THE WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1021, 30 September 1909, Page 6

THE WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Wanganui Jockey Club’s 1909 Spring Meeting, held on Thursday and Saturday, was one of the most enjoyable gatherings yet held here. The weather was delightfully fine both days, fairly good fields were the order, while the racing was of the very best possible description. The attendance was scarcely up to the average on either day, and the amount put through the totalisator showed a slight falling off, the figures in 1908 being £18,341, as against £16,364 —a decrease of £1977. About £5OO was received in fees from book-

makers during the two days. However, notwithstanding the falling off in tote receipts, it is safe to say that the club will come out well on the right side over the meeting.

The excellent management of the gathering was a feature upon which the club’s popular secretary, Mr. W. Hall, and his efficient staff are to be warmly complimented, the two days’ racing being got through without a hitch of any kind. The fact that during the two days only one favourite got home is ample proof of the remarkably good work done by the weightadjuster, Mr. George Morse, but further evidence of this was provided by the splendid racing witnessed, which was very close and exciting in most of the events. Another official deserving of warm praise is undoubtedly the starter, Mr. J. Coombe, who was congratulated on all sides upon the uniform evenness of his despatches. It is safe to say that better starting has never been seen here, several of Mr. Coombe’s efforts being well-nigh perfect.

Coming to the racing, it may be mentioned that it was most interesting throughout, as not only were fields good numerically, but class was well represented, several N.Z. Cup candidates, including the top-weight, All Red, sporting silk. The form shown by the Cup horses was for the most part good, Lady Lucy, Bridge, and All Red especially pleasing their supporters. The latter is still capable of improvement, but after getting badly away he was galloping at the finish like a champion in the big money event on the first day. The racing here and at Wellington will sharpen him up, and he should be at his best at Riccarton.

Lady Lucy won many admirers by her performance in the big money event on the second day. On the first day she had appeared to tire at the last bit, but with a quarter of a mile further to go she won easily at the end, coming with a magnificent run after being apparently hopelessly out of the contest in the early stages. The very fact that she is by Seaton Delaval out of that grand mare Hilda should be sufficient to stamp her as a stayer, and though she has now. earned a penalty she will be dangerous’in the big two mile race if she trains on all right. Bridge performed disappointingly in the Guineas, but he was unlucky, and in the Marangai Handicap on the second day showed that he is a good one. Sir Prize (late Kilmarnock), another Cup horse, looked very rough, and failed to run into a place, but it was noticed that he was going very strongly at the finish of the mile and aquarter. That the longer distance will suit him in the Cup is beyond question, and the St. Paul gelding will only need to reproduce the form he displayed in the Wanganui Cup to keep the best of them very busy. Roosevelt shaped nicely in the Higgie Handicap, in which he got second, and though some won’t have him as a Cup horse because of his small size, there is no getting away from the fact that he is a game little fellow, and can stay. THE RACING. Proceedings opened with the Flying Handicap on the first day, for which seven went to the post, Longner and Wimmera being the public selections. The winner turned up in Gold Lace (by Gold Reef — Kahuwhai), who squeezed home by a neck from Nicotine, who got off badly, otherwise he might have won. St. Bill ran like a commoner, finishing last. The Maiden Race fell to True Shot (a three-year-old filly by Pistol —Alveary) , owned by Mr. G. F. Moore. She galloped in most attractive style. A filly by Pilgrims Progress named Celaeno, an inmate of the Highden stable, came with a fine run at the finish of this event, and got second. She is engaged in the C.J.C. Oaks. Lady Medallist followed up his wins at Levin, Marton, and Rangitikei by scoring in the classic event, the Guineas, for which nine lined up at the barrier. Broadsword, owned by Sir G. Clifford, was sent out favourite, but only managed to get second, Tawhaki, a stable mate of the winner’s, running third. Bridge had a bad run, while Merriwa, whispered about as being a very speedy colt, fell after going a short distance, his rider (L. Wilson) being lucky to escape without injury. Six started in the big hurdles, Belario carrying most money, but he gave a poor showing, Mount Cook scoring comfortably from old Exmoor, who tried to win all the way, but tired at the finish. Once more the public put their trust in Wirral, but again the Birkenhead gelding failed. He led in great style for over a mile, flying his hurdles

splendidly, but compounded when Waimaria ranged alongside, the latter winning like the good one he is.

Miscast was entrusted with most money in the Putiki Hack Race, for which eight started. Twinkle and Dervish flattered their backers in the early part, but then faded away. Captain Bell (The Officer —Mona Bell) eventually won, and paid a good price. The top-weight, All Red, was made a slightly better favourite than Coronetted in the Spring Handicap, to which more than usual interest attached owing to the number of N.Z. Cup candidates engaged. All Red and Guiding Step both appeared a bit above themselves, but Lady Lucy was in perfect nick, and she shaped best of the quartette, running second to Coronetted, who, well ridden by young Coleman,' came with rare dash at the finish and won by a neck. SECOND DAY. Only three went out for the Owen Hendicap, Longner being regarded as the most likely winner. He hopped out well and led for three furlongs, when he stopped to nothing, and Irish Rifle going on got home without any trouble. Eleven contested the Moutoa Hack Handicap, Dr. Shimose having most followers, with Waiata next in demand. When the barrier went up Dr. Shimose dwelt and lost a lot of ground. Appllinaris led till half-way up the straight, where W. Price brought Waiata along. Thetis also joined in the struggle, and an exciting finish ended in favour of Waiata by a head, Apollinaris being a neck further away. The Brunswick Hurdles was practically a repetition of the first day’s struggle between Mount Cook, Exmoor and Whatakura, the three again finishing in that order. Exmoor was made a strong favourite, but after leading for a mile and a quarter tired. The field for the Hack Hurdles was the same as on the first day, with the addition of Chase Mab. For some reason Waipunehu was the most fancied, but Waimaria, who had 12.0 to carry, and Wirral were also well backed. Wirral was out on his own early, and stayed there, giving a splendid exhibition of jumping. Waimaria made a gallant effort with his big load, but he could not get up. The Higgie Handicap, 1% miles, was a good betting race, Coronetted carrying a little more coin than Swimming Belt. Roosevelt, Swimming Belt, and Coronetted were together at the bend, and the last-named was being heralded as the winner, when he swerved, and Roosevelt took command. At the distance Lady Lucy, who had been a long way in the rear, was called upon for a final effort, and responding gamely got up and won a grand race by a clear length. Waiata essayed to win the Railway Hack from end to end, and was going so well a furlong from home that the race looked all over, but Kilindini came very fast and snatched victory by a nose in the last stride, with Captain Bell half a length away. The curtain was rung down on a most pleasurable meeting by the running of the Marangai Handicap, for which Lady Medallist was voted a moral, but she did not move off the mark too well, and got chopped out. Bridge got away well, and led all the way. Mendip was almost level a furlong from home, but only on suffer--1 ance.

J. Morris, E. Lowe, and F. Coleman each steered two winners, and C. Jenkins, F. Cress, W. Price, W. Young, R. Young, T. Carroll, Copestake, and H. Telford one each.

A complaint was made that H. Telford had interfered with Waipunehu in the Hack Hurdles, and the Stewards severely cautioned him. The principal stake winners were: — Messrs. J. H. Prosser, £485; Klatt and McDonald, £230; F. Tilley, £210; E. J. Watt, £180; G. H. Gibson, £140;. Mrs. J. Bull, £125; Messrs. F. Hall, £120; A. Hall, £95; J. R. McDonald, £95; A. Peters, £95; and Mrs. Gieson £B5. Mr. G. F. Moore won £BO, Sir George Clifford £5O. The total given away was £2195.