THE WELLINGTON R.C. WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 960, 30 July 1908, Page 6

THE WELLINGTON R.C. WINTER MEETING.

(By Our Wellington Correspondent.) SECOND DAY. Wednesday morning broke fine and Trentham was by noon the rendezvous of a very large concourse of racegoers representative of both near and distant portions of the Dominion. His Excellency Lord Plunket, Lady Plunket and suite, together with numerous M.P.’s, and the whole of the delegates to the N.Z. Racing Conference, were in attendance. For the time being distinguished visitors apparently divested themselves of the responsibilities of office and seemed bent on making the best of the enjoyable afternoon, by interesting themselves in the capital sport provided for them. The increased attendance rendered speculation brisk, both with bookmakers and the totalisator, £12,983 being handled by the latter during the afternoon. Proceedings opened with the Glasgow Handicap, for which event the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s colt Oxton was the public selection. The brother to Zimmerman stripped in capital form and justified the confidence of his admirers by winning in a most decisive style from the Auckland-owned Duart to whom he was conceding a year and 121 b, while the others engaged in the race made a moderate showing. Dr Shimose, a 3-year-old son of the redoubtable Advance, defeated a useful field of horses in the Karori Hack Handicap after a good race. The Second Hack Hurdle Handicap field included the well-known flat racers Full Cry and Ghoorka, both of which ran unplaced on the first day. Full Cry was strongly supported and with Snip, who started actual favourite, carried the bulk of the investments bn the machine. At the end of a mile Full Cry and Ghoorka drew away from their opponents and inside the distance Full Cry had the Porirua horse at the whip and won with something in hand. Jolly Roger filled third place, whilst Snip, the favourite, finished fifth. . The Wellington Steeplechase brought out a • select field of fine well known performers, St. Amelia, who had injured one of her legs on the previous Saturday, being withdrawn at the last moment. The five contestants, as they paraded the saddling enclosure, were closely scanned and but little fault could be found with their condition. Loch Fyne and Nadador appeared trained to the hour and gave promise of seeing the distance right out. Tilson. Pierre and Bullworth looked fit for the task set them. The former, who was established a good favourite, was ridden by T. Pritchard, whose injured shoulder scarcely permitted him to do full justice to his mount who is a hard puller. rhe race was a most interesting one and during the first two and a-half miles Tilson, Loch Fyne, and Bullworth each occupied prominent positions, but Pierre fell whilst running in a handy position and going very well. Bullworth was the first beaten of the remainder of the field. Two fences from home Nadador’s rider took her to the front and Tilson gave way to Loch Fyne. The Hawke’s Bay mare, jumping beautifully, drew away once over the last fence, and won nicely by half-a-dozen lengths from Loch Fyne, who finished three lengths in front of Tilson, with Bulworth a hundred yards away last. The victory of Sir Wm. Russell’s mare was received with great enthusiasm. The fine field of a dozen saddled up for the Waterloo Handicap. The San Fran colt California, who was making his first appearance in open company, was. sent to the post a good favourite, this notwithstanding that he was meeting a lot of useful performers in open company on most disadvantageous terms. Private reputation, however, carried the day, and his admirers would not hear of his defeat. The race will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it as one of the most exciting yet seen at Trentham. Dawn and Rangipapa were responsible for a strong pace during the early stages, Ca’ifornia who is notoriously a slow beginner, being last but two, some fifteen lengths'behind the leaders at the end of two furlongs. As the large field

AV’STrV'fu .A Az u ’iv: a swept into the straight, Dawn held “a slight advantage with Rangipapa and. Swimming Belt in attendance. California was seen closing up and nearing the distance, raised the hopes of his backers by getting into fourth place. Dawn by this began to feel the effects of the strong pace and California, with long sweeping strides, passed Rangapapa and Maharanui, while every stride brought him closer to Dawn, both horses being ridden rigorously. Twice California faltered, but at the call of his rider, he came again, and after a great struggle got up in time to win a great race by half a head. Maharanui passed Rangipapa and finished a good third, while Kurawaka and Seaman who were prominent up to the distance were next to finish.

“The jumpers’ Flat Race brought out a somewhat mixed field. Scotty, Letherin, and Immolation, were established favourites in that order, Exmoor whose condition did not please, being neglected. Star Rose, a N.Z. Cup winner, looked well enough, but the public would have none of him, Aorangi being more fancied. Scotty and Letherin proved to be a class by themselves and at the end of a mile the race lay between them. Inside the distance Scotty drew away from his opponent and won comfortably from Letherin, Immolation defeating Aorangi for fourth place. Mussell, Exmoor, and Star Rose some distance away. The Soult —Cobweb gelding, Silkweb, had a comfortable win in the Thorndon Hack Handicap, a five furlong hack flutter. Royal Maid, who was last away, ran a good race and finished second, just defeating Lochelia and Landwern. Cavatina and Glen seemed out-paced. THIRD DAY. Beautiful weather again favoured the Club on Saturday and a large attendance put in an appearance at Trentham. Speculation was even even more spirited than on Wednesday, the sum handled during the afternoon being £15,964, making a grand total for the meeting of £36,705, while the fees received from bookmakers amounted £1236 10s. The course was in good condition and during the afternoon interesting racing was witnessed, the finishes in the jumping events being especially exciting. Loch Fyne, Tilson and Lingerer, in the steeplechase, rose together at the last fence and the trio raced past the judge’s vlox within a length of each other. iLe Beau fell during the race and St. Amelia baulked at the back of the course and was taken back to the saddling paddock. Valima and Bullworth appeared outclassed and will have to be pitted against less pretentious company ere they score a win. The placed horses kept well together throughout the two and a-half miles. Loch Fyne allowing the other pair a few lengths break in the early stages. The little son of Lochness easily got to the leaders when called upon, but once there had to be ridden hard to keep his position. At the last fence both Tilson and Lingerer looked to have a chance of defeating the Aucklander, but he finished very true and won a well contested race amidst great cheering. The event next in importance wa? the Winter Oats Handicap for which race Sir Frisco, the winner of the Parliamentary Handicap, and the second day’s sensational winner, California, were saddled up. Both colts are 3-year-olds and on previous performances Sir Frisco seemed to have none the worst of the weights when only called upon to concede California 21b. This appeared the opinion of the public, and although the pair carried most money, Sir Frisco went out first favourite. Although an even start was effected, California was, as usual, slow to get going, and ran in the rear for three furlongs, whilst Sir Frisco held a good position on the rails. Kurawaka and Chief Lochiel led at the turn, just in front of Sir Frisco. Californit drew up on the outside and in spite of his heavy impost soon passed Sir Frisco, and wresting the lead from Kurawaka, had the race won inside the distance, racing past the judge amidst a scene of enthusiasm seldom witnessed on a racecourse. Maharanui again ran consistently, and despite his increased poundage, secured second money, beating the Trentham-trained Landwern a few strides from the post. California received a great reception when his rider walked him back to the weighing enclosure, winners and losers alike joining in the demonstration.

The Final Hurdle Handicap gave promise of a most exciting struggle.

Scotty and Compass were the public, favourites, Letherin, Snip and Exmoor . also having . supporters. ~ Sen Sim refused to start and the field was further reduced by Compass and Defeat coming to grief at the third hurdle. Exmoor, who was running prominently, came to grief as the field ran along the back of the course. This left Letherin with the lead, closely followed by Snip and Scotty, with Ability some distance away. This order was maintained the Lethe gelding winning nicely from Snip, with Scotty three lengths away. Exmoor’s rider, McConnon received a heavy fall resulting in a slight concussion, whilst Tate, the rider of Compass, fractured his collar bone.

The Onslow Handicap, six furlongs, proved an interesting race between Aboriginal, Rangipapa and Duart. Wharekura began slowly, whilst Golden Gate ran below his first day’s form and Truce wants more condition.

The Crofton Hack Handicap fell to the Saracen mare Skye after a good race with Sandstream, Vasa and four others.

The Kai Ora Hack Handicap would have been more interesting had the fi£ld left the barrier together. Both Silkweb and Royal Maid were heavily backed, but whilst the latter lost several lengths, Silkweb got going first and placed several lengths between herself and her co-favourite. This the filly failed to make up, although she ran a capital race, finishing close up second. The unlucky Yosami was third, Flintgun, Glentui and Glen being outclassed.