AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 886, 28 February 1907, Page 7

AFTER THE RACES.

WOODVILLE RACES. •(By Our Hawkes Bay Correspondent.) FIRST DAY. A vile day, the rain coming down in no half-hearted style, made matters very unpleasant for patrons of the Woodville Club. Still, notwithstanding the unsatisfactory conditions of the climate the investments were only £1250 behind the sum handled at the corresponding meeting last season. Despite the advantages under which they laboured, each and every one of the officials did their level best, and did it well to make the best of a bad job for their patrons. Montigo, who, in the past has showed powers of staying of a high degree, came at the business end of the trip for the Woodville Cup, and scored in a very solid manner. When making his final effort in the straight, where O’Brien gave him a reminder or two, he bored over on to Probable interfering with him. Ito, who showed prominently at the home bend, was a fair third, but Assayer, the favourite, was never up in front, and the further the field went the further he was left in the rear, finishing a bad last. He was piloted by C. Jenkins, who received the news of his mother’s death just before getting into the hogskin. ! Local gee-gees were well to the fore in the Maiden Plate, honours coming to Lady Nell, who was steered by her trainer, F. Davis. Pluck got second berth, and a Karamu-bred mare, Routine (Sir Launcelat —Queen -of Trumps) third. All of the entrants, 18 in number, faced the music, and the excellent manner in which C. O’Connor got the big pack away gave further proof of his ability in the starting industry. The Hack Hurdles was a poorlycontested affair, Fretwork, the first pick, never leaving the issue in doubt, winning with ease by quite a hun--dred yards. A solid favourite in Mahoe got the verdict in the Victoria Hack, but at the finish of the argument it did not prove the extra good article that the betting prophesied, for Sandix, a good-looking son of San Fran and Minature, made matters sultry in the last furlong, and it looked open to argument that if Mahoe had not crossed

over on to him half-way down the straight that Mahoe would have reversed the position with Sandix. Engraver, a half brother by the Workman to Convoy, was picked as the pea for the final argument of the day, the Telephone Handicap. He got badly settled in the final bit, for Sunbonnet, on the outside, was never asked for his best, and got there without an effort by a length. Gawain, who loomed big and lusty, made a fair show for half a mile, when he retired.

Mr. Gothard was the acme of perfection in the handling of his staff, and while on the subject I may say that he came in for a lot of goodnatured chaff. SECOND DAY. With the day breaking fine it looked as if fair climatic conditions could be expected for the concluding day of the Woodville Meeting, but patrons were doomed to disappointment, for half an hour before the start of proceedings the rain came down in torrents, and continued till well on in the afternoon, when it cleared up. By this time the paddock was a sea of mud, and naturally backers met with a deal of discomfort in their efforts to pick winners. Mr. Gothard and his staff were on the spot in discharge of their many duties, and considering the climate speculation was fairly brisk, £5330 passing through the machines, a decrease of £1252 on the sum registered at a similar meeting last season.

Jolly Friar proved a great mud lark, winning the Autumn Handicap all the way, and scoring at the finish by quite half a dozen lengths, Probable again filling second place. Landwern, who was a slightly better favourite than Montigo, never appeared to have a winning chance, although his connections were very sanguine. Marseillais flew in in the Settlers’ Hack, for which event Mauira was picked as the best. The disappointing William I. of Prosser’s lot, got second money. The race was run in a terrific shower, which quite obscured the colours of the riders, and consequently no one knew who was winning till the field got well up the straight. Another easy victory was that gained by Gold Dust in the Hurdle. Munn’s gelding played with his opponents all the way, capturing hard held by a couple of lengths at the finish.

Playmate, who had the services of Jenkins, was selected as the pea for the Ballance Hack Welter, but had no chance throughout the piece, the consistent Sandix triumphing easily. D. Price, on Erl King was nearly caught napping in the Kumeroa Hack for he let Moata, who was not ridden a good race throughout the piece, get on speaking terms with him, and Price had to shake up the Karamubred colt to avert defeat. Had Moata won it meant a good stake for his owner, Mr. D. Martin, who came at him in good style. The Shorts was only an exercise gallop, for Chicane, who hopped off quickly and had her opponents beaten in the first furlong. A real good go took place for second award between Westward and Lord Ullin, the former just getting the mastery of Lord Ullin by the barest of heads. Lord Ullin, who is a grey gee-gee by Bay King, the sire of Miss King (a well-known hurdler) should prove more than useful in the future, for though he was as green as a shamrock he fought the argument out in great style. He has now been taken in hand by Arthur Lord, and should assuredly benefit by the education he will receive at this capable mentor’s hands. The well-bred Aorangi fell at the second fence, and his chance was gone.

Honyhnhnm was made a warm choice for the Whariti Hack, and the result proved that punters had located the right article to do their gold upon for the hard-to-pronounce named daughter of St. Hippo pulled to the front at the home bend, and then it was all over. Lomaria, who was also well backed, looked half-way down the straight as if it was a sure thing that she would get second place, but Monsieur Beaucaire put in a very brilliant run in the last bit, and just pipped Lomaria on the post for second money and dividend. Millenial got hung up in the tapes, and was the last to leave the mark. Lord got her away quickly when she got clear, but the effort to make up the lost advantage settled her prospects, and she finished a good distance away from the placed horses. The Hast-ings-owned and trained Robin Link showed a bold front for five furlongs. Dulcinea, as usual, did a circus act

before the send-off, which delayed the dismissal for some time. Waicola, a TeMahanga-bred mare, is a daughter of Sheet Lightning (a mare who used to carry the late Mr. Caulton’s colours) by Mahaki, won the hottest contested heat of the day by half a head from a pupil of Goosemans (Chicane). This was the County Hack Handicap, in which Armamento and Sweet Helen were also contestants. This pair, who had a poor following on the machine, were never prominent, and finished away down the straight. Robin Link was again stepped out in this event, which seemed, considering the heavy state of the going, a severe question to ask her for an hour and a-half previously she had been given a good test in the Whariti Hack. As might have been expected, she made no sort of a show.

Five lined up for the President’s Handicap, Rosegrove having a 41b call over Chatterer. The going apparently settled Mr. Armstrong’s mare, for she was well gone before the straight was reached, and at this point it looked a million to a mushroom that Rosegrove would win. Hearty cheers went up when she came back to scale, showing how popular her owner is with sporting folk.

Waihuka, the favourite in the Hack Scurry, was evidently not at home in the, going, for he slithered about and did not seem to be able to find his feet and use them. Toatuhi conquered in a xery easy style, and really had the verdict in her keeping from the fall of the flag. Motoa got second and Waratah, who was paying a hatfull, third. Another popular victory brought the fixture to a close, Chatterer carrying Mr. F. Armstrong’s well-known banner to the front, and again cheers went up for one cf the best of sports.