RACING REVIEWED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1258, 28 May 1914, Page 26

RACING REVIEWED.

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB. WINTER MEETING. SOME SPLENDID RACING. JACKMAN WINS STEEPLECHASE. PLAYER THE CENTURY HURDLES. (From our Wanganui Correspondent. ) The Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting opened on Thursday, the 21st inst., when the weather was of the worst possible description. Heavy rain fell all the morning, and about mid-day a severe south-easterly gale was experienced, which made things very unpleasant for those who attended the meeting. It takes something to damp the ardour of racegoers, however, and the crowd which assembled on the course was surpris-

ingly large in the circumstances, the gate takings, as a matter of fact, being but £l5 less than on the corresponding day last year. The wind was bitterly cold, but the racing was of a most interesting description, the fields being large, while the finishes proved close and exciting in the majority of the events, though Jackman scored a runaway victory in the Wanganui Steeplechase. The management of the sport both days was excellent, and reflected great credit on Mr. W. Hall and the staff associated with him in the secretary’s office, while all the other officials worked hard to make things as enjoyable as possible for the club’s patrons. A special word of praise is due to Mr. R. Russell, chief steward of the birdcage, who saw to it that the horses were saddled up and out on the track in good time. Mr. George Morse is to be complimented on the splendid racing provided, as there is little doubt his excellent handicapping was to a great extent responsible for the keen racing which resulted. Ay-bet-ter race than that seen in the Empire Handicap on the second day has never been witnessed on any course, and there were many other capita! finishes, so that Mr. Morse scored a big triumph. Mr. W. H. Hartgill made no mistakes in the judge’s box, and Mr. R. H. Skipwith did well in his capacity as starter, though there was some trouble over the fact that the big event on the first day was apparently started some three or four minutes before the totalisator clock time, and they were taking money on the machine until about a mile had been covered. The backers of Jackman got a fright after when it was given out that there was a probability of the race having to be re-run, but after the stewards had considered the matter it was decided to let the result stand. The explanation given was that the starter timed his watch by the secretary’s watch, which was faster than the totalisator clock. The weather was fine for the second day of the meeting, and there was a big crowd present, the ladies turning out in large numbers. Speculation on both days was brisk, £46x2.3 being handled on the machine, as against £40,850 last year, an increase of £5273. It is pleasing to know that despite the bad weather the meeting was a big success both from a financial and a racing point of view, and a handsome profit should result. Backers made no mistake in the opening event in sorting out Postillion, the top weight, as the most likely winner. The handsome son of

Advance looked a champion as he paraded in the birdcage, and the way he galloped showed that he had benefited a lot by the racing at Hastings. He got away well, was handy all the way and simply left the others standing when called on for a final run, winning easily from Sanguinary, which was in front until a furlong from home. It is probable that Postillion will not race again until the Wellington winter meeting, where he will, it is understood, be given a run on his way to the Grand National meeting, to compete in the Winter Cup, for which event he is already being marked down as a likely winner.

The jumping in the Hack Steeplechase was very good, considering the state of the going. Exotic was made favourite, though Waterworks also carried a lot of money. Exotic led until the last obstacle was reached, where Silver Monarch got to him, and after a good set-to, won by a couple of lengths. Waterworks w r as

going along well at the back, but almost came down just as he was beginning to make a forward move, and this spoilt his chance. His connections expected him to win, as he had been doing good work at Marton.

Jackman outpaced and outjumped his field in the big Steeplechase, which would have been a very close race with him out of the way. Mr. H. J. Cameron’s pair Glenmore and Kauroa carried more money than Jackman, which was next in demand. Glenmore was said to be better than ever, but Kauroa was the one the stable expected to see win, and he was heavily backed in doubles. Following his usual custom Sir Lethe made the pace at the start, but once Jackman settled down his rider (A. Ward) let him sail along, which he did to such purpose that he had a break of 100 yards on his field after going a little over a mile. The Handsome Jack gelding never falter-

ed, but took every jump cleanly in his stride. It was generally expected that he would come back to his field before the end of the journey, and the riders on several of the others also anticipated that this would happen, hence they did not go after the leader until it was too late. Bercola carried his 12.0 into second place like the good ’chaser he is, and had the race been run differently might have got much closer to the winner. The Officer gelding should be hard to beat at Auckland, where Glenmore will also probably shape much better. Riro Atu ran a good race, and it would be no surprise to find the Handsome Jack gelding win a good cross-country event for Mr. J. Bull, junr.

The Kaitoke Hack Hurdles proved another runaway race, as Parawanui got away in front and stayed there to the end. Sweet Breeze ran into second place. George Laing’s many friends would have been pleased to have seen him score a win with the

daughter of Sweet Simon —Hurricane, as he well deserves a turn of luck. She has improved a lot recently, and may win soon. She is bred to jump. Waldemar came a nasty cropper at the hurdle in tront of the stand, when going well.

Huia was made a slightly better favourite than Player for the Century Hurdles, for which Darby Paul was scratched, leaving seven to go to the post. Cornelian and Goodwin Park were also heavily backed. The latter looked well, but many held off him as he had not had a race for a long time, and in this they were wise, as he was beaten by Player probably only owing to the want of a race. Cornelian was going as well as anything half a mile from home, when he rapped a hurdle hard, and this settled his chance. Player was ridden a fine race, and probably could have won at any stage. As it was, Flynn brought him along with a capital run from the distance, and the

Sabretache gelding scored a well deserved win from Goodwin Park. Huia ran well for two miles when he be gan to tire, and he fell at the last jump, bringing over Master Tupuni.

Bertrada carried more money than anything else in the Connolly Handicap, but she did not run up to expectations, not being in the first half dozen at the finish. Red Book got the verdict after a splendid race with Leonta. The latter looked a'J. over a winner at the entrance of the straight, when he was in the lead, an unusual experience for the Conqueror gelding, but he failed just when he was expected to do his best at the finish. Goldsize was well in it for over a mile, but the going was too heavy for him, and the best he could do was to run fourth.

Fifteen faced the starter in the concluding event, Princess Motttoa being the popular pick. The winner turned up in Master Lupin, a five-year-old gelding owned by Mr. James Bull, junr., which won nicely from

Square Deal. The latter ran out at the bend otherwise he might have got up. Bivouac ran well for a mile. Kaniki was made pretty warm for the Winter Oats, which opened the second day’s programme, and for which twelve started. The winner turned up in Sir Moseley, the three-year-old son of King’s Guest, gallop,ng in greater improved form than on the opening day won comfortably from Play Off. Kaniki appears to have lost his dash at the start, but was galloping very fast at the end. J. Conquest, who rode Spalfish on the opening day, could not make the weight, and so J. O’Shea had the mount. Gladiole showed the way for three furlongs, but could not go on with the game, and appears to have lost her dash.

On the strength of his third on the opening day Styrax was entrusted with most money for the Balgownie Hack, but could only finish fifth, the winner turning up in Lady Elgiva,