AFTER THE RACES.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 899, 30 May 1907, Page 6

AFTER THE RACES.

THE TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. CONCLUDING DAY. The Winter Meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club was brought to a very successful conclusion on Friday (Empire Day). Despite heavy rain showers throughout the night and early morning a very large number of people crossed the water to assist at the fixture. The rain held off all the afternoon, but on the way home there was a big downpour. Despite a wet and heavy track the racing was fairly good, one or two of the jumping races giving rise to some keen contests. The meeting throughout was well managed by Mr. Wynyard and his staff, everything going smoothly. Mr. Ralph’s judging was beyond dispute, and Mr. O’Connor was in his best form at the starting barrier. Betting was very brisk, the sum of £12,739 going through the machine. The total of £22,756 for the two days represents an advance of £9098 on last year’s figures. The double winners—Syren and Miss Winnie —paid a dividend of £l7 19/. Proceedings were resumed with the Pupuke Handicap furlongs), and of the lot of moderates Turbine and Cymri were in most demand. The race does not call for much description, for Turbine, getting well away, led the field by t wo lengths down the back with Freebird next. The latter fell at the bend, and Turbine coming on won without an effort by two lengths from Cymri, who beat Cyreniac in the last little bit by half a length. Although there were but four runners in the Hauturu Hurdles (1% miles), a better race could not have been wished for. Khama was made favourite. From an excellent start Bonomiana went away with the lead, and at the stand the Soult mare was two lengths ahead of Hautapu, with Khama and Yolette following. It was a case of extended order, for the next round, but here Hautapu gradually fell back and was tailed off. In the second round Khama ran up to Bonomiana, while Yolette steadily closed on the pair. At the home bend all three were together, and with heads turned for home the whips were out on the trio. It was anybody’s race at the last hurdle, but here Bonomiana made a bad jump, while Khama going t o the front, won by a length from Yolette, who was a similar distance in advance of Bonomiana. Nine turned out foi' the Britannia Handicap (one mile), punters going for Poly caste, Pearl Necklet, Te Aroha and Syren. The race proved something of a disappointment, being a repetition of “the won-all-the-way” affairs of which there were so many at the meeting. Directly the barrier rose Syren hopped out smartly, and she led past the stand from Millie and Omati. Down the back Syren drew further away, and a long way from home it could be seen the race was in her keeping. Coming on she won by three lengths, Annoyed just beating Te Aroha for second place, with Millie fourth.

For the Victoria Handicap (5% furlongs) ten carried silk, the popular selection being Certainty, Frederick and Duart. The start was a good one, Celerity immediately taking up the running, with Miss Winnie alongside her. At the bend they were together, but when heads were turned for home Miss Winnie shot to the front with Certainty second. From the distance Ryan brought Soultmaid with a great run, but she could not quite reach Miss Winnie, who won by a head, with Certainty a neck away third, Girton Girl fourth, and Duart last. A dozen turned out for the Second Pony Handicap (5% furlongs), and this gave punters something to think about. Most tickets were rung on Imprimis and Sonoma. Once again the race was a poor one, the winner leading from start to finish. Mighty Atom, as usual, got out of the barrier very smartly, and attended by Forth led down the back. Gradually drawing away from the field the son of Freedom won very easily by three lengths from • Sonoma, who caught Forth twenty wards from home, and beat him by a neck, with Imprimis and Manapouri almost in a line. Of the seven runners in the Takapuna Steeplechase miles), Haydn was made a hot favourite. A better race could not ht_ve been wished for. When Mr. O’Connor sent them away to a straggling start Inniskillin took up the running from Cachuca. At the hill the first time the order was Inniskillin, Cachuca, Silica, Loch Fyne. The leader soon had enough of it however, and was pulled up. Much the same order prevailed for the next round, when they crossed the water jump as follows:—Cachuca, Haydn, Silica, Loch Fyne and Mool-

tan. Cachuca was still acting as pilot as they breasted the hill for the last time, with Haydn next. At the water jump Mooltan forged his way to the front, and he died right out. As they rounded the home bend it looked all over, but Julian sent Haydn along in pursuit. At the home bend he was several lengths behind, but the rider of Mooltan, taking things too easily, Haydn got to him thirty yards from home, and a midst great cheering the son of Sou-Wester won by a length, Cachuca was a fair third, Silica close up fourth, and Loch Fyne fifth. The curtain was rung down with the Welter Handicap (one mile), and with Syren in the race punters were had not gone two furlongs before Devonport was first away, but they had no gone two furlongs before Syren took command, and she led from Lallah Rookh down the back. With heads turned for home Syren drew out and won by two lengths from Lady Gladys, who beat Lallah Rookh in the last little bit. The particulars are as follows: — PUPUKE HANDICAP. Five furlongs and a-half. Mr. W. Davies’ b g Turbine, 3yrs, by Menschikoff—Signet, 8.2 (Ryan) 1 Mr D. McKinnon’s b g Cymri, 3yrs, 7.4 (Whittaker) 2 Mr. A. McMillan’s ch m Cyreniac, 4yrs, 6.10 (McMillan) 3 Also started: Roselawn 8.2, FieldMarshal 7.11, Freebird 7.8, Lady Regel 7.8, Cyrettus 7.7, Lady Athol 7.2, Lady Phoebe 7.0, Lallah Rookh 7.0. Time, lm. 17 2-ss. Dividends, £4 Is and £1 9s. HAUTURU HANDICAP HURDLE RACE of lOOsovs. One mile and three-quarters. Mr. R. Hall’s b g Khama, aged, by Castor —Valentia, <10.3 (Julian) .. 1 Mr. S. G. Lindsay’s b m Yolette, aged, 9.2 (A. Grey) 2 Mr. A. Tooman’s blk m Bonomiana, aged, 9.4 (Erwin) 3 Also started: Hautapu 12.0. Time, 3m. 33 l-ss. Dividend, £2 13s. BRITANNIA HANDICAP of 150sovs. One mile, Mr. J. Nelson’s b m Syren, 4yrs, by Cyrenian—Torment, 6.8 (Whit taker) 1 Mr. E. Davis’ b m Annoyed, aged, 7.0 (Brown) 2 Mr. W. Davies’ b m Te Aroha, 6yrs, 7.10 (Buchanan) 3 Also started: Millie 8.6, Polycaste 8.4, Lucrece 8.0, Omati 7.7, Miss Lancelot 6.10, Pearl Necklet 6.7. Time, lm. 52 3-ss. Dividends, £5 14s and £4 19s. VICTORIA HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Five furlongs and a-half. Mr. R. Hannon’s ch m Miss Winnie, aged, by Leolantis—Winnie, 8.12 (Brady) 1 Mr. W. Handley’s br m Soultmaid, syrs, 8.3 (Ryan) 2 Mr. W. C. Ring’s b m Certainty, 6yrs, 8.8 (Gray) 3 Also started: Frederick 8.9, Celerity 8.2, Duart 7.13, Girton Girl 7.0, San Paulo 7.0, Luresome 6.12, Henry Havelock 6.9. Time, lm. 17 l-ss. Dividends, £6 Ils and £1 19s. PONY HANDICAP. Five furlongs and ahalf. Mr. W. C. Ring’s br g Mighty Atom, 4yrs, by Freedom—Jewel, 9.6 (Gray) 1 Mr. R. Thorpe’s ch m Sonoma, aged, 8.4 (Ryan) 2 Mr. R. Hannon’s ch g Forth, aged, 9.2 (Brady) 3 Also started: Waihou 9.0, Storyteller 8.10, Imprimus 8.8, Manapouri 8.0, Glenora 7.12, Ruatamata 7.8, Cyrona 7.7, Merrimanu 6.10, La Annie 6.10. Time, lm. 17 3-ss. Dividends, £9 4s and £1 16s. TAKAPUNA STEEPLECHASE of 250 sovs. About three miles and a-half. Mr. W. Davies’ b g Haydn, aged, by Sou’-wester—Myra, 11.8 (Julian) . . 1 Mr. J. M. Steele’s blk g Mooltan, aged, 9.7 (Percival) 2 Messrs. Worsp Brothers’ ch g Cachuca. ayrs, 9.12 (R. Wilson) .... 3 Also started: Inniskillen 11.4, Loch Fyne 10.2, Silica 9.12, Kanaka 9.12. Time, 7m. 595. Dividends, £1 16s and £1 13s. WINTER HANDICAP. One mile. Mr. J. Nelson’s b m Syren, 4yrs, by Cyrenian—Torment, 8.3, including 51b penalty (H. Gray) 1 Mr. S. G. Lindsay’s br m Lady Gladys, syrs, 8.0 (Deeley) 2 Mr. S. Darragh’s ch m Lallah Rookh, 6yrs, 7.7 (Brady) 3 Also started: Geordie 9.0, Devonport 8.10, Freemount 8.10, Paroquet 8.4, Sir Gilead 7.12. Time, lm. 5,5 2-ss. Dividends, £2 4s and £1 13s. THE WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER MEETING. BIG FIELDS AND GOOD RACING. (From Our Own Correspondent). The winter meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, which was held on the 23rd and 24th inst., must be written down as the most successful steeplechase gathering ever held in Wanganui. In fact, many race-goers state that they have never attended a more enjoyable race meeting anywhere. The weather on the opening day was lovely, but on the second it was showery, and a very heavy shower fell just before the Century Hurdles, whilst a thunderstorm came on as the horses were lined up for the last race. The attendance on the first day was just about a record for any meeting held here, and again on the second day it was very large. The fields were exceptionally large, as may be gathered from the fact that no fewer than 98 horses started in the seven events on the first day and 95 on the second, a total of 193 for the two days, or an average of 13 exactly

for each of the 14 events decided. There were a couple of events in which over 20 horses started, and no fewer than 16 took part in the big Hurdles. The jumping in the topping events was very good, and some most exciting contests and close finishes were witnessed, so that it is not to be wondered at that the club’s patrons were exceedingly pleased with the capital sport provided for them. The arrangements l were excellent throughout, and the officials (particularly Mr. Hall, the secretary) were warmly complimented on their able management. The only thing which left room for complaint was the starting, which was done by Mr. J. Coombe, who was certainly not a success, some T>f the despatches being very bad. True, he had big fields to deal with, but had he displayed more firmness he would have done better. Of the eleven which faced the starter in the first event, the Borough, Kurawaka was made favourite, but was never prominent, the winner turning up in the St. Clements gelding St. Bill, who got a break on his field early, and, well ridden by E. Murfitt, won nicely from Flimsnap. The winner paid £9. Delam ere carried a lot of money, but was never dangerous ; in fact, finished last. She appears to have lost her old-time brilliancy, and will shortly be put to the stud.

The good field of eleven started in the big Steeples, the Auckland gelding Irish being made favourite, with Nadador next in demand. They would probably have run first and second had not Irish fell at the second last obstacle when he had a slight lead from Eclair and Nadador, who, with Rangitoto, had been in the van all the way. Nestator stumbled over Irish. The. Nestor gelding was going well at the time, and may have got a place. J. Hall, who rode Eclair, lost his whip early in the contest, otherwise the Mystical gelding would have nearly won, as he jumped well throughout, and finished strongly. Westward shaped well for two miles, and then toppled over, whilst Narcissus also came to grief, breaking his neck. Waitarere was handy all through, and made no mistakes. The winner took her fences cleanly, and the way she finished gave the lie to those who reckoned she could not stay out the distance. The time was 6m. 10s, or a second faster than that recorded last year by Eurus. The mare’s condition reflected great credit on Verne Collelo, who trains for Sir William Russell, and the daughter of El Draque must take an immensity of beating in the Great Northern, as she is as fit as hands can make her, and is a beautiful jumper. Gauze was made favourite in the Electric Hack of five furlongs, but could do no better than run third to Toa Tuhi and Motoa. Both the latter are sons of Conqueror, and can gallop fast. There were 22 starters, and the dividends were £7 and £6 11s. Aqua Regia was most in demand for the May Hurdles, and Mr. Williamson’s filly never left the issue in doubt, winning comfortably from Pushful.

Seventeen lined up for the Hack Hurdles, Mahoe being one of the field, and the Sou’-wester gelding was backed heavily, carrying £556 out of £1649 on the machine. Getting out in front early Mahoe stayed there all the way, W. Young having nothing to do but sit still on the gelding, which won with the greatest ease, cutting out the mile and three-quarters in 3m. 19s and paying £2. Le Beau beat all the others comfortably. The Connolly Handicap ended in a win for one of the favourites, Marguerite, King Billy having £1 more on him. It is doubtful whether the mare would nave got home only for Charlie Jenkins’ superb horsemanship, as Waitapu put in a great run up the straight, and actually headed Marguerite 100 yards from the post. The crack jockey has never been seen to better advantage than in this race, and it was quite a treat to see the finish he rode, getting his mount home by a head. Delania finished a good third, thus adding another to her long list of unlucky performances. St. Joe was well backed, and looked well, but ran badly, as did also King Eilly, who got shut in against the rails and could not get out. Armistice streaked off the mark fast, but compounded after going half a mile or so, being a bit above herself yet. Swimming Belt carried most money in the Purua Hack, but did not get off well, and had a bad run in consequence. However, he finished third —would have been second, indeed, had Jenkins ridden him out to the post. The winner turned out in Irish Rifle, the half-brother to Shrapnel, who galloped well and paid £ll 17s, Compass paying £7 13s for second place. SECOND DAY. Proceedings on the second day opened with the Winter Oats, for

which 13 toed the mark, Mr. Goodwin’s fine colt Volume (the top weight) being made favourite. Getting well away he was racing with King Billy at the head of affairs at the end of two furlongs, when he fell, and fears were entertained that Charlie Jenkins, who had the mount, could scarcely have escaped serious injury. However, it was quite a relief to see the popular jockey get up after a minute or so, having got off with a scratch only. The race ended in a win for Chatterer, who paid £l3 7s, from the unlucky Delania. The start was one of tne worst ever seen on the course, Flimsnap and Waipaku being left at the post and taking no part in the contest. Only four started in the G*randstand Steeples, in which Waitarere registered a win. The Torpedo gelding appeared to play with his field. Slow Tom jumped well throughout, but the other two starters —Eclair and Hikairoa—both fell.

Waitapu was sorted out as a good thing for the Balgownie Hack Race on the strength of his fine showing in the Connolly Handicap, and justified the confidence reposed in him by winning easily from The Dane. Then came the Century Hurdles after a half-hour’s heavy rain. Jack Pot, Nestator, and Southern Cross were withdrawn, leaving 16 horses in —a splendid field. Out of £2194 on the machine, Mahoe carried £535, Maui being next in demand. The start was a good one, Mahoe on the outside, Black Reynard and Cavalry being the first to show out. The favourite soon got in front, and stayed there, jumping well. Cavalry and Pushful ran well in the early stages, but then gave way to Le Beau, who made a big effort over the last half mile, but never got within striking distance of the winner, who galloped along in front comfortably and cleared the hurdles cleanly, eventually winning easily from Le Beau, who performed well. The surprises of the race were the forward running of Bonheur and the disappointing display given by Aqua Regia. The latter was expected to be one of the hardest horses Mahoe would have to beat on her running in the May Hurdles but she finished second to last. Maui never had a chance, for the reason that he was cut out at the start, and was last at the first jump—a hopeless position in such a field with sloppy going. There can be no question as to Mahoe being quite as good as he was reported to be, and barring accidents he should win the Great Northern Hurdles —in fact, I would not put the double— Hurdles and Steeples—past him, with the Ladies’ Bracelet thrown in. At the same time, there were two or three who finnshed behind him on Friday who will do better shortly. Maui is one, and then there is such a brilliant one as Black Reynard, who did not show his best form here. Aqua Regia will do better probably at Auckland, and it would not surprise me to see Creusot very handy. There is a good r: ce in the big Torpedo gelding yet. Mr. J. Bull threw in for a big stake over Mahoe, having the gelding backed straight out and in doubles and coupled with Nadador, so that he had a nice win. Top Rose, a half-brother to Roseshoot, annexed the Rata Hack in fine style, paying the biggest price of the meeting—£2l 6s. T e Uira finished second, but his rider failed to draw the weight, and Kaipetipeti was placed second.

Rangitoto landed the Final Steeplechase, as he was generally expected to do after running such a creditable second to Nadador in the big money. As on the first day, he jumped well, and won easily. Needlework, a gelding which was looked upon as a likely Great Northern Steeples candidate, was amongst the field, but his form was not very encouraging to those who have backed him for the Auckland event, and he is an unlikely starter.

The Farewell Hack Handicap brought a most successful meeting to a close. Twenty-two horses lined up for the event, which was run in blinding rain victory resting with Waicola, the daughter of Mahaki—Sheet Lightning being splendidly handled by W.H . Mackay, and getting home by a head after a grand finish, from Chicane.

Jack Pot broke down whilst competing in the, May Hurdles, which accounted for his withdrawal from the Century Hurdles.