THE RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1047, 31 March 1910, Page 5

THE RACING.

Racing commenced with the Steward’s Handicap, for which Miss Advance was made favourite. When they settled into their stride, Tattoo was in front, just clear of Miss Advance, and then came Coromandel, and Waimangu, with Freevata a long way back last. Tattoo still had charge going through the cutting, and he turned for home well clear of Miss Advance. Coming on in good style Tattoo kept off all opposition and won nicely by two and a-half lengths from Coromandel, with Miss Advance three lengths further back third. On his showing the first day Blue Garment counted sufficient admirers to send him out favourite, while Admiral Soult and Lady Frances.-also had plenty of backers. Emblem played up at the post, and caused a long delay. When the barrier rose Emblem was one of the first away, and at the end of a furlong she was clear of the field, the most prominent of whom were All’s Well, Blue Garment and Admiral Soult. The positions remained unaltered till well into the straight, when Lady Frances and Soultoria came out of the ruck, but though they both finished strong they had no chance with Emblem, who won easily by two lengths and a-half from Lady Frances, with Soultoria three lengths further back third, and All’s Well fourth. Eight two-year-olds faced Mr. O’Connor in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, and when betting ceased, War Song was found to be favourite, but he only carried nine sovereigns more than King Soult, while not far behind in the betting came Birkdale and Apelion. A fair start saw War Song soon in front with Apellon and Birkdale next, and the order was the same at the half-mile post, where Antoinette was running behind Birkdale, and then followed King Soult. War Song strode along in front, and he turned into the straight just clear of Apellon and Birkdale, while King Soult began to move up. At the distance the whips were out all round, and a great race to the post saw Apellon stay best and win nicely from War Song with King Soult half a length away third and Birkdale next. Eleven horses went out to contest the St. George’s Handicap, and backers made Merrivonia favourite with Ngapuka next in demand. Rauparaha was -left a bit when the tapes flew up, but the remainder of the field got away together. Maheno led past the stand the first time just clear of Taimainupo, Woodhey, Waiari and Sedition. A little further on Taimainupo and ..Woodhey headed Maheno and running along the back

the first-named, led Woodhey a length with Maheno, Sedition, Wauchope and Waiari, close up in a bunch. Just before the five furlongs post was reached Woodhey ranged alongside Taimainupo and when they raced across the cutting she was in front with Sedition coming last on the outside and Santa Rosa emerging from the ruck. Taimainupo was done with at this stage and Woodhey continued to carry the field along across the top stretch with Sedition now running second closely attended by Waiari and Santa Rosa. Woodhey was the first to straighten up for the run home but once the box loomed up in sight the whips came out all round and a grand race home saw Sedition win by a length and a-half from Woodhey who beat the fast finishing Santa Rosa by half a head for second money. Waiari was fourth and then came Ngapuka, Merrivonia and Taimainupo in that order, the last fd'reach the box being Rauparaha. ' Only seven lined up at the post in the Huia Handicap with Kakama in the position of favourite. General Soult was quickest away and he showed the way across the cutting followed by Kakama, Miss Winnie, Ambala and Sea Elf. The positions remained unchanged in the run to the head of the straight* but the field then closed up and at the distance, they were all in it. About 50yds. from the post Sir Artegal drew away and won a splendid race by half a length from Sea Elf, with Kakama a neck away third and General Soult fourth the last to finish being Miss Winnie.

Of the five that contested the Autumn Steeplechase, old Cavaliero was picked out as the best of good things, the second choice oeing First Barrel. The latter led oyer the first couple of circuits and he was still in front going along the back the last time. Approaching the hill Cavaliero assumed command and it only looked a matter of his standing up to win. However, Red McGregor, who had not been jumping too well, gradually began to overhaul the field and when the fences on top of the hill were negotiated he was running just behind First Barrel in third place. In the run down the hill to the sotf wall he crept up and was within six lengths of Cavaliero when they landed on the other side and going on he jumped the last hurdle in the straight two lengths behind the favourite. Finishing up with a surprising run, Red McGregor was soon upsides with Cavaliero and the pair fought out a ding-dong finish, the verdict going to Red McGregor by half a length with First Barrel half a dozen lengths away third, Pleiades was fourth and Lock Fyne last. Wenonah was sent out an odds-on favourite in the Victoria Handicap, for which event 12 two-year-olds faced the starter. This race ended in one of the greatest surprises that have taken Jplace at Ellerslie, the little thought of Echo, a gtablemate of the favourite’s winning and returning his supporters over half a hundred for their sovereign. Doughboy caused trouble at the post and when they were sent away Wenonah was quickly into prominence only to be supplanted by Echo, who made every post a winning one and turned into the straight with a slight advantage. At the distance the son of Obligado was still having the best of it. Wenonah, Lucille and Duma then put in their claims and a stirring battle to the post saw Echo just get there by a bare half head from Wenonah with Duma only half a head away third and Lucille a head away. It was certainly one of the closest finishes yet witnessed at Ellerslie and of the four mentioned only the judge could select the winner. The curtain dropped with the Electric Handicap, a five-furlong flutter and Hohungatahi, wiio was making his first appearance at the meeting was soon in the pride of place in the betting, while Turbine was the next choice, but neither ran into a place in a field of six. Emblem, was again unruly at the post but she got well away, while Waiata was left. Turbine was quickly in front and with Emblem next followed by Mahinga and Hohungatahi, he carried the field along and turned into the straight two lengths clear of Emblem. Once in a line for home Emblem completely smothered the opposition for pace and ran home a winner by two lengths from Mahinga with Elegance finishing fast half a length away third.