THE MASTERTON MEETING.

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

THE MASTERTON MEETING.

(Notes by my Wellington Correspondent.) The Masterton Racing Club’s Spring Meeting held last week, was from a racing point of view, the most successful held by the Club. Speculation through the medium of the totalisator was, however, considerably below that of the corresponding meeting last season, when bookmakers were rigorously excluded from the club’s enclosures. The meeting was patronised by the bulk of the most prominent pencillors who contributed in fees the sum of £335 to the club’s funds. As this represents commission on another £4OOO, the club will come well out of the meeting. Fine weather prevailed for the opening day of the fixture, and despite the fact that the gathering clashed with the Wairarapa Agricultural Society’s Show, which was being held at Carterton only eight miles distant, there was a capital attendance. Racingopened with the Hack Hurdles Handicap. for which seven ran. Spiciosa and Hatley were most fancied. Mr. W. Davies’ Officer mare Yosami jumped in an improved style,. and having more pace than her rivals, scored a first win over hurdles easily. Speciosa made a faulty jump and lost considerable ground, otherwise she might have troubled the winner. Passive, by Lithe from Rotiri. won the Hack Flying by a neck, after a slashing finish, with Investment and Mildura, a short neck separating the trio.

The fine field of a dozen were saddled up for the Masterton Cup. for which Sir Frisco and Silken Rein were almost equal favourites, whilst all the other runners were solidly supported. The light-weights Skye and Blue Ribbon were prominent in the early stages. Hatch, who rode Sir Frisco was, however, always in a good position. S. Reid on Irish Rifle ran through at the distance, and Sir Frisco on. the outside also made his effort. Reid, when within a chain of the judge’s box, pulled -Irish Rifle across Sir Frisco and Silken Rein,

and a collision was narrowly averted. The two fought out a desperate finish, Sir Frisco getting the verdict by less than a length from Irish Rifle, who just defeated Silken Rein. San Julie, Sandstream, and Merrie Rose ran disappointingly. Rosea 1, who was allotted the minimum impost (6.7) was last.

Kiltie Lass, a two-year-old filly by the defunct sire Kilcheran, easily defeated a large field of useful horses in the Maiden Hack Race.

The Ladies’ Bracelet produced a fine 'field of ten runners, including Espartero and the Auckland gelding Haeremai. The race, however, went to Golden Butterfly, by Petroleum — Mascotte, a useful gelding that will win in better company. Espartero ran much below his Hawke’s Bay form, and is probably short of .a few gallops. Tangaroa, who has not displayed much form for some time, just managed to defeat Highden and seven others in the October Hack Handicap after an interesting set too. The Publicans’ Handicap was selected as a good thing for Toatahi, Simplex also ruling strong support. The latter was prominent at the distance, but faded away when Polyanthus, Lothair, and Toatuhi made their effort, Mr. W. Doglars’ aged daughter of The Possible showed a glimpse of her true form, and for the first time during the last two years caught the judge’s eye. Lothair defeated Toatuhi by less than a length for second place. The Dash Hack Handicap was contested by eleven runners, including the C.J.C. Derby colt Sir Artegal. Hermia, a four-year-old mare by Birkenhead —Nixie, displayed great pace and led past the distance. Tumut (by Merriwee —Ismene) came strongly and Avon nicely in lmin. 2sec., good time for the so-called hacks. SECOND DAY. The morning opened badly, heavy rain falling until noon. Visitors from the surrounding districts were thus kept away, and the success of the gathering thus seriously interfered with. The rain ceased after the second race. The club's handicapper, Mr J. H. Pollock, had the satisfaction of seeing large fields face the starter in all events save one, the Amateur Riders Race, which was badly placed on the programme, being immediately before the Hunters Race, in which the same horses were engaged. The winners were so well concealed that only one favourite won during the day, and in two events absolute outsiders prevailed. St. Brandon paying a bigdividend, the biggest in the history of the club.

The Hack Hurdle Race again fell to Yosami, whose victory was made easy through Hatley refusing to start, and Speciora and Indian Mutiny running off at the first hurdle. Golden Butterfly, another dangerous rival, fell at the second hurdle, so with only three very moderate performers left in the race, Mr. Davies’ mare had an easy victory. A grand finish resulted in the Tradesmen’s Hack Handicap. Metaura, King Post, Lucretius and Osiris fighting out a desperate finish. Short necks separated the first-named trio, whilst Osiris, who held the position of favourite was close up fourth. Irish Rifle (another strong favourite) was opposed by the nice field of eight, including Polyanthus and Silken Rein. The light-weights Sandstream and Skve made strong pace throughout, and although Irish Rifle finished well he could not get within striking distance of the leaders, who fought out a good race, ending in favour .of Sandstream, who paid a substantial dividend.

Netherby, ridden by his owner, Mr Buick, who ran into third place in the Ladies’ Bracelet on the first day, had a comfortable win in the Highweight Hack Handicap. The Hunters’ Hurdle Race was easily annexed by Ballance, who had the services of, the Hawke’s Bay amateur horseman, Mr G. Hirst. The Welter Hack Handicap was spoilt by a straggling start. The out-

sider St. Brandon, got a break on the others, and was never headed. Tan garoa was running strong at the finish. ■ Toatuhi, Fullßate, and Lothair were the best backed for the Stewards Handicap. Full Rate, a C.J.C. Stewards Handicap candidate, looked fairly well. Golden Eagle was the extreme outsider of the field, but although ishe was last to move she quickly joined the leaders and won comfortably by three lengths from Toatuhi. who beat Full Rate by half a length for second place in 1.16 3-ss. A dozen faced the starter for the Electric Hack Handicap, Sir Antrim being made the medium of a plunge by backers. The Merriwee filly Vi was, however, too good for Lord Soult’s full brother, who did not get going too quickly, and could do no better than run into second place.