TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 24 November 1910, Page 5

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

OPENING DAY ON SATURDAY. The spring meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club will be inaugurated on Saturday next, at the Club’s course, Devonport/ Meetings held under the auspices of the Takapuna Jockey Club are always a success, and consequently are looked forward to by racegoers. Another item which makes the gatherings so popular is the fact of the outing being such a cheap one, the return fare, including admission to course, being but one shilling. The course at present is looking well, and with the arrangements well in hand we can confidently look forward to a large attendance at the marine suburb on Saturday when racing commences. As usual, the Ferry Company will run steamers every few minutes to and from Devonport to carry passengers. Racing will commence with the Trial Handicap in which nine horses are engaged- The top-weight, Frontino, may find the distance too far, but Royal News and Waiotahi should have no difficulty on that score. However, a mare who looks like turning out useful is Monolope, and she may be the one most in demand, while Royal News and Scotch may be well backed. The youngsters engaged in the Cambria Handicap appear to be a very moderate lot, and this is just the event to end in a surprise. Tranquil is at the head of the list and she should start favourite, although if Solitudo was well she would probably be hardest to beat. However, she has been suffering from a cold and backers may prefer Tranquil. The principal event, the St. Andrew’s Handicap, comes next, and with 11 horses engaged there is every indication of a fine contest over the mile and a-quarter journey. Uranium certainly has all the weight she is entitled to, but she is so consistent on suburban courses that she is certain to claim a number of admirers. Lochbuie ran below expectations at Ellerslie, but he may prove his running to be all wrong. The same may be said of Sea Elf, who is well in with 7.11. Master Theory is a promising sort, while Manapouri can see the journey out. Regain appears unreliab’e, while the distance may prove beyond Dazzling. If Prophet could be relied upon to reproduce his track form he would be very hard to beat, but it must be remembered that each time he has started in a flat race he has let his supporters down badly. Haldane and Coromandel will have to improve on recent showings to win, but Spectre has been running well in hack company and with a feather-weight up may take some beating. It is difficult to say what will start favourite, but perhaps Spectre and Uranium will count most admirers. The Maiden Hurdles is always an interesting event, and Saturday’s race

should prove no exception. If ever Delegate is to win a hurdle race this appears to be his chance and he should see a short price, while St. Maria may also carry some money. A field of 14 is engaged in the Cheltenham Handicap, and some very fast horses are inculded in the list. Turbine may find 8.12 a bit too much towards the end, but he is such a good beginner that he cannot be overlooked. Miss Winnie and Sir Artegal can muster up plenty of pace, but the favourite may be Kapanga, whose form at Ellerslie entitles him to consideration. Next to Kapanga, Miss Winnie may have most friends. Spectre heads the list in the Melrose and if started would take a power of beating. In the absence of the top-weight it is difficult .to say what will be favourite, as the event looks very open. Maykoff is improving and a good race may be expected from him, while Arawa and Haku can muster up a bit of pace. The lenient treatment meted out to Black Northern has probably had the effect of reducing the field in the Tiri Hurdles to four and if Salvadan’s son is beaten it would rank as a surprise. Hoanga appears to be on the Improve. Racing will conclude with the Pony Handicap, in which Mr. Sadd’er’s mare Peggy Pryde will start a strong order and her prominent running at Ellerslie would justify this. Of the others the most fancied may be Maika. The meeting will be concluded on Wednesday, when the Spring Handicap of 150sovs, one mile, will form th* 3 chief event. The acceptances for the first day’s events are as follows: — CHELTENHAM HANDICAP, five furlongs and a-half.—Turbine 8.12, Sir Artegal 8.12, Miss Winnie 8.10, Kapanga 8.0, Lady Frances* 7.7, Lady Dot 7.2, Toa Tuhi 7.2, Golden Loop 6.13, Captain Soult 6.11, Impulsive 6.11, Elegance 6.9, Aristos 6.8, Taka 6.8, Princess Soult 6.8. MAIDEN HURDLES, one mile and 100 yards.—Delegate 10.6, Don Quex 9.6, Kaiwaka 9.6, Sabine 9.4, St. Maria 9.1, Whataroa 9.0, Powerful 9.0, Blue Rocket 9.0, Seldom 9.0, Rangiora 9.0, Bonny Jean 9.0. FIRST PONY HANDICAP, five furlongs and a-half.—Mistime 9.0, Mighty Atom 8.12, Peggy Pryde 8.8, Norway 8.0, Miss, Stella 8.0, Maika 7.3, Red Lup’n 7.2, Kuratau 7.0, Caedmon 7.0. TRIAL HANDICAP, one mile.—Frontino 7.9, Royal News 7.7, Heta 7.5, Waiotahi , 7.4. Scotch 7.0, His Highness 7.0, Monolope 7.0, Hamadryad 7.0, Monoplane 7.0. CAMBRIA HANDICAP, four furlongs. —Traquil 8.1, Sylverlyte 7.5, Worcester 7.5, Oboe 7.5, Kaween 7.0, Solitudo 7.0, Gibson Girl 7.0, Harrigan 7.0, Merci 7.0, Condamine 7.0. ST. ANDREW’S HANDICAP, one nrle and a-quarter.—Uranium 9.0. Lochbuie 8.0, Sea Elf 7.11, Master Theory 7.9, Manapouri 7.9, Regain 7.8, Dazzling 7.3, Prophet 7.2, Haldane 6.13, Coromandel 6.11, Spectre 8.10. TIRI HURDLE RACE, one mile and three-quarters.—Black Northern 10.3, Tui Cakobau 9.10, Hoanga 9.6, Rangihaeta 9.6. MELROSE HANDICAP, five furlongs and a-half.—Spectre 9.0. Haku 8.9, Miss Grizzle 8.2, Lucille 8.2, Miss Ada 8.0, Miss Livonia 7.13, Ruffy 7.12, Watchcha’n 7.12, Goodwin Sands 7.12, Vivace 7.12, Bonny Fishwife 7.12, Monolope 7.12, Mary Ann 7.12. Maykoff 7.12, Arawa 7.12, Kowaru 7.12, Presently 7.12, Bogey 7.12, Parawai 7.12, Lady Betty 7.12.