RACING REVIEWED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1446, 3 January 1918, Page 8

RACING REVIEWED.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

SUMMER MEETING. AUCKLAND CUP AND FOAL STAKES DAY. A RECORD GATHERING. The luck of some racing clubs is proverbial. The Auckland Racing Club is one of the most fortunate n the matter of weather and in all other respects. No other club in the Dominion has such a charming doma n and Qu.te such all-round atti actions. There is only one E.lerslie, and there the people from all parts of New Zealand and many from parts beyond who can afford or make it conven ent to do so assemble when the big meeting of the' year is cn. They love Auckland most when the Christmas and New Year carnival s on, but they enjoy the meetings held at Ellerslie at any t’me of year. The meeting commenced on Boxing Day, 1917, despite all drawbacks to transit, could not have started under mere favourable cond’tions. The whole countryside had received a refreshing rain shortly be'ore the day, the weather on the day was perfect, and the programme of events carded for the afternoon was one of the best that a secretary of any New Zealand racing club has been able to present. The horses came from most provinces, the greater proportion were visitors from beyond the headquarters of racing in the North Island, and with one or two exceptions had raced at Ellerslie and elsewhere previously during the season, and most of them with distinction. The;/ came mostly with the strongest of recommendations, and equally strong followings. Canterbury, Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Poverty Bay —indeed, each sent horses along to the meeting, and strong contingents of men and money to follow the bent of the’r inclinations. It was qu’te expected that wth the usual four days’ racing compressed into three that investments per medium of the totalisator would be largely increased on Boxing Day as compared with the corresponding days of previous years, and so it proved. Investors planked their money down freely, until the total turnover for the day amounted to £80,985, a record for New Zealand. A record crowd was respons’ble for this. Their speculations were less heavy in proportion to their numbers than at other meetings held durng the same period elsewhere. The larger the crowd the less money is gambled in proportion. People do not all go racing to worship at the shrine of K’ng Totalisator, however, though the large majority like to have an interest. Between the little groups that make up a single ticket and the big betting owners, or speculators who do not own horses, but take a pleasure n dashing their money down on those of other people who do, the pools are made up. Their average was larger than ever before, but the sum put through on the Auckland Cup, the chief race of the day, fell just a little short of last year, when a record for New Zealand was reached—£l3,3ls was the total, and on the Railway Handicap £12,624. These are the pre-post bett ng events, and despite all legislative attempts to put down betting away from the racecourse, it would be safe to say that the investments in different parts of New Zealand and in Auckland over these particular events right up to the day would amount to quite as much, if not more, than was handled on the long-distance event. Some people call this robbing the total sator or robbing the clubs, but the clubs cannot be robbed of what does not belong to them, and it was quite clear that even with the very fine- conveniences the Auckland R-C. have on their property, the most up-to-date totalisator, all the money that people desired to put on could not be taken in the t me between the races. People will not invest on the day until they have seen the horses in the paddock or do ng their preliminaries, or at least a large number ’will not do so, and thus a lot of money must go on during a few minutes. The races were started punctually by Mr. O’Connor, and started well, and lots of money was shut out. More perhaps would have been invested, too, if the paying out could have been

done w.th as great expedit on as the selling of tickets. The large bus ness, however, was handled pretty well, but in this one particular there was room, and always appears to have been room, tor improvement. D vidends, excepting in about three instances, were small, and the dead-beat in the Railway between King Lup n and Hymestra (who was coupled with Nanna) provided more tickets to be paid on than ever before. Larger dividends on 'ewer t’ckets, it goes without saying, make for greater expedition in the pay ng out. Mr. McManemin had the sat sfaction of seeing good fields and some capital racing, and the Cup field was as representative of New Zealand as any one of its predecessors. Seven of the 17 runners had competed in the New Zealand Cup, including the first half-dozen n that race.

Taking the events in the order they came on the card will be perhaps as well. A nice field of fifteen went out for the Shortland Plate, and the best supported were the Hawke’s Bayowned Silver Tongue and the Palmerston North representative Glendower, but the Takapuna-owned three-year-old, the imported Australian-bred Lord Kenilworth, who had the pace and the luck to get a clear run from a splendid start, never gave anything else a look in and won from end to end, and the other pair, each of which were hampered durng running—and along the back G'lendower was last but one —were close together, second and third, Lough Ennell, who ran second for some distance, Don’t and British Arch coming at short intervals.

Tho Great Northern Foal Stakes rarely attracts as many runners. Of the ten that lined up, Mr. T. H. Lowry’s pair, Finmark and Kilhope, commanded most attention, but Bopeep and Demagogue, previous winners, also were each heavily supported, and then came Informal, the Auckland representative, whose stock had fallen notwithstandng that he had accounted for all the same lot before with the exception of Kilhope, who he had not met, and Spanner, who was making his first appearance in pubic. Of the lot he looked on the too robust side. Shortly told, from a good start Pontoon made the running and was joined in the straight by Demagogue, who he bored over towards the stand rails inside the last furlong, but who, escap ng more serious inconvenience, was able to go cn and win by a length and a-half. Pontoon’s serpentine action let Finmark get into second place, and Kilhope, running true, was fourth, and he was perhaps the best colt engaged. Spanner, however,’for another green one, ran well for a first start. Informal died to nothing and 80-peep never showed up, and Shining Light beat both. Two-year-old form is still hard to gauge. The best wTI be seen later on perhaps. This can be said without detracting from Demagogue’s merits. He is a neat, nice geld ng son of Demosthenes, who is a distinct success in getting early speed. There were eighteen runners for the Robinson Handicap, the errat’c Empire, who again gave trouble at the post, being made favour te. Patetonga, whose owner had been reluctant to do much fast work with h'm because of his bleeding habit, jumped out and led the field from a good start and continued in front for six furlongs, when Fabr'quette. Bellacity, Blue Cross and Kereone were all up with him, and they finished well together, three-parts of a length divid-

ing the first-named pa r. Fabriquette was nearly as good a favourite as Empire, who faded out after failing to get quite into the fighting line. Much has been written about the Cup horses. It was a facer for backers of favourites, and their running looked too bad to be true and was certainly not like the form of good horses that had so recently been seen to so much greater advantage. Johnny Walker, coupled with Menelaus, was really the favourite, and the pair, which finished nose and nose for the New Zealand Cup, carried double the amount invested on Toatere, who was voted unlucky to lose the Auckland City Handicap at the A.R.C. spring meeting. Snub, who was third in the New Zealand Cup, was third favourite, and a fair amount of support came for the English-bred Cynic, but anything after the first four named would have paid a good dividend. About the condition of the horses it can be said that they nearly all looked well. Seadown seemed to have lightened up rather qurnkly since his arrival, and Multifual sweated a bit more than some of the others. Sir Ralph and Gold Fran each looked more robust than some of the competitors. Racing had given to the majority a seasoned appearance. The story of the race need not be a long one. It can be described in a very few words. Mullingar was the first and Red Ribbon the last to jump away from a good send-off. Fiery Cross took charge after going about three furlongs, and Red Ribbon followed him, and that was how the race was run from end to end. The chestnut son of Gienapp and Red Cross had all the brilliancy and bowled along passing the people’s stand the first time, with Red Ribbon, Mullingar and Adjutant as his nearest attendants. The last-named, on the rails, receiving a bump through

others that were well bunched on the outside closing in and lost his rider (F. E. Jones), who had a very narrow escape when he struck the rail and rolled under it. Fiery Cross drew out along the back, but Red Ribbon went after him over the rise at the five furlong post. Then he drew away again, and once more Red Ribbon closed up, only to be shaken off again, and at the distance she made a final effort and just for a few strides it looked as if Fiery Cross was being ridden a little. At this stage Multiply and Cynic headed Mullingar and got close up behind Fiery Cross and Red Ribbon, while Teka (on the rails) made a good finishing effort, but it was of no avail. Fiery Cross had got them all beaten trying to catch him, and he won comfortably by threeparts of a length, and Red Ribbon still had enough left in her to beat Multiply by half a length, and then came Cynic (a bit further out) and Teka (next the rails), almost on terms, followed at a couple of lengths’ interval by Mullingar, while Rebel was still further back, and then came Multifual and the others well strung out. The pace was on all the way pretty solid and the race was run in record time. The following times were struck by Mr. J. K. Douglas: — One furlong 14sec, two furlongs 26sec, three furlongs 38 2-ssec, four furlongs 51sec, seven furlongs Imin 30 3-ssec, mile lmin 43 2-ssec, nine furlongs lmin 58sec, mile and a-quarter 2min lOsec, mile and three furlongs 2min 23sec, mile and a-half 2min 35sec, and the two miles 3min 25 4-ssec. The last mile and half mile were the fastest, and the improved bend into the straight—which had to be traversed twice —will easily account for the race being a record one. We were sure of fresh track records being made and prepared our readers for this. The winner was bred by Mr. D. H. Roberts, a well-known breeder and owner, who owned the sire and bred

Fiery Cross’ dam (Red Cross) as well, she being by Son of a Gun, the Auckland-bred New Zealand Cup winner, who was got by Anteros from the Musket mare Vivandiere. Gienapp was got by Enthusiast, son of Ayrshire, blood which has been very prominent this season in leading winners, Biplane and Cagou being notable instances of many. Fiery Cross is a chestnut, some call him a soft looking one, but he is anything but that and the result proclaims him what few thought him — a genuine stayer. He is more than that, too, in short, he is probably the best handicap horse under weight over a long distance in New Zealand to-day, this remembering that Chortle is still racing, for the last-named is not raced beyond a mile and a-quarter in these days, and Desert Gold is not taking on handicap events. Mr. Roberts talks of giving Fiery Cross a spell, but we hope he will keep him going to the end of the season and let him have a race with the best that can be brought against him at Easter or in April at Wellington. The Grafton Hurdle Race saw Sir Solo, the Auckland Cup winner of 1913, in good form, and he beat the useful but unlucky Fisher, who ran a good race and justified the support accorded him. Sir Solo is far from a spent light, and seems very sound. Gluetanus is doing better as he gets age, and he finished third. Dancastor fell and Tatimi broke down.

The Railway Handicap was remarkable for several things. Mr. H. E. Troutbeck started three (Form Up, Simonides and Elocution) and Mr. W. R. Kemball a brace (Hymestra and Nanna) and the field numbered 15 and resulted in a dead-heat between the three-year-old Hymestra and the ever-green seven-year-old horse King Lupin, who won the race as a three-year-old in lmin 13 l-ssec (record time for the event) and had run unplaced in it twice since. He was in great form and when he swept down on Hymestra, who was leading and appeared to have the race won all the way, J. O’Shea had to get busy, and though King Lupin actually headed the colt he responded again, indeed, both did, and they crossed the line locked together. King Lupin had put up two track gallops on the eve of the meeting which brought him into prominence. On the other hand, Hymestra had failed to show a really impressive gallop in private and lots of people were declaring that it would be useless starting him. Nanna was the one that was being backed. She had galloped brilliantly, but yet when it came to racing for keeps there was no cheating on Hymestra’s part, and likely the gallop would do him a lot of good, as he

had loafed a lot in his work. It was a fine race and Nanna was third, and there is no need to say anything about the others, of whom Gazique ran best, Waiuta, Housewife and Croesus (who is sore) being next. The time was the second best ever done in the race and the best under the weight. King Lupin is a fine horse of very true conformation, but is not a big one and 8.12 is a fair weight for him. Hymestra is also a fine colt. Though he has not grown since he was two years old he seems very solid now and he ran game enough to please. We are never over sanguine about the staying qualities of the Birkenhead horses. His dam is by that horse, but there is a double cross of Musket at the back and that means fighting. Hymettus has not left one so good as this colt. The Waikato-bred one (King Lupin), who, like Fiery Cross, was got by a sire imported by the New Zealand Government, it should be mentioned was handicapped to receive liberal allowances from Form Up and Croesus, who were expected to fight their Stewards’ Handicap battle over again. The honours of the race were, of course, with Hymestra, who was carrying 21b over his w.f.a., while King Lupin had 31b under his. A number of the horses put up overweight. Gazique had lib. Housewife 51b, Lady Jack 81b, Waiuta 111 b and Keep Watch 91b. There was great enthusiasm at the result. The Nursery Handicap saw Sir George Clifford’s colours carried to victory by a useful colt in Long Range, by Antagonist from Telescope, who started a little better favourite than Killowen, who made the running for four furlongs and then collapsed like a pricked balloon, being passed by First Rain (a nice gelding), the winner (Long Range), Piraeus and Principal Lady in the last furlong. The business of the day ended up with a fourteen-horse field in the Christmas Handicap. Tinopai and Gamecock ended up the best supported, and then came Hendra and Colonel Soult. Lightning led, but Colonel

Soult had reached the front in the straight and was looking like a winner at the distance. There Polydamon came from behind and won in good style by a length and a-quarter from the “Colonel,” Lightning being handy in third place, with Meltchikoff fourth. Polydamon, the English-bred horse, imported in July, is a rare fine stamp and he returned his supporters a nice dividend. The results were: —

SHORTLAND PLATE of 300sovs; second 50sovs, third 25sovs. One mile. 4- —E. W. Alison’s ch c Lord Kenilworth, 3yrs, by Kenilworth — Yandangarang, 7.7 (G. Clarke) . . 1 1 — H. E. Troutbeck’s b g Silver Tongue, 3yrs, 7.4 (Emerson) 2 2 — D. H. Roberts’ b g Glendower, 4 yrs, 7.13 (A. Reed) 3 Also started: 6 British Arch 7.13 (J. Buchanan), 7 Grand Duchy 7.13 (J. O’Shea), 13 Ma Copper 7.13 (C. Reed), 10 Pierrot 7.13 (W. Ryan), 8 Stilts 7.13 (McFlinn), 3 Don’t 8.0, inc. 31b over (H. Robinson). 9 Meltonio 7.7 (Rowe), 12 Demotic 7.4 (Ferguson), 5 Lough Ennell 7.4 (Conquest), 11 Tama-te-Kapu 7.6, inc. 21b over (Mullins), 14 Actrice 7.5, inc. 31b over (R. Reed), 15 Runaway 7.2 (Williams). Lord Kenilworth led all the way from a good start and won by a length and a-quarter from Silver Tongue, who was a neck in front of Glendower. Lough Ennell was fourth, followed by Don’t and British Arch. Time, lmin 39 4-ssec. GREAT NORTHERN FOAL STAKES of lOOOsovs; first GOOsovs, second 200 sovs, and third lOOsovs; breeder of winner lOOsovs. For two-year-olds. Six furlongs. 3— H. E. Troutbeck’s b g Demagogue, by Demosthenes -— Gold Bound, 8.7 (Gray) •• • • 1 1— T. H. Lowry’s ch c Fmmark, by Finland — War Scare, 8.10 (C. Emerson) 2 5 — E. J. Watt’s blk c Pontoon, 8.10 (R. Reed) 3 Also started: 1 Kilhope 8.10 (O’Shea), 7 Spanner 8.10 (Buchanan), 9 Aircraft 5.7 (Conquest), 4 Informal 8.7 (Deeley), 6 Shining Light 8.7 (McFlinn), 2 BoPeep 8.5 (A. Reed), S Demoiselle 8.5 (F. E. Jones). Kilhope and Finmark were bracketed. Pontoon led from an even despatch, and when joined by Demagogue below the distance bored right out, taking that gelding with him. Demagogue got clear and won by a length and a-half, Finmark getting up second m the last 50 yards, with Kilhope fourth, and Spanner fifth. Time, lmin 14 4-ssec. ROBINSON HANDICAP of 250sovs; second 35sovs, third 15sovs. Seven furlongs. 2 — Mr. Brentnall’s b m Fabriquette, syrs, by Vasco— —Fabia, 8.8 (Gray) 1 7 —W. C. Motion’s b m Bellacity, 4 yrs, 8 6 (J. Campbell) ......... 12 — W Colebourne’s br g Blue Cross, 4yrs, 7.0 (M. O’Shea) o Also started: 4 Kereone 8.11 (Robinson), 8 Patetonga 8.6 (Conquest), 11 Mossman 8.3 (A. McFlinn), 16 Chilblain 8 0 (W. Ryan), 9 Multive 8.0 (Sinclair), 10 Penniless 8.0 (Clarke), 1 Empire 7.13 (J. O’Shea), 6 Garryowen 7.9 (R. Reed), 3 Independence 7.7, inc. 21b over (A. Reed), 14 Jocular 7.3 (Metcalfe), 5 Bowler 7.9, inc. 71b over (Deeley), 13 Rock Diamond 6.10 (Plockley), Cjarmen Sylva 6.10 (Ferguson), li Backfire 6.12 (C. Reed), 18 Danseuse 6.10 (Bur- £* e s s) Empire, the favourite, gave trouble at the post, but at last a good start was obtained. Patetonga led to the distance and then Fabriquette and Bellacity came, the first-named w.nningby three-quarters of a length, with Blue Cross half a length away third, Kereone and Patetonga next. Time, Imm 28 3-ssec. AUCKLAND CUP HANDICAP of 2650 sovs (a cup value 150sovs and -500 sovs in specie); second 500sovs, third 206SOVS. Two miles. 10—D. H. Roberts’ ch g Fiery Cross, syrs, by Gienapp—Red Cross, 8.8 (J. Campbell) 1 6—F. Dorset’s ch m Red Ribbon, 5 yrs, by Elevation —Blue Ribbon, 7.3, inc. lib over (Conquest) ... 2 13— T. E. Whelch’s b g Multiply, aged, by Multifid —Lady Augusta, 7.3, inc. lib over (Clarke) 3 Also started 1 Menelaus 8.12 (Robinson) bracketed with Johnny Walker 7.9 (Deeley), 2 Toa Tere 8.8 (Gray), 12 Teka 8.5 (Emerson), 11 Adjutant 8.5 (F. E. Jones), 3 Snub 8.5 (Buchanan), 14 Multifual 8.2 (J. O’Shea), 7 Mullingar 8.1 (Goldfinch), 8 Seadown 7.10 (A. Reed), 9 Paraoa 7.4 (C. Reed), 5 Rebel 7.0, inc. 31b over (Rennie), 15 Sir Ralph 6.10 (Ferguson), 4 Cynic 7.5, inc. 101 b over (R. Reed), 16 Gold Fran 6.7 (M. O’Shea). Mullingar was the first to show in front, but Adjutant and Fiery Cross soon struck the front, and after going three furlongs the last-named was leading and stayed there passing the stand, where Adjutant, who was then about fourth, lost his rider through getting squeezed on the rails. Fiery Cross and Red Ribbon went on in the lead and there they remained, Fiery Cross winning after repeatedly responding when Red Ribbon failed to catch him by three-parts of a length, and the lastnamed stayed on and beat Multiply, who finished well, by half a length, with Cynic about the same distance away fourth. Teka, Mullingar, Rebel, Multifual, Johnny Walker, Snub, Menelaus, Gold Fran, Toa Tere and Seadown being the order of the others. Time, 2min 25 4-ssec —a course record. GRAFTON HURDLE RACE of 350sovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. Two miles. 2 —W. Garrett’s b g Sir Solo, aged, by Sir Laddo —Wepener, 10.11 (Thompson) 1 I—Nicholson1 —Nicholson Bros.’ blk g Fisher, aged, 10.4 (McFlinn) ...- 2 6 —D. Twohill’s br g Gluetanus, aged, 9.13 (Stan. Reid) • 3 Also started: 8 Marconi 10.13 (Hastedt), 3 Tatimi 10.13 (Flynn), 4 Te Onga 10.7 (Deerey), 5 Tenacious 10 4 (E. Rae), 7 Crispeen 10.0, inc. 51b over (Mr. Kendall) 9 The Channel 9.0 (Wood), 11 The Celt ’ 9.0 (Anderton), 10 Dancastor 9.0 (Coleman). , , . Won by a length, two lengths between second and third, next coming Tenacious and Marconi, who ran well for a mile

and a-half, and then Crispeen, who tired to nothing after leading, followed by The Channel for a mile and a-quarter. Dancastor fell at the first fence and Tatimi pulled up lame. Time, 3min 45 see.

RAILWAY HANDICAP of lOOOsovs; second 200sovs, third lOOsovs. Six furlongs. 1— W. R. Kemball’s ch c Hymestra, 3yrs, by Hymettus—Straga, 8.6 (J. O’Shea) * 2 — R. Hannon’s ch h King Lupin, aged, by Lupin—St Crispin mare, 8.12 (Robinson) * I—W.1 —W. R. Kemball’s br f Nanna, 3yrs, by Martian —Nantes, 7.5, inc. 21b over (Emerson) 3

Also started: 3 Form Up 9.7 (Sid. Reid), 3 Simonides 8.0 (Gray), 3 Elocution 7.9 (Deeley), 4 Croesus 9.4 (J. Campbell), 8 Gazique 7.13, inc. 11b over (McFlinn), 7 Wrestler 7.10 (A. Reed), 5 Hopfield 7.10 (Buchanan), 6 Housewife 7.5, inc. 51b over (R. Reed), 10 Lady Jack 7.4, inc. 81b over (Conquest), 9 Waiuta 7.4, inc. 111 b over (Clarke), 12 All Talk 6.7 (Ferguson), 11 Keep Watch 7.2, inc. 91b over (Mullins). Nanna and Hymestra and Form Up, Simonides and Elocution were bracketed.

Hymestra, Nanna and King- Lupin led, the first-named after passing the five furlong post being clear of his stable mate and was in front till well up to the distance. Then King Lupin came with a run and just headed him near the stands, but the colt responded in time to get up and make a dead heat. Nanna was two lengths and a-half away third, followed by Gazique, Waiuta and Housewife handy. Time, lmin 13 2-ssec. NURSERY HANDICAP of 350sovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. For two-year-old. Five furlongs. I—Sir G. Clifford’s b c Long Range, by Antagonist—Telescope, 7.8, inc. 31b over (Deeley) 1

3 —E. J. Watt’s b g First Rain, 7.10, inc. 31b over (Gray) 2 5 —H. E. Troutbeck’s br f Piraeus, 7.8, inc. lib over (A. Reed) 3

Also started: 8 Kilbeggan 8.1 (Conquest), 4 Cherry Mart 8.1 (Clarke), 7 Comedy Prince 7.10 (Rowe), 2 Killowen 7.10 (J. O’Shea), 0 Taiamai 7.8 (Buchanan) and Bonanza 7.5 (R. Reed) bracketed, 6 Canzonet 7.9, inc. 21b over (Goldfinch), 12 Ko Iwi 7.5 (Ferguson), 13 Ruatara 7.5 (Mullins), 14 Sugarworks 7.4 (Williams), 11 Wish Wynne 7.7, inc. 71b over (Sinclair), 10 Principal Lady 6.10 (M. O’Shea?, 15 Mary Bruce 6.10 (C. Reed). Cherry Mart and Killowen led in turn, but at the distance Red Rain and Long Range came on, and the last-named won by a length and a-half, Red Rain beating Piraeus a head. Principal Lady was fourth. Time, Imin 2sec. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP of 350sovs; second 70sovs, third SOsovs. One mile. 5—J. N. Heslop’s ch h Polydamon, syrs, by Polymelus—Damia, 7.11 (W. Ryan) 1 4 —J. C. and P. S. Gleeson’s br g Colonel Soult, aged, 8.7 (Reed) 2 B—J.8 —J. C. Lambess’ br m Lightning, syrs, 7.6 (Goldfinch) 3 Also started: 1 Tinopai 7.12 (Robinson), 11 Royal Irish 7.11 (J. O’Shea), 3 Hendra 7.6 (Gray), 9 Fionnuala 7.9 (Emerson), 10 Bingham 7.5 (Sinclair), 2 Gamecock 7.5 (Clarke), 7 Jack Delavai 7.5 (Conquest), 14 Te Papapa 7.4 (Buchanan), 6 Meltchikoff 7.4 (R. Reed), 13 Pendoon 7.0 (M. O’Shea), 12 Rockfield 6.7 (Ferguson). Lightning was first to draw out and Polydamon slowest to begin from a good start. Colonel Soult drew to the front in the straight, and Polydamon

coming strongly cut him down and won by a length and a-quarter, with Lightning a length further back. Meltchikoff was fourth and Fionnuala fifth. Time, Imin 39 2-ssec.