Racing Reviewed

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XX, Issue 1124, 26 October 1911, Page 7

Racing Reviewed

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING. BYRON WINS CHAMPION PLATE. Monday. The meeting was brought to a conclusion to-day under perfect climatic conditions. There was again a very representative attendance and the fact of the day being a holiday helped to bring the numbers up to a record. The racing throughout was very interesting, and some exciting finishes were witnessed, the contest in the Champion Plate, when Byron won by a small margin from Miscount, being a treat to Witness. The handsome silver cup, valued at £lOO, donated by G. D. Greenwood, thus becomes his own property through the success of Byron, who won the event like a tradesman. The starting of C. O’Conner, who was ably assisted by J. Vincent, was very satisfactory. The handicapper, J. H. Pollock, was deservedly complimented upon the excellence of his work that had produced such excellent results. The management of the meeting in A. E. Whyte’s hands was all that could be desired. Money was very plentiful, the big sum of £26,360 10/ being handled during the afternoon, against £14,503 10/ that was dealt with on the corresponding day last year’ making an aggregate for the two days of £45,312 10/, which represents an advance of £20,956 10/ on the figures dealt with at the Spring Meeting of 1910, when, however, a sum of £673 was received from the bookmakers who were at that time plying their calling. THE RACING. Business was resumed with the Tararua Handicap of seven furlongs. Birkline was made favourite, although Patriotic was also staunchly supported. When the barrier rose Kina assumed the role, and in the run to the post won by a length .from Birkline, who beat Sir Solo by a similar distance, Lady Volley was fourth, and Tuma fifth. Starter O’Connor reported McDonald for letting his mount bump into Astonishment, but the riders explanation that he had lost his stirrups, and his mount for the moment was out of control was accepted. The Juvenile Handicap, of four furlongs, was contested by ten juveniles, and of the number, trireme, a well grown colt by Treadmill from Chyseis, was made favourite. The field were sent away to a capital start. Entering t(h.e straight the runners were bunched, but when heads were turned for home, L. Wilson straightened Bandore up and galloping in a resolute manner this Gold Reef filly won comfortably at the business end by a length from Champagne with Tabbeta a promising Charlemagne 11. filly half a length away third followed by Monoline, Trireme and Andrea. The winner is a promising sort and should earn further distinction this season. Monoline ran very indifferently, and showed practically no pace at all. Eight runners contested the Spring Trial Stakes of six furlongs. Ovation was the medium of a big plunge, and finished up a firm favourite. Ovation was always in a good position, and in a tight finish won by threequarters of a length from Kingswell, while Kirkby, who had a bad passage, was a neck away third. Lord Palmer was fourth, and Lord Kilcheran fifth. Ovation was, accorded a cheer on .returning, to scale, as it is some time since W. E. Bidwell won a race. Sir Tristram was made a warm fav-

ourite for the Pearce Handicap of one mile. This event needs little dischip tion, for Medallist getting in front early led throughout, and ran home a comfortable winner by three lengths from Bracken, with Sir Tristram three-quarters of a length away third, the next to finish in the order named being, Epsom Lass, Voetgang, and First Battery. Several falls occurred in the second Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase of two miles and a-half. Both Salopian, Nedra falling, and their Riders, 'H. Telford and Rangi Thompson, both suffered from (broken collar4bones. After travessing a mile, Glenmore went to the front, and remaining there for the rest of the journey, won easily by four lengths from Riro Atu, who was three lengths in front of Tyrannic. The others to finish in the order named being St. Amelia, followed by Elwell with the others tailed off.

The Champion Plate of a mile and /a-jquarter, saw fthle -speedy -Equitas measuring strides with the other competitors. The Advance mare was smart out of the slips, but after going a mile, she began to tire, and Miscount, Byron and Electrakoff took a hand, Equitas led into the straight, but Byron was reducing the gap. Half-way up the straight, Byron got on terms with Equitas, and in a ding-dong finish, Byron beat Miscount, who came very fast, by a short neck, with Equitas a half-length away third, Electrakoff was {fourth, /with iMijfia and Boanerges a long way in the rear. The latter is evidently being reserved for the C.J.C. Meeting, as he showed no dash at all.

Emma began very smartly in the |Ruahine ECandi|clap, [and (leading! throughout won with ridiculous ease by two length’s from Makura. The gathering was brought to a conclusion with the running of the Nainai Handicap of six furlongs. The public’s fancy was Nyland, and owing to careful tactics adopted by A. Oliver the big gelding won by a small margin from Lady Moutoa, who was a clear half-length in front of St. Toney. Lady Moutoa ran a clinking race, and should more than pay expense’s at the C.J.C. Meeting. She leaves for Riccarton in charge of her owner and trainer, F. S. Easton, of Foxton, on Thursday next. With four wins to his credit, B. Deeley was the most successful rider during the two days. A. Olliver scored on three occasions, whilst R. Thompson R. Hatch, C. Price, F. E. Jones, W. Price, L. Wilson, H. Watson, R. Gray, and M. McDonald won one race each.