NAPIER PARK RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1507, 13 March 1919, Page 12

NAPIER PARK RACING CLUB.

AUTUMN MEETING. BATTLE SONG ANNEXES CUP. (From Our Napier Correspondent.) There was a great crowd on both days of the autumn venture of the Napier Park Racing Club last week and the old axiom “where the people are there also is the money” was quite borne out by the amount that was machined for the two days, the investments registering a record. That a stride had been made of some distinction along the financial route may be gathered from the fact that the increase when compared to the amount invested at a similar gathering last season reached the sum of £12.156. The amount handled during the afternoon was £23,030, as against £l6 330 for the opening day last year. For some time back the accommodation for patrons has been of a crude and unsatisfactory nature, but last week the improvements and additions that have recently been erected came in for favourable report from patrons of the fixture, and it must now be quite apparent to the committee of the club that the previous wail regarding lack of accommodation and appointments generally was quite justified. However, the progressive policy of the club is certain to bear good fruit, and the increased attendance and financial returns from the totalisator amply demonstrate that the public appreciated the efforts made by the club to cater for their convenience and comfort. On the opening afternoon backers of the first choices just got out of the bush for three first favourites scored and two 'filled the runner-up positions. On Saturday those who came at the favourites got badly bent and twisted, for only a couple of the prime goods returned dividends, and

these were for second positions, a loss resulting in each instance. First Line was made an odds-on choice for the Omaranui Hack Hurdles, the opposition consisting of five other runners. Ore Ore ranked as second selection, and when it came to the test he was the only one in the event, for he got there easily from the favourite. Kahumangu, who was badly handled, was third. The winner was well handled by Rangi Thompson, who rode with confidence all through the piece. Nothing but Statuette would go down with the big majority of backers in connection with the betting over the Esk Hack Handicap, Lord Muskerry and Hymarty following in that order next in request. The favourite duly landed the goods from Lord Muskerry. The latter was interfered with by Emerson on Statuette, but the stewards after considering the matter, let Emerson off with a caution for careless riding, expressing their opinion that the interference had not affected the result of the race. The winner can gallop, and over short courses will take some si'encing. She is a younger full-sister to Arch Marella. who of late has been making history on the other side of the water. Hymarty did not show out as well as her connections expected, and at the finish was not in the first four, the third horse being Honey Bee, who looks as if he will get amongst the stake winners in the near future when opposed to others not in the same class as Statuette.

Hendra was sorted out as the proper way out of the problem for the Cup, Palm Oil being second in demand and Rewi Poto third in estimation. The fancied trio failed

lamentably, though Rewi Poto finished third. It was an easy won race, for the winner, Battle Song, though he was left a few lengths, soon asserted himself, and after going a furlong took charge and was never afterwards in danger of defeat. Tressida, who looked well, finished second, and, as before mentioned, Rewi Poto was third, and Hendra fourth. The owner of Palm Oil was very dissatisfied at the way that McDonald rode the horse, and asked the stewards to hold an enquiry into the matter, as the horse was ridden contrary to orders. They decided to hold over the enquiry until the following morning. Powder King, who was out of his class, carried half a stone overweight, and he made it willing along with Battle Song for five furlongs, when he surrendered.

Ethiopian, a shapely three-year-old son of All Black and Esmeh (incorrectly stated in the race book as Isomar), was made a solid favourite for the Trial Hack Handicap, and then came Livland and War March in that order. The good thing duly materialised, Wakatere, a gelded son of Finland and Hautu, filling second berth, with Livland in third position. Ethiopian was a bit lucky to score, for when Wakatere was making a good bid for the premier position he was stopped through having to go around Livland, who was tiring and running a bit wavy. Seven lined up for the Welter Handicap, the pick of backers being Altercation, the next to come into the market being First Salute and Retard. The latter waited on his field to the distance post, when he put in a few of his best, and it was all over as regards securing the heavy end of the stake. Maraetotara, who came with a late run, was second. Retard’s

success marked the first score for Mr. G. Crosse, who purchased the gelded son of Multifid and Miss Dawdle last winter. He is now trained by W. Stone, who last season raced him in conjunction with Mr. H. Hassall. Altercation was a fair third.

Hetaua, who was coupled with Stammer, was the elect of the majority of backers who were doing business on the Sapling Stakes, Crenides being second choice and Magistrate third pick. The favourite justified the estimation of his capabilities, for he was always handy over the last bit, and won cleverly from Makere, a half-sister by Tribulation to The Summit. Magistrate was third and Mosthenes fourth. The latter carried 121 b. overweight, and with that off his back would have been very handy. Crenides was slow to leave the mark, and then got a none too good passage, having to run over a lot of extra ground with 9.13 on board prejudicing his prospects. The winner proved that he is just “some” colt, for he has piactically speaking done nothing of note on the tracks since his return from Auckland, and he made the lot behind him look like a lot of odds and ends.

Lovematch was made a screamer for the Redclyffe Hack Welter, in a field of eight. Transmission, the second favourite, however, wiped her out, and that somewhat easy, with Crosswords, who is now trained by J. Griffiths, third. Ehipia, the third selection, was never dangerous, the pace being made too torrid for him from the send-off.

Elocution, who was turned out in great nick, occupied the position of first favourite in the concluding item for the afternoon, the Flying Handi-

cap. Sweet Corn and the topweight, Chortle, were next best backed in that order. Demagogue, who was on the rails, and Sea Lord began smartly, and were soon several lengths in the van for four furlongs, when Sea Lord gave way to Sweet Corn, and the daughter of Malster was soon at Demagogue, who got pinched in through a lot of the) runners closing in on him, being hampered in his efforts. Rawakore put in good work over the last bit, but failed to reach Sweet Corn, the favourite being third. Sea Lord was fourth. Chortle looked big and bright, and with a few more spins, presuming he stands up to Ms work, will be amongst the winners very soon. Sweet Corn, who is now owned by Mr. J. H. Colebourne, registered a very attractive performance. The results were: — OMARANUI HACK HANDICAP HURDLES of 150sovs. One mile and three-quarters. 2 — Estate W. J. Douglas’ Ore Ore, 11.2 (R. Thompson) 1 I—A. M. Wright’s First Line, 10.10 (J. Proctor) 2 3— H. Brooker’s Kahumangu, 11.2 (B. Brooker) 3 Also started: 4 Warmth 9.0, 5 Sensitive 9.9, 6 Tigerland 9.0. Won by three lengths, a similar distance between second and third, with Warmth fourth. Time, 3min 13 l-ssec. ESK HACK HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Five furlongs. 1— L. Wilson’s Statuette, 9.0 (C. Emerson) 1 2— T. Byrne’s Lord Muskerry, 5.3 . . 2 5—H. Tupaea’s Honey Bee, 7.8 (J. Dwyer) 3 Also started: 3 Hymarty 8.7, 4 Starglow 7.6, 6 Lady Kilworth 7.9, 8 Asterial 7.4, 9 Stutter 7.3, 7 Orateur 6.12, 10 Murru 7.0. Won by two lengths. Orateur was fourth. Time, Imin 2 l-ssec. NAPIER CUP HANDICAP of OOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. 3— P. Soame’s Battle Song, 7.10 (H. Young) 1

5 —J. S. McLeod’s Tressida, 7.2 (L. Berry) 2 4 —W. Raleigh’s Rewi Poto, 9.5 (F. Johnston) 3 Also started: 1 Hendra 8.9, 2 Palm Oil 7.11, 6 Powder King 6.7. Won by two lengths. Hendra was fourth. Time, 2min S l-ssec. TRIAL HACK HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Six furlongs. 1 — P. F. Walls’ Ethiopian, 7.7 (E. Manson) 1 4 — J. Gillies’ Wakatere, 7.7 (Corlett) 2 2- —H. W. Brown’s Livland, 7.11 (H. Young) 3 Also started: 3 War March 9.0, 5 Birkelot 7.11, 8 Rockbottom 7.11, 9 Mayform 7.9, 7 Leighton Lass 7.7, 6 The Pagan 7.7. Won by a length. Time, Imin 1:> 2— WELTER HANDICAP of ,150sovs. Seven furlongs. 3 — C'_ Crosse’s Retard, 9.3 (E. Manson > 1 5— j Key’s Maratotara, 8.9 (Dwyer.) 2 Ij’ F. Walker’s Altercation, 9.0 (C. Emerson) 3 Also started: 4 Kiltess 9.0, 7 Tavistock 8.9, 2 First Salute 8.9, 6 The Speaker 8.7. Won by a length, two lengths between second and thiid. Time, :min 28 4-ssec. SAPLING STAKES HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Five furlongs. 1 — Estate W. J. Douglas’ Hetaua, 9.8 (C. Emerson) I 7 —Taranaki Te Ua’s Makere, 6.10 > (J. Hockley) - 2 — H. Tupaea’s Magistrate, 7.3 (F. Corlett) • Also started: 3 Crenides 9.13, 1 Stammer (coupled with Hetaua), 8 Asterina 8.0, 5 Night Time 7.11, 6 Sycorax 7.7, 4 Mirk carried 7.2%, 11 Pawanui 7.2, 9 Mosthenes 6.12, 10 Cashmere Rose carried 7.0%. Won by a long neck, halt a length between second and third. Magistrate was fourth. Time, Imin 1 2-ssec. REDCLYFFE HACK WELTER HANDICAP of 120sovs. One mile. 2—J. H. Redfern’s Transmission, 8.2 (H. Young) • 1 I—Mrs.1 —Mrs. M. A. Perry’s Lovematch, 8.10 (C. Emerson) - 1 — J. Griffiths’ Crosswords, 7.13 (A. Griffiths) • 3 Also started: 3 Eheipa 8.13, 6 Carillon 8.0, 5 Woolahra 7.12, 7 Recreation 7.7, 8 Kohu 7.7. Won by three lengths. Recreation was fourth. Time, Imin 4 8 4-ssec. FLYING HANDICAP of 200sovs. Six furlongs. 2— J. H. Colebourne’s Sweet Corn, 9.8 (Emerson) 1 4 — W. Raleigh's Rawakore, 7.6 (J. Hockley) •••: • ; " - I—W.1 —W. A. Couper's Elocution, 8.1 (E. Manson) 3 Also started: 3 Chortle 9.12, 6 Demagogue 7.7, 5 Sea Lord 6.9, 7 Meli cairied 6.9. Won by a length, a similar distance between s-econd and thiid. Sea Loid was fourth. Time, Imin 14 l-ssec. SECOND DAY.