MAUKU MEETING.

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

MAUKU MEETING.

The Mauku J.C. annual meeting took place on the course midway between Pukekohe and the Mauku township. About 700 people from the surrounding districts were present, and a goodly number from town came (by train. Unfortunately five horses missed the early goods train. The fields -were, notwithstanding, fairly good, and the racing was interesting. The president, Mr. Arnold Barter, and the secretary, Mr F. E. Simpson, worked hard to make the meeting a success. One unfortunate accident happened in the Maiden Plate, young Gainsford being thrown by Mungawhero, striking a tree when falling. The racing opened with the Handicap Hurdles, 2 miles, Bachelor being made a warm favourite, but he did not seem to get going and was easily beaten. Powerful (who cost an Auckland syndicate four figures as a yearling, and was afterwards sold for a song) won somewhat easily with Mangapapa second. Mangamahake also started. The Maiden Handicap came next, and Apollinaris was made favourite, but could not last the distance, Weka making a runaway race of it, with Etonia second- Six others started. Mr H. McKenzie s Lycia supplied the favourite in the Mauku Cup, one mile, and again punters burnt their fingers, J. Chaafe riding a patient race on Lord Seaton, won somewhat easily, with Lycia second and St Cyren third. Report ran. unkindly and galloped on the winner who was much cut about the hocks.

The Flying Handicap, a 4 furlongs flutter, followed. Frontino and Cy-

reniac claimed most attention, Matarere who dead heated with Apollinaris, being one of the outsiders of the field of seven starters. Most people thought that Matarere had won by a head, but the judge decided otherwise. Weka had his second win in the Hack Handicap, of 6 furlongs, with Tommy Pikau second and Report third. The winner jumped off in front and led from end to end, winning by about a dozen lengths. The Patumahoe Handicap, of 5 furlongs, was the best betting race of the day. Lycia, Frontino, Cyreniac and Etonia each were supported in this turn- The latter bolted away, and finishing very strongly, had little difficulty in winning. Cyreniac and Frontino were the runners-up. The Welter Handicap, of 7 furlongs, brought the meeting to a successful close, and although Lord Seaton put up a penalty, bringing his weight to 10.11, and seemed very sore after his first race, he had no trouble to beat St. Cyren, Mangapapa and Bachelor. Mr. John Marshall, Mr. Hartland, Mr. Burke (Waikato), and other wellknown sportsmen were present. Twelve bookmakers paid one guinea for the right to do business.