EGMONT RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1483, 26 September 1918, Page 12

EGMONT RACING CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. BIG FIELDS AND FINE RACING. (From Our Wanganui Correspondent.) The spring meeting of the Egmont Racing Club was held at Hawera on Thursday and proved an unqualified success. The morning broke cold and wintry, but the sky brightened before noon, and the conditions were almost ideal during the afternoon. The attendance was very large, visitors being present from all parts of the island, and they were treated to some excellent sport, the fields being large and the racing of a most interesting description. The feature of the meeting was the introduction of steeplechase races, which provided splendid sport, and showed the hunters produced in the district up in a most attractive light, the jumping being of a high class. The North Taranaki Hunt Cup Steeplechase proved a remarkably fine contest, and the win of Mr. B. H. Chaney’s Kurnalpi was most popular, Mr. Chaney being the deputy-master of the North Taranaki Hunt. The handsome cup donated by the Taranaki Jockey Club was presented to Mr. Chaney in front of the grandstand by Mr. John Gray, vicepresident of the Egmont Racing Club, who expressed his pleasure at .the success of such a good sportsman and good horse. Most of the same horses competed in the Ladies’ Bracelet, which was a chapter of accidents, :the winner turning up in the Auckland gelding Tirau, who had a slight Advantage of the favourite, King’s Park, at the last obstacle, which pro'ved fatal to the latter, Tirau going ori to win easily, and thus- breaking a spell of . bad luck ; down this way. Mr; J. George won the two open events with Glenroy and Alteration, both of whom were ridden by. Hector Gray, and his fine horsemanship. was a big factor towards victory in each case. In the Waihi Hack Handicap, Ju Jitsu upset a red hot favourite in Royal Park, and paid a fine price. A feature of the afternoon was the easy win scored by Zola in the Hack Hurdles, though he did not have a very strong field to beat. The son of Sweet Simon took his hurdles in fine style and was much too good for the opposition. He was turned out in capital nick by W. Rayner, who also won a race with Pennon, the English-bred filly putting up a capital performance in the Telegraph Handicap, as she jumped back when , the tapes went up and lost considerable ground. However, galloping at a great bat when she got under way, she registered a victory in attractive style, ana has only to keep sound to win again soon.

The management of the meeting was first-class, and the secretary (Mr. V. B. Stratton) and his assitsant (Mr. F. Spriggins, of Wanganui) are to be congratulated on the smoothness with which the programme was got through. Handicapper H. Coyle was warmly complimented on his good work, while Mr. C. O’Connor, the starter, was very successful in getting his fields away on even terms. The custodian, Mr. Alf. Morse, had the course in excellent order, though the going was rather heavy as a result of the rain of the previous few days. Speculation was very brisk throughout the day, a total of £23,752 being put through the machine. Altogether the meeting was a thoroughly enjoyable one, and it is very gratifying to know that the club scored such a great success over the gathering. There are few clubs in the Dominion where the same hospitality and con-

ideration for the comfort and convenience of visiting sportsmen and the Press is accorded as by the committee and officials of the Egmont Club, and hence it is not surprising that the club’s gatherings are so popular with racing men. For the opening event —the Hunters’ Flat —Bollin and Master Webster were withdrawn ,eight going to the post, the topweight, Flying Camp, being made a better favourite than Lagan, Larry and Whetoki being the most fancied of the others. Forum and Whetoki led in turn, the lastnamed having a big break on the others at one stage, but three furlongs from home the favourite ran to the front, and leading into the straight easily held his own in the final stages. Whetoki finished fourth. Paraoa and Tonukohe were scratched for the Hack Hurdles, leaving ten to fact the starter, Zola being sent out a red-hot favourite, Waioture and Lord Ainslie coming in for most support amongst the others. Huzza and

Paparess were the first to become prominent, but Zola soon ran to the front and had a good lead passing the stand. Jumping well, the son of Sweet Simon never gave anything else a chance, and was several lengths ahead at the last hurdle. He easily held his advantage in the run home. Golden Grafton was fourth. Dancastor was going fairly well at the. bend in second place, but hit a hurdle hard, losing some ground, and had to be content with third place. If Zola keeps sound he is likely to do well over the small sticks, and should win in better company. There were eight starters in the Tawhiti Handicap, Robur, Staccato, Cyresian and Gipsy Gem being withdrawn. Rewi Poto and Starengo caused some delay at the barrier, the former being badly left in the end. Royal Chef, on the rails, got away smartly and led into the straight, where H .Gray brought Glenroy along and the Gienapp gelding scored easily for Mr. J. George. The winner was a warm favourite, Royal Chef being next in demand. Starengo finished fourth, and then came ■ Coropett and Notability. The North Taranaki Hunt Cup Steeplechase was contested by seven, Jacaranda being made a slightly better favourite than Tirau. Kurnalpi and Brown Joe were also well supported. It was a splendid race. Tirau was the first to show out, but Patariki soon took up the running and led until the bend for home, where Brown Joe, Jacaranda and Kurnalpi drew up. The three named were in close company at the last fence, but Kurnalpi made the best jump and coming on full of running won decisively from Brown Joe, with Jacaranda some distance further back. Mac, Patariki and Tirau finished in that order outside of the places. There were only four starters in the Mcßae Memorial Handicap, for which Depredation, Paraoa, Gipsy Gem and Jiu Jitsu were scratched. Detroit was the popular pick, Alteration being the most fancied of the others. Meltchikoff raced to the front and at the half distance had a big break on Otter. At the back Detroit made a forward move, and at the bend ran into the lead, being first into the straight. Once heads were turned for home, Gray brought Alteration on the outside, and the son of Elevation went on to win easily. The fact that H. Gray had the mount on Royal Park caused that gelding to be' sent out a very warm favourite for the Waihi Hack, for which a large field started. Zela, Windorah and Glucian were the most fancied of the others. The favourite made a big effort to win, but had to be content with second place, the winner turning up in Jiu Jitsu, on which mare L. Morris rode a fine race. He was lucky to get an opening at the turn on the rails, and shot his mount through cleverly, whereas Royal Park had to go round on the outside. The winner, paid a fine price—the best of the day—while Royal Park’s backers did not get much more than half their money back.

The Auckland gelding Tirau won the Ladies’ Bracelet Steeplechase, for which thirteen started, Flying Camp and King’s Park carrying the bulk of the money. The race was a chapter of accidents. White Stockings led for three-quarters of a mile, when he ran into a wing and spoilt the chances of the favourite, Larry and Ngatroness, while others ran off or fell, there being only six left in the race at . the end of the first mile'. Tirau and King’s Park rose to the last jump together, but King’s Park toppled over, and Tirau was left to run in an easy winner. D. Burt, the rider of Flying Camp, was badly hurt, and was

taken to hospital in an unconscious condition. There were nineteen starters in the concluding event, the Telegraph Handicap, for which Madam Ristori, with H. Gray in the saddle, was sorted out as a good thing, but she did. not get into a place. When the barrier went up Pennon jumped back, and she appeared to be in a hopeless position as the others closed in on her. Occasion, on the rails, got going quickly, and led to the bend, where Pennon, having got clear, could be seen to be overhauling the leaders in fine style. She was first into the straight, and raced home an easy winner from Genskus. Pennon is a four-year-old mare by Coriander —Eulogy, and is owned by Mr. G. M. Currie, and trained by W. Rayner. She is very brilliant, but has to be handled very carefully, as she is always more or less sore. She was nicely handled by S. Corlett. H. Gray, with two wins, was the most successful rider. Others who had winning mounts were L. Morris, J. Roach, S. Corlett, D. Burt, Copestake and Mr. Cloutt. During the afternoon a number of two-year-olds were sprinted on the course, a chestnut gelding owned by Mr. A. Lile and named Mistian (Winkie —Mistime), showing to most advantage. The results were: — HUNTERS’ FLAT RACE HANDICAP of 120sovs. Gentlemen riders. One mile and a distance. 1 — J. Hawkins’ ch g- Flying Camp, aged, by Campfire —La Milo, 12.10 (Mr. Clout) ••• 1 7— a. Reid’s b g Forum, 6yrs, 10.7 (Mr. T. Taylor) 2 2— H. Keesing’s br g Lagan, syrs, 10.12 (Mr. A. Terry) 3 Also started: G Key 10.12 (Mr. M. Crow), 4 Whetoki 10.12 (Mr. N. Short), 5 Anitra 10.7 (Mr. H. Cameron), 8 Formosus 10.7 (Mr. George), 3 Larry 10.7 Won easily by a length and a-hall. Time, 2min 5 3-ssec. TONGAHOE HACK HURDLES of 150 sovs. One mile and a-half. I—W. Rayner’s br g Zola, 6yrs, by Sweet Simon — Zaida, 10.0 (E. Copestake) 3 10—L. Wemmick’s b g Polthogue, 6yrs, 9.0 (W. Ayres) 2 7 —T. 'J. B. Stewart’s b g Dancastor, aged, 9.9 (J. Preston) ••••••••• 3 Also started: 3 Lord Ainslie 10.12 (J. Roach), 8 Golden Grafton 10.0 (Tutchen), 2 Waioture 9.8 (Flynn), 4 Dasher Boy 9.8 (S. Reid), 5 Huzza 9.3 (A. Ward), 9 Paparess 9.2 (Henderson), 6 Welshman 9.0 (L. Coleman). Won by six lengths. Time, 2min 54 sec. TAWHITI HANDICAP (Open) of 200 sovs. Six furlongs. 1— J. George’s br g Glenroy, aged, by Gienapp—Vardo, 8.0, inc. 11b over (H. Gray) ,’’ L’, ’ 1 2 — G. Larcom’s br g Royal Chef, aged, 7.11 (D. Anderson) 2 3 — A. Symes’ b g Hygina.s, syrs, 8.3 o (R. Reed) •■■ • ° Also - started: 8 Rewi Poto 9.0 (Johnson), 4 Coropett 7.8 (L. Morris), 7 Starengo 7.4%, inc. 2%1b over (C. Reed), 5 Rajput 6.11%, inc. IGlb over (Corlett), 6 Notability 6.7 (McCormack). rT ,_ ’ , . Won by three lengths. Time, limn 17 2 -s sec. NORTH TARANAKI HUNT CUP HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, a cup value 25sovs, presented by the Taranaki J.C., and 200sovs in specie. About three miles. 3 — B. H. Chaney’s b g Kurnalpi, aged, by Daystar — St. Conon mare, 11.4 (D. Burt) 1 4 — H. Guyton’s br g Brown Joe, aged, 19,1.3 (S. Reid) 2 I—C. A. Green’s b g Jacaranda, aged, 11.8 (J. Preston) 3 Also started: 2 Tirau 11.8 (Roach), 7 Lady Renown 10.13 (Tilsey), 6 Mac 10.7 (Deerey), 5 Patariki 10.7 (Hunt). Won bj r five lengths. Time, Gmin 36sec.

McRAE MEMORIAL (Open) of 250 sovs. One mile and a-quarter. 2— J. George's b h Alteration, syrs, by Elevation —Eduam, 7.13 (H. Gray) 1 I—G. Wrelling's br g Detroit, aged, 8.12 (R. Reed) 2 3— J. Machell’s b g Meltchikoff, aged, 8.2 (Schmidt) 3 Also started: 4 Otter 6.11 (McCormack). Won by three lengths. Time, 2min 14 3-ssec. WAIHI HACK HANDICAP of 130sov.s. One mile and 110 yards. 7 — w. Cleaver’s b m Jiu-Jitsu, Gyrs, by Guianforte — Tseult, 7.2 (L. Morris) ’ 3 I—Ogle1—Ogle and Jury’s ch g Royal Park, 6yrs, 9.2 (H. Gray) A 15—J. M. Hurley’s gr m Otongo, 7.0 (McDonell) » Also started: 6 Robur 9.3 (R. Reed), 4 Glucian 7.13 (Henderson), 2 Zela 7.7 (E. Reed), 11 Compel 7.6 (Schmidt), 9 Perfect Day 7.6 (McCormack), 13 Marquetry 7.2 (Henderson), 16 Army Service 7.2 (W. Price), 19 Romance 7.0 (Rowland), 17 Trench Wheel 7.0 (R. Hunt), 3 Windorah 7.0 (O’Shea), _1 2 Lipton 7.0 (McCarten), 8 Lagan 7.0 (Sinclair), 5 Hallow 7.0 (Brady), 14 Suvla 7.0 (Corlett), 18 Guianform 7.0 (C. Reed), 16 Cammey 7.0 (Ayres). Won bv two lengths. Time, Imin 55 2-ssec. LADIES’ BRACELET HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE, a bracelet value 20sovs, and 130sovs in specie. About two miles. 4 — Sefton Bank’s ch g Tirau, aged. by Spalpeen—Queenie, 11.1 (J. Roach) I 6 —J. O’Donell’s br g Papatere, aged, 10.5 (Tutchen) 2 8 — L. O’Neill’s b g Mac, aged, 10.0 (Henderson) 3

Also started: 1 Flying Camp 11.9 (D. Burt), 3 Jacaranda 11.3 (J. Preston), 2 King’s Park 10.13 (S. Reid), 12 Whakamoa 10.0 (Stockman), 11 Jet Black 10.0 (J. Deerey), 13 Glenaron 10.0 (George), 5 Larry 10.0 (Keepa), 10 Ngatroness 10.0 (A. Ward), 9 Master Webster 10.0 (Flynn), 7 White Stockings 10.0 (Copestake). Won by two lengths. Time, 4min I osec. TELEGRAPH HANDICAP of 125sovs. Five furlongs. 2 —G. M. Currie’s b m Pennon, 4yrs, bv Coriander—Eulogy, 8.4 (Corlett) 1 6 —p. Thurle’s b m Genskus, syrs, 7.0 (Bagby) • 2 13 —R. Blough’s blk b White Ranger, Gyrs, 7.8 (McCarten) . . o Also started: 5 Rawakore. 9.8 (Johnson), 7 Staccato 9.5 (Nodder), 1 Madam Ristori 9.0 (Gray), 3 Rajput 8.9 (C. Price), 13 Marqueteur 8.5 (Anderson), II Munition 7.10 (W. Price), 8 Melita 7.10 (Ayres), 14 Metallum 7.5 (Rowland), 10 Beauforte 7.4 (C. Reed), 4 Occasion 7.0 (R. Reed), 15 Royal Divorce 7.0 (O’Shea), 16 Totara Jack 7.0 (Sinclair), 17 Torokaha 7.0 (W. Scott), 9 Gloam 7.0 (L. Morris), 18 Sir WilHam 7.0 (McCormack), 12 Trombone 7.0 (McDonell). Won by three lengths. Time, Imin ssec. -