THE OTAKI MAORI R.C. WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 953, 11 June 1908, Page 5

THE OTAKI MAORI R.C. WINTER MEETING.

(By Our Special Correspondent.) The Otaki Maori R.C. Winter Meeting took place on Wednesday and Thursday last. The weather was beautifully fine, and the course in splendid order, with the result that fast times were put up in every event, all previous records- being broken. The Manawatu Railway way Company ran special excursion trains, thus gathering together an assemblage that would do credit to many metropolitan racecourses. Speculation on the totalisator was brisk, notwithstanding that a large number of the leading bookmakers had been licensed to do .business. The total sum handled for the two days amounted to £15,909. The commission from this sum, together with £490 received from the bookmakers, leaves the club with a profit of some £4OO more than their previous best meeting. The club’s officials carried out their respective duties in a thoroughly businesslike manner, and the meeting will long be remembered as the most enjoyable yet held by the progressive Maori executive. The racing was of a high-class and sufficiently interesting to arouse the enthusiasm of the club’s many patrons. The fields in the open events averaged 13 horses per race, and were composed of representatives from the whole of the principal racing stables, the bringing together of which resulted in the club’s handicapper (Mr. J. H. Pollock) being referred to in highly complimentary terms. The Raukawa Cup, one mile and aquarter, brought 14 horses to the post, every one having a strong following, Mahuta, who had the services

Reed, and Cross Battery, the Ashburton mare, being especially fa- . voured by many who are looked upon as shrewd judges. The Porirua representative, All Red, looked in splendid buckle, and followers of the stable were quietly confident. Wailethe and / Mystification looked trained to the hour, but so open was the race that their connections allowed them to run for the stake alone. The race was exceedingly interesting; first one horse and then another being acclaimed victor. Aboriginal, Probability, and Kurawaka were prominent for a mile, when Wailethe, Mystification, All Red, and Mahuta drew to the front, and a great race up the straight ensued, Wailethe’s light impost enabling her to stall off all opposition and win a fast race from Mystification by less than a length, with All Red and Mahuta close up third and fourth. The Rangiuru Handicap saw a dozen of our best sprinters line up at the barrier. Ballarat and San Francisco were quickest out of the tapes, and showed in front for nearly five furlongs. Here the Sydney-bred colt Penates made his effort, and he soon had Ballarat’s measure. Simplex, who was one of the last to leave the barrier, also came with a good run and passed all but the two leaders, finishing close up third. The top weight, Motoa, who met with some interference early in the race, was also finishing strongly. Kitchenmaid, Swimming Belt and Woodhey ran much below their best form. The hack events on the first day were equally interesting, Sir Frisco (half-brother to Porirua) and Taitoko (half-brother to Grand Rapid) each winning a race, and especially displaying good form. Rangipapa, winner of the Hack Flying Handicap (despite his steadier of 8.11) defeated a field of high-class hacks (including King Post, runner-up in the Hawke’s Bay Stakes), and should do his owner (Mr. J. R. McDonald) good service during the winter meetings. The hurdler Mount Cook was unlucky, inasmuch as his rider failed to draw his weight after winning the Hack Hurdle Handicap, and Whatakura was awarded the race. The owner of the latter was himself only recently deprived of a race which he won at the Marlborough autumn meeting. This was owing to some technical breach of the rules in connection with failing to register a part ownership. The Maiden Hack Race fell to Iranui, a daughter of Soult and the wellknown mare Tauhei. SECOND DAY. The second day’s racing was no less interesting than the first, fifteen horses being saddled up for the principal event, the Huia Handicap of one mile. Waipaku represented the Foxton stable, her stable companion (Waitapu) being withdrawn. Cross Battery, despite her first day’s failure, was solidly supported by good judges, who considered that with 31b less weight and two furlongs less to gallop, she would stall off all opposition. Riflemaid and Tupono, a pair that were absentees from the principal event of the first day, looked well and had plenty -of backers. Some good judges declared that King Post, judged by his Hanke’s Bay performance, held a mortgage on the race with only 6.12 on his back. All were astray, however, as the little Apremont horse Mystification, who was one of the neglected division, secured the judge’s verdict after a great race with All Red, Cross Battery, and Waipaku. The four named, with Seamen, were racing together at the turn when the latter faded out of the contest and left the quartette to fight out a most determined finish. Mystification’s victory was a surprise to even his astute trainer (R. Gooseman), who voted the distance too short, and in consequence allowed him to run loose. The other trio were heavily supported by their connections, and as each ran a splendid race, their judgment was not far out. Cross Battery’s owner, who is a plucky backer and would have landed a good stake had his mare won, took his defeat philosophically, and was one of the first to compliment the club’s handicapper on bringing about a splendid race. The Railway Handicap brought out ten runners, and produced another most exciting finish, Motoa, the top weight, who was injudiciously ridden in the early stages of the race, putting in a fine run from the distance post, and only just failing by half a head. Obviously in another stride he would have gained the judge’s verdict. Ballarat and Woodhey ran prominently, but Davies’ old mare was evidently feeling the effect of her

in the last furlong. The Eton gelding Simplex got going smarter than on the first day, and just lasted long enough to secure the race for his owner (Mr. Chas. Vallance), a popular Wairarapa sport. Kitchenmaid and Swimming Belt again gave poor exhibitions, and it would be difficult to compute what concessions in the way of weight would enable them to score a win, judged by their present form. Toa Tuhi, Miss Vera and Sherlock Holmes seemed outclassed in comparison with Motoa. The good-looking Wharekura, another son of Eton, and owned by the Hon. Jas. Carroll, secured the five furlongs Hack flutter (Telegraph Handicap) after a desperate race with the Conqueror gelding Naumai, from whom he was receiving 261 b in weight. Nine other well-bred and speedy-look-ing animals ran, but they were outpaced from the start. The time of the race was given as Im. 1 2-ss. Mount Cook’s jockey made no error in regard to his weight in the second Hack Hurdle Race, and, despite an increase of 111 b in his weight, he again got the judge’s verdict, Top Rose, the Hawke’s Bay representative, beating Hatley and The Stake for second place after a good race. The Stewards’ Handicap saw Comedian, North Pole and Research make a good race of it with the Sou’-wester horse King’s Birthday. The latter ran the race of his life, and although he swerved somewhat badly at the finish, it did not interfere with his opponents. An objection by the trainer of Comedian was over-ruled, and the judge’s placing was not disturbed. North Pole was freely supported, but ran badly, and it may be that a rest would do him good. Blue Ribbon, by Blue Jacket —Yattaghan (Paritutu’s dam) scored a win in the Welter Hack Handicap, in which she defeated a good field of well-bred and useful performers. The Final Hack Scurry fell to Timothy, a son of Auckland’s old favourite, St. Paul. Timothy only secured the verdict after a good tussle with Pronoun and Utopia. Messtime, a daughter of Birkenhead, carrying the Hon. J. D. Ormond s colours, went out favourite, but got badly away.