SECOND DAY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1047, 31 March 1910, Page 7

SECOND DAY.

The meeting was concluded to-day under very much better conditions than prevailed on the opening day. A drying breeze considerably improved the track which was, however, still on the heavy side. Taking the racing all through it was as interesting as has been seen at Riccarton for a long time and in the last race in particular no one but the judge could be sure as to the placings. The Peerswick Hurdles brought about an extremely close finish. On the strength of his win on the first day Whatakura was sent out favourite, but through he ran a good race he was beaten by a neck by Southern Cross, who was meeting him on 51b better terms.

With Danube and Acrostic running in Mr. Greenwood’s interests in the Autumn Nursery Handicap it was not a very difficult task to find the public favourite. Formless, who had finished in front of Danube in the Champagne Stakes, was nearly as fwell backed. The result proved that with better going there might have been a different tale to tell in the Champagne Stakes. Formless was smartly away and at the top of the straight was moving well in front of the field. Inside the distance Hatch brought Danube along and he won nicely from Vice Admiral who beat Formless for second place by a neck. Vice Admiral, who is full brother to Nautiform, was making his first appearance and gives promise of developing into a really high-class performer. Doubtless the success of Mr. Greenwood’s stable in this event induced the public to continue their support and in the next event, the Yaldhurst Welter, Perle d’Or was made a pronounced favourite in spite of the fact that she had run indifferently on the previous day. The full sister to Golden Slipper was always in a handy position and although at one time it looked as if Jenkins, on Rose Noble, might steal a surprise victory, Hatch got Perle d’Or going again in time to win by a head. The next event to claim the attention was the Great Autumn Handicap, for which all fourteen accept-, ors went out. Diabolo’s consistency in his recent efforts made him the public first choice, but there was very little to choose between him and Gold Lace, while Oiyoi was next best backed. Mr. Piper effected a splendid start from which Gunboat and Outlander were first to show out. The race was full of interest throughout for though Outlander was always in a good position there were frequent changes among the leading division. Rounding into the straight Tikitere was well clear of the field, but his effort was short-lived and at the distance Outlander was in front with Bridge in hot pursuit. A fine race saw the Ashburton representative beat Bridge by a head, while Oiyoi, who ran a great race with his substantial burden of 9.1, was only threequarters of a length away in third place. Diabolo was fourth, with Tikitere next.

The Addington Plate, the next race on the card, enabled Sir G’eorge Clifford to find a new owner for his filly Fasnakyle, who won comfortably from The Seer and was subsequently sold to H. Friedlander for 160sovs. The Eighteenth Challenge Stakes only served to complicate the two-year-old form, and at the same time to demonstrate what a bargain Mr. Greenwood secured when he purchased Armlet at Stelad’s sale for 500 guineas. As a result of her Champagne Stakes win Madam Madcap was sent out a very hot favourite, but she was beaten off the mark by Formby and when it came to racing at the finish neither had a chance with Armlet, who was a good length in ' front of Formby, with Madam Madcap about the same distance away third.

Petaatets was first fancy for the Templeton Handicap, but though at the top of the straight he looked like winning easily, weight told over the final stages and Effort, who came

with a brilliant run, beat him comfortably, with Queen of Spades third. The last event of the day, the Final Handicap, brought about, perhaps, the finest finish of the meeting. Lovelorn was always well up and though in the straight Kilwinning, Constadt and White Cockade put in great runs she lasted long enough to win.