AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 15

AUCKLAND TROTTING CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. CONCLUDING DAY. ORUARANGI WINS ALEXANDRA HANDICAP. The Auckland Trotting Club’s spring meeting was concluded on Wednesday of last week in fine weather in the presence of a large attendance and on a good track. There was some fine racing, which in a measure compensated for some of the rather small fields; indeed, nearly every race was well contested by the dividend payers and by other of the runners. In some instances marked improvement in speed was displayed by some of the winners. The totalisator investments reached £34,766, making £70,166 for the two days. The business was carried through, as usual, by Mr. C. F. Mark in an efficient manner, and the starting, in the hands of Mr. C. O’Connor, left nothing wanting. The first race, the Ellerslie Trot, introduced to notice a particularly brilliant maiden candidate in Aranui, a five-year-old by Lord Derby, bought some time back in Canterbury by Mr. Frank Quin, of Te Awamutu. Her fame had preceded her, and a trial she was responsible for at Alexandra Park caused her to go out a hot favourite. As so many were on the l«2yds. mark, her owner asked to be allowed to start her 24yds. back to avoid possible trouble, and this was agreed to. She gradually worked her way through, and over the

last half of the journey her backers were on good terms with themselves, She won, going easily, by 50 yards from Timbell, who was about the same distance ahead of Minonette, with We’come South a poor fourth. Fair Puritan (by Rothschild) was served up warm for the Innovation Handicap, and she never left the issue in doubt, but the chances ate that had not Temple struck trouble he would have beaten all the rest and caused the winner to go still faster, and what Lady Morland might have done we were left in ignorance, as she would not start. The two lastnamed were second and third fancies respectively. The second horse, Puwhenua, like the winner, got well inside the limit upon which the handicap was based. Star Queen, Oruarangi and Lord Rose were the best supported of the half dozen in the Alexandra Handicap, and after a really good race, Oruarangi . came and cut down Star Queen and finally Lord Rose, who he only beat by half a head, Star Queen being eight lengths off, third. The time (4mim 39 3-ssec.) registered by Oruarangi was his best to date, as was also that recorded by Lord Rose (4min. 35 The Remuera Handicap produced another really good finish, King Capitalist (the third favourite) beating Bronze Patch, who he was conceding 12yds., by a neck in the run home. Hint, who was second favourite, was about four lengths off third, and Gold Boy fourth. The horses named overtook Auckland Girl in the last half mile. The placed horses each registered his best performance to date. The Manukau Handicap was supposed to be a fair thing for Quadroon, Waverley being also strongly supported. Eccentric, who was fifth fancy, led all the way, covering the mile in 2min. 16 3-ssec. Waverley, who was giving the veteran grey 12yds., was about two lengths behind when the post was passed. Steel Bell found the pace too fast for her. Eccentric had been over three years without a win until he effected this one. In the Hillsboro’ Trotting Handicap, Lobster was the most solidly supported, carrying nearly £6OO more than Rio Grande, and more than double the amount invested on Wonderland, Over Rate being the fourth selection, with Kirikiriroa next in order. Over Rate led all the way, each time resisting the challenges of Rio Grande, whom he finally beat by a head, with Billy Parole, whose second start it was and who made up his ground well, seven lengths away third. Winestra and Te Awa were nearly equal fancies for the Junction Handicap, but the first-named did not commence as well as the’ grey, who was overhauled just before going out of the straight after a circuit. Here a mishap occurred, Te Awa being interfered with, Kewpie going on to win by three lengths. Her rider had to undergo the ordeal of an inquiry. McKendrick admitted the interference, but declared it was unintentional, being quite frank over the matter. He also admitted that his mare had bored in at another stage. The stewards decided to place him last, though there was no interference with any of the other runners. Kempsey and President Wilson were then placed second and third. The best was not seen of President Wilson, who should be registering something better later on. Hiram Galindo carried half as much again as Victor G. in the last event, but Prince Childe was in front all the way, winning by two lengths from Hymen, who was five lengths in front of Hiram Galindo, with Galindo Belle fourth. The running of Prince Childe formed the subject of an inquiry, which was adjourned. He was the only one that ran up to his handicap.