REMUERA POLO CLUB’S SPORTS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 998, 22 April 1909, Page 9

REMUERA POLO CLUB’S SPORTS.

SOME EXCITING EVENTS. A first-rate programme was gone through at Alexandra Park on Saturday, when the Remuera Polo Club held their annual sports and races. The afternoon was favourable for the occasion, and the racing and other competitions were productive of no end of sport. In most cases the finishes were very close, while the spectators were provided with some clever exhibitions in the Gretna Green and polo ball and bending competitions. Twenty-one bookmakers were in attendance, the license fee being one guinea, and a good amount of money was handled during the afternoon. The Polo Cup of four furlongs received most attention at the hands of backers, and the ponies being in good condition a well-fought finish was anticipated, which expectation was fulfilled, Mr. W. Duder’s Taka passing Waitangi and Hyla in the concluding stage of the race and leading past the judge’s box. Five horses faced the starter in the Electric Handicap of two furlongs, Taka and Hyla being the ponies most favoured, but the latter, however, headed the field from the start, and won by nearly a length from Taka, the order in which these two finished in the Polo Cup being thus reversed.

Three heats were got off in the Polo Ball and Bending Competition, the winners being Mr. H- C. Tonks’ Hyla, Mr. D. Gorrie’s Nibs, and Mr. R. J. Atchison’s Fidget respectively. The final saw Mr. Tonks’ Hyla finish first, with Mr. Gorrie’s Nibs second, but the winning rider having taken the wrong polo ball, it was decided to have the event over between the first and second horses. Mr. H. C. Tonks, however, gave an even more brilliant exhibition than before, and was returned an easy winner, finishing about half-a-dozen sticks in front of his opponent, his performance being loudly cheered.

Very keen competition resulted in the Polo Pony Test, several of the competitors being responsible for creditable displays of horsemanship. Four heats were run off, and the final winning honours were gained by Mr. D. Gorrie, riding Mr. C. Crowther’s Target, with Mr. Leigh Tonks on Mr. S. Dalton’s Gipsy second. The Ladies’ Bracelet proved a very attractive event, and when the winners of the heats were pitted against one another, an exciting race ended in Miss Cotter’s January being ridden past the post to victory. There was not much to choose between the two competitors in the tandem race, Mr. W. S. Dalton’s Gipsy and Moueen getting a couple of lengths ahead of Mr. C. Crowther’s Target and Circus at the start, and being unable to increase the lead the positions remained practically unaltered for the whole distance. The Hurdle Race came as something of a surprise, Mr. A. D. Bell’s Certain, which carried the confidence of the public, coming home a bad second to Mr. C. Atchison’s Lily. The Consolation Race proved a good betting race, the trio of starters being well supported, but Mr- H. C. Tonks’ Quiver, ridden by his owner, never left the contest in doubt and was steered in a victor by three lengths.

The Tug-of-War was won by the Clevedon team, who went about the contest in a more systematic manner than the Remeura representatives. The Gretna Green competition caused much amusement, the winning pair being Mr. C- Atchison’s Certain and Lily.

Mr. J. H. Jackson undertook the duties of judge, and his prompt decisions left nothing to cavil at. Mr. J. H. Dalton acted as starter, and dispatched the fields in an expeditious

manner. Mr. H. C. Tonks (captain), Mr. F. Young (clerk of scales), and Mr. H. Cotter (call steward) all carried out their respective duties so as to leave no room for dissatisfaction. Messrs. W. S. Dalton and D. L. Tonks worked hard in the execution of their secretarial duties, and were in no small measure responsible for the success of the Club’s gathering. The results of the events were as follows: — HURDLE RACE, over four flights of hurdles, 3ft. high. One mile. First, trophy. Mr. C. Atchson’s Lily, 14.2 1 Mr. A. D. Bell’s Certain, 14.1 2 Also started: Mr. R. J. Atchison’s Fidget. Won by six lengths. Time, 2min. ssec. GRETNA GREEN COMPETITION. To ride and lead a pony over small fences to a man dressed as a lady, who mounts spare pony, which is led over fences back to starting point. First, trophy. Mr. C. Atchison’s Certain and Lily.... I Messrs. Tonks and Dalton’s Gipsy and Baby , 2 Also started: Mr. W. Duder’s Taka and Fidget. Won easily. POLO PONY TEST. Twice round the flag, 75 yards from starting point, any competitor knocking down the flag to be disqualified. First, trophy. First heat: Mr. W. D. Dalton’s Gipsy (L Tonks) 1 Second heat: Mr. C. Crowther’s Target (Gorrie) 1 Third heat: Mr. D. Gorrie’s Nibs (Gorrie) 1 Fourth heat: Mr. W. Duder’s Taka (Duder) 1 FINAL. Mr. C. Crowther’s Target 1 Mr. W. D. Dalton’s Gipsy 2 Mr. D. Gorrie’s Nibs 3 Won by a length. POLO BALL AND BENDING COMPETITION. Competitor to ride through bending sticks to man with polo stick, hit ball over a line, back through goal posts, and finish through bending sticks, to starting point. Competitors knocking over more than two sticks to be disqualified. First, trophy; second, trophy. First heat: No starters. Second heat: Mr. H. C. Tonks’ Hyla.. 1 Third heat: Mr. D. Gorrie’s Nibs 1 Fourth heat: Mr. R. J. Atchison’s Fidget 1 FINAL. Mr. H. C. Tonks’ Hyla 1 Mr. D. Gorries’ Nibs 2 POLO CUP. Weight, 12.7 for ponies 14 hands 2in., with an allowance of 71b. for every half inch under. Minimum weight, 10.7. Distance, four furlongs. First, trophy; second, trophy. Mr. W. Duder’s Taka, 14.1%, 12.0 1 Mr. J. Ward’s Waitangi 11., 14, 10.7.... 2 Mr. H. C. Tonks’ Hyla, 14.1, 11.7 3 Also started: Crescent. Won by a length and a half. LADIES’ BRACELET. Pony to stand with attendant 30 yards from a lady, who ties a tie round competitor’s neck, puts on coat and vest, and buttons up vest, and places top hat on head. Competitors then to mount ponies and gallop round a post back to starting point. First heat: Miss M. Dalton’s Moueen.. 1 Second heat: Miss Cotter’s January.... 1 Third heat: Miss Gorrie’s Nibs 1 FINAL. Miss Cotter’s January 1 Miss M. Dalton’s Moueen 2 Miss Gorrie’s Nibs 3 TANDEM RACE. Competitors to ride one pony and drive the other round the course. Distance, six furlongs. Mr. W. S. Dalton’s Gipsy and Moueen.. 1 Mr. C. Crowther's Target and Circus.. 2 These were the only starters. ELECTRIC HANDICAP. Weight, 12.7 for ponies 14 hands 2in., with allowance of 71b. if or every half inch under. Minimum, 10.7. Distance, two furlongs. Mr. H. C. Tonks’ Hyla, 14.1, 11.7 1 Mr. W. Duder’s Taka, 14.1 y 2 , 12.0 2 Mr. T. Burgoyn’s Crescent, 14.1%, 12.0.. 3 Also started: Lily, 12.7; Scarecrow, 11.7; Waitangi, 10.7. Won by three-quarters of a length. TUG-OF-WAR. Bare back. Teams of four. Clevedon Team 1 COIN SOLATION RACE of four furlongs. Catch weight. Mr. H. C. Tonks’ Quiver 1 Mr. J. Ward’s Waitangi 2 Mr. T. Burgoyn’s Crescent 3 Won by three lengths.

HANDICAP HURDLE RACE of SOsovs; second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. Over eight flights of hurdles. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, two miles. OAKLEY HANDICAP of 60sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Nomination lsov; acceptance lsov. Distance, five furlongs. JUVENILE HANDICAP of 80sovs; second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. For two-year-olds. Nomination. lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, five furlongs. AVONDALE HANDICAP of 200sovs; second horse to receive 20sovs, and third horse lOsovs out of the stake. Winner of any flat race after the declaration of weights to catry bib extra. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, 3sovs. Distance, one mile and aquarter. TITIRANGI HANDICAP of 80sovs; second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Winner of any flat race after the declaration of weights to carry 51b extra. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, seven furlongs. CHEVALIER HANDICAP of 70sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. For all horses that have not won an advertised flat race exceeding 50sovs in value, or races of the collective value of 200sovs at times of starting. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, four furlongs. RAILWAY HANDICAP of loOsnvssecond horse to receive lOsovs, and third horse ssovs out of the stake Winner of any flat race after the declaration jf weights to carry 51b extra. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, s<x furlongs. SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1909. NURSERY HANDICAP of 70sovsj second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. For two-year-olds. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, six furlongs. FLYING HANDICAP of SOsovs; second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. Nomination, lsov; acceptance. lsov. Distance, four furlongs. MAIDEN HANDICAP HURDLES of 70 sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. For all horses that have not won a hurdle race of the value of 80sovs, or races of the collective value of 200sovs at time of starting. Over seven flights of hurdles. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, one mile and three-quarters. AUTUMN HANDICAP of 150sovs; second horse to receive lOsovs, and third horse ssovs out of the stake. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, 2sovs. Distance, one mile. DOMINION HANDICAP of 70sovs; second horse to receive lOsovs out of the stake. For three-year-olds and upwards. Winner of any flat race after the declaration of weights to carry 51b extra. Nomination, lsov; acceptance. lsov Distance, five furlongs. HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 80sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. Nomination, lsov; acceptance. lsov. Distance, about three miles. MOUNT ROSKILL HANDICAP of 70 sovs; second horse to receive ssovs out of the stake. For all horses that have not won an advertised flat race exceeding 40sovs in value, or races of the collective value of 20 Oso vs at time of starting. Nomination, lsov; acceptance, lsov. Distance, six furlongs. WAITAKEREI HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second horse to receive lOsovs, and third horse ssovs out of the stake. Winner of any flat race after the declaration of weights to carry 51b extra. Nomination, lsov: acceptance, lsov. Distance, six furlongs. DATES OF NOMINATIONS, ACCEPTANCES, ETC., AUTUMN MEETING, With amounts to be transmitted to Secretary A.J.C. FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1909, by 9 p.m. Nominations. — Avondale Handicap lsov, Autumn Handicap Isoiq Steeplechase Handicap lsov, Railway Handicap lsov. FRIDAY, APRIL 9 (General Entry), by 9 p,m. Maiden Plate Handicap lsov, Handicap Hurdles lsov, Oakley Handicap lsov, Juvenile Handicap lsov, Titirangi Handicap lsov. Chevalier Handicap lsov, Maiden Handicap Hurdles lsov, Flying Handicap lsov, Dominion Handicap lsov, Nursery Handicap lsov, Mount Roskill Handicap lsov. Waitakerei Handicap lsov. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, by 9 p.m. Acceptances.—Maiden Plate Handicap lsov. Handicap Hurdles lsov, Oakley Handicap lsov, Avondale Handicap Ssovs, Titirangi Handicap lsov, Juvenile Handicap lsov, Chevalier Handicap lsov. Railway Handicap lsov. MONDAY, APRIL 26, by 9 p.m. Maiden Handicap Hurdles lsov, Flying Handicap lsov, Dominion Handicap lsov, Autumn Handicap 2sovs, Nursery Handicap lsov, Handicap Steeplechase lsov, Mount Roskill Handicap lsov, Waitakerei Handicap lsov. DATES ON WHICH HANDICAPS APPEAR. On or about MONDY, APRIL 5,1909. Avondale Handicap, Railway Handicap. On or about MONDAY, APRIL 12. Maiden Plate Handicap, Handicap Hurdles, Oakley Handicap, Juvenile Handicap- Titirangi Handicap, Chevalier Handicap. MONDAY, APRIL 26, Morning Paper. Maiden Handicap Hurdles, Flying Handicap, Dominion Handicap, Autumn Handicap, Nursery Handicap, Handicap Steeplechase, Mount Roskill Handicap, Waitakerei Handicap. H. H. HAYR, Secretary.