Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard. THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1907. THE BIG JUMPING EVENTS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 900, 6 June 1907, Page 5

Sporting & Dramatic REVIEW AND Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette. With which is incorporated the Weekly Standard. THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 1907. THE BIG JUMPING EVENTS.

Two days of the Auckland Racing Club’s winter fixture are over, and the big races of the meeting, the Great Northern Hurdle Race and Steeplechase, are numbered with the past. Both events proved very interesting, for, although the fields did not come up to expectations in the matter of numbers, this was in a great measure made up for by the excellence of the jumping and the fine racing. In the Great Northern Hurdle Race there were nine withdrawals, this leaving a field of fifteen to contest the event. The distance this year was two miles and a-half. and that four furlongs found out a weak spot in several of the candidates, including the favourite, Cuiragno, who was in trouble a long way from home. That he was fit enough was proved by the easy victory of the son of Cuirassier in the Remuera Hurdles on the second day, when the distance suited him better. Irish deserved a lot of credit for his bold bid for victory, for he acted as pacemaker throughout, and when asked the final question he struggled on under difficulties in the gamest manner possible, coming in at the finish even after striking the last hurdle. The victory of the lightly-weighted Merriwai was hardly looked for by the general public, although a fair amount of money went on him at the last minute. He was ridden a good race by J. O’Connell, who brought along the gelding in good style at the right moment, and the fact that he was carrying 211 b less than Irish stood to him in the final battle up the straight. He is a four-year-old son of Merriwai and Bubbles

(by Quilt —Waikaka, by Torpedo), and was bred by his owner at Te Mahanga. Up to Saturday he had not done anything to warrant the assumption that he might be hailed as a winner. Merriwai is the first of Merriwee’s stock to win over hurdles. Le Beau ran a good race, but a mie take was made in keeping him so far out of his ground. The son of Leolantis was fully fifty yards behind the leaders six furlongs from home, and under the circumstances to - get within three lengths was a good performance. Shrapnel, who ran fourth, was always in a good position, but the journey was too far for him. Yolette’s position at the finish was a surprise, as in the early stages of the race she was so far behind the field and jumping so badly that spectators were wondering why Gray did not pull her up. At the finish she was going faster than anything in the race. Nestator’s running was very disappointing, as such a stayer should have been running on at the end instead of stopping as he did. His bold showing in the Remuera Hurdles on the second day was a very different exhibition. Soultfish was whispered about as a quiet tip for the big event, and there were rumours flying round as to the sums the stable were supposed to have invested. Evidently there was a mistake somewhere, as the son of Soult finished absolutely last. From the Great Northern Steeplechase, three miles and a-half, withdrawals were numerous, and of the twenty coloured on the card but eleven carried silk. Irish’s great showing in the hurdle race caused quite a rush to get on the son of Eton, punters being unaware that the gelding had struck a fence and was hardly likely to do himself full justice. The good reports concerning the Porirua candidate Waitarere caused him to be made almost as good a favourite as Irish, and the pair carried nearly half the total investments. Everyone likes to see the victory of a good horse under adverse conditions, and the easy win of Kiatere under the tremendous impost of 12st 131 b in time which has only been once beaten in the history of the race was of a nature to rouse enthusiasm. It was small wonder when Mr. Darragh’s gelding and his jockey, Wilson, on returning to scale should come in for some rousing cheers. Wilson rode a most patient and well-judged race, and to him in no small measure was due the victory of New Zealand’s champion ’chaser. Kiatere was got by Castor from Victoria, by Feve from Memento, by Dainty Ariel, and is one of Auckland’s best-known tim-ber-toppers. Waitarere ran right up to his best form, and his performance was good enough to win nine out of ten steeplechases. McConnon rode him well and got everything possible out of the black son of Torpedo. Those who witnessed Khama’s good deeds at Takapuna were in no way surprised at the bold showing made by Mr. Hall’s gelding. When he came sailing down the hill the last last time two or three lengths in front many thought the race was all over, but the last little bit proved too much for him. Haydn ran better than many expected, while Irish ran well, all things being considered. Old Nor’-west battled along with the leaders for two rounds, but then his condition failed him. Rangitoto, whom many expected to win owing to his light weight, was in front six furlongs from home, but climbing the hill the third time was too much for him, and he faded out of the race. Nadador was a big disappointment, as she seemed outclassed, and it would seem her win at Wanganui was not without the elements of luck. Cachuca ran better than was generally expected, and altogether the form shown was generally of good class. The two races conclusively refute the assertion that we have no good jumpers in the colony this season.