TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1497, 2 January 1919, Page 12

TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB.

CHRISTMAS MEETING. A RECORD GATHERING. HENRY CLAY WINS THE HANDICAP. (From Our Travelling Correspondent.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday. The Christmas meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club, which took place to-day on the club’s picturesque racecourse at New Plymouth, will long be remembered as the most successful in the history of the club. The attendance constituted a record, the crowd present being very much in excess of previous years, while the turnover from the totalisator showed an increase on last year’s figures, which proves conclusively that the club has the confidence of the public. dwing to the new totalisator egulations, there was considerable delay through the altering of the figures on the machine in practically every race, with the result that the last race was run over one hour behind the scheduled time, many of the club’s patrons missing their trains home and being compelled to remain in town for the night. The delay in ringing up the final numbers on the totalisator was very tantalising, and there is undoubtedly room for improvement. It is to be hoped that the club will take action with a view to having the defect remedied before the Cup meeting comes up for decision in February next. Certainly the arrangements in this direction were a long way behind compared with previous meetings, when the final totals always appeared with promptitude.

Mr. A. Morse, of Stratford, officiated as starter, and his despatches were marked by an evenness that evoked much favourable comment from those present. The placings of the various winners were capably attended to by Mr. J. R. L. Stanford, who from his vantage post in the judge’s box gave his decisions promptly and accurately. Despite the fact that he had some close finishes to decide his placings met with general approval. Mr. T. H. G. Lloyd, a well-known solicitor of Dannevirke, who used to race a horse; or two some years ago, acted in the capacity of a stipendiary official but owing to the cleanness of the racing, which has always characterised the Taranaki Jockey Club’s meetings, there was nothing to necessitate an enquiry. The various contests were keenly fought out, the issues being in doubt in many instances right up to the moment the winning line was crossed. Taken right through the racing was very interesting, affording a welldeserved tribute to Handicapper H. Coyle, who, by the way, was not present to witness the results of his excellent work.

The contest for the principal event, the Christmas Handicap, was productive of a very fine race. Winning Shot essayed to win from end to end, and. it was only in the final stages that Henry Clay caught the bay mare, and a ding-dong battle ensued over the last four hundred yards, with the result that Henry Clay squeezed home by a neck, while the fast-finish-ing Dingle beat Winning Shot by a (Similar margin, with Paddington Green close up, fourth. Several capital dividends were paid out during the afternoon, those of Guianform and Tirana running into substantial double figures. As is usual with Mr. E. P. Webster, the club’s secretary, everything worked well in the secretarial department, and visitors, many of whom were present from Wellington and the Wairarapa, carried away with them many happy recollections of the kindness extended them by the officials of the Taranaki Jockey Club. Mr. Webster’s efforts were ably seconded by Mr. B. H. Chaney, a steward of the club, who was assiduous in his attention to visitors to the meeting. People came well provided with the sinews of war, for at the close of the afternoon’s racing it was ascertained that the totalisator staff had handled £25,097, compared with £24,113 for the corresponding day in 1917, the increase thus being £984, which is considered highly satisfactory, as the Taranaki Club is one of the few clubs that showed an increase over the holiday meetings. The Railway Department delayed several trains to meet the requirements of sporting enthusiasts, with the result that people were enabled to reach home the same night, although quite a large number missed

the trains through the delay experienced on the totalisator.

NOTES ON.THE RACING.

In the opening event, the Huatoki Plate, a big surprise proved in store for backers, Guianform, a three-year-old son of Guianforte—Avaunce, coming with a late run and defeating Applaud comfortably in an exciting race up the ‘Straight, the favourite, Hallow, being third. Genskus, who was heavily backed, could only finish fourth. The winner was nicely handled by the. capable lightweight N. K. McDonell. Romance showed up prominently in the early, stages, but compounded after turning the bend for home, where he was in command.

The Advance mare Movement, who is owned and trained by Percy Johnson, was made a slightly better than even money favourite for the Stewards’ Hack Handicap, in which Marqueteur and Momac were also well supported. The Auckland horseman, S. Henderson, took Movement to the front when the barrier lifted, and the issue was never really in doubt, as he easily maintained his lead, winning by six lengths from Momac, with Munition third.

P. Johnson also provided the winner of the Rahotu Hack Hurdles, in the St. Paul gelding Simple Sam, who practically led from end to end and returned his 342 supporters a good dividend. Veto, who was favourite and had the services of S. Henderson, and Golden Grafton monopolised the bulk of the investments on the totalisator, and proved Simple Sam’s most dangerous opponents. Going along the back Golden Grafton drew almost on terms with Simple Sam, with Veto handy, but neither had a chance .with P. Johnson’s jumper in the run up the straight, the latter easily accounting for Golden Grafton by four lengths, with Veto third. The good field of 13 starters lined up for the Borough Hack Handicap, a warm favourite being found in the ex-Karamu representative Piano, formerly owned by the late Mr. J. McKean, of New Plymouth, and now running in Mrs. M. McKean’s name. Occasion and Carmel Arch also carried solid support. Jane Douglas, Piano and Carmel Arch made the early running, the favourite losing her position racing towards the bend into the straight, which Carmel Arch was the first to enter, with Jane Douglas second. The pair looked to have the issue to themselves when L. Nodder brought Madam Ristori along with .a nicely-timed run and succeeded in securing the judge’s verdict by a neck from Carmel Arch, with Jane Douglas half a length away third. Rewi Poto and Hiero were the only withdrawals from the Christmas Handicap, for which nine were saddled up, Henry Clay, who ha d the services of- S. Henderson, being elected favourite, with Alteration, Munster and Perfect Day most in demand of the others. The race was a splendid betting one, £3924 10s. being invested on the totalisator, being a record amount for any one event at the meeting. Winning Shot had charge from Dingle and Paddington Green passing the stand, the daughter of Signor —True Shot increasing her lead fejoing along the back, where Munster displaced Dingle in second position, the favourite being fourth. The order was unaltered as the field raced to the straight entrance, Winning Shot commencing to tire at this stage, coming back to her field. Henry Clay headed her into the straight, while Dingle joined in the struggle, a fine race resulting in a win for the favourite by a neck from Dingle, who was a similar distance in advance of Winning Shot, Paddington Green being fourth. The victory of the favourite, Nemaline, in the Lepperton Welter Hack Handicap gave S. Henderson his third winning ride during the afternoon. There were 18 starters, Nemaline being a very warm order, with Trombone the only other contestant to receive solid backing, the pair carrying over half the investments on the race. Nemaline won all the way, scoring comfortably by a length from Tiranga, with Trombone a similar distance away, third. Vance was considered invincible in the Tikorangi Hack Stakes, and was backed accordingly, 1127 tickets being taken out on her number, Madam Ristori, who had won the Borough Handicap earlier in the afternoon, being second choice with less than half that number invested on her prospects. Eleven lined up at the barrier, where Passin’ Through proved fractious, and was responsible for kicking A. O’Hare, the rider of Occasion, so severely on the thigh as to necessitate his removal to the hospi-

tai in an ambulance, this being the only regrettable incident at the meeting. Bisognio was smartest away, with the favourite next, and Passin’ Through handy. The field was bunched entering the straight, and an exciting finish was witnessed, Madam Ristori, with a characteristic run, securing the verdict from Passin’ Through by a length, with Vance a similar distance away, third. The 13 carded for the Flying Handicap was reduced to six starters, Movement being about a £250 better favourite than Hushman, the pair carrying considerably more than half the investments on the race. The favourites were completely routed, for Tirana, the outsider of the field, took charge from the barrier rise and was never headed, winning by a length from Starengo, with Hushman, who finished very fast, a neck away, third. The favourite was fourth. The results were: —

HUATOKI PLATE, of 135 sovs; weight for age. Seven furlongs. 10—N. Brown’s blk g Guianform, 3yrs, by Guianforte — Avaunce, 7.13 (McDonell) 1 4 —Conza Bros.’ b g Applaud, 8.13 (D. Scott) 2 I—N.1 —N. King’s b g Hallow, 7.13 (W. Ayres) 3

Also started: 12 Takanganui 8.11 (Richmond), 5 Te Toa 8.13 (Henderson), 9 Reopai 9.5%, inc. 6% lb over (E. Stockman), 15 Khartoum 9.7, inc. 81b over (Fowler), 7 Lord Formby 8.11 (Ruscoe), 14 Spinifex 8.11 (McCormick), 8 Romance 8.11 (Nodder), 13 Cammy 8.11 (Mcßandall), 2 Genskus 8.11 (W. Price), 3 Otonga 8.11 (Fitzwater), 6 Anserine 8.9 (Hale), 11 Halcyon -7.13 (K. Lambess). Won by half a length, a similar distance between second and third. Genskus was fourth. Time, Imin 31 2-ssec.

STEWARDS’ HACK HANDICAP of 160sovs. Six furlongs. 1 — P. Johnson’s blk m Movement, aged, by Advance —Officer mare, 9.2 (S. Henderson) 1 3— H. E. Card’s b m Momac, 8.7%, inc. l%lb over (A. O’Hare) .... 2 6 — B. T. Bennett’s b m Munition, 7.11, inc. 31b over (Ayres) 3 Also started: 2 Marqueteur 9.3 (W. Price), 5 Kaimanawanui 7.12 (Nodder), 4 Self Alliance 7.2 (McDonell), 7 Sea Sprite 7.0 (McCormick). Won by six lengths, half a length between second and third. Sea Sprite was fourth. Time, lmin 15sec. RAHOTU HACK HURDLES HANDICAP of J7ssovs. One mile and ahalf and 100 yards. 4— P. Johnson’s ch g Simple Sam, aged, by St. Paul — Foulshot mare, 9.7 (W. Ayres) 1 2— E. George’s b m Golden Grafton, 10.0 (Mcßandle) 2 I—-R.1 —-R. Brough’s ch m Veto, 10.2 (S. Henderson) 3 Also started: 3 Polthogue 9.9 (Ward), 6 Speedwell Mac 9.7 (B. Clarke), 7 Master Grecian 9.0 (R. Turner), 5 Master Webster 9.0 (Hawken). Won by four lengths, six lengths between second and third. Speedwell Mac was fourth. Time, 2min 54 2-ssec. BOROUGH HACK HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Five furlongs. 4 — E. George’s Madam Ristori, syrs, by Marble Arch — Ristori, 9.0 (L. Nodder) 1 3— —-C. D. Tyler’s b g Carmel Arch, 8.6 (W. Price) 2 7 — Cecil Arden’s b m Jane Douglas, 7.2%, inc. 2%1b over (McDonell) 3 Also started: 2 Occasion 8.2 (O’Hare), I Piano 8.4, inc. 51b over (Henderson), 5 Munition 7.9 (W. Ayres), 6 Metallum 7.6 (Rowlands), 9 Elevent 7.0 (A. McCormick), 10 Havasack 7.4, inc. 41b over (L. Jones), 13 Spreadagle 7.6%, inc. 6% lb over (A. Lee), 8 Huipoto 7.8, inc. 81b over (Richmond), 11 Royal Divorce 7.0 (Hamilton), 11 Solita 8.9%', inc. 231 b over (Mcßandle). Won by a neck, half a length between second and third. Elevent was fourth. Time, lmin 2sec. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP’ (Open) of 250 sovs. One mile and a-quarter. I—R. Johnson’s ch g Henry Clay, aged, by Signor — Amai, 7.9 (S. Henderson) 1 6—F. Seiwood’s b g Dingle, 8.2 (W. Price) 2 8— A. Alexander’s b m Winning Shot, 6.11%, inc 2%1b over (Hamilton) 3 Also started: 2 Alteration 8.0 (Nodder), 5 Royal Park 7.13, inc. 31b over (Lambess), 7 Paddington Green 7.10%, inc. 3% lb over (Ayres), 3 Munster 7.3 (McDonell), 9 Gipsy Gem 6.5, 51b allow. (Johnson), 4 Perfect Day 6.7 (McCormick), Won by a neck, a similar distance between second and third. Paddington Green was fourth. Time, 2min llsec. LEPPERTON WELTER HACK HANDICAP of 135sovs. Seven furlongs. 1- —-J. Dwyer’s b m Nemaline, 4yrs, by Husbandman—Nora Paul, 9.0 (S. Henderson) 1 3—F. Hoskin’s b g Tiranga, 9.4 (L. Nodder) 2 2— McDonald Bros.’ blk g Trombone, 9.12 (McDonell) 3 Also started: 5 Clavis 9,7, inc. 51b allow. (Johns), 9 Normanby 9.7 (A. Ward), 4 Applaud 9.4 (D. Scott), 7 Compel 9.4%, inc. 2% lb over (Fitzwater), II Lord Formby 9.0 (Ruscoe), 10 Prince Formby 9.0 (F. Anstis), 8 Marshal Neil 9.0 (W. Price), 6 Cadet 9.4 (Ayres). ,Won by a length, a similar distance between second and third. Compel was fourth. Time, lmin 30 2-ssec. TIKORANGI HACK STAKES of 125 sovs. Five furlongs. 2—E. George’s b m Madam Ristori, syrs, by Marble Arch—Ristori, 9.2%, inc. 2%1b over (A. Ward) 1 5— R. E. Laurent’s blk g Passin’ Through, 8.0 (Nodder) 2 I—J. S. Parson’s ch m Vance, 8.0 (W. Price) 3 Also started: 3 Occasion 9.0 (O’Hare), 4 Piano 9.0 (McDonell), 9 Cammy 8.12%, inc. 12%1b over (Mcßandle), 6 Bisognio 8.0 (Henderson), 7 Marble Bar 8.0 (W.

Ayres), 8 Some Boy 8.0 (McCormick), 10 Master Curran 8.0 (Lambess). Won by a length, a similar distance between second and third. Time, lmin 2 3-ssec. FLYING HANDICAP (Open) of 200 sovs. Six furlongs. 6—G. Mulrae’s br g Tirana, aged, by Coronet — Tarina, 7.8 (McDonell) 1 3—VV. Brown’s b g Starengo, 8.7 (W. Price) *••• 2—Clout Bros.’ br g Hushman, 8.9 (L. Nodder) •• • • 3 Also started: 4 Royal Chef 8.11 (W. Ayres), 1 Movement 8.3, inc. 71b pen. (Henderson), 5 Momac 7.0 (McCormick). Won by a length, a neck between second and third. Time, lmin 14 2-ssec.