WELLINGTON RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1012, 29 July 1909, Page 5

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB’S WINTER MEETING.

SECOND DAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Fine weather prevailed in the city and surrounding districts on Wednesday, and a large and representative crowd assembled bn the Trentham course with the object of witnessing the Steeplechase, for which it was anticipated a large field would start. Although a deal of rain had fallen during the past fortnight, and the racing track was rendered somewhat heavy, the Steeplechase course was in very fair order, owing to not having been galloped on. THE WELLINGTON STEEPLECHASE. The withdrawal of Le Beau left the fine field of thirteen to battle for supremacy, and the various contestants were closely scanned as they paraded the birdcage, and nothing seemed to please the eye better than Te Arai. He is just the cut of a horse one would expect to make light work of steeplechase country, and appeared trained to the hour, no doubt having been greatly benefited by the racing at Gisborne. Capitol also had many admirers, but he does not display the power of Te Arai, but is a most determined galloper and an honest fencer. Irish is an old acquaintance of the Wellingtonians, and many who saw him win at Trentham two years ago remained loyal to the veteran, whose condition reflected credit on his owner, the genial J. B. Williamson. Sir Wm. Russell’s game little mare, Nadador, looked well to the eye, but raced much below her best form, and it may be that she has seen her best day. The ancient Mocassin was sent to the post in capital condition, and his supporters were confident that he would negotiate the course safely. Tilson was obviously short of fast work, and although he jumped cleverly and galloyed in his usual free style his condition only lasted about two miles. Lingerer and Speciosa had plenty of admirers, but they are not of the same •class with Capitol, Te Arai, and Le Beau, and though in fine trim were easily defeated. Aorangi is a goodlooking horse, but he evidently cannot gallop in soft going, and was in hopeless trouble during the first two miles, when his rider “ pulled him up. . Of the others, Otus and Wanganui made the best showing, but they soon tired, and would be best suited over a shorter course. For some unaccountable reason the public made Lingerer favourite, Te Arai and Capitol being next in demand. Mocassin, Irish, and Nadador were also well backed. . The race was voted one of the most interesting ever seen in Wellington, and was in doubt until the second fence from home, when Capitol misjudged a fence and came down, leaving Te Arai half a dozen lengths in front of old Irish, who gamely responded to his

rider’s calls, and challenged Te Arai right up to the judge’s box, only to be defeated by a couple of lengths. Many were of the opinion that Capitol wow have defeated the winner, but the .after was always galloping strong, and would probably have managed to stall off a final run on the part of Capitol had he stood up. Nadador and Mocassin finished twenty lengths away, the former just securing third money by half a length. Lingerer finished fifth. Coy fell early in the race, whilst Tilson and Aorangi were pulled up when hopelessly beaten. SCOTTY WINS THE JUMPERS’ FLAT. The Jumpers’ Flat Race probably created as much interest as any of the other races on the programme, owing to the fact that a number of horses were being given a run that claim engagement in the Grand National Hurdle Race. Scotty saddled up well, and seemed all the better for his gallop on the opening day of the meeting. Ben Jonson appeared fit to race for a kingdom, and had plenty of admirers, and Compass also looked in capital trim, and those who have supported him for the National Hurdles were highly satisfied with his gallop. Belario, although on the small side, can both jump and stay over hurdles, and no fault could be found with his condition. Old Exmoor did not please, and it may be that he is merging towards the sere and yellow age, but Silken Rein was solidly supported by her immediate connections, and actually started second favourite. Southern Cross, Yosami, and Moscow were the outsiders. The race is easily described; Ben Jonson and Exmoor were prominent for a mile, the latter then retiring, and at the turn Scotty came through with a strong run, closely followed by Compass and Belario. The favourite easily held his own, and scored a decisive win for the Aucklanders, who had supported him to a man. WIMMERA’S VICTORY. The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Dawn was made a strong favourite for the Waterloo Handicap, the Parliamentary Handicap winner, Sir ’Frisco, being next in demand. A select few strongly supported the Hawke’s Bay owned Wimmera, on what form it would be hard to say. They were, however, correct, as the brother to Boomerang never left the issue in much doubt after the distance was reached, and his improved form was a revelation to those who saw him finish behind the placed horses in the Stewards’ Handicap on the opening day. Sir ’Frisco found the extra poundage and the heavy going beyond his powers, whilst San Fernando and Kurawaka were outclassed. TAUIRA. Notwithstanding that Tauira was set to carry 321 b. more weight in the Vittoria Hurdles than when he annexed the Winter Hurdles, he was selected favourite, and Wirral •/.' *s also well backed, as was Waione. The favourite was taken to the front three furlongs from home, and, galloping strongly, never left the issue in doubt. Waione ran a good race, and defeated Aurtaus, who finished well. Wirral again cut up badly, and finished a long way in the rear with Kelso. ST. BILL IN FORM. The Glasgow Handicap fell an easy prey to St. Bill, notwithstanding a rise of 121 b. in weight. The antics of some of the riders whose mounts followed St. Bill home created some amusement, and an inquiry was narrowly averted. MISCAST SCORES. The hack event produced good fields and interesting contests. The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s Miscast managed to defeat a useful field in the Karori Handicap, and was subsequently sold to the local racing man, R. Paterson, for 100 guineas. Thetis again ran a good race, as also did Timothy. AN EASY WIN. Te Ru, who finished fourth in the hack sprint event of the first day, was made a hot-pot for the Thornden Hack Handicap. The absence of Te Kahurangi and Contendent probably

improved his prospects. Purakau, who finished in front of Te Ru on Saturday, was allowed to lead until the distance was reached, when T. Pritchard called on Te Ru, and the race was all over. Inchbonny was a poor third, and Royal Maid fourth. THIRD DAY. To the delight of Wellington racegoers, the morning broke fine, the sun shining out brightly. The early trains were crowded, the majority being members of the fair sex. Trentham course presented a brilliant appearance, and with capital racing and spirited speculation there were but few who complained of any lack of enjoyment. The fields In the jumping events were on the small side, as a number of owners would not risk penalties for the more valuable events at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting. Thus the absence of a number of good performers were accounted for. Commander, whose owner had paid up for him in the Final Hurdles, had to withdraw him owing to the horse injuring his shoulder whilst doing a sprint on Saturday morning. TE ARAI’S FIFTH CONSECUTIVE WIN. The July Steeplechase was looked upon as the event of the day. Many thought the shorter course would favour Irish, who held premier position for the greater portion of the Wellington Steeplechase, and now met Te Arai on 101 b. better terms. Te Arai, however, demonstrated that any distance suits him, and also that he is master of weight, and after indulging Irish with a lead for a couple of miles he drew up and quickly placed Hie issue of the race beyond doubt. Doerslayer, who was brought from Christchurch on Friday, was going well when he fell, and Nadador fenced in her usual careful style, but again found Te Arai and Irish possessed of too much pace. Lingerer and Speciosa seemed unable to act in the holding ground, and were a long way in the rear. A HOT FAVOURITE SCORES. The Winter Oats Handicap was the event next in importance.. Nine horses were weighed out, including the first two days’ winners, Sir ’Frisco and Wimmera. The former had the services of R. Hatch, whilst Wimmer a’s pilot was C. Jenkins. Merrie Zealand, who ran a good second to Sir ’Frisco on the opening day, was solidly supported by his connections, as also was Sir ’Frisco, Diamond Star, Sweet Angelus, and Coronetted. Sir ’Frisco, Merrie Zealand, and Wimmera were prominent early in the race, and the two former were in front at the turn. The top-weight then began to tire, and Merrie Zealand, striding along, had a fairly easy win from the outsider Gaelic, who came from the rear with a run that, had it been put in earlier, might have troubled the winner. Coronetted finished third, just in front of King Post, who was not made much use of in the early stages. BELARIO CREATES A SURPRISE. The Final Hurdle Handicap, owing to the breakdown of Commander and the withdrawal of Ben Jonson, whose owner did not care to risk him in the heavy going, was reduced to five starters, and of these Rendrock was made . favourite, with Corazon and Exmoor also solidly backed. Corazon lost his rider at the second hurdle. Exmoor then took command, and at the turn for home was joined by Rendrock and Belario, a splendid set-to ensuing, resulting in the light-weights drawing away from Exmoor in the last furlong and, fighting out a great finish, Belario just got the judge’s verdict by a neck, and paid the biggest dividend of the meeting. Kairoma compounded at the end of a mile, and finished a hundred yards last. ST. BILL’S THIRD SUCCESS. The Ownslow Handicap saw all the acceptors go to the post. Martyrium was made favourite, with St. Bill and Sweet Angelus evenly supported next. The former, although carrying 241 b. more than on the previous Saturday, jumped away quickly, and seemed to hold his field from the start. Marty-

rium and Sweet Angelus were beaten, before the distance was reached. White Cockade then made a run, but failed to trouble the St. Clementa gelding, who thus won his third successive race. AN OVERDUE WIN. Half a dozen were weighed out for the Corunna Hurdle Race, Waione, runner-up in the two previous hack hurd’e races, being made favourite,, with Rangiheata next in demand. Waione was always in a good position, and although Yosami and Kelso threw out strong challenges he won a well-deserved race by a couple of lengths. The Taranaki horse, Waihukii, finished a bad last, and evidently could not act in the heavy going. AN OUTSIDER SCORES. The veteran trainer-owner scored a popular win in the Crofton Handicap with Llanwern, on whom Geo. Price had the mount. The son of Pilgrim’s Progress—Leda has not been too profitable to Davies, who bred him, and not a few despaired of ever seeing him catch the judge’s eye. xie in consequence started at an outside price. Pukawai was made a strong favourite. Llanwern early got a break on his field, and, running on, won cleverly by a length from Splash, who, with Pukawai, finished fast. AN EARLY RETURN. The Kia Ora Handicap concluded the meeting. Eight started, of which Timothy was best backed, but Mr. Paterson’s new purchase, Miscast, was also solidly supported, only ten pounds less being invested tnan on the favourite. Te Ru, Waiata, and Royal Maid were heavily backed, and the race was a good one for the bookmakers. Waiata, closely followed by Te Ru and Timothy, showed out over the first two furlongs, Miscast moving away slowly. At the turn, Waiata was out in front, and here Miscast got through, and with Rose Herald joined Timothy. The trio fought out a most determined finish, resulting in a short head victory for Miscast, with Rose Herald a neck away third. Waiata, Te Ru, and Royal Maid were close up, and Axite last. As the first and second favourites each paid dividends, and the public had enjoyed a mor exciting race, everyone left the course in the best of spirits.