THE POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB’S MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 974, 5 November 1908, Page 6

THE POVERTY BAY TURF CLUB’S MEETING.

The Spring Meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s Meeting was held last Thursday and Friday in pleasant weather. The course was in good order. The secretary (Mr D. R. DeCosta) had all the arrangements in first-class order, and everything was carried out in an admirable manner. Mr. Harry Piper had his usual success in the matter of getting the fields away in even style, and the Hon. Captain Tucker gave every satisfaction as judge. From files to hand the following particulars are gleaned. In the opening event, the Trial Handicap, 6 furlongs, a good field of nine horses faced the starter. Pluck led all the way, and a hot challenge in the straight by Eiya and Munga Motio was staved off, and a win by half a length recorded.. A great fight took place between the second and third horses, Eiya winning by a head. In the First Hurdles, 1% miles. Reservoir and The Stripper rose at the last hurdle together, but the latter falling Reservoir won as he liked. In the First County Stakes, 6 furlongs, there were six runners. Gladsmuir got the best of the start, Stylish being last to get away. The latter mare led into the straight, and a dingdong race ensued, Deeley on Stylish warding off a hot challenge, and won by half a length. Lloyds being a neck in front of Gatenby; Gladsmuir was fourth and Awanui last. In the Maiden Scurry Ardfert beat Goldwin, Inez, and four others fairly easy. Five went to the post for the Flying Handicap, 6 furlongs. Andrew Mack and Stylish were the first to show to the front. Entering the straight Tarina came through and hotly challenged the Meriwee gelding, but Deeley got his mount home by a nose; Stylish was third, Mistime next, and Lady Rohina last.

In the First Hack Flat four went to the post. Te Uku bolted. At the back of the course McLeod, the jockey, tried to stop his runaway mount by pulling it into a gate, and the gelding came down heavily, McLeod being rendered unconscious. From a fairly good start the trio soon lined out in the order —Dardanus, Spate, and Te Arai, and raced in those positions to the end, Dardanus winning by two lengths. SECOND DAY. It was showery on the second day of the meeting, one squall being very heavy. The amount of £5286 was put through the totalisator, making a total of £10.389 for the meeting, as against £15,790 for last year. There were six runners in the Second Welter, one mile. Nadine showed the way from Whakaweira and Shanks with Earmark next. Nadine led into the straight, and won comfortably by a length and a-half from Te Arai, who beat Shanks for second place by half a length. Three went out for the Second Hurdles, 1% miles. Ruabon and Morpeth were out in front most of the way. Once over the last jump, Reservoir put in a great run, and passed Ruabon thirty yards from Die judge’s box, winning comfortably by a length. Morpeth was a similar distance away, third.

In the Second County Stakes, one mile, there were five runners,. Nadine led into the straight, with Paisano coming fast on the outside. Just outside the distance Spate assumed command, and won easily by three lengths from Paisano, Nadine two lengths further off in third place. Five carried silk in the Makaraka

Handicap, one mile. Auldearn led from Stylish and Hinetitama, with Dardanus four lengths behind. Rounding the turn into the straight Dardanus caught and passed the field. The gelding won by a good half length from Hinetitama, with Auldearn third. A nice field of nine contested the Second Hack Flat, 6 furlongs. Miss Advance led into the straight, follow ed by Pearl Reef, Gatenby, and Mistime. This order was maintained to the finish, the filly winning easily by three lengths, and Mistime filled the third position a length away. Munga Motio ran away with the Maiden Scurry, beating Waikanae by ten lengths.

Only two started in the Waikanae Handicap, 5 furlongs. Andrew Mack got well away, but Tarina quickly overhauled him, and for a couple of furlongs the pair raced neck and neck. The mare had a slight advantage into the straight, and, keeping her position, was first past the judges box by three-parts of a length. Andrew Mack did not appear to be ridden out. The stewards were called together to inquire into the suspicious running of Andrew Mack, and after a lengthy in quiry it was resolved that B. Deeley, who rode the horse, be suspended for six months, and a further inquiry regarding the owner and the horse be held.

The Farewell Handicap, 7 furlongs, attracted five runners. Hinetitama got Well away from the barrier, with Pluck, Lloyds, and Ballyheigh in close attendance. Ballyheigh wrested the lead from the chestnut mare, and, coming on resolutely, won by a length and a-half. A similar distance sepa rated second and third.