WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 998, 22 April 1909, Page 5

WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB’S ANNUAL MEETING.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) There is no disputing the fact that this country club’s yearly venture is looked forward to with pleasure by the majority of sport-loving residents throughout the length and breadth of Hawke’s Bay, the well-kept course, the convenient appointments, the jaunt into the country by the dwellers in several of the towns scattered throughout the district, all tend to attract the attention of followers of the sport of kings to Waipukurau on Easter Monday. Last year inclement weather greatly interfered with the financial success of the gathering, and when for days before this season’s date of holding the meeting the climatic conditions appeared as if it was set fair and good, it was naturally surmised that a favourable period would be on hand on Easter Monday. The presumption, however, got a bad set-back, for on the Sunday previous it started to rain early in the day, and kept up at a vigorous rate for quite twelve hours. This had the effect of deterring many from making the trip on Monday to the popular rendezvous —for Waipukurau is not a pleasant spot to be located in if the watery god has been at all attentive. Anyhow, Monday turned out fine overhead, but under foot it was somewhat wet and sloppy, and as a result the number of ladies present was not up to the standard that has previously been apparent. Still, an enjoyable afternoon’s sport was witnessed, some excellent racing being provided, and the management of affairs left nothing to be desired. Speculation was brisk, and of a very satisfactory nature for when the tote figures were nlade up at the conclusion it was found that the total sum registered by the totalisator staff amounted to £6908, an increase of £628. over the sum handled at the previous gathering in 1908, and in addition bookmakers’ fees to the extent of £124 were collected. Several backers who patronised the pencillers —or, rather, one of their number —had cause to regret not having entrusted their coin and confidences to the automatic dispenser of odds, for after the Waipukurau Handicap had been won they failed to receive their anticipated returns from one of the layers of odds, who at one time looked as if he would get severely dealt with. Fortunately for him the police took a hand in the game, and under their control was escorted out of the paddock, leaving a sorrowful pack of clients behind. Until the Act is altered, most assuredly this welshing faction are sure to be found doing business on every racecourse in the Dominion, for it is a well-known fact that the country is full of these brigands, whose aim and object is not to do a legitimate business. Apparently stewards and officials of racing clubs are powerless in the matter, for very often a man who applies for a license may have previously done the welshing or balancing act, and yet not be known by the executive of a club to have done so, for these layers of the odds change their names and bags at nearly every race meeting they operate upon, and consequently cannot be identified by their cognomens or advertisements. If the powers that be do not repeal the Gaming Act of 1907 they certainly will have to take some means by which only reputable bookmakers will be licensed to follow their calling. The strenuous efforts of the management to make the outing an enjoyable one bore good fruit, for the general opinion of patrons was that better could not have been done on their behalf. Mr. A. Wood, in the arduous position of starter, came out on top, his efforts being of a very high-class grade. The starting machines were used for the first time on the course, and met with the appreciation of those interested. Of the dozen that went out for the Maiden Plate, a firm favourite was soon located in The Limit, second choice being held by Mundic, a three-year-old son of Gold Reef and Hopeful, the Merriwee filly, Parable, being the next best supported. When the tape was released Mundic quickly shot to the front, and staying there without any effort whatever registered an easy win by eight lengths. Second place

was filled by one of J. Cameron’s pupils in Mediterranean, a three-year-old son of San Fran and Lady Beryl, who this trainer bought for 25 guineas when the 1907 batch of Te Mahanga youngsters were sent up for auction. Mundic, who is educated by his owner, Mr. W. Cattanack, has the makings of a good one, and several would-be buyers are anxiously enquiring if there is a chance of his changing hands, but his owner is so far not inclined to listen to proposals. It is not often that a mother and son are found competing at the one meeting, but such was the case ,at Waipukurau, for Mundic and his dam, Hopeful, were both seen out under silk.

Polynices was taken out of the Easter Handicap, his withdrawal leaving half a dozen to do battle for the affair. Paisano, who has ben doing so well of late, ranking as a better favourite than Seatondale, with Sir Possible third selection. The latter and Golden Gate made the running for about seven furlongs, when Paisano, who had been occupying the last berth, put in some of those long, telling strides of his, and was soon upsides with Sir Possible and Golden Gate. Half a furlong from the box Seatondale made a good run, and was in close attendance upon Paisano, who at this stage held command. Vigorously ridden by E. Lowe, Seatondale threw out a strong challenge, and had he not run in from the outside to the rails, which lost him something, it is questionable if he would not have downed Paisano, who got the award by a short neck. Highden was a fair third. Polynices, the full brother to Osiris and half brother to Tumut, was sorted out as the proper avenue to collect wealth in the Hack Handicap, Nadine, a half-blooded relative of Cinque’s, being second selection. Aroha, another of the San Fran tribe, came next in favour in the betting market. Parable and the ancient Water o’ Milk streaked out in front when the lever was pressed down, and the pair, with the pack bunched at their heels, made play for a mile, when Nadine emerged from the bunch, and, getting to the leaders in a few strides, had them easily silenced. At the distance Aroha came fast, but though he put in strenuous work could not equalise matters with the Gisborne owned mare, who at the finish held a length advantage from the San Fran gelding. Nero, who has been shaping well of late, was a fair third; the favourite a poor fourth. Paisano, Rose Lethe, and Highden were struck out of the Waipukurau Handicap, which reduced the contestants to five, the top-weight, Hipporofla, commanding the most respect and coin from backers. Berengaria, who looked in great fettle, was second choice. The outsider of the quintette, Sir Possible, cut out the pace at a merry bat for quite a mile, when Berengaria and Chamois got to him, and after a bit of a struggle deposed him. The two mares were at it, going in great style, to a furlong from the post, when Sir Wm. Russell’s representative slowly but surely forged to the front, and kept tnere to the conclusion of the argument, the verdict going up in her favour by a two lengths margin. Sir Possible a length away third. The favourite was never dangerous at any portion of the trip. Eight babies got under way for the Two-year-old Handicap, the all-cerise bearer, Ideate, having a solid pull in the betting. Bridge, the full brother to Grand Slam, was second favourite. The race reuires but little description, for Bliss was first away and first across the line, scoring by two lengths, Scots Fusilier and Ideate having a desperate tussle for second honours, the fiat going up in favour of the Royal Fusilier colt, who is a big, handsome, commanding chap, and sure to improve with age and condition. The gentlemen horsemen got an opportunity to display their ability in the next event, the Ladies’ Handicap, in which backers set about picking it in two, Pikopo and Covazon, the brace being supported in the order in which their names are recorded. It was a case of write your own price about the remaining eight, and that the idea was an accurate one was fully borne out by the judge’s ruling. Pikopo and Covazon were the only two in the affair at the finish. The winner, who was bred at Te Mahanga Station, is a four-year-old son of San Fran and Toney Vira, and is just the sort of a gelding that would be expected to do gelQ 2 o ver the obstacles, being a Sid courageous horse, with a lot of Mr P. Neagle made his appearpace, iv after a long retire . ance . from active work in the hogskin, went from active t 0 but his mount, Arona, w finish. favourite in the FlyVoetgang, the in#, COUld got no xTnrth TTpad the Winner turning up in North Head,

who was third selection, Pearl Reef, the stable chum of Paisano, filling the position of second favourite. After going one hundred yards nothing had a chance with the cerise-bearer, who fairly cantered in, Chamois beating the favourite by a long neck for the second award.

Illustrious, who last year ran third in the Final, was on Monday selected as the proper article to pull backers through, The Limit occupying the second choice; Mayflower third selection. Backers were on the spot with their anticipations, for The Limit just won from Illustrious, Mayflower a good third. The Limit had more than her share of good luck in scoring, for had not Mayflower and Illustrious fairly cut one another’s throats through their desperate efforts to settle each other, Allan White’s mare would not have been able to receive the verdict, for the pair were tiring to nothing a few yards from the post, and Lowe, sizing up the situation, got The Possible’s daughter to do her best for a stride or two, and it was all over.