Racing Reviewed.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1107, 29 June 1911, Page 7

Racing Reviewed.

HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB’S WINTER GATHERING.

A couple of exceptionally pleasant afternoons from a climatic point of view, a large attendance, and some interesting racing were the leading features last Wednesday and Thursday at Hastings. That patrons had come well provided with the necessary was demonstrated when the machine totals were added up after the final item on the card had been decided on Thursday, for it was then seen that £20,928 had been registered by the machine officials. This amount is £9,350 in excess of the sum that was passed through at the Winter fixture last season. Of course, the increase in a measure must be set down to the fact that there were no “bookies” operating at this meeting, as was the case in 1910, and from this it can be gathered that, in days gone by, pencillers must have handled a lot of coin in the pursuit of their avocations. The machine does it now, backers get far more remunerative returns than was the condition when the members of the book and pencil brigade were in evidence. This has been proved beyond doubt in the majority of instances, and the argument has much to do with the popularity of the totalisator. Winners were difficult to locate right throughout the meeting, a fact which is emphasised by the reality that but four first choices saluted the judge in the pride of place when the pole was reached at the termination of hostilities, so that followers of the prime selections must have experienced a particularly unpleasant period of it from a financial range of vision. “ Harry” Piper was in excellent form in dismissing the fields on their errands, and his efforts met with the appreciation they deserved, while the rest of the officials, headed by MrW. J. Stratton worked with might and main to make matters satisfactory for all interested. When the numbers for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase were hoisted in the square, it was seen that Lovell and Starlight had been withdrawn. The former got cast in his box the evening before and though he was not. much of a sufferer from the occurrence, it was considered advisable by his trainer to take no risks in connection with him, hence his elimination from the contest. Starlight, who is owned by Mr. G. L. Stead was reserved for the June Steeplechase on the following afternoon, when the trip was four furlongs shorter than the route in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase. Mount Cook, who had the services of W. Young found most favour from backers, carrying nearly a third of the total invested on the race, Sir Lethe next choice, Winiata, who had only a solitary sovereign less recorded on his number than Sir Lethe, next selection, Lingerer and Te Arai being outside goods. The top weight (Te Arai) appeared as if he was just a trifle on the big side and that a few more gallops would be beneficial to him. Sir Lethe looked bright and hearty, while no exception could be taken to Mount CookLull had a dry, rough appearance,, and the balance of the contestants, Lingerer, Winiata, Aorangi, and Yasmak, gave every indication that their preparations had been gone on with the right way. When the runners got fairly into their strides the light-weight Yasmak could be seen well in front, and she kent there for the best part of six furlongs, when Sir Lethe deposed her, and a little later on, Mount Cook, who was being held under a double reef ran into second berth, with Yasmak going solidly just clear of him. Coming to the half mile post the latter pulled to the fore with Mount Cook in close attendance, Sir Lethe having gone back to fourth place. Going past the stand for the last circuit, Sir Lethe held command, Mount Cook, Winiata, Aorangi, and Yasmak following in that order. At the six furlong mark Winiata made a rush and was right up with Sir Lethe, but the brush fence there proved his undoing for he toppled over; the next obstacle blotted Aorangi out, and right here Mount Cook took the lead with Yasmak at his heels, the pair coming into the clear run for home on nearly equal terms. At the last fence, Mount Cook and Yasmak were fighting it out desperately,, the brace‘ rising at it simultaneously. Once well over, however, the latter raced away from the Apremont gelding and registered an easy score by'quite eight lengths.

the same distance separating Sir Lethe from Mount Cook, Te Aral fourth, and Lull fifth, these being the only ones to finish; Lingerer having been pulled up four furlongs 'from the deciding point. Aorangi, who had broken one of his fetlocks was subsequently destroyed by the Club’s veterinary surgeon, Mr. Brodie. The winner is a daughter of Castor’s, who though somewhat on the small side, has got a fair amount of pace, and is as plucky as they are made. As a fencer she is neat and clean, never wavering or faltering in the slightest degree at any of the obstacles. At the meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club, last July, she easily annexed the Hunters’ Final Steep’echase, about two miles. Yasmak was well handled by C. Cress, who never bustled her nor tore her about, but let her run along at her , own gait, and when she was asked for an effort had a lot of reserve force in hand to reply to the question. Truly they were not a brilliant contingent, who were stripped for the June Steeplechase, the runners numbering a quartette, Sir Lethe, Winiata, Starlight, and Lull, Winiata having a call of £3O over Sir Lethe for the first selection position, the outsider being Starlight. Sir Lethe got going the quickest of the pack and led through the trip, without being approached until the run home was reached, when Lull made up his leeway and at the last obstacle was on terms with him. Once over it was all in favour of Lull, who coming on in good style, registered a win by a clear couple of lengths. Sir Lethe’s efforts in making such strong play all along the line took too much out of him, and in. the last bit he found that giving twenty one pounds to Lull was outside his cower. He fenced in a most attractive fashion never laying a toe on the fences, and to make all his own running and then last it out as well as he did, stamps him as a more than a fair sort at the industry, and who will have to be taken into consideration later on when the distance is not more than two and a-half miles in future contests over country. The favourite appeared to be badly bothered all a 7 ong the trip, and never at any stage of the contention appeared to have the slightest winning prospects. Lull was piloted hy the amateur horseman, Mr. A. Gordon, who rode a nice patient race and handled his mount in a talented, capable style. Previous to the start Lull showed muhsh propensities, for it took a lot of persuasion to get him away from the birdcage gate, and his conduct must have been exasperating to Mr. Gordon, who, however, did not knock him about in his endeavours to get him on the move. Hoanga, Sunray, and Lionheart were supported in the order in which their names are written for the Woodlands Hack Steeplechase, but their selection proved disastrous to their • followers, for the former ran around the second wing of the double in front of the stand, and both Sunray and Lionheart 'fell. Prior to the start Sardonyx became very unruly, letting his heels fly in all directions, and unfortunately kicked Clarence O’Neill who was up on Lionheart. It was a dreadful clout administered with both feet, and O’Neill screamed with pain. He was lifted from his mount and after lying on the ground for some time piuckily got up into the saddle again. When the lever went up Sardonyx refused to start and the rest, of the contestants went on without him. Lfonheart made the pace a solid one, and soon had a big break on, but after getting over the sod wall in the first circuit he toppled over and gave O’Neill a severe crumpling. As a result of his mistake, Lionheart broke one of his legs, and later on was put out of his misery. Hoanga was now left in command, but as I have previously said, put himself out of court by running off. This left Rosegrove with the lead, the order as they went out the last mile being Rosegrove, Wanstead, Kohupatiki, and Pushful. At the five furlong post Kohupatiki gave in and Wanstead improved his position, and half a furlong further on Pushful got within the danger zone, but a little later on went back again. The last fence saw Rosegrove and Wanstead hard at it, but in the last hundred yards it could be seen that Wanstead had his companion in trouble, and continuing in good style reached the deciding point by a good lengths advantage, Pushful quite a hundred yards back. The placed horses were the only ones to complete the course. The winner was bred by the late Mr. W. Rathbone, and is owned by H- Moore, who at one time was in the top hole notch amongst the horsemen over the obstacles in the

Colonies. Wanstead paid the dividend of the meeting, but unluckily his owner did not reap much of a harvest from the victory through the agency of the machine. The stewards met after the race, and administered a caution to Mr. C. Gordon the rider of Sardonyx for not starting. The. other Hack Steeplechase event saw a field of eight line up, Don Carlos and Wirral, who were not in evidence on the opening day, being amongst those who got under way. Notwithstanding that he had made a mistake on Wednesday, Sunray was elected favourite, Rosegrove and Don Carlos being backed in that order. The fanciers of the favourite were soon out of their money, for after being at the post for a 'few minutes, Flynn turned round and brought the gelding back to the birdcage and informed the trainer of Sunray that the horse was lame. On examination this proved correct, and he was immediately unsaddled and the field were despatched without him. Sardonyx was terribly erratic at the mark, but Piner after displaying a lot of patience with him in his antics caught him and the balance of the runners at the right moment, and a good send-off was witnessed. Sardonyx, with Don Carlos close in attendance made the pace stirring for about four furlongs, when the pair both ran off at the brush fence which is erected near this point, while Wanstead making a fumble at the same impediment dislodged his pilot. These misfortunes gave Rosegrove his opportunity, and he was not long in embracing the chance and went on with a big lead from Castle Canter, Wirral next, with Kohupatiki the only other one to stand up a long way in the rear. The order was not changed at any portion of the trip, and at the termination of the event Rosegrove got there comfortably three lengths in advance of Castle Canter, Wirral, half a dozen lengths away third. Kohupatiki was pulled up before the last two fences were reached, and was not persevered with. Considering that the winner had shown such good form in the Woodlands Hack Steep l echase he was allowed to pay a good price. The met after the race, and Flynn, the rider of Sunray, was cautioned that for the future he was not to leave the field without the express permission of the starter. Espartero, the half-brother by Torpedo to Whakaweira, made good at the gathering, for out of two starts he secured the verdict upon each occasion, and his successes were achieved in the easiest possible fashion- The victories were gained in the Ladies’ Bracelet, and the Kidnappers Hack Handicap Hurdles, so that it can be gathered that he is a versatPe performer. He is a fine, well bui 7 t sort of a horse, and as he is a stallion there will be a farther sphere for him when his period upon the turf has expired. Some time back I had him under offer to me for a station sire, and when I saw him romp home on Wednesday and Thursday a sorrowful pang went through my anatomy at missing the opportunity for my client. Mr. W. J. Douglas, his owner did not forget the members of the Press gallery in his hour of triumph, for directly after his victory in the jewellery event, the Laird of Te Mahanga sent wine up to the scribbling brigade, who drank success to owner and horse. In 1 the Ladies’ Bracelet, Espartero was opposed by ten others, the favourite choice being Golden Water, Hilarian, second favourite and Merry Lad third selection. None of the trio got on to the money, for Peary secured second honours' and the top weight Amato third shop. Mr. G. Hirst gave one of his usual finished exhibitions of horsemanship on the victor, but the same praise cannot be awarded to some of those who piloted the others. Peary, who is one of the Norsemaid clan, is but a three-year-old, and the good style in which he finished seems to imply that later on he will be heard of to advantage. Amato, who carried within a pound of 12 stone, was made too much use of half a mile from home, and he could only put up a very feeble reply when asked to go on and try and wrest command from Espartero a furlong from the finishing line. The favourite, who, judging on past performances, was well treated on the score of weight, was not sighted near the firing line at any portion of the fray, and another solidly backed participant in the argument, Hi’arian, could do no better than run fifth. Espartero’s other collection was gained in the Kidnappers’ Hack Hurdles, in which event, he was listed as third favourite, Euroco occupying the position of prime selection, the pair being; split by D’Nil in the order of sup-

port. Donzel, who was whispered around as a probable winner, took charge after jumping the third hurdle. Up to this stage the favourite had held sway, but through a mistake he made in going over the inside rail, instead of lepping the obstacle his prospect was gone. At the half mile post Donzel and Espartero were well clear of the field, but a faulty jump on the part of the latter sent him back to fourth position. Just prior to entering the straight run to the box, Espartero had regained his former -place, and coming to the last hurdle had Donzel settled, and keeping up his run in good style secured the award by a bare length from Donzel, a distance which had it been desired could have been greatly increased, D’Nil a poor third, and Polynices, who was a co third favourite, with the winner fourth, Bollin, who had a fair following (he was fourth on the list of favouritism) never appearing to have winning prospects. The other Hack Hurdle event fell to the favourite Napper, whose performance was full of merit, for half a mile from the line he was giving Captain Be 1 !, who was to the fore at this stage a big start- He however, proved equal to the effort for when Cress asked him for a sample of his best, the big fellow replied in a generous fashion, and quickly gathering in Captain Bell placed the verdict beyond argument half way down the running, D.Nil was only a moderate third, Cul’inan fourth, Tina Toa (who had held a good position up to a mile and a quarter) fifth, and Kildonan (who was one of the outside pack in the betting) sixth. The field for the Turamoe Hurdles was reduced to a trio, by the scratching of Centaur and Marton. Te Whetu had a large following in the betting transactions over the affair, as he had recorded on his number nearly half of the invested capital with Leolanter second choice. Windage held the pride of place for half a mile, but getting into the hurdle after compassing the four furlongs proved his quietus. Te Whetu was several lengths in the lead three furlongs from the deciding point, but prior to entering the straight Leolanter got to him and the pair rose at the last obstacle together. Leo'anter fumbled a f it badly and did not reach the ground as quickly as Te Whetu, who had a slight advantage on landing, and a clinking set-to between the pair saw Coleman land the chestnut son of Leolantis a winner all out by a bare length. The other open hurdle contest, the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, attracted ten runners, the favourite being Centaur, whose stab’e comrade had been withdrawn on the course from the race, Tina Toa, who had thirteen pounds less to carry than was the case when he contested the Whakatua hurdles on the opening day, taking the rank of second choice, Continuance being third pick. The event is easily described, for Continuance and Te Whetu, set out at a strong clip from the word go and very quickly had a big lead from the rest of the competitors. With five furlongs to go, Te Whetu went -'back and second position was taken by the favourite, at about three furlongs from the pole, Passive made a move and ran into third place, but through her rider endeavouring to get up on the inside he got pocketed and lost his guess. Had the interference not been met with, there is not the slightest doubt, that the black mare wou’d have been farther forward (she finished fourth), but there was not the least possibility of her being able to beat Continuance, who at the finish was only cantering. He was ridden by his trainer, G. Jones, who had an easy seat throughout the route. Centaur was just clear of Windage, with Passive fourth and Te Whetu fifth. Tina Toa cut up badly and was never near the head of affairs. Raupare fell at the bottom of the straight the first time round, and Leolanter passed out at the hurdle in front of the stand. Mr. J. Lucas, the owner of Continuance, was present to see the gelding score, but the rest of the Gisborne sports, who are generally in evidence when a Poverty Bay owned horse scores, were conspicuous by their absence. Continuance was bred by Mr. A. B. Newman, of Gisborne, and was sold by him to Mr. J. B. Hollier, in whose colours he won his first race, the Maiden Hack Scurry at the annual meeting of the -Poverty Bay Turf Club three years ago. Monsieur Soult was pounced upon as the correct article for the Ladies’ Necklace, the cause of the selection no doubt, being due to the fact that on the previous day in the Ladies’ Bracelet he had run fourth, and as

none of the place getters in that event were now engaged, it appeared good business to put confidence in his ability to score. The reasoning proved fallacious, however, for the relative to Maniapoto did not run one, two, or three, the annexer turning up in Hilarian the fourth favourite, Golden water, who had run badly in the other Ladies race, second, and Pohutu, who was well backed, third. Golden Water got a fly from the barrier and carried away the tapes. He was in the lead for about two and a half furlongs when a pull was taken on him, and Burton streaked to the fore- At this stage the favourite appeared to get mixed up and dropped to the rear. As the four furlong mark was. reached Burton subsided, and Pohutu took charge, and he led to the straight where Golden Water and Hilarian ranged up to him and soon had his measure. The latter put in a vigorous effort from the distance and running on in great style won by a clear two lengths from Golden Water, Pohutu, who tired badly in the last furlong, a length back. He carried three pounds over weight, which brought his impost up to 11.10, top weight, and his go was a really good one, when the fact is taken into account that he did a season at the stud last year and he has not been long in work. The big field of twenty-three was despatched for the Scurry Hack, backers pinning their faith on Projecti’e, who had H. Gray up in the hogskin, Gold Circle second best supported, and Composed coming next in favour. Backers were well on the mark in their selections, for Projectile got there with Mr. Donnelly’s colt second, Gold Battery, who was not much enquired ‘ for third, Hatana (who got chopped about at the home bend) fourth, and Eiya fifth. The winner was bred at Te Mahanga Station by the Douglas’ Brothers, and is a full brother to Thrave, who is now being educated at Hastings by J. Cameron, on beha’f of Mr. A. F. Douglas. Gold Circle had been doing such unsatisfactory work on the tracks of late that he was not fancied to any extent by his connections. In the Raukawa Hack with a furlong farther to travel than had been the case on the previous afternoon in the Scurry, and three pounds more to carry, Gold Circle was installed second favourite, the leading file in the betting being filled by Composed, Motoua Girl third pick. Stourton was the first to get out, and he >ed the other runners by a good gap. At the top of the home stretch Gold Circle reached him, and from this out Stourton went right back- With a furlong to go Moutoa Girl put in a vigorous onslaught but could not quite reach Gold Circle, who was under extreme pressure. He came on in good style and crossed the fine by a length and a half in advance of Moutoa Girl, who was a bare neck in front of Otahu as the box was reached, Composed, who was very slow to find his feet, and who had none the best of the run, coming fourth. There was spirited betting over the Heretaunga Handican, for which a dozen faced the starter, Vi, Cork, and Bliss being supported in that order. Starboard the fourth favourite had the verdict in his keeping at the distance, but through over confidence allowed Lowe on Vi to get up to him, and in a tight fight the Merriwee mare just proved a r.rifle superior. Had Trask on Starboard kept his mount up to concert pitch in the last furlong, a different description of the race would require to have been written. Eclogue, who was an excel’ent third was the extreme outsider of the bunch, and had she been able to improve her position at the finish her supporters would have a thumping dividend even for second place. Bliss had a bad passage, for at several points she failed to get a clear run. On the concluding afternoon in the Final Handicap which brought matters to a close for the fixture, Bliss was come at hot and strong and remained a staunch favourite to the.send off, with Starboard second selection, and Eclogue the next best supported. As far as Bliss was concerned, the judgment of backers worked out correctly, for the black ma,re was always in a good position after a furlong had been worked off, and when once in the straight run to the box her head was let go, and it was good bye to the rest of the runners, Mr. Hunter’s mare flying home by a margin of ten lengths from Cork, who was quite four lengths ahead of Seaweed, Eclogue, and Starboard, who all finished so closely that on’y the occupant of the judge’s box could discriminate as to who had got third berth, a place which went to Seaweed.

The betting on the Final Handicap established a record for Hawke’s Bay, but owing to one of - the nonsensical and childish clauses contained in the Gaming Act, I am debarred from stating the amount. Suffice it to say that it was a long way in advance of any sum previously handled in connection with, any single event in this district. C. Cress was the only horseman who succeeded in piloting more than one winner. He notched three successes (Yasmak, Napper, and Rosegrove), each of the following adding a single score to their victorious records, Messrs. C. Hirst, A. Gordon, and D. Buick amongst the amateur division, and in the professional class, F. Hutchinson, F. Coleman, H. Gray, E. Lowe, Jerry O’Connell, G. Jones, T. O’Brien, and R. Gray.