SECOND DAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 948, 7 May 1908, Page 5

SECOND DAY.

Beautiful autumn weather prevailed at Trentham for the second day’s racing, and a splendid attendance graced the stand enclosures. The racing was again interesting and with the management of the meeting in excellent hands, the club’s patrons appeared to be experiencing a really enjoyable afternoon. Sen Sim, Royal Blue and Aeolus, three fresh candidates opposed Repulse and Te Kanui, the pair who filled second and third place on the first day. Sen Sim’s admirers voted the race- all over, whilst Aeolus, on the strength of his capital showing at Wairarapa, was solidly supported. Repulse and Royal Blue however had the finish to themselves, the former—the out-

sider of the quintette—winning nicely. Aeolus displayed pace between the hurdles, but hit the first jump hard and could never quite again make up the lost ground.. Sen Sim finished a bad last. The nice field of seven went to the post for the Hutt Handicap, of one mile. Toa Tuhi, Moscow and Clanchattan, were about evenly backed, whilst Wjaipaku, Kurawaka, and Merrie Zealand were only at a point longer odds- Sir Geo. Clifford’s somewhat uncertain son of Clanranald ran one of his best races, and catching the light-weighted Kuirawaka inside the distance beat her by a neck after a sharp struggle. Moscow, who carried 61b over weight was h close third with the others handy. The Porirua trained Taitoko carried more money than all the rest of the field in the Muratai Hack Handicap. Wailethe, however, beat him easily, with King Post a good third. The Capital field of eight good ten furlong horses were saddled up for the Autumn Handicap. Marguerite and Tangemoana looked all the better for the gallop they had in the Thompson Handicap, and the pair started about equal favourites. Stratagem, Gazeley, Moloch, and San Julie, were also freely supported, whilst the party behind the Merriwee mare White Lie were quiet, but confident. Piper effected a capital start, Marguerite and Carissima being the first to show out. The pair led into the straight where Tangimoana joined them and here a good struggle ensued, resulting in Tangimoana winning by a length, with White Lie just in front of Marguerite. Carissima was fourth half a length in front of Stratagem, Moloch and Gazeley tailing off last. The most evenly matched field that have as yet contested the St. Leger was sent to the post for that event. Prosser’s charges, Gold Crest and All Red, claimed most attention and a pair of finer looking three-year-olds could not be found in all Australasia. Backers seemed in a quandary at first, but finally Gold Crest went ■out favourite with his stable mate next in demand. Signor, although only a little fellow, had many friends, but Glenculloch and The Libyan were neglected. Signor and All Red were responsible for a solid pace during the first mile at the end of which Gold Crest was still under a strong pull, some twelve lengths behind the leaders, with The Libyan tailing off. Gold Crest’s supporters then became uneasy, as Signor was still going strongly in front- Turning into the straight, Gold Crest joined All Red and the pair made an effort to get on terms with the leader, but the Gold Reef colt’s effort was short-lived and he quickly faded out of the contest. All Red maintained a good run, but failed to seriously challenge Signor who won by a couple of lengths. Gold Crest and Glenculloch finished together some twenty lengths away. Backers of the favourite opined that Gold Crest had been kept too far in the rear •during the early stages of the race. His rider no doubt rode to orders, but it would have required an uncommonly good colt to give Signor a dozen lengths start over the last six furlongs. Possibly it was considered that Signor would come back to his field after traversing nine or ten furlongs. Mr Moore, owner of Signor, was not present to see his colours carried to victory. The Suburban Handicap proved a puzzle for backers. Ballarat started slightly the best favourite, Motoa, Sunbonnet, Kitchenmaid, Aboriginal and All Guns being almost equally supported. The lightweights—Aboriginal and) All Guns—were first to get away, Ballarat again losing a couple of lengths. Motoa stumbled when turning into the straight where all Guns compounded. Aboriginal held a length’s lead at the distance but Ballarat here appeared on the scene and with Motoa challenged Aboriginal. The latter favoured by his impost, held his ground and won an exciting race by a length, with Ballarat close up. Sunbonnet and Kitchenmaid, who were together during the race, finished in company a few lengths behind Ballarat. The Pacific Handicap fell to Gipsy Belle who easily defeated the 3-year-olds Moriarity and Mon Ami. The Sydney bred Penates annexed the Belmont Hack Handicap, defeating a red hot favourite in Sir Frisco and four others.