TARANAKI J.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

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

TARANAKI J.C. AUTUMN MEETING.

The Taranaki Jockey Club’s Autumn Meeting was held on Wednesday and Thursday last under very unfaers of rain falling at intervals vourable weather conditions, showthroughout both days. Despite this fact, however, the meeting just concluded must be classed as one of the most successful ever held by the club. The fields, with one or two exceptions, were large and of good quality, and the racing right through was most interesting and exciting. The finishes of many of the events were very fine indeed, particularly so in the First Welter, when the whole field of eight finished in a bunch. The handicapper (Mr. George Morse) was deservedly congratulated on all sides for his splendid adjustments. Mr. O’Connor acted as starter, and de-

spatched the various fields with his usual ability. The whole meeting from start to finish was carried through without one single hitch or anything whatever occurring to mar the proceedings. This was undoubtedly due to the manner in which the secretary (Mr. Mussell Fleetwood) and his staff of assistants worked to attain this end. The totalisator returns showed an increase of £289 10s on the corresponding meeting last year. This, considering the state of the weather, must be considered most satisfactory. Proceedings opened with the Kawaroa Hack Hurdles, which comprised a field of six. Speciosa (a winner at Warrengate) took charge soon after the start, and was never afterwards troubled. A splendid despatcn was effected In the Stewards’ Handicap of five furlongs, the field keeping together for nearly a furlong, when Kareroa, one of the St. “Clements family, forged ahead, eventually winning by a couple of lengths. Almost every contestant in the Pukaki Hack Handicap appeared to have a winning chance, and the race was full of interest from start to finish. Lamsdorf and Ney took up the running for a short distance, when Miss Vera, went to the front, followed by Crucinella. At the head of the straight Lamsdorff also improved his position, but Miss Vera held her own, eventually winning by about half a length. 'rhe next item on the programme was the Taranaki Cup, for which a field of eight faced the barrier, Mahuta being the popular fancy. Wee Trinket, Dear Dolly and Mahuta were the first to show out, followed by Uhlando, Scotty, and Signor. Wee Trinket and Dear Dolly headed the field passing the stand, Mahuta, Uhlando and Scotty close up. Soon after passing the five-furlong post Uhlando went to the front, followed by Mahuta. Wee Trinket and Dear Dolly cried enough, and Scotty went after the leaders. In the straight Mahuta raced alongside Uhlando, and in a sp endid race to the post Uhlando gained the verdict by a bare halflength. Signor was fourth. Uhlando has now won the Waverley, Waitara, Wanganui and Taranaki Cups. The Uhlan gelding did not appear to be at all distressed after his effort, and appeared as if another furlong or two would not have troubled him. The Welter Handicap provided a splendid race. On entering the straight half a dozen horses were racing in line, and in a slashing go to the post Arc Light won by a head, with the second and third horses a similar distance apart. The Kaitake Hack of one mile needs little description. Pearlie assumed a slight lead soon after the start, while he held till just before entering the straight, where the Royal Artillery mare was caught by Mallet, and, holding his own, won comfortably by half a length. Unfortunately the Flying Handicap was contested by only two runners. The pair raced on even terms to the straight, where Moriarty forged ahead and won easily by a length from Pylades. The last race was run in a heavy shower of rain. Inaha shot out from the barrier, with Explosive next, the rest of the field strung out. Muskerado, Nicotine and Chase Mab made up a lot of ground, but could not catch the St. Clements mare, who scored by a length. SECOND DAY. Proceedings on the second day opened with the Hack Hurdles, in which a field of six faced the barrier. Black Squall fell at the first jump. Bushranger, who is a beautiful jumper, but a little green at present, led the field for a good part of the distance. The three placed horses entered the straight almost together, but once over the last hurdle Immolation had too much pace for Bushranger and Speciosa, and won by four lengths. Pylades caused a lot of trouble in the start for the Grandstand Handicap, and delayed the start. When the field was despatched Moriarty

and Kareroa were the first to show out. On entering the straight Moriarty headed the field, when Waihuka put in a good run, but could not catch the Merriwee gelding, who won easily by half a length. Inaha scored her second victory at the meeting by annexing the Wharepapa Hack. Jumping off at the start she soon established a good lead and romped home an easy winner by a couple of lengths. Nukutihi and Hydraulic closed up a bit on entering the straight, but had no chance of catching the winner. The Paul Memorial Handicap provided an interesting contest. From an even start Daisy Paul and Mahuta were the first to show out, with Scotty lying handy. Going along the back Signor joined the leaders, and Scotty started to move up, and had assumed the lead on turning for home, but Signor came with a splendid run and won a good race by a neck. Jeffry (the rider) displayed excellent horsemanship. In the Second Welter Mr. G. F. Moore scored his second victory at the meeting by the aid of Carissima. Gleam took up the running from the start, followed by Carissima and Irish Rifle. Mr. Moore’s mare entered the straight with a clear lead, when Irish Rifle closed up, and in an exciting race to the post Carissima won by a neck. A good field faced the barrier for the Kawau Hack of one mile. Kilmarnock rushed to the front when the tapes were raised, and piloted the field right round the back and into the straight, where he dropped back and Somali and Pearlie were left in the lead. An exciting race to the post resulted in a half-length victory for Somali. Only four runners went out to contest the Farewell Handicap. Golden Eagle and Dear Dolly gave some trouble at the post, but eventually the latter got away with a good start, with Golden Eagle in second and Miss Vera last position. When about a couple of furlongs had been covered Golden Eagle assumed the lead, and going on won easily by two lengths in the good time of Im. 15 2-ss. A five-furl ong Hack Race was the concluding event of the meeting. Nicotine, who got a bad run in her race on the previous day, secured the verdict by a length from Eastmere. The winner is a full sister to Golden Eagle.