a length and a half, with Tui Cakobau a length further off third, Baltimore being fourth, Lord Seaton fifth, and Metallist last.

Only four were found willing to oppose Cambrian for the Great Northern Guineas (one mile), the popular opinion being that the race was a “moral” for the son of Cyrenian, and he went out a 5 to 1 on favourite. Loftus, who looked well, was next in demand but the others were practically friendless. As a race it must be admitted it was a poor enough affair. Sweet Alice was quickest away, and she led Volume by three lengths before they had gone a furlong. At the six furlong post the field closed up, and then Cambrian went to the front, and drawing right away he led into the straight five lengths ahead of Loftus. The race was over, for nothng could get near the son of Cyrenian, who romped home five lengths

ahead of Loftus with Volume third, Sweet Alice fourth, and Conductor last.

There was another “cake walk” in the Welcome Stakes (five furlongs). Eight juveniles turned out for this, the visitor Finery being served up very hot with Hierarch and Cadence next. Quadroon, who would have had a lot of support, was rather sore, but Cadence looked well. When the barrier rose Finery jumped out, and in a trice was three lengths ahead of the field. At the home bend she was nearly twice that distance away, but with heads turned for home Cadence set out in chase. Although the chestnut filly answered her rider’s call very gamely she could not get within striking distance of Finery, who won in a canter by three lengths. Hierarch was fourth Carmania fifth, Quadroon sixth and Campaigner last.

Of the four runners in the Manukau Hurdles (1 3 4 mile), Swagsman was made a better favourite than Dolores, while Cuiragno and Silica were not fancied. The two favourites were soon out ahead, and they ran along together for the bulk of the journey. At the bend for home Swagsman was a neck in front, but Dolores appeared to be holding him, and it looked as if a great finish would result. Both came at the last hurdle together, but Swagsman taking off a trfle too soon, struck heavily, bringing Neary out of the saddle. The riderless Swagsman was first home, Dolores winning by three lengths from Silica, who was not ridden with the best of judgment, but made up a tremendous lot of ground in last half mile. A nice field of a dozen sported silk in the Shorts Handicap (five furlongs), Pylades being a very pronounced favourite. After some delay the barrier rose, Certainty hopping out very smartly, and followed by Cyrene led into the straight, where Strathavonand Pylades were next. The two red jackets were not to be caught, however, Certainty winning by two lengths from Cyrene, with Strathavon third, and Te Aroha fourth.

Undeterred by many previous disappointments, punters came very strongly for Apologue in the City Handicap (1% miles), Glenullin being next in demand of the eight runners. Zuleika made most of the running from Glenullin and the favourite, with Delania and Master Delaval both in bad positions. Nearing the home bend both the latter closed up, and when heads were turned for home the brother and sister drew right away and fought out a desperate finish, Master Delaval winning by a long head with Apologue five lengths behind Delania and then came Geordie, Zuleika and Glenullin.

Of the eleven runners in the Hobson Handicap (seven furlongs), Lady Nell was a strong order, with Lochbuhie, who was well fancied. Pearl Necklet was first away, but she was soon supplanted by Lady Nell, who came round the home bend with such a commandng lead that her victory was loudly announced. At the distance Lochbuhie set up a great finishing run, and gamely answering Ryan’s call the son of Cyrenian won by half a length, while Pearl Necklet was two lengths behind Lady Nell, with Aristocrat fourth. Most tickets went on Soultmaid in the Flying Handicap (six furlongs), Carl Rosa, Certainty and Landlock being also well backed. Landlock and Certainty were first away, but after going a furlong the latter fell back. Pink-’un was first into the straight and he drew right out. Carl Rosa came very fast in the last hundred yard, but he failed to reach the winner by a head, with Claremont three lengths off third. The particulars were as follows: —

THE PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP of lOOsovs. One mile. Mr. M. McLean’s ch g Celtic, 3yrs, by Seaton Delaval—St. Marguerite, 8.6 (Ryan) 1 Mr. C. Dawson’s br g Ben Jonson, aged, 8.7 (Phillips) 2 Messrs. R. and R. Duder’s b g Tui Cakobau, 6yrs, 7.11 (Ackroyd) ... 3 Other starters: Lord Seaton 8.2, Waitati 8.1, Baltimore 7.11, Bromide 7.10, Aqua Regia 7.9, Sir Hector 7.8, Geologist 7.6, Metallist 7.7 (including 71b overweight), Soultflsh 7.0. Time, Imin 41sec. Dividends, £2 14s and 18 s. THE GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS of 500sovs. For three-year-olds. One mile.

Mr. F. W. Arnold’s b c Cambrian, by Cyrenian—Miss Annie, 8.10 (Ryan) 1 Mr. T. H. Lowry’s b c Loftus, by Seaton Delaval —Lissadurn, 8.7 (F. Davis) 2 Mr. J. Goodwin’s br c Volume, by Sylvia Park —Lottie, 8.10 (Jackson) 3 Other starters: Conductor 8.10, Sweet Alice 8.5. Time, lmin 41sec. Dividend, £1 4s. THE WELCOME STAKES of 250sovs. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. Mr. T. H. Lowry’s b f Finery, by Birkenhead—Bijou, 8.0 (Gray) ... 1 Mr. F. W. Arnold’s ch f Cadence, 8.0 (Ryan) 2 Mr. B. Armitage’s br f Necktie, 8.0 (Pinker) 3 Other starters: Hierarch 8.5, Campaigner 8.5, Carmania 8.0, Quadroon 8.0, Lady Ferris 8.0. Time, lmin 2 4-ssec. Dividends, £2 6s and £1 2s. THE MANUKAU HURDLE RACE HANDICAP of 120sovs. Over seven flights of hurdles. One mile and three-quarters. Mr. A. Baird’s blk m Dolores, aged, by Freedom —Scotch Mist, 10.5 (Burns) 1 Mr. D. Moraghan’s ch g Silica, 6yrs, 9.10 (Gray) 2 Mr. W. Foss’ br g Cuiragno, 6yrs, 11.10 (W. Wilson) 3 Other starter: Swagsman 10.6. Time, 3min 20sec. Dividend, £3 7s.

THE SHORTS HANDICAP of llOsovs. , Five furlongs. Mr. W. C. Ring’s b m Certainty, 6yrs, by Sabretache —Off Chance, 8.5 (Gray) •• • 1 Mr. E. Russell’s br g Gyrene, Byrs, 7.0 (Buchanan) 2 Mr. J. Todd’s ch g Strathavon, aged, 8.9 (Speakman) 3 Other starters: Te Aroha 9.0, Discoverer 8.6, Black and Gold 8.5, Pylades 8.5, Ben Blair 7.13, Foremost 7.10, Hautapu 7.9, Merry Soult 7.2, Dean, Park 8.1 (including 151 b overweight). Time, Imin 2 4-ssec. Dividends, £5 19s and £5. THE CITY HANDICAP of 300SOVS. One mile and a-quarter. Mrs. M. Coombe’s b g Master Delaval, 4yrs, by Seaton Delaval — Campania, 7.1 (Porter) .......... 1 Mr. W. L. Thomson’s b m Delania, aged, 7.2 (Buchanan) 2 Mr. R. Cleland’s br h Apologue, 4yrs, 7.9 (Cress) ••• •• • 3 Other starters: Rustique 8.5, Walpuna 7.8, Glenullin 7.5, Geofrdie 7.1, Zuleika 6.12. , Time, 2min 9 2-ssec. Dividends, £ll 8s and £1 Ils. THE HOBSON HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Seven furlongs. Mr. M. McLean’s br g Lochbuhle, 3yrs, by Cyrenian—Sappho, 8.4 (Ryan) 1 Mr. T. H. Dowry’s b f Dady Nell, 3yrs, 8.4 (F. Davis) 2 Mr. J. Marshall’s br m Pearl Necklet, syrs, 9.0 (Holmes) 3 Other starters: Aristocrat 8.9, Puhipuhi 8.3, Waipa 8.3, Colleen Dhas 7.10, Peregrine 7.10, Soultstone 7.10, Uhlander 7.12% (including 2%1b overweight), Uranium 7.10. . Time, Imin 30 4-ssec. Dividends, £3 8s and 13s. THE FDYING HANDICAP of llOsovs. Six furlongs. Mr. E. P. Fullerton’s br c. Pink-’un, 4yrs, by Strowan —Manutaki, 7.6 (Gallagher) J Mr. A. Dennard’s b c Carl Rosa, 4yrs, 8.3 (Lindsay) ..... Mr. P. Wood’s br g Claremont, Byrs, 6.13 (Conquest) • Other starters: Dandlock 9.5, Strathavon 8.1, Soultmaid 7.12, Certainty 8.3 (including 51b penalty), Duresome 7.6 Bonomiana 7.4, Kilderkin 7.4. Time, Imin 15 4-ssec. Dividends, £7 4s and £1 7s.