WAIPUKURAU J.C'S ANNUAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1097, 20 April 1911, Page 6

WAIPUKURAU J.C'S ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Waipupurau Jockey Club was held on Easter Monday in showery weather. There was a large attendance, and speculation was brisk, the sum of £8515 being handled at the machines, compared with £7022 for the meeting last year. Five first favourites won during the day, but in the case of one (Erin) a protest was entered on the

grounds that the jockey, did not weigh in with the breastplate, and the stewards upheld the protest. Mr. W. GNightingale, secretary, had his arrangements well planned, ana tne meeting passed off in a satisfactory manner. H. Watson, the lightweight connected with the Karamu stable, was the most successful jockey of the day, being associated with the wins of Elfboat, Altear and Goldfinch. Proceedings opened with the Maiden Plate, for which there were eight runners. Only one two-year-old (Elfboat) was engaged, and as is usual at this time of the year, are always hard to beat in a weight-for-age maiden. Elfboat, on the strength of the god showing he made at ithe last Napier Park meeting, was installed a good favourite. Ngakau was first to begin, but before a furlong had been covered Scots Fusilier was in command, Elf boat lying a good way back. At .the top of the straight Elfboat worked his way to the front and from thence out had matters his own way, winning very easily from Golden Clasp, who just as easily beat Scots Fusilier. Ngakau fell at the top of the straight, bringing down Lady Edna. The jockeys J. Griffiths, rider of the latter, and P. O’Brien, who rode. Ngakau, were taken to the hospital, but it was found that the extent of their injuries were severe bruises.

The big rate of the day, the Waipukurau Handicap, was contested by five runners. Voetgang, Separator, Golden. Water, Amato, Obscurity were backed in that order. Golden Water, with‘Amato handy, was the order for over' a mile, with Obscurity a long way back last. Amato, who has only been up for about eight weeks, ran with his customary gameness, and when Moore called on him for an effort two furlongs from home he wore Golden Water down and won a good race by three-quarters of a length, with the favourite two lengths further back. The time, 2min 12sec, is good for the Waipukurau course on account of the stiff hill that there is to climb before the straight entrance. The winner paid the biggest dividend of the day, although at the meeting last year punters selected him in preference to California for the same race.

There were three runners for the Easter Handicap, and Erin was pounced upon as the best of good things. The issue was never in doubt, but, owing to the jockey not weighing in with his breastplate, the owner was deprived of the stakes, Obscurity, who never got within striking distance, being awarded first money and dividend. The other starter, King’s Lynn, finished about two furlongs behind and was very lame when he returned to the paddock.

Composed, Appin, Raupare was the order of favouritism for the Hack Handicap of one mile and a-quarter, but although Appin and Raupare filled places, Composed was never dangerous. Cork, who has usually been started in short distance races, led from the release of the tapes, and. making every post a winning one, he crossed the line with a length and a-half to spare, but it was a great race between Raupare and Appin for second place. The other occasion that Cork was started over a distance was at Hastings some 18 months ago, when he upset calculations by romping home from First Gun and King’s Prize. Mr. McGreevy, who purchased Cork cheaply a few week back, has had no occasion to regret his purchase, for it was the first occasion that he had stepped him out. Considering the way he won, the time 2min 13sec, was very good. Altear started a very strong order in the Two-year-old Handicap, Merrimac. being next in demand- Formulate, who is by Gold Reef from Formula, was first to begin and carried on the running at a merry bat until heads were turned for home. When Watson shook Altear up he had no difficulty in reaching Formulate, and he won in convincing style. Formulate easily beat Merrimac for second place. Easy, a full sister to Cork and Floater, was fourth and Divinia, a filly by Sylvia Park from the Car-

bine mare Mongonui, was left at the post and took no part in the race. The Ladies’..Handicap attracted eight runners, the Pilgrim’s Progress —Espanioler gelding Whakaweira starting a screaming favourite. Water o’ Milk carried on the running for over a mile from Whakaweira, Raupare and Polynices. When Hirst let the favourite have his head he rushed to the front and won anyhow from Raupare, Water o’ Milk third and Polynices fourth. G. Hirst came from Sandon specially to ride Espartero, but on account of that horse going wrong he luckily picked up the ride on the winner. Whakaweira, carried just on half- the money invested on the totalisafor. Pushful, the hero of many hurdle races, was a starter, but did not run at all forward. The Flying Handicap was contested by. four runners, Lord Possible starting first choice. Erin was saddled up for the second time during the day and was better supported than either Moreykoff or Ample. Moreykoff was knocked back just before the straight was reached, Lord Possible at that time being well in front from Erin. Half way down the straight it looked any odds on Lord Possible, but inside the distance Moreykoff came with a great rattle on the rails and the favourite had to be hard- ridden to win by a head. Erin was two lengths further backThere were 13 runners in the Final Hack Handicap of five furlongs, Perceler. being - a great favourite, Eiya second choice, and then Ortygia. Goldfinch, the winner, was fifth in demand. He began very smartly and was never headed, but over the last furlong Perceler and Eiya made great runs and as they flashed past the post, no one but the judge was sure of what had won.