Racing Reviewed

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1121, 5 October 1911, Page 7

Racing Reviewed

WANGANUI J.C. SPRING MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING'. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The Wanganui Jockey Club’s spring meeting, held on Thursday and Friday last, must be written down as one of the most successful in the history. of the club. The weather was right on the opening day, but on the second dav the conditions were not so pleasant. However, the attendances were well up to the average, and the business done by the totalisator showed an increased volume of money handled. Included in those present were Sir George Clifford, Messrs. Walter Clifford, Goring Johnston, R. No’an, J. H. Pollock, and several other prominent sportsmen. The track was in- splendid order on the first day—recent rains having benefited it very considerably. The racing was very enjoyable, the fields being good and the finishes in nearlv all cases very close- In this connection, a special word of praise is due to Geo. Morse, the Club’s handicapper, who had backers nuzzled in almost every race. Several outsiders got home, including Tiwari, who paid one of the biggest dividends recorded for a long time, and Goodwin Park. As both these horses are in TPley’s stable, followers thereof had a good time, as in addition to these two winners the Fordell stable scored with Miscal, who paid a very good price. It will thus be seen that Geo. Morse had good reason to be satisfied with the way he concealed the winners, and he came in for hearty congratulations. A feature of the meeting was the consistently good starting bv R. K. Skipwith, who was in capital form at the barrier. It goes without saying that the management of the sport was first-class. The Wanganui Club has long enjoyed the reputation of being one of the best managed in the Dominion, and many highly complimentary references have been made concerning the conduct of the racing here. To W. Hall, secretary, much of the credit is due in this connection. He, however, was fortunate in having the assistance of a body of officials who all work enthusiastically and well. Speculation during the two days was very brisk, the sum of £26,486 going through the machine, as against £17,558 last year, an increase of £8,928The Flying Handicap, was contested by nine, of which lot Faunas was made favourite. The winner proved to be Master Sylvia, by Sylvia Park —Giusy King mare, who showed much brilliancy at the end and just beat Merrie Frank.

A New Zealand Cup candidate in Lady Jean was one of the dozen starters in the Maiden Hack Race, but the Kilcheran filly was never prominent. Ireland won with a lot in hand from Jargon, a colt that will score soon. H. W. Paul’s ge’ding, Praefectus, ran well for five furlongs, but had no chance with the winner. There was not much to choose 'between the six which lined up for the Guineas. Royal Scotch was sent out favourite on the strength of the good reports which had come to hand of

his track work at Hastings. He did not perform like a champion, though he may do better later on. Labour Day was much fancied in certain quarters, but she hung badly at the start, and thereby lost whatever chance she may have had. Counterfeit made a fine run up the straight, cutting down Royal Scotch and then going in pursuit of Miscount. The daughter of Treadmill just succeeded ,in getting her head in front at the post. The time was 1.44 2-5, as against Danubes’s 1-42 1-5 last year. Waiputere was more fancied than Espartero in the big hurdles, but the latter was much too good, and won easily. ' Captain Bell carried more money than Hawick in the Hack Hurdles, but never had a chance with the top weight. The Porirua stable thus scored a win with the only representative Prosser had at the meeting. Hawick is one likely to be heard of in open company. Patriotic won the Putiki Hack in good style from 14 others, including Big Blast, who was the public fency. The Advance gelding. The Rover, was the popular pick 'or the Spring Handicap, but he had a bad passage, otherwise might have troubled Goodwin Park. As it was, the latter won comfortably, coming away nicely at the right end. The winner is a candidate for the New Zealand Cup, and six others of the starters are also engaged in the big event, viz., Merrivonia, Iranui, The Rover, Mu’ga Bill, Montiform, and Shuja. Two or three of these are bound to run well at Riccarton, but at the weights Goodwin Park should hold them all safe. He will not incur a penalty by his win.

Very heavy rain fell Thursday night and continued on Fridaj' morning, making the track very soft. A strong wind sprang up at noon and drove the clouds away, so that the day’s sport was got through under fairly pleasant conditions.

Royal Scotch opened proceedings by winning the Owen Handicap from six others. Merrie Frank, who had made a good showing the first day, was favourite, but had to be content with second p ace again. True Shot was left several lengths, but finished well third-

Ireland was made very hot stuff in the Railway Hack, but the soft going in the straight was responsible for his undoing. He slipped about a lot, and Tiwari (a nice three-year-old colt by Conqueror—Delamere) got the verdict, paying a great price. The heavy going also settled Espartero in the Brunswick Handicap Hurdles, in which he had 11.13, the winner proving to be Gaelic, who finished sp’endidly. Espartero was right in it to the last hurdle, which he clouted very hard, and this stopped him. Waipaku carried the confidence of the public in the Hack Hurdles, but it was misplaced, as she did not jump at all well, and failed to get a place, Captain Bell scoring. Hawick’s 12.2 was to big a burden in the mud.

It was whispered about that Mendip was considered a moral for the Higgie Handicap, and the St. Paul gelding was made favourite. R. Hatch had the mount. Boanerges and Kilostere, two of George Price’s, were coupled on the machine, and they were next in demand to Mendip, who failed to get a place. Boanerges was in front all the way, while Kilostere came through at the finish and got third, Kauro dividing the pair. Labour Day won the Moutoa Hack in fine style, galloping very freely, and those who contended that she would have been very close up in the Guineas had she got away with the fie’d are probably not far out Iranui was the best backed in the Marangai Handicap, which brought the meeting to a close. The daughter of 'lranui appeared to be going to win a furlong from home, where she was up alongside of. Miscal and Coromandel- The three fought out a most exciting finish, but Miscal came away and got home ‘by a small margin. The winner was ridden by W. Weller, an apprentice in Fred Tilley’s stable, and the way he handled the son of Handsome Jack would have done credit to any of the crack riders. It was his first ride in a race'. He is only a midget, being just four stone in weight.