THE THAMES MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 993, 18 March 1909, Page 5

THE THAMES MEETING.

The Autumn Meeting of the Thames Jockey Club took piace on Saturday, and there was a good attendance. The course was in hue order, the recent improvements coming in for warm praise. The management of the meeting, in the experienced hands of Mr. W. H. Potts, left nothing to be desired. A larger number of sportsmen would have gone down to the mining township from Auckland had there been a steamer on Saturday, and some dissatisfaction was expressed at this, as the state of the tide made the sending of a morning boat quite possible. Dr. Barclay was judge, and Mr. E. Hankins starter.

The Maiden Plate, six furlongs, opened the ball, six going to the post. Waiotahi and Aristos got the best of a bad start, and led to the straight. Here Master Paul passed Aristos, but could not reach Waiotahi, who won by a length and a-haif, with Urania a head off third.

Seven turned out for the Hurdle Race, one and three-quarter mixes. Kaitangata went off with the lead. At the home turn Okaihau drew level, and, coming on, Mr. Williamson’s gelding won comfortably, with Kapakapa four lengths off third. Red Macgregor fell. Six started for the Autumn Stakes, one mile. St. Tui was left at the post, Carmania taking up the running from Explosive. Azoff threw out a challenge in the straight, but failed to reach Carmania, the pony winning by over a length, with Escamillo third. Only three carried silk in the Shorts Handicap, four furlongs. Hikuai jumped off very smartly, and won by half a length, Positive and Marangai chasing him right home. A quartette went to the post for the Steeplechase, two and a-half miles, which gave rise to a good race. Red Macgregor and Okaihau went off with the lead, but the former fell at the back of the course. At the bend Waimutu came down, leaving Capitol to hunt Okaihau home, the latter winning by two lengths. Mr. Hankins got the six runners away well together in the Railway

Handicap, six furlongs, Jena immediately going to the front, with Newtown next. Galloping in good style, Jena led all the way, and won by two lengths from Rarata. with Keep Step third.

Six came out for the Hack Race, five furlongs. Goidwln got the best of the start, but Fremantle soon supplanted him. Drawing right away, Fremantle won by nearly four lengths from Tenby, with Leo in third place. The concluding event was the Welter Handicap, seven furlongs, six horses going to the post. The start was a good one, Waiotahi and Noteorini soon showing m front. These two had a great battle all the way round, Waiotahi defeating the son of Eton by half a length, with Newtown third. The most successful horseman was Brown, who had three wins, Percival getting two, and McKinnon two. Followers of Deeley for once drew a blank.