RACING REVIEWED

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1416, 14 June 1917, Page 18

RACING REVIEWED

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. GREAT NORTHERN MEETING. CONCLUDING DAY. ST. ELMN WINS STEEPLECHASE. Details of the first and second days' events of the winter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club were given in our last week’s issue, and they were got off in excellent weather. The luck of the A.R.C. stuck to them, and the concluding day’s racing on Wednesday was got through in even better weather, if that were possible, for the time of the year, and it was better under foot in the lawn enclosures. The course, too, was better, if still very holding. The fields continued to average well to the last, and as the horses were representative of many parts of the Dominion there was money in solid quantities for investment, and when the business of the day was over the totalisator figures ran out to £48,329, as against £37,551 on the concluding day of the meeting of 1916, bringing the total investments to £143,608, as against £126,516 10s., the total increase being £17,092 10s. The management, starting, catering, the working of the totalisators and the paying out of dividends appeared to be all that could be looked for, and as the racing was full of interest from start to finish those who go a-racing for sport’s sake had nothing to complain of, and the stipendiary stewards of the meeting had no unpleasant cases to deal with. The races were got off in good time, and the people were taken by conveyance from the main entrances to the grounds either direct to the city and suburbs, or to connect up with the tram service, which was run to suit the convenience of returning racegoers, and coped with the heavy traffic well. There were only a few falls during the afternoon, and none serious. Several very good dividends were paid, that on Takinini in the Orakei Hurdles being the best in a hurdle race for- a considerable time, and the best at the meeting, and the owner told his friends he fancied him. Starting off with the Tamaki Steeplechase, that event, like each of the hunters’ races on the three days' programme, was selected as a fair thing for the Glengowrie—Lady Bell gelding Tiniroto, who was always handy, and coming away over the last three fences had a very easy win, making the third at the meeting for him, and he was a favourite each time. Dood and Spalperion fell, the :ormer lacking in experience and the lastnamed in condition, only having been in solid work about two months. Tin'roto should see a much better day.

There were seventeen competitors for the Orakei Hurdles, and the topweight, Penniless, who had made such an exhibition of his field on the opening day, was backed so solidly as to be sent out favourite, notwithstanding his increased weight. He proved good enough to beat thirteen of the starters. Thrace, who had run on the first day in the Great Northern Hurdles, in which he was well back and never showed prominently, cut out the work too solidly and was never given a rest and broke up the field, and it was a bit of hard luck, after doing his work so well and jumping so much better than previously, for him to get topped off by Takanini, a much bigger outsider than himself. Takanini had a fresh pilot, and though he has at times run very well in jumping contests amongst the rank and file, this was probably his best effort to date. Ditto, as on the first day, again ran a consistent race, and the daughter of Repetition is a young mare of some promise. Thrace paid a good dividend for second place. Hopfield’s friends came for him solidly for the York Welter, for a second time at the meeting, and he was a very strong first favourite. The money spoke, too, in Lady Penury’s case, and Flying Camp and Red Ribbon and others had good followings. Hopfield went out in front, but Kauri King—a rare cut for a National horse —gave him no peace, and, passing him, led into the straight, and looked like winning until Parisian Diamond came to grips inside the distance and beat him home by about half a length, Colonel Soult being four lengths away, third, just clear of Lady Penury, Hopfield and several others. The Colonel showed no signs of lameness, and the ailment to one of his understandings on the previous Saturday had disappeared and did not prevent him

making a very good display under Deeley’s horsemanship. Perhaps he suffered for want or a gallop. Parisian Diamond, however, won nicely, and paid his supporters, many of them from Hawke’s Bay, well. The Winter Steeplechase was looked upon as 1 kely to provide a better race than the Great Northern, in which half a dozen runners came to grief. Expectations were realised in so far as the jumping was concerned, as nine of the eleven finished the course without a mistake, and one fell and the other was pulled up. El Gallo was favourite, and when he went out it was noticeable that he had a few marks, showing that he had knocked himself in places when he fell on the Monday, but he looked

very well and his friends renewed their confidence. Waimai also stripped all right, no lighter perhaps than could be expected of a horse that had run two severe long-distance races so shortly before. St. Elmn looked improved and more solid, if anyth ng, for similar exertions. Nita, a neat little chestnut mare from Wanganui, who was making her first appearance, commanded a good many friends. Gluepot had a very drawn-up and battle-stained appearance, and notwithstanding his much increased weight was backed pretty well. Czaronus, Record, Braeburn, Bonnie Jean, Ranza Mist and the ancient of the party, Golden Glow, be ng supported in order. Czaronus set out with Ranza Mist to make the pace, and so well did the first-named shape that he was not deprived of the lead until he fell on top of the hill the last time

round at the second fence. There his nearest attendant was Record, who passed most of the field at the old water jump, and gaining second place kept it on the hill until Caronus fell, and was momentarily left in the lead, being passed by St. Elmn, Gluepot and El Gallo in quick succession. The last-named nearly fell going down the hill, but nevertheless made up his ground so fast that he was second on to the, racecourse proper behind St. Elm, Braeburn having passed Gluepot and Record there. St. Elmn finally won handily by three lengths from El Gallo, Braeburn being the same distance off, third, with Gluepot fourth. Waimai and Nita, passing the easing up Record, next, with Golden Glow a long way back. Bonnie Jean fell and Ranza Mist pulled up.

Bon Reve, with J. Deerey n the saddle, was made favourite for the Campbell Hurdles, Fisher, ridden by Bush, and Te Onga, again by McDonald, being backed most of the others, while in order to have the South Island gelding ridden at correct weight Stan. Reid was substituted on Cast Iron for Redmond, who had r’dden him overweight each time he had started previously at the meeting. Fisher feT at the first fence, and the pace did not appear to be very good when the horses were coming into the straight the first time, all well together. Passing the stands it improved, and Te Onga was being kept busy by Marconi, who was then go ng '.reely with Luperino in the lead. Marconi had had enough before the

straight was reached again, and Te Cnga was tackled by Sir Solo and Cast Iron, but from the last hurdle home Te Onga drew away and won by over two lengths, Sir Solo beating Cast Iron by nearly the same distance. Te Onga has run very consistently, and his win was due.

Hushman, with a change of horseman. was made favourite for the Farewell Handicap, but Croesus was almost equally backed, and each of this pair had the thick end of £5OO more invested on them than Carlysian, Lady Jack and Hyginas coming next. This left the evergreen Bluestone at a nice price, and the veteran dashed up towards the business end and had enough left to defeat the much less fancied Rockfield by a neck, Lady Jack being a head away, third, and Croesus fourth. Bluestone carried within lib. of Croesus. Ring Lupin

led for about four furlongs, and then hung out towards the judge’s box when tired.

The imported filly Slipstitch was made a better favourite than the topwe’ght, Sir Ralph, for the Fitzroy Welter, but Pierrot, who was at an outside price, won after a good race from Stilts, an even longer-priced one, Paddington Green, still less supported, being third, three-parts of a length and half a length being the verdict of the judge. The winner and runnerup had been well up in the b’g field in the Jervois Handicap on the first day, and Stilts was then much better supported, but Pierrot was nearly the greatest outsider then. He is by All Black from Mimic. This was his first win, and he seems 1 kely to pay his way.

The results were: —

TAMAKI STEEPLECHASE of 300sovs; second 70sovs third SOsovs. About two miles and a-half. I —Hoibeche’s b g Tiniroto, syrs, by Glengowrie— Lady Bell, 11.1 (J. Roach.) j -—A. Box’s b g Cokely, aged, 10.3 (S. Henderson) 2 5—E. J Rae’s blk g Captain ’ Lock, aged, 9 9 (Thompson) 3 Also started: 3 The Channel 10.9 (Wood), 4 Spalperion 10.5 (Anderton) 6 Dood 9.7 (McSeveney), 7 Kaiwhakahaere 9.7 (T. Scott). Dood and Spalperion fell at the first fence on top of hill. Won comfortably bj four lengths, half a length between second and third. Kaiwhakahaere was fourth. Time, smin 20sec.

ORAKEI HURDLE RACE of 200sovssecond 40sovs, third 20sovs. One mile and three-quarters.

1- J- J- Preston’s b g Takanini, aged by Pukaki —- Paulina, 9.0 (L. Coleman) j S—-E W. Alison’s (junr.) b’g’ Thrace, oyrs, 9.11 (Chaplin) 2 - —'L (-"■ Morgan’s br m Ditto, 4vrs 9.7 (Tapp) . 3 Also started: 1 Penniless 10.11 (E R Reid) 4 Iceberg 10.4 (Deerey), 7 Glendalough 10.2 (McSeveney), 9 Paramahone 10.1 (Tutchen), 11 Brown Loch •-H (Turner), 6 Silver Lupin 9.10 (S 3 Gluetanus 9.10 (Stan. Reid), 5 Prince Soult 9.8 (Kelly), 13 Baibwire 9.5 (Hawkins), 16 Wartime z\°rr (Warner), 11 Caber Feagh 9 0 (Wood). 10 Kinkora 9.0 (Roach), 15 ■faaMalu“ Steat,> 14 Merry Dan 9 '»

Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Penniless was fourth. Time, 3min 28 3-ssec.

YORK WELTER HANDICAP of 650 sovs; second lOOsovs, third 50sovs One mile. s ~ G '\. D - Beatson’s br g Parisian Diamond, 4yrs, by Charlemagne 3 a Diamond 9.7 (Tapp) 1 -8 —A N. Gibbons b g Kauri King, 6yrs, 9-13 ( Sid - Reid) 2 b —Gleeson and Casey’s br g Colonel . Soult, aged, 11.8 (Deeley) 3 started: 1 Hopfield 10.13 (McMillan), 4 Red Ribbon 10.12 (P. Brady) 2 Lady Penury 9.10 (Hewitt), 3 Flying Camp 9.9 (Robinson), 11 Housewife 9.9 (Carmont) < Cardrona 9.6 (O’Shea), 10 Meltchikoff 9.4 (Ryan), 12 Dancastor J. 4 inc. 4% lb over (Hatch), 14 Alf Delaval 9.0 (Conquest), 15 Gold Fran 9-0 (Henderson), 9 Alteration 9.0 (W Young). v ’ Won by half a length, four lengths between second and third. Lady Penurv was fourth. Time, Imin 47sec. W INTER STEEPLECHASE of 750sovs; second 150sovs, third lOOsovs. About three miles. 8 Cameron and Richmond’s b g St. Elmn, aged by St. Ambrose— Maude. 9.10 (Tutchen) i 1 W J Ralph’s br gEI Gallo, aged, 12.10 (McSeveney) 2 S ~ v - H. Collelo’s br g Brae burn, aged, .1.12 (Deerey) 3 - ’^, 1 , so started: 2 Waimai 12.2 (E. Rae), a Gluepot 11.8 (Henderson), 9 Bonnie Jean 10.4 (Roach), 7 Record 10.1 (Copestake), 10 Ranza Mist 9.10 (T. Scott), 11 ?Bush) Gl ° W 9-9 ( Ta PP>- 6 Czaronus 9.7 Bonnie Jean fell, while Ranza Mist was pulled up. Czaronus came to grief the last time over the second fence on the hill when several lengths in ciclx ance of liis field. Won l>y three lengths, a similar distance separating second and third. Gluepot was fourth and Waimai fifth. Time, 6min 54sec. CAMPBELL HURDLES' of 400sovs* second 70sovs, third 30sovs. Two miles. 3— W. J. Brown’s b g Te Onga, aged, by Regel — Onga, 10.9 (A. McDonald; 1 7 — W. Gairett’s b g Six- Solo aged, 9.10 (McSeveney) 2 8 — B. S. Rutherford’s b g Cast Iron 9.0 (Stan. Reid) 3 Also started: 1 Bon Reve 11.7 (J Deerey;, 5 Luperino 10.5 (Roach). 2 Fisher 10.3 (Bush), 6 Tenacious 10.1 (E .Rae), 4 Marconi 10.1 (Henderson). Fisher came down at the initial obstacle. Won decisively by two lengths ana a-half, two lengths separating second and third. Marconi was fourth. Time, 4mm 4sec. FAREWELL HANDICAP of 350sovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs Five furlongs. b B- Carley’s gr g Bluestone, aged, by Bluelight — Flirt, 11.8 (J. O’Shea) X —E W. Abson’s ch g Rockfield, oyrs, 9.0 (Carmont) 2 4 — B. Stenning’s b f Lady Jack, ” 3 yrs, 9.5 (Deeley; 3 Also started: 2 Croesus 11.9 (Hatch), 1 Hushman 10.9 (Stan. Reid), 10 Ring Lupin 10.1 (Conquest;, 5 Hyginas 9.12 (Hewitt;, 3 Carlysian 9.10 (W. Young) 1 Tact 9.7 (McMillan), 9 Torotoro 9.4 (Tapp;, 14 Goldfire 9.1 (P. Brady) 11 rai L- 9,1 , (Buchanan), 13 Lady Paula 9.0 .vbmclair), 12 Lady Glen 9.0 (J. Roach). v A sterling finish saw Bluestone prevail by a neck, Lady Jack being a head away third, with Croesus and Ring Lupin almost in line a similar distance away. Time, Imin ssec. FITZROY WELTER of 200sovs; second 40sovs, third 20sovs. One mile. I—Robertson1 —Robertson and Foster’s b g Pierrot, 3yrs, by All Black—Mimic, 9.0 (W. Ryan; 1 H—J- Teague’s ch g Stilts, 4yrs, 9.0 (Conquest) 2 12—W. C. Ring’s ch c Paddington Green, 3yrs, 9.0 (W. Young) ... 3 Also started: 2 Sir Ralph 10.9 (R. Hatch), 8 British Arch 10.5 (Carmont), 4 Rylstone 10 4 (O'Shea) 9 Fabriquette 10.0 (Buchanan), 1 Slipstitch 9.13 (L. Hewitt). 17 Bowler 9.7 (Mcßandall), 15 Kereone 9.7 (Mulvihill), 14 Finisterre 9.5 (Manson), 3 King of the Valley 9.5 (Robinson), 10 Lady Energy 9.2 (P. Brady), 18 Sleepy Jack 9.0 (Sinclair), 6 Billy Wiggs 9.0 (Stan. Reid), 13 Por- * phyry 9.0 (R. Manson), 19 Gin Sling 9.0 (Tapp), 16 Bloomine 9.0 (Henderson), 5 Jocular 9.0 (Deeley). Won by three-quarters of a length, half a length between second and third. King of the Valley was fourth. Time, Imin 49sec.