PAKURANGA HUNT RACE MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1319, 5 August 1915, Page 14

PAKURANGA HUNT RACE MEETING.

Luck in the matter of weather favoured the Pakuranga Hunt Club, who held their race meeting at Ellerslie for the first time for many years with the aid of the totalisator, and it is safe to say that it was the most successful in the annals of that oldestablished institution, taking it all round. Good horses used to compete in the old days at this Hunt Club’s race meetings, and many a good hurdler and ’chaser faced the starter at Ellerslie in Hunt Club events before the days of barrier starting. The jumpers at the meeting on Saturday, taken as a class, were not as good as those that raced about thirty years ago, but at that time it did not mattei how much money in stakes the competitors had won prior to a meeting; so long as they had qualified in the hunting field they were eligible to compete in hunt club events. Now money values of prizes previously won count at most meetings, so there is every inducement for people to try their young horses. There were some useful horses racing in each department of the game, and as most of the horses were known performers their was a fair amount of speculation on the various events, probably a record totalisator turnover for a hunt club fixture, no less than £18,085 being put through the machine. This was, of course, due to the fact that the meeting was held at Ellerslie, where every convenience is at hand for a large crowd to do business, and the attendance was very good indeed for a meeting of the kind both inside and outside the paddock, visitors from the l Waikato, the farming community from all round, and some visitors from Taranaki, Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay being present. One and all voted it a most enjoyable outing, though the afternoon was cold.

The management left nothing wanting. Mr. F. Yonge, who himself was a successful horseman between the flags over the same courses over a quarter of a century ago, acted as secretary, and was ably supported by his stewards and co-workers. The starting of Mr. O’Connor was up to that official’s best form, and Mr. Edwards had the satisfaction of seeing a couple of very close finishes on the flat, and altogether the racing was of a most interesting character throughout. Ellerslie lends itself like no other course for jumping races, and the stands are so good to view from. Accidents were few and none very serious, though Rowe, rider of Monty, had a collar-bone broken. Waimai, a five-year-old son of Spalpeen and a mare by Capapie, accounted for the Maiden Hunters’ Steeplechase and the Pakuranga Munt Club Cup Steeplechase in good style, and though there were falls in both he was evidently the best of the competitors and was in excellent condition for the two long tasks set him. Advancer, who won the Hunters’ Hurdle Race, was also a well-condi-tioned one, and he was the best in his class, and had he not fallen in the Pakuranga Hunt Club Cup may have proved Waimai’s most formidable opponent in that race, though he was being kept busy when he toppled over. A very useful three-year-old by Achilles, called Achilleus, made a successful first appearance before an Auckland audience in the Sylvia Park Handicap, but Tapp outrode young Chaplin, who might have won on Fionnuala had he not stopped riding

at a critical time. Mossman was favourite, and beat all the rest. Achilleus is a full-brother to Achilledes, who later in the day made a bold bid for the Auckland Welter, which race Fionulla was perhaps lucky to win, as after Achilledes and Try Fluke had had a good set-to down the straight and Prince Soult had caught them in the last 'fifty yards, Fionnuala, vigorously ridden by Chaplin, next the rails, got through and won by a neck from Deeley’s mount (Prince Soult), who was a head in front of Achilledes, who beat Try Fluke by only a little more after a fine race home. Try Fluke, Prince Soult and Achilledes were fancied in order, but Fionnuala paid her supporters a d.vidend of over a quarter of a century. Golden Glow was made favourite for the Liverpool Steeplechase, Lady Sabretache and Fireaway coming next in order. Valentine, who went out in bandages, was always in front to the first fence on the hill the last time, when, getting in too close, he made a faulty jump and shot his rider in the air, and Lady Sabretache and Fireaway, who appeared to be closing on the son of St. Paul, came down the hill together, but the mare had the most left and won easily by nearly three lengths. Golden Glow, who was a good way back going up the hill the last time, was hard ridden and closed up, getting within four lengths of the second horse, the nearest he had been to the front during the long trip. Armagh ran well as far as his condition lasted, but finished a long way down the straight in fourth place. Luperin was running second to Valentine for about a mile and three-quar-ters when he lost his rider at the top water jump, and Cornelian, the only other starter, did not get far. Lady Sabretache was well handled by Bert. Rae and went to the post very well.

For some reason Lady Lobelia, sister to El Gallo, was sorted out for the Ladies’ Bracelet, Takanini being second in request and Waipuna’s fullbrother Waerenga next. Takanini justified the support accorded him, but there was a better at the weights in Pendoon, by Penury from Cardoon, who, ridden by Dr. Grant, galloped home an easy winner with quite five lengths to spare, the doctor meeting with a good reception on returning to scale.

THE TWO-YEAR-OLD PARADE. The Two-year-old Parade was sandwiched between the Hunters' Hurdle Race and Liverpool Steeplechase, and proved quite an interesting item, the eighteen youngsters, which really ranked as yearlings until the following day, being much admired, particularly by the fair sex, who could be heard commenting appreciatively about “the dear little things.” Mr. F. Stenning’s Lady Jack, bay filly by Carl Rosa from Miss Jack, ridden by B. Deeley, came in first, with Messrs. W. and V. Casey’s Cultriform (bay filly by Boniform from Culroy) second, and Mr. J. J. Ryan’s Juanna (chestnut filly by Achilles —Shepherdess) third. The others that took part were: Mr. W. Patterson’s bay colt, by Pukaki from Elf; Mr. E. W. Alison’s (jun.) blk f Erroneous, by Finland from Misinform; Mr. C. Frame’s Invicta, blk g by Advance from an Officer mare; Mr. John Marshall’s General Joffre, ch g by General Latour from Hesper; Mr. C. Dawson’s Con'usion, blk f by All Black from All Blue; Mr. N. Dickey’s Eralf, b g by Elysian from Flare; Mr. L. B. Harris’ bay colt by Achilles from Paphia, and bay colt by Elysian from Kaparangi; Mr. W. G. Irwin’s Independence, br f by Bezonian from Latona; Mr. H. R. Mackenzie’s

Marabout, b f by Elysian from Lady Gwen; Mr. E. J. Morrison’s bay colt by Carl Rosa from Sunetta; Mr. W. K. Morrison’s Waiuta, ch f by Carl Rosa from Waiotahi; Messrs. Potter and Hyland’s Whitehall, br c by Marble Arch from Zinnia; and Mr. A. W. Sulling’s Rita C., b f by Achilles from Aideen. Most of the youngsters swung out wide making the turn into the straight, and several of those that kept nearest the rails led the rest, but it was not a test of merit by any means. As may be supposed a number of the youngs'.ers were very green, and just before the start the Pukaki — Elf colt threw lhe well-known horseman Buchanan, who fortunately was able to ride in the last event. The results were: —

MAIDEN HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second 20 sows, third lOsovs. Two miles and a-quarter.

:—T. Wilson’s br g Waimai. by Spalpeen—Capapie mare, syrs. 10.10 (G Henderson) 1 S —G. Nickles’ br g Ambassad. r, 5 yrs, 10.5 (E. Rae) 2 7 —C. Hammond’s b g Master Leslie, aged. 10.10 (O’Connor) 3 Also started: 2 Black Bobs 10.10 (J O’Connell), 4 Heather Boy 10.7 (Henderson). 3 Tangahere 10 6 (Warner), 9 Giraffe 10.6 (Conway), 5 Ballygowan 10 5 (Roach).

Won by five lengths, two lengths between second and third, Ballygowan fourth. Heather Boy ami Tangahere fell and Black Bobs did not finish. Time. 4min 53sec.

SYLVIA PARK HANDICAP of 125sovs; second 20sovs, third ssovs. Six furlongs.

3 —W. J. Mclnnes ch g Achilleus. by Achilles—Dexterity, 3yrs, 9.9 (R. Tapp) B—A.8 —A. L. Raven’s ch in Fionnuala, 1 yrs. 9 0 (Chaplin) I—.l. I. Mackenzie’s b g Mossman, lyrs, 9.9 (McMillan)

Also started: 9 Dancastor 10.3 (.1. O’Shea). 7 Monathol 10.0 (Stenning). I Coleraine 9.8 (McFlynn). 11 Plenipotent 9.6 (Dr. Grant), 11 First Call 9 4 (J. Roach). 5 Hi ma 9 5 (Buchanan). 14 Tenacious 9.4 (Kennedy). 13 The Wh : p 9.4 (J. Brady), 2 Lady Gwendoline 9.4 (Deeley). 12 Kitty Adare 9 7 (P. Brady), 6 Gluetanus 9.3 (R E. Brown), 15 Matakana 9 3 (Conquest) 16 Miss Avalanche 9.2 (Hall), 10 Brookfield 9.0 (W. Ryan). Achilleus headed Fionnuala in the last half furlong and won by a neck, three lengths and a-half between second and third. Time. Imin 20sec. HUNTERS’ HURDLE RACE HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second 20sovs, third 1 Oso vs. Two miles. 2— A. Baynes’ br g Advancer, by Advance —Tarawarta, aged, 10.5 (C. Scott) 1 6 —G. Nickle’s br g Ambassador, syrs. 9.2 (Roach) 2 3— J. Gaddes’ br g Dunrobin, aged. 9.10 (Anderton) 3 Also started: 1 Tetumu 10.2 (J. O’Connell), 4 Dandy Breeze 9.10 (Paul). 9 Monty 9.10 (Rowe). 7 Starwood 9.S (Mateer), 5 Kairapa 9.3 (Cullum), S Egotist 9.6 (Crearar). Won by five lengths, same distance separating second and third, Tetumu fourth Time, 4min ssec. LIVERPOOL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP of 225sovs; second lOsovs, third 15sovs. Three miles. 2— L. Aintree’s br m Lady Sabretache, by Sabretache —Casino, 5 yrs. 9.12 (Rae) 1 3— T Harris’ ch g Fireaway, aged, 10.12 (J. O'Connell) 2 I—W J. Woods’ ch g Golden Glow, 1111 (Anderton) 3 Also started: 6 Armagh 9.12 (Warner), 5l Cornelian 10.9 (Deere-y), 7 Luperin 9.7 (Hall), 4 Valentine 9.7 (J. Roach). Valentine and Luperin went to the front until Luperin dislodged his rider at the top water jump the second time round. Valentine led up the hill for the last time, and was some lengths ahead at the second fence when he struck and lost his rider. Lady Sabretache and Fireaway came on together, and the mare ran heme an easy winner by two lengths and a-half, Golden Glow four lengths off. Armagh a poor fourth Time, Gmin 43sec.

PAKURANGA HUNT CLUB CUP HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 175sovs and cup value 25sovs; second 50sovs,

tliird 25sovs from the stakes. About three miles.

I—T.1 —T. Wilson’s br g Waimai, by Spalpeen—Capapie mare, syrs, 10.12, inc. 61b pen. (G. Henderson) 7—C. Hammond’s b g Master Leslie, aged, 10 6 (O’Connell) 5—R. D. Dunn’s b g Transfer, aged, 10 6 (Anderton)

Also started: 2 Advancer 11.6 inc 61b pen (Scott), 6 Avon 10 10 (Crearar). 3 Captain Lock 10.3 (E. Rae), 4 Hasin 10.3 (Warner). Transfer, Hasin and Advancer led from the start, Transfer in r. nt all the way until entering the course the last time where Waimai passed him and won by three lengths from Master Leslie, half that distance away coming Transfer, Captain Lock close up. Advancer fell on the hill. Time, 6min 40sec.

LADIES’ BRACELET HANDICAP of lOOsovs (75sovs and bracelet value 25sovs); second lOsovs, third ssovs One mile and a-quarter. s—Miss E. Whyte’s ch g Pendoon. by Penury—Cardoon, 3yrs, 10.9 (Dr. Grant) 1 2—Mrs Preston's b g Takanini, 6 yrs, 11. S (Mr Patton) '. . . 2 4 —Mrs E J. Rae’s b g Inspector. 4yrs, 10.9 (Mr Patton) .’ 3 Also started: 3 Waeranga 10.12 (Mr Gallagher), 10 Mollyhawk 10.12 (Mr Eccles), 8 Belgian Lass 10 10 (Mr H. Dingle), 7 Dandy Breeze 10.9 (Mr. Crowther), 9 Egotist 10.9 (Mr Brown), 1 Lady Lobelia 10.7 (Mr Wylie). Won by five lengths, two lengths between second and third, Waeranga fourth Time. 2min 23 2-ssec. AUCKLAND WELTER HANDICAP of 150sovs; second 40sovs_. third lOsovs. One mile. 9 —A. L Raven’s ch m Fionnuala. by Spalpeen—Waimangu, 4 yrs. 9.0 (T. Chaplin) 1 2— Mesdames Foss and Steuart’s br g Prince Soult, syrs, 10.9 (B. Deeley) 2 3 — W. J. Mclnnes’ ch g Achilledes, syrs, 10.7 (Tapp) 3 Also started: 6 Guiding Way 10 4 (Rae), 8 Glucian 9.5 (Ryan), 7 Kaween 9.3 (Conquest), 5 Tripoli 9.2 (Buchanan), 4 Worcester 9.2 (McFlynn). 11 Devastation 9.2 (O'Hare), 10 Maui Nina 9.0 (O’Shea), 1 Try Fluke 9.0 (C. Brown). Try Fluke slightly led Achilledes to the last half furlong, where Prince Soult closed on them on the outside. Fionnuala. on the inside, got up and won by a neck, a head between second and third, Try Fluke a neck away fourth. Time, Imin 46sec.