AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1021, 30 September 1909, Page 5

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

SECOND DAY’S RACING. ELYSIAN WINS THE GUINEAS. Favoured again with fine weather, the second day’s racing of the Avondale Jockey Club drew a large attendance. The racing was close and the fields generally large. As on the opening day, all the officials carried out their duties satisfactorily. During the day the sum handled at the machine totalled £7130 10s, an increase of £543 compared with the second day last year. In addition, 24 bookmakers were licensed at a fee of £l2 10s each. THE RACING. BEN JONSON FAILS BADLY. The programme opened with the Second Hurdles, for which Ben Jonson was made favourite, but he let his supporters dawn badly, and never got near the leaders. A rank outsider in Kaitangata cut out all the running, and at the entrance to the straight it looked as though he iwas going to bring off a big surprise, but Swagsman, vigorously ridden by Julian, gradually wore him down and won by a couple of lengths. The supporters of Kaitangata received a really substantial dividend for second place. Commander ran a fair race and finished third, while the first day’s winner, Newtown, broke down after going six furlongs, and was pulled up. ANOTHER SURPRISE. Only a quintette went out to contest the President’s Handicap, the betting being fairly even between Impnrus and Doggerbank. However, neither had a chance with Tetrazzin’, who jumped away in front and remained there throughout, winning eas

ily by a length and a-half from Imprimus, with Doggerbank three lengths further back third. ELYSIAN WINS THE GUINEAS. Five went out for the Avondale Guineas, for which Elysian was made an odds-on favourite. Salute was soon out in front, followed by Elysian, wh le Kakama was slow to move. Sahite’ continued in front till a couple of ...furlongs from home, when Elysian ranged alongside, and, going on, he won comfortably by a couple of lengths from Salute, .who just beat Kakama for second money. Excalibur and Fighting Fish were some distance away." : THE NURSERY HANDICAPAshby was withdrawn from the Nursery Handicap, and backers at once seized upon King Soult as the; best if the youngsters to put their coin on. Here they showed good judgment, for the son of. Soult had his race won some distance from home, and defe :.t--ed Solus by a length and a-half. The latter finished well, and was overhauling King Soult fast at the finish. Monoplane, by Monoform, who was almost neglected on the machine, finished only half a length away third. A RUNAWAY VICTORY. Lochbuie was in most demand in the Plumpton Handicap, but the best he could do was beat Coromandel for second place. Miss Winnie, when the barrier rose, cleared right away from the field, and never gave anything a chance, winning very easily by about three lengths. Tattoo, the Cup winner, was amongst , the field, and finished absolutely last, just behind Grenadier. A GOOD RACE. Seldom, Fleet Arrow, and Spectre were all well backed in the Kingsland Handicap, and after Fleet Arrow had made most of the running, Gray brought Seldom along and won a good race by a length, with the handsomelooking Captain Webb colt Beach a neck away third. Spectre got a bad run and finished fourth, while First Defence fell. A POOR FIELD. Odds were laid on Tanekaha’s ability to dispose of the moderate lot opposed to him in the Nihotapu Handl cap, and he never gave his backers any cause for anxiety, as he was first away, and remained there throughout, winn’ng easily by a length from Fraulein, who finished fast and defeated Rarata by a couple of lengths for second place. AIMWELL DEFEATS A HOT FAVOURITE. Kareroa, Necktie and Aimwell were the only starters in the final event, and Necktie was backed as if the race were all over. However, her supporters received a rude shock, and although she was first into the straight, she had no chance with Aimwell, who finished up his task in good style, and showed that he is a much-improved horse. . Kareroa was some distance away third. THIRD DAY. Beautiful weather again prevailed on Saturday, when the Avondale Jockey Club brought a most enjoyable meeting to a close. With but two exceptions the fields were good, but the races were generally won easily. Mr. R. B. Lusk as judge, and Mr. F. W. Edwards as starter, each carried out his duties satisfactorily, while Mr. El. H. Hayr. the club’s secretary, conducted the meeting in his usual up-to-date manner. There was a large attendance, and this, of course, means that Mr. J. E. Cook and staff were kept busy at the totalisators. During the afternoon £9837 was handled, against £9440 on the third day last year, making a total for the meeting of £25,921 10s, an increase of £1541 compared with last year’s gathering. Twenty-four bookmakers paid £l2 10s each to bet, and the amount "e ceived from the pencillers by the club during the three days was £912 10s. During the afternoon the Garrison Band, under Conductor G- F.’ Cater, rendered a programme of mucical items.