Racing Reviewed.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1101, 18 May 1911, Page 7

Racing Reviewed.

HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB’S AUTUMN MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) As a rule postponed race meetings are not a success from the financial aspect, but such was not the case with the adjourned fixture of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, who pulled off their autumn gathering on Friday and Saturday. The day fixed for the opening of the meeting (Wednesday) was a wretched sample of climate for it rained and blew with solid power from early in the morning, and, at a meeting of the executive of the club, it was decided to postpone the fixture until the two following days. Thursday morning proved no improvement on the preceding day, and after a short conclave on the part of the committee, the fiat went forth that there would be no racing on that day, but it was intimated that wet or fine, hail or sunshine, the heats would be run for on Friday and Saturday. Up to a late hour on Thursday night it looked good business to back the rain to be a fair winner for the morrow; however, this opinion proved erronous, for Friday morning opened fine, and as the day progressed it was more like an early spring day than one late in the autumnThe attendance was on a par with that seen at previous autumn gatherings, and that they were financially strong may be judged from the fact that the tote investments showed an increase of £4085 10s when compared with the sum put through at a similar venture last season. Of course, the fact has to be taken into consideration that the bookmakers were not in evidence, and the revenue collected from them last May was absent from the coffers of the club on Friday. Still the profit on the increased amount registered in the machine would, I have no doubt, even up matters. Although a power of moisture descended on the two days preceding the meeting, the going was not at all bad, and some excellent racing was witnessed.

A good field of eleven ranged up under the starter for the 'opening item, the Longlands Hack Hurdles, Golden Water, who had the services of J. Hercock, being most in demand, Winchester and Rabbiter coming next in choice. The latter soon put his supporters on the losing side, for at the hurdle in front of the stand the first time round he tossed out, and his prospects were gone like his fanciers’ coin. Tina Toa, who has not been long in practice at the lepping business, got to the fronit in the early portion of the game, but when Rangi Thompson asked Appin for some of his best at the half mile post, that was the end of the argument as far as the remainder of the bunch were concerned, for from this out Miss Beckwith’s son had the recame from nowhere in the last couple came from no where in the last couple of furlongs, and along with Winchester had a rattling set-to for second place and dividend, the award coming to the former by a good head. Appin has been very unlucky, for although he has been mighty adjacent on many occasions he has never before been placed a winner on a course where the machine has been in force, his only first place score having been secured at the Woodthorpe meeting this season, which club does not enjoy the privilege of being able to use the totalisator. Seventeen runners were hoisted for the Maiden Plate, and with the big pull in the weights that came the way of the two-year-old brigade it was naturally no surprise to see that backers made the Christchurch-owned filly Aphaea a very warm favourite, the two-year-old daughter of Stepniak carrying a third of the total sum figuring on the automatic dispenser of odds, Monologue, who had A. Oliver as her pilot, coming next on the roll, Merrimac, the two-year-old full brother to Pluck, third favourite. The prophesy of punters worked out fairly accurate, for Aphaea won by a good margin from Merrimac, with St Bees third. Solon, a fine-looking son of Nestor and Mahi, was fourth. Gray rode one of his well-timed races on Aphaea, for he let the field get well into the straight when he bundled his mount through on the rails and never afterwards gave the opposition the slightest opportunity of arguing with him for he was a clear two lengths in advance of Merrimac as the pole was reached, St. Bees a bad third.

Another well-backed one bore out the accuracy of the anticipations of her followers in the following contest, the Nursery Handicap, the goods being Blue Lake, who comfortably silenced her aggressors. She had the event won in the first furlong as she was first out, and, coming on in great style, the further that she went the farther was she in advance, and the fiat came her way by a good two lengths, and then at no portion of the route was she being asked to do her best. Bootle had his work cut out to beat Rangiatua for second place, the honour only being gained by the barest of heads, Trieze, a nice turned stamp of a gelding by Hierarch out of Lute, fourth. Royal Scotch, who had accepted for the event, was withdrawn, one of his

stable mates in Easy, the full sister to Floater, bearing the blue and white uniform for Mr. E- J. Watt. She was never prominent, and ran very green. Vibration was a slightly better first favourite than Formby for the Porangahau Handicap, with Nyland in the third post of honour. None of the choice parcels came to light, the best any of the trio could do was that the favourite managed to run second to the Birkenhead mare Hermia, who, , despite the fact that Vibration got well out of the slips, was soon upsides with him and this pair came along by themselves. After a furlong had been compassed the remainder of the bunch (nine in number) toiled along in the rear with no hopely chance of success. As it was, W. Young, on Hermia, by strenuous exertions, just managed to salute the judge in the leading position by a long head, Birkline a clear two lengths to the bad for third money. There is not the slightest doubt that Birkline had the misfortune of the piece, for he got hung up in the cord when the start was effected, and was the absolute last to leave the mark. Under these circumstances the Gis-borne-owned neddy put up a good go, and it would be to the benefit of backers if they were to note these facts for future speculation. Nyland, who was sweating a great deal, got rid of Oliver as he came out of the bird-cage and seemed to be in a particularly erratic mood. He was never sighted near the advance guard during the run. Formby was well up in third place to the half-mile post when he subsided and went back to the rear quickly.

When the numbers were hung up for the Hawke’s Bay Cup it was seen that there was only one defection from the eleven coloured on the card, the absentee being Gold Lace. ViceAdmiral, who looked as bright as a new-minted sovereign, was selected as the right way out of the difficulty, Bliss, who had been putting in attractive displays on the tryout for some time past, second fancy, and Lady Menschikoff third choice. When the lever was sprung Bliss hopped out in a speedy manner and with Separator in close attendance carried on the running until five furlongs from home was reached when the latter forged to the lead with Cheddar third and Fort William fourth, the favourite well back. Just prior to sweeping aroung the home bend Bliss had got the better of Separator, and Fort William was slightly better placed than Cheddar. When once well in the straight going Fort William, striking out in vigorous style, rushed to the front, and at the distance post was an assured winner. Lady Menschikoff, who had been a long way in the rear, made a strenuous run when the home bend was reached, and, keeping up her run, soon had Bliss at her mercy, but could not reach Fort William, whose margin at the conclusion of the bout was a full three lengths, a similar distance dividing second and third, Separator fourth, Te Puia fifth. The favourite and Cheddar were apparently hampered by the going for they did not seem to be at ease at any stage of the debate. The connections of the winner were sanguine to the highest degree regarding the chances of the handsome son of Soult, and by the comfortable manner in which he secured the stake, it looked as if they were acting on the best of information. The coin was lumped on to Whakaweira in such a solid manner that there was no doubt who would start favourite for the Karamu Hurdles, and when the machine shutters went down on the affair it was soon discernable that the son of Pilgrim’s Progress had nearly half the money invested on the race standing against his number, Hoanga, second favourite, and Corazon third selection, the outsider of the pack being Te Arai. The ’chaser appeared, to be in good fettle, and although he was never

playing from a long suit at any portion of the trip it is quite feasible to assume that later on he will occupy a much more prominent position than was the case last Friday. Reumac and Longner soon put their supporters out of court, for the former went out at the first fence, and Longner followed suit at the next obstacle. Whakaweira and Corazon (who fenced in a capital style) were the pioneers right up to the last hurdle, where Hoanga assumed command, and as Whakaweira was nearly down at this fence it looked as if the Aucklandowned gelding was sure to get the award. Flynn made a wonderful recovery upon Whakaweira, and, catching Brady napping, managed to land his mount a long head winner, Corazon a fair third.

Out of the sixteen who proceeded to the post to try conclusions in the Poukawa Hack Race Soultiform was speedily appointed first favourite, a £3OO margin separating him from the second selection, Perceler, Amaru third pick. The favourite landed his backers in a hole, for he was never anywhere near the front at any portion of the excitement. Axis was the first to get moving and coming along in a determined fashion soon had a three-lengths lead from Perceler, who was next in command, the balance of the competitors being strung out like floats on a seine net. Entering the straight Perceler met with a lot of interference and by the mishap his efforts were considerably nullified. All the time Axis was still vigorously asserting her right to the lead, and though Emmerson got Perceler straightened up and rode for. his life upon him Axis was not to be denied and victory came her way by a long head, Amaru, who looked to have winning prospects half a furlong from the mark, close up third- Axis paid a sensational dividend, which was cut up amongst very few, the proverbial Chinaman being one of the first at the window when the paying out process was in progress. D. Munn, who trains Axis, had a half share on the mare, and Mrs. Hori Tupaea, wife of the owner, who is a well-known native sport resident at Te Ante, held a couple of chances on the chestnut daughter of Renown and Eland. She was bred by Mr. G. Hunter at Porangahau, and early in last January was purchased by her present owner. The breeze from every portion of the course murmured sweet and softlv Wimmera, when the betting was fairly under way in connection with the concluding item of the afternoon’s sport, the Autumn Handicap, and those that listened to the waftings had no reason to complain for the game and gallant son of Mousquetaire just done as he liked with those who lined up against him, never at any stage of the trip being asked to exert himself to the full of his bent, and his annexation was accomplished in the most comfortable manner imaginable. One hundred yards from the post it looked any odds that Bunkum would get second, but he stopped to nothing a few yards from the post and the fast-finishing Peacemaker just got up in time to snatch the honours and dividend attached to second birth by the narrowest of margins from Flatter’s son, who apparently was short of a gallop or otherwise he would not have stopped so quick.

SECOND DAY. Another fine sample of climate was favoured to the spectators on Saturday, and there was again a good attendance. The track was greatly improved when compared with the state on the previous day, and in the manor portion of instances improved times were registered. Good, exciting contests were again in the preponderence, a fact which won well-merited enconiums for Mr. H. Coyle, whose work in alloting the avoirdupois gave ample evidence that he had studied the merits and capabilities of the various horses that had come up under his review. As usual with the staff of the metropolitan club they were all up to date in the performance of their many duties and consequently matters were made pleasant for patrons. That those present had come prepared to back their fancies can be gathered from the statement that when the totals for the day were made up in connection with the totalisator, it was seen that £10,711 had been handled by the staff employed on the tote, this amount being an increase of £2901 over the sum which was put through on the second day ' of the autumn gathering in 1910, the sum handled for the two days amounting to £21,428, or an increase of £6987 when compared to the total

figures for a similar meeting last seasonAppin’s excellent showing in the Longlands Hack Hurdles on Friday had the effect of attracting attention to him in the Ohiti Hack Hurdles, and his numerous partisans by their financial support soon placed him at the top of the poll in the betting over the affair, Golden Water, who had failed to get a berth behind Appin the previous afternoon, coming next in choice, Artie third selection. Punters got very near the correct solution of the problem in their forecasts through the betting machine for after a strenuous, vigorous go with Appin, Golden Water just managed to score from the favourite by the finest of heads. Tina Toa, who had been prominent for the first six furlongs, a poor third. Napper, a big solid gelding by Birkenhead out of Snooze, who carried the all cerise of the Laird of Karamu was fourth. The following event, the Okawa Hack, produced a regular muddle, for owing to the starter having let the field go at 12.50 instead of the correct time 12.55, the race was declared null and void. In the no race Composed won, with Mira second, Peacemaker third. Only a few minutes were lost in again despatching the field on their errand. Erin, who had not shown out at all in the first attempt, hit the turf smartly when

Harry Piper sprung the lever, and that was the finish of the debate as far as first place was concerned, for she never allowed any of her opponents to get on arguing terms with her and at the finish had a margin of quite four lengths from Solon, who was a bare head in advance of Raupare. The latter did not have a singleticket taken out on her number. In the Hawke’s Bay Stakes Bandiera had 154 sovereigns more invested on him than Royal Scotch, this pair between them carrying two-thirds of the total invested on the event. They justified the selection made by their supporters for in a great go between the brace, honours came theway of Mr. Watt’s handsome colt, who is a determined, resolute galloper, a remark which also applies to the Stead-owned colt. Both are sons of Royal Artillery, and their displays were a credit to their sire. Madam Madcap was a moderate third, and the balance of the field were like the man who toppled out of the airship —not in it. Altcar set the pace solid from an equitable dismissal, and after going a couple of furlongs it looked as if he would take some gathering, but the hopes of his supporters were of the shortest duration after another couple of hundred yards had been covered, for he then came back to Royal Scotch and Bandiera, and at the finish was a long way out of it. Royal Scotch’s annexation marked thefirst occasion upon which Mr. Watt has secured the. Hawke’s Bay Stakes. Out of the thirteen figuring on the card for the Burke Memorial two in Fort William and Queen of Scots declined to go on with their contracts. Bliss was the elect of the bunch in the speculation over the contest, then came Vice-Admiral, Lady Menschikoff,. in second and third favourites positions. Vi and Bliss set out to make the pace solid and succeeded in doing so for five furlongs, when thelatter apparently had enough of the heat and strain and retired from prominence. Lady Menschikoff was always handy and was not kept out of the go in the early stages as was the case in the Hawke’s Bay Cup, and when the straight was reached she was treading the heels of Vi, who a few lengths further on threw up the sponge, and wilted out of the argument. This left Lady Menschikoff in command, and though both ViceAdmiral and Woodhey put in good work to wrest command from Menschikoff’s daughter, it was of no avail, the little mare sticking to her task in a resolute manner and capturing by a good length from Vice-Admiral, who was about a couple of lengths ahead of Woodhey when the pole was reached. Te Puia was fourth and Bliss last. Cheddar again failed to make a prominent showing, and at the finish was a considerable distance away from the winner. Perceler was pounced on as the correct goods for the Scurry Hack, in which he had thirteen others arrayed against him, and the good opinion formed by his partisans regarding his powers was fully and favourably .demonstrated, for although Auroa was allowed to steal along in front until the home stretch was reached, Emmerson here had only to shake the favourite up, alnd the finish was easily guessed, and those that pinned their selection on the chestnut son of Gold Reef made no mistake in their guess, as he came home a decent

winner uy a couple ot lengtns irom the previous day s winner Axis, wuost lorwara uispiay in the run nome demonstrated oeyonn question tnat Her score me preceding aiternoon was no mine, axis returned a gooa dividend tor second position, that tnere were ten times more invested on tier number tnan was the case on Friday. Auroa was a moderate third, tue remainder of the runners being scattered all over the straight. Amaru, the second favourite, cut up badly, a remark which also applies to Tnrave, the third best backed, for they were never adjacent to the leading tiles. A trio in Jtt.eum.ac, Hoanga, and Liya proceeded to the post for the discussion of the Mangatarata Hurdles, the latter being the chosen parcel, with Hoanga second favourite. As usual Liya quickly got moving, and before you could wink, had a break of twenty lengths from Hoanga, who headed off Reumac as the trio came into the straight for the first time. The opening fence proved the undoing of Hoanga, who toppled over, and gave. Brady a nasty bump. Along steamed Eiya, and it appeared as if it was only a question or how far he would win by for at the half-mile post he had a lead of fifty yards from Reumac, and in addition, the latter was fencing in a very slovenly style. About a couple of furlongs from the chair Reumac commenced to decrease the gap, and when in the run for home was within striking distance oi Eiya, who appeared to be suffering from that tired feeling. At the last hurdle,. about a distance from the mark, Reumac got on level terms with the son of Mahaki, and the latter nearly stopping to a walk, allowed Reumac to annex by a good tour lengths. Every other whisper that 'was heard throughout the length and breadth of the course was win? why of course she will, referring to Blue Lake, and the solid appearanced daughter of Blue River was quickly installed first selection. for the Juvenile Handicap, with Aphaea in second place, and Eltboat as third fancy. There is no doubt that had the winner, Rangiatua not met with a mishap just as he gct’out of the bird cage, when another horse collided with him and unseated his rider, F. Meagher, and also brought him to the ground, he would have had more attention paid to him, for at one time it looked as if Meagher was badly hurt. However, he quickly got seated again and proceeded to the point of dismissal, and getting the colt out quickly when the cord flew up, soon established a commanding lead, Blue Lake being his nearest attendant throughput the trip. She had to put her best leg foremost in the last, bid to silence Trieze, who came, at a special speedy turn fifty yards from the settling point. She managed, however, to hold the stable comrade to Fort William in check, though she could not reach Rangiatua, who prevailed by a clear three lengths. Bobrikoff was one of the seven saddled up for the final item on the card, the Farewell Handicap and right well did the black champion look. He, however, was the outsider of the bunch, his 10.6 no doubt having the effect of making punters look a couple of times and look hard before they parted with their coin. Directly operations commenced in the betting market, it could easily be discerned that Vibration and Faunus. would have a close run for the premier position in the field of speculation, and when the shutters went down the reckoning showed th at.the former had 73 more sovereigns invested on him than the lop-eared son of The Officer, Hermia having the next best following. The event does not require much description, for the winner, Sunburnt, was first out and first home,- his capture being secured in a very comfortable style from Faunus, who was about the same distance in front of Effort, who made up a deal of leeway in the last furlong and a-half. Bobrikoff was an indifferent last. Riding honours over the meeting were headed by W. Young with four successes, H. Gray, C. Emmerson, and W. Price coming next with a couple of victories apiece, R. Thompson, F. Flynn, H. Tricklebank, A. Oliver, J. Hercock, and F. Meagher each adding a single score to their winning compilatipn. . . . ,/• Baby had a horrid pain, Chucked away his dummy. Squirmed and screamed and squirmed again, Frightened his poor Mummy, Till at last she could endure Baby’s cries and screams no more,. Unless you get Woods’ Peppermint Cure, Soothed his little tummy.