THE SOUTH AUCKLAND MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 943, 2 April 1908, Page 5

THE SOUTH AUCKLAND MEETING.

The South Auckland Racing Club held a two days’ meeting on Friday and Saturday last at the well-known Claudelands racecourse. The weather was fine on both days, but at the start the track was somewhat holding. On the opening day eight bookmakers were licensed at a fee of ten guineas, and should have done well considering the way the totalisator was neglected, only £1054 10s going through the machine. Mr. O’Connor

acted as starter, but was not quite so successful as usual, while Mr. Rowland was in the judge’s box. Secretary W. Conradi and his committee worked hard to achieve success, and everything passed off well. Following the rule at country meetings this season, three out of the four starters in the Steeplechase ran off, thus leaving Pierre to win as he liked by ten lengths from Loch Fyne, with Kapakapa third, Cinque, the favourite, figuring as an “ also started.” Omati was most fancied in the Claudelands Handicap, for which four carried silk. Recent form pointed to Foremost, and he led all the way and won easily from the favourite, with Dardanus third. Flint Island was looked upon as a good thing for the District Hack Race, and here the public made no error, as he won in a canter by three lengths from Freemantle. Mr. Ring has a penchant for Flying Handicaps, and in this race he was represented by the Freedom colt Wauchope. Lochbuhie was most fancied, but could get no nearer than third, Wauchope romping home three lengths ahead of Miss Crispin. Lady Hune’s victory in the South Auck and Cup was in a measure due to the bad start. Montigo was left at the post, while Certainty, Lord Seaton and Philosopher virtually had their chances extinguished at the barrier. Owing to their being a special train from Auckland, and the fact of a halfholiday, there were more people present on Saturday, and the racing was a decided improvement. Eleven bookmakers were plying their calling, the fees for the two days amounting to within a fraction of £2OO. The totalisator was a little busier, £1723 being handled there. Syren and Foremost were well fancied for the Publicans’ Purse, and the latter was in front for most of the journey, but could not stave off Omati’s finishing run, the hurdle horse winning by over a length with Syren third. Loch Fyne was the right pea for the Second Steeplechase, in which he was opposed by Cinque, Pierre, Kapakapa and Reckless. Kapakapa looked a winner until near home, when Wi’.son brought Loch Fyne with a good run, the son of Lochness winning by three lengths. The Waikato Handicap gave rise to a great race. In fact, so close was the finish that five of the six passed the box almost in a line. The judge’s verdict was a head win for Lochbuhie, with Lady Hune second, and Lord Seaton, Montigo, and Certainty a tie. Lady Hune’s rider could not draw the weight, while the rider of Lord Seaton failed to weigh in. Montigo and Certainty accordingly got second money and dividends —a bit of luck for their backers. Sweet Alice was most favoured of the five runners in the Hamilton Handicap, but failed to get a place, Tua Kitua winning all the way from Discoverer and Azoff. Foremost collared Mighty Atom at the distance in the Farewell Handicap, and won easily by over a length, Waihou just beating the pony for second place. This brought a very pleasant meeting to a colse.