AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1536, 2 October 1919, Page 14

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. A RECORD ATTENDANCE AND TOTALISATOR TURNOVER. STAKES TO LANDSLIDE —A DEADHEAT IN THE CUP. There were quite a number of outstanding features on the opening day of the Avondale J.C.’s spring meeting on Saturday. The crowd was a record one, and naval officers and men of the New Zealand were guests of the club. Numerous returned soldiers were in evidence, too, and city, suburban and country dwellers came together in their thousands. They witnessed good racing, and speculated their money freely, the weather remaining fine throughout. Splendid 'finishes were witnessed in the Avondale Stakes, Avondale Cup, Maiden, Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, and Flying. The races were concluded only a little after advertised time, and there were no really serious accidents as a result of the falls. were a few small dividends, but most of them were really good and two were exceptionally so. The course was in fast condition, and at least one race record was put up. This was in the Stakes, won by Landslide, whose win over the visiting contingent was a narrow one, but well deserved. He was bred by his owner, Mr. Ernest Alison. The business of the day was well carried out by Mr. H. Hayr and staff. The sum' of £46,191 was put through the totalisators, as against £28,477 10s. on the corresponding day last year, and even more business would have been done had ..there been increased facilities. Mr. A. Gordon was the stipendiary steward present, and Mr. H. Massey, officiated at the scales in the absence, through sickness, of Mr. Fred Marks. The Maiden Plate Handicap attracted a field of twenty-five, and Heather Sprig and Tinokaha were almost equal favourites, the last-named claiming a 51b. apprentice allowance, while Heather Sprig carried lib. overweight. No Mistake, Bitholia and Admiral Advance were most fancied of the others. Emerald Hill got a good initial advantage and led until well down the straight, where No Mistake headed him, and then Tinokaha came on the outside and won by a length and a-half from No Mistake, Formalin, who also finished well, cutting out Emerald Hill, then coming Heather Sprig, Admiral Advance, Isingarch, and Mary Bruce. The race was run in Imin. 16sec. Nine of the starters carried overweight, and for three apprentices allowance was claimed. The Grey Lynn Handicap Hurdle Race saw the favourite, Signature, win easily by four lengths from old Te Onga, who might not have been second had Benzine not come down at the end of a mile and Tenacious a little further on. Marconi was ten lengths away, third. The race was run in 3min. 49 2-ssec. There were thirteen starters for the Avondale Stakes, and a number of the youngsters filled the eye well, some of them, however, appearing very bulky while others appeared to have trained light. Bestir, the favourite, was one of these, and Caricature, the second favourite, was in bandages. The third fancy, Weary Willie, was on the big side, but Telford evidently had him very well. Kildee, the fourth selection, had only arrived on Thursday, while Gasbag looked very big. Landslide, whose trainer had not spared him but had sent him fast in different company several times, moved freely in his preliminary and went out of the straight better than any of them, the visitors showing a tendency to run wide. Weary Willie and Caricature had every chance to score, as they got off smartly and led round the turn, coming out a bit. Landslide hugged the rails and came on the other pair and got the verdict by a head from Weary Willie, who faltered momentarily and Caricature again got within a neck. Miss Muriel in fourth place. Arch Margot was fifth, Stork and Bestir being some distance back. The Avondale Cup brought out sixteen runners, Gold Kip being a much better favourite than Depredation, after whom came King Lupin, Killard and Alteration in the order named, with Meltchikoff sixth and Sweet Corn seventh in request. The lastnamed and King Lupin cut out the work fast for seven furlongs, where Meltchikoff, who was in third place,

went to the front and opened up a gap, but once round the turn Blue Cross, Alteration, Gold Kip, Depredation and Vagabond were closing up. The first-named pair only headed Meltchikoff inside the half-distance, finishing in line, while Gold Kip, who put in a last good run, was barely a neck away, and Meltchikoff was within half a length, Depredation, a length off, fifth, King Lupin, Housewife and Vagabond being handy. The Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase was won by Signature, the favourite, by a neck only from Jacaranda, who for a big one negotiated the last turn best and only wanted a shade of luck to have won, in receipt of 2st. from Signature, who jumped boldly but was getting tired. His win was distinctly creditable as he had run a fast two miles over hurdles earlier in the day. Kurnalpi and Konui —the last-named a green but good sort — were the only others to finish the course, being a long way behind. It was a fast race. Speakman, rider of Sir John, met with some injuries and had to be taken to the hospital. There were a dozen runners in the Henderson Welter, and Escaped carried more than twice as much as Paddington Green, the second selection, Rekanui and Tabasco coming next. Rekanui was unlucky in not getting away and then appeared to be taken to the front too sharply. Tabasco was the smartest away, and though passed by Rekanui headed her in the straight and won comfortably by about a length, Hyllus finishing well half a length off, third. Paddington Green was fourth, with Escaped (who was not handled too well) and Scottish Knight next. Tabasco would have had more friends only backers were afraid he might bleed again. Archie, who was fifth fancy, lost his rider (Downing) going round the first turn. General Stephen was favourite for the Hack Welter, Multiplane, Rathlin, Entente Cordiale and Lad;/ Energy being next best supported.

Rathlin virtually ran away with the race and won by ten lengths, Slowcoach, who followed him most of the way, being second, and New Zealand third, half a length off, with Persian Prince fourth and Lady Energy fifth. Mill o’ Gowrie, Canzonet and Bedford were the best supported in order for the Flying Stakes. After Stilts had made the running into the straight Bedford and Canzonet came on the scene, Bedford winning by over a length from Canzonet, a neck away coming Stilts, who was followed home by Elyan (carrying 151 b. overweight) . The results were: — MAIDEN PLATE HANDICAP of 150 sovs; second 20sovs, third lOsovs. Six furlongs. 2 — R. Hannon’s br g Tinokaha, 3yrs, by Quin Abbey—Freedom mare, car. 7.4 (McTavish) 1 3— H. Hardman’s b g No Mistake, 3yrs, 8.2 (Goldfinch) 2 11 —H. C. Tonks’ br m Formalin, 4 yrs, 7.11 (Husband) - • 3 Also started: 4 Bitholia 9.2 (Ryan), 5 Admiral Advance 8.4 (McFlinn), 10 Demoiselle car. 8.4 (Brady), 8 Emerald Hill car. 8.4 (Buchanan) and Mary Bruce 7.11 (Ayres) bracketed, 23 Senlac 7.9 (Hamilton), 18 Big Corn car. 7.10 (E. Manson), 13 Isinarch car. 7.11 (Conway), 12 Clonmel 7.9 (Bagby), 6 North Loburn car. 7.4 (Downing), 20 Lord Masterful 7.9 (Martin), 7 Middlemark 7.9 (O’Shea), 15 Actrice 7.9 (Percival), 16 Melting car. 7.13 (Stanaway), 17 Arab King car. 8.1 (McDonell), 1 Heather Sprig car. 7.10 (R. Reed), 19 Miss Abbey 7.9 (Cotter), 22 Merry Nell car. 7.10 (Whistler), 21 No Bother 7.9 (C. Reed), 9 Backfire car. 8.1 (Hewitt), IS Salvaless 7.9 (Solomon), 14 Penella car. 7.4 (Dennison). Won by a length and a-half, a length between second and third. Heather Sprig was fourth and North Loburn next. Time, Imin 15sec.

GREY LYNN HURDLE RACE of 200 sovs; second 40sovs, third lOsovs. Two miles. 1 — c. Walker’s b g Signature, aged, by St. Amans — Legs, 10.5 (S. Henderson) 1 4— w. J. Brown’s b g Te Onga, aged, 9.9 (Ericksen) 2 7 —j. o. E. Jackson’s b g Marconi, aged, 10.4 (Keepa) 3 Also started: 3 Tenacious 9.9 (J. Adolph), 2 Benzine 9.8 (Warner), 5 Sir Agnes 9.5 (Mcßandall), 6 Kinkora car. 9.6 (Preston), 8 Lombardy 9.0 (Rowe). Won by four lengths, ten lengths between second and third. Time, 3min 49 2-ssec. AVONDALE STAKES of 500sovs; secon 60sovs, third 15sovs, breeder of winner 25sovs. Four furlongs. 6—E. Alison’s br g Landslide, 2yrs, by Kenilworth — Elegance, car. 7.13 (Carmont) 1 3—l. G. Duncan’s b c Weary Willy, 2yrs, 8.0 (Morris) 2 2— K. S. Williams’ ch f Caricature, 2yrs, 7.9 (Hockley) 3 Also started: 1 Bestir 8.0 (R. Reed), 9 Stork 8.0 (Goldfinch), 7 Gasbag car. 8.2 (Brady), 10 Poanui car. 7.11 (Sinclair), 4 Kildee 7.9 (Bagby), 13 Lu Con 7.9 (Gussey),, 5 Jolie Princess 7.9 (Hamilton), 8 Miss Muriel 7.9 (O’Shea), 11 Belle Bruce 7.9 (Dennison), 12 Arch Margot 7.9 (Ayres). Won by a head, a neck between second and third. Miss Muriel was next. Time, 49 l-ssec. AVONDALE CUP HANDICAP of 1000 sovs; second 200sovs, third lOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. 5 — J. George’s b h Alteration, 6yrs, by Elevation —Eduam, 8.4 (McFlinn) * 15—W. J. Colebourne’s b g Blue Cross, 6yrs, by Marble Arch — Maheno, car. 6.13 (O’Shea) .... * I—H.1 —H. S. Keesing’s ch g Gold Kip, car. 8.1 (Hewitt) 3 Also started: 14 Vagabond 9.0 (Hockley), 3 King Lupin 9.0 (Rennie), 7 Sweet Corn 8.7 (R. Reed), 2 Depredation 7.12 (Avres). 11 Mullingar car. 8.0 (Ryan), 10 Housewife 7.8 (Carmont), 9 Ohinewairua 7.6 (Bagby), 4 Killard car. 7.9 (Goldfinch), 8 Waiuta 7.5 (Sinclair), 12 Fabriquette J 7.2 (Downing), 13 Windorah 6.12 (Hamilton), 6 Meltchikoff car. 6.13 (Percival), 16 Llansannor car. 6.8 (Dennison). The judge was unable to separate Blue Cross and Alteration, declaring a deadheat. Gold Kip was a neck away third, with Meltchikoff haff a length behind fourth. Depredation was fifth. Time, 2min 8 2-ssec.

HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE of 150sovs; second 20sovs, third lOsovs. About three miles. I—C.1 —C. Walker’s b g Signature, aged, by St. Amans — Legs, 11.8 (S. Henderson) 1 4— C. A. Green’s b g Jacaranda, aged, 9.9 (Preston) 2 5— W. Hookham’s b g Kurnalpi, aged, 10.5 (Keepa) 3 Also started: 2 Southland 10.2 (Tutchen), 8 Sir John 9.7 (Speakman), 3 Pablo 9.7 (Ericksen), 7 Nyassa 9.7 (J. Roach), 6 Konui 9.7 (Warner). Pablo, Nyassa, Sir John and Southland fell. Won by a neck, Kurnalpi being a poor third. Time, 6min 4 3HENDERSON HANDICAP of 200sovs; second 40sovs, third lOsovs. Seven furlongs. 4 — H. Patterson’s ch g Tabasco, 6 yrs, by Vasco — Lady Maorina, 7.8 (O’Shea) 1 3 —R. Hannon’s b m Rekanui, 6yrs, 8.10 (Rennie) 2 7— W. J. Irwin’s ch h Hyllus, 6yrs, 9.0 (Warner) 3 Also started: 2 Paddington Green 8.4 (McFlinn). 9 Stammer 7.10 (Goldfinch), 1 Escaped 8.3 (Sinclair), 8 Scottish Knight 7.7 (Bagby), 5 Penona 7.5 (Hamilton), 11 Mountain Gold car. 6.10 (Walsh), 12 Blue and Black 6.11 (Dennison), 5 Archie car. 6.10 (Downing), 10 Flowing Bowl car. G. 13 (Percival)Won by half a length, a neck between second and third. Paddington Green was fourth. Time, Imin 28 4-5 sec. HACK WELTER of 150sovs; second 20 sovs, third lOsovs. One mile and a furlong. 3—F. Waller’s br g Rathlin, syrs, by Robert the Bruce — Orange and Blue, 8.3 (McDonell) 1 16—Hon. E. W. Alison’s b g Slow- ‘ coach, syrs, 8.0 (Carmont) .... 2 8 — C. Winder’s b g New Zealand, syrs, 8.6 (Manson) 3 Also started: 7 Pierrot 9.11 (Ryan), 12 Tama-a-roa 9.9 (Rennie), 5 Lady Energy 9.4 (Brady), 14 Canowindra 9.1 (Warner), .1 General Stephen 9.1 (Morris), 2 Multiplane 8.11 (McFlinn), 4 Entente Cordiale 8.10 (Hewitt), 11

Maori Tikanga 8.10 (Hamilton), 9 Persian Prince 8.9 (C. Reed), 13 Step 8.9 (Conway), 17 Great Form 8.4 (Young), 6 Woody Glen 8.4 (Goldfinch), 10 Lady Elstow 8.2 .(Ayres), 15 St. Carl 8.0 (R. Reed), 19 Manukau 8.0 (Percival), 18 Bridgie 8.0 (O’Shea), 20 Glencanny car. 8 1 (Husband), 17 Hessian 8.0 (Sinclair), 21 Hedley 8.0 (Bagby). Won by ten lengths, half a length between second and third. Persian Prince was fourth. Time, Imin 57 1-5 sec. FLYING STAKES of 300sovs; second 50sovs, third 20sovs. Six furlongs. 3 —F. Marshall’s ch g Bedford, aged, by Bunyan—Miss Dix, 8.7 (McFlinn) 1 2—H. B. Philcox’s b g Canzonet, 4 yrs, 7.7 (R. Reed) 2 5 —A. J. Teague’s ch g Stilts, aged, car. 7.4 (Bagby) 3 Also started: 1 Mill o’ Gowrie 9.2 (Rennie), 6 Madam Ristori 7.10 (Goldfinch), 7 Gaycium 7.3 (Hockley), 11 Prince Charleroi car. 7.1 (Martin), 8 War Tank car. 7.0 (O’Shea), 9 Arran car. 7.7 (Hamilton), 4 Elyan car. 7.8 (C. Reed), 10 Kilbeggan car. 6.9 (Dennison). Won by a length and a-quarter, a head separating second and third_. Elyan was fourth. Time, Imin 14 2-5 sec.