OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1518, 29 May 1919, Page 15

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

AUTUMN MEETING CONCLUDED. DEAN DILLON WINS BIG RACE. The Otahuhu Trotting Club must be considered, very fortunate in regard to the fine weather which prevailed on both days of their autumn fixture, especially in view of the bad weather which intervened the two days’ carnival. Sunday and Monday of , last week gave Aucklanders a real taste of wet winter weather, and held out little prospect of racing being held on the mud track at Alexandra Park on the Wednesday. A fine Tuesday; however, caused matters to bear a much more promising aspect, and, with a fair wind to assist, the track dried rapidly, and favoured with a continuance of perfect weather on Wednesday, the conditions were ideal for the concluding day’s sport at the Park. The attendance for an off day was particularly good, and the early starting of the first race apparently met with universal appreciation, the afternoon’s racing being over before five o’clock, enabling the majority of patrons to reach their homes before dark. Very few horses failed to come out for their engagements, the fields being strong in number and quality, while that the winners were well concealed was evidenced by the fact that Gold Girl was the only favourite to secure winning honours during the afternoon, the other first fancies, with the exception of Miss Rolfe, who ran second, failing to give a return to speculators for their outlay. •In the majority of instances the contests were of a most interesting character, Mr. F. W. Edwards having gauged the merits of the various candidates in a highly capable manner. Speculation was very brisk, and in nearly every event a number of candidates received very even backing, and with favourites faring very badly there were some excellent dividends. Air. R. L. Absolum, who acted in the capacity of secretary of the club for the first time, managed the gathering in most efficient style, the strict adherence to the official times of starting being a valuable factor in ensuring the success of the gathering. Mr. A. Mabee acted as stipendiary steward, but there was nothing of a suspicious nature to claim, his attention, the racing being both clean and keen. The totalisator figures for the day reached the substantial total of £25,677, which, added to the previous day’s turnover, amounted to £50,945 for the two-day meeting, affording undeniable proof of the rapidly-increasing popularity of trotting in Auckland. At last year’s fixture, which was limited to one day, £25,709 was handled, while the total amount for the previous two days’ autumn meeting, held in 1917, was £32,794 10s. The result of the recent meeting must indeed be gratifying to the officials of the Otahuhu Club and followers of the light harness racing, and plainly reveals the fact that, provided the weather holds good, a trotting gathering in the late autumn at Alexandra Park is assured of very wide patronage both from an owner’s and the public point of view. The Special Handicap gave a start to the day’s proceedings, and with 17 contestants engaged the public were given a severe task in their initial effort to pick the programme. They started off badly, electing Lunar Dillon favourite, with Rita Galindo and Aranui as the pair most likely to score of the others. Gold Rod, despite his comfortable win on the opening day, was allowed to go out at a false price, the fact of him. being on the 108yds. mark no doubt being the cause. The limit horses were slow to move, with the result that Gold Rod was soon up with the large field, and with two-thirds of the distance covered he displaced Luna Dillon and Rita Galindo in the lead. Another backmarker in Speculator also ran up into a position which favoured his chances, but he broke badly when asked for a final effort. Gold Rod, capably handled by his owner, J. Pauli, never looked like suffering defeat once he had headed his field, and going on steadily he rbunded the bend for home with several 'lengths’ advantage, and eventually won without being extended by ai length and a-half from Nikora, half a length after whom came Aranui. Rita Galindo was fourth, a neck in front of Speculator, who was' decidedly unlucky. Another large field of 15 starters came out to contest the Newmarket handicap, Lady Morland, one of J. Bryce’s candidates, being installed favourite, with Jack o’ Diamonds and

Soldier’s Dream most in request of

the others, the trio monopolising the bulk of the investments. The latter pair were the early leaders, and as they entered upon the final circuit Jack o’ Diamonds had command from Temple, who went to the front along the back stretch, and though he gave his supporters some anxiety by breaking, his owner-driver got him going again, and in a good finish he defeated Jack o’ Diamonds by threeparts of a length, the latter just managing to stall off a challenge by Lady Burlington for second honours by a bare head. Lady Morland was fourth and Coal Light next. Of the dozen candidates that contested the Manukau Handicap, Whisht claimed most support, while Miss Salisbury and Grattan Chimes were the only others whose chances received serious consideration. Grattan Chimes led Miss Salisbury past the stand the first and second times, but commencing the last circuit Ivan Huon ran up to the leaders and soon was in front, maintaining his advantage to the finish, winning very easily by five lengths from Miss Salisbury, with Rio Grande a length and ahalf away, third. Grattan Chimes was fourth. Whisht failed to settle down and was never dangerous at any stage of the race. Eight started in the Dominion Handicap, the bracketed pair Wilding and Asturio commanding most support, with Greta, Waverley and Dean Dillon all solidly backed in an even betting race. Harold Devon went to the front in his characteristic style and piloted the field to within a 'couple of furlongs of home, where Dean Dillon and Lieutenant, who had been his nearest attendants throughout, both passed him, and the pair engaged in an exciting duel up the straight. Dean Dillon stayed on better than his rival, whom he defeated by a length and a-half, Harold Devon being a length away, third. Then followed Waverley, Wilding and Alf. McKinney in that order. . A field of eleven were harnessed up for the Sylvia Park Handicap, in which Miss Rolfe was a pronounced favourite, Galvanita and Hymen being most preferred of the others. A big surprise was in store for backers, as George K., who was neglected on the machine, wrested the lead from Moneyka early in the race, and though A. Julian made desperate efforts to get Miss Rolfe on terms with the King G'eorge gelding, the latter outpaced the favourite in the run home and scored an unexpected win by half a length, Kempsey being threequarters of a length away, third, and Salamander fourth.

Lena Patch let her supporters down badly in the Governor’s Handicap, in which there were ten contestants, Wonderland and George Akwood also benig well backed. Lord Rose was quickly in the lead, George Akwood being well backed. Lord Rose was out, the pair almost having the race to themselves. George Akwood looked a likely winner when the last circuit was entered upon, but Lord Rose displayed a great turn of speed over the last round, and secured a length victory from George Akwood, with Ruanui third and Auckland Girl fourth. Seven started in the Royal Oak Handicap, Gold Girl being made a very warm order, while there was solid support for Trooper Dillon, Eccentric, Dean Dillon and Alf. McKinney, the latter pair of which were making their reappearance after contesting the big race earlier in the day. Lord Roanchild piloted the field in the early stages, but. going along the back stretch Eccentric caused a flutter of excitement by moving up to the leader, while she took charge as they raced towards. the straight entrance. The favourite, however, was Handy at this stage, and quickly overhauling the pair she looked an easy winner, but Alf. McKinney came with a great burst of speed, while Eccentric put in a -fine finishing run, an exciting contest taking place over the last 50 yards. Gold Girl just managed to squeeze home by a head from Alf. McKinney, while Eccentric was a similar distance away, third. Lord Roanchild was fourth.

The large field of eighteen were harnessed up for the last race, the Railway Handicap, in which Oruarangi was made a very hot order, Confusion and Shannagolden also being well supported. The two first-

named failed to run up to expectations, hut Shannagolden was soon in the lead, and entering the straight with a slight advantage of Huon Grattan looked all over a winner. The latter, however, hung on to his task gamely, and in a .splendid finish worried Shannagolden out of the verdict by a neck. Kempsey was a couple of lengths away, third, and Lockwood fourth. The results were: — SPECIAL HANDICAP (Harness) of 100 sovs; second 20sovs, third ssovs. One mile and a-half. 5 —J. • Pauli’s br g Gold Rod, aged, by Nimrod—Miss Dulce, 108yds behind (Owner) 1 B—J. Gee’s blk m Nikora, syrs, 12 yds behind (Douglas) 2 3— F. Quin’s b m Aranui, syrs, 12yds behind (Hamilton) 3 Also started: 13 Timbell limit (Cutts), 1 Lunar Dillon 12yds behind (Adams), 7 Dignity 12yds (Bryce), 15 Mint Boy 12yds (Julian), 16 Rema 12yds (McGarry), 12 Miss Murphy 12yds (Sewell), 10 Pura Bell 24yds (Robertson), 9 Proud Bess 24yds (Butler), 2 Rita Galindo 48yds (Orange), 6 Sandy Patch 60 yds (Hall), 14 My Junior 60yds (McSweeney), 17 Logan 96yds (Redshaw), 4 Speculator 96yds (Craw), 11 Tiki 108 yds (Scott). Won by a length and a-half, half a length between second and third. Time, 3min 51 2-ssec net. NEWMARKET HANDICAP (Harness) of lOOsovs; second 20sovs, third 5 sovs. One mile and a-half. 4— F. V. Cutt's.b c Temple, 3yrs, by Gold Bell —- Miss Dulce, 60yds behind (Owner) 1 2 —J. Whitten’s ch g Jack of Diamonds, 4yrs, 12yds (J. Paul) .; 2 5— K. Burnett’s b m Lady Burlington, 6yrs, 60yds behind (Fisher) 3 Also started: 3 Soldier’s Dream limit (Fleming), 13 Charming Rod limit (Smith), 8 Rua Pere 12yds behind (Cunningham), 12 Sweet Mint 12yds (Howard), 11 Mintson Belle 12yds (Cameron), 10 Endeavour 12yds (Allen), 9 Polyanna 12yds (Scott), 5 Flora Dillon 4Syds (Robertson) bracketed with Lady Burlington, 7 Coal Light 48yds (Lynch), 1 Lady Morland 60yds (Bryce), 6 Lady Sefton 72yds (Green), 11 Moneyka 120 yds (McNaughton). Won by three-parts of a' length, a head between second and third. Time, 3min 42 4-ssec net. MANUKAU HANDICAP (Saddle) of 200sovs: second 35sovs, third 15sovs. Two miles. 6— H. McNaughton’s b h Ivan Huon, aged, by Black Huon — Nettie, 24yds behind (Owner) ......... 1 2—W. Orange’s b m Miss Salisbury, Aged, 24yds behind (Owner) ... 2 5 — H. A. Coe’s b g Rio Grande, aged, limit (Green) 3 Also started: 12 Dignity limit (Farley), 10 Sandy Patch limit (Hall), 11 Springbok limit (Cutts), 4 Gold Rod 24 yds behind (Pauli), 9 Amberite limit (Jack Paul), 7 Speculator limit (Craw), 3 Grattan Chimes limit (Fleming), 8 Kirikiriroa 24yds behind (Shaw), 1 Whisht 24yds (Adams). -Won by five lengths, a length and ahalf between second and third. Time, 4min 54sec net. DOMINION HANDICAP (Harness) of ’4oosovs; second 60sovs, third SOsovs. Two miles. 4—W. S'. Wootton’s b g Dean Dillon, 6 yrs, by Harold Dillon — Ivy Dean, 24yds behind (Fleming) . . 1 6— F. O. Weine’s b g Lieutenant, aged, 24yds ' behind (Hall) 2 7 — Smith and Groat’s ch g Harold Devon, 6yrs, limit (Groat) .... 3 Also started: 2 Greta limit (Bryce), 5 Alf. McKinney 24yds behind (Orange), 3 Waverley 60yds (J. Paul), 1 Wilding 48yds (Cunningham) and Asturio S4yds (Phipps) bracketed. Won by a length and a-half, a length between second and third. Time, 4min 40 l-ssec net. SYLVIA PARK HANDICAP (Harness) of 150sovs; second SOsovs, third 10 sovs. One mile. 9—A. Mattson’s b g George K., aged, by King George—Bell Boy mare, limit (J. Pauli) 1 I— R. T. Reid's ch m Miss Rolfe, 5 yrs, 36yds behind (Julian) 2 ll— Kelsey and Dyer’s ch g Kempsey, aged, 12yds behind (Kelsey) 3 Also started: 6 Beausant limit (Robertson), 7 Moneyka limit (McNaughton), 3 Hymen 12yds behind (McDermott), 10 Blackthorn 12yds (Wyatt), 8 Gallipoli 24yds (Allen), 4 Lucille 36yds (McMaster), 2 Galvanita 48yds (Bryce), 5 Salamander 60yds (McMillan). Won by half a length, three-parts of a length between second and third. Time, 2min 25sec net. GOVERNOR’S HANDICAP (Harness) of 150sovs; second SOsovs, third 10 sovs. Two miles. 4—K. Smith’s b g • Lord Rose, syrs, by Lord Elmo —Rose Child, 96 yds behind (Groat) 1 3— H. McNaughton’s blk g George ■ Akwood, syrs, 60yds (Owner) . . 2 6—Mrs. E. Martin’s b m Ruanui, 5 syrs, 72yds behind (Julian). ... 3 Also started: 8 Bushchild limit (J. Bryce), 9 Puwhenua limit (Cunningham), 2 Wonderland 12yds behind (Fleming), 1 Lena Patch 24yds (Barker), 7 Master Hal 84 yds (Jones), 4 Auckland Girl 72yds (Orange) bracketed with Lord Rose; 5 Gold Boy 108yds (Roe). Won by a length, two lengths between second and third. Time, 4min 42 l-ssec net. ROYAL OAK HANDICAP (Harness) of 250sovs; second 40sovs, third 20sovs. One mile. I—T.1 —T. Roe’s ch m Gold Girl, 6yrs, by Gold Bell — Florence W., 48 yds behind (Kinnimont) 1 6—C. F. Molloy’s b g Alf. McKinney, aged, 24yds behind (Orange) . . 2 _ 4— R. T. Reid’s gr g Eccentric, aged, 24yds behind (Julian) . 3 Also started: 5 Lord Roanchild 12yds behind (Bryce), 7 Comedy Chief 24yds (McMillan), 3 Dean Dillon 24yds (Fleming), 2 Trooper Dillon 24yds (Cunningham). Won by a head, a similar distance between second and third. Time, 2min 15 2-ssec net.

RAILWAY HANDICAP (Saddle) of 150 sovs; second SOsovs,.. third lOsovs. One mile. . 4 —C. R. Bailey’s ch g Huon Grattan, 6yrs, by Grattan Abbey — Lena

Huon, 36yds behind (McMaster) 1 3—Mr. Meyrick’s b g Shannagolden, limit, 6yrs (Hall) 2 15 —Kelsey and Dyer’s ch g Kempsey, aged, 12yds behind (Groat i 3 Also started: 11 Lady Sefton- limit (Green), 9 Lockwood limit (Cameron), 2 Confusion limit (McMillan), 10 Hymen 12yds behind (McDermott), 6 ■ Te Awa 24yds (Tims), 18 Red George 271 yds (Kinnimont), 14 Gallipoli 24yds (Allen), 17 Pearl d’Or 24yd s (Sewell), 7 Hal Jnr. 24yds (Shaw),. 1 Orourangi 48 yds (J. Paul),. 16 Xavier 48yds (Adams), 5 Galvanita.. 48yds (Cunningham), 8 Miss Rolfe 36yds (Julian), 13 Bronze Patch 60yds ' (Redshaw), 12 Dorothy Dimple 72yds (J. Pauli). Won by a head, two length's between second and third. Time, 2min 19sec net. .