MASTERTON RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1540, 30 October 1919, Page 18

MASTERTON RACING CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. CONCLUDING DAY’S FORM REVIEWED. (From Our Wairarapa Correspondent.) The weather was fine and there was a large attendance for the concluding day of the Masterton Racing Club’s spring meeting. The racing throughout was interesting, and in two of the events the finishes were very close. There was brisk speculation during the afternoon, the sum of £24,663 10s. being handled, as against £17,288 on the second day last year. The total for the meeting was £48,201 10s., an increase of over £lO,OOO. The starting on both days was well up to Mr. C. O’Connor’s best standard, and the decisions of the judge were not questioned. The first event of the day, the Hack Hurdles, was-not at all a success from a racing point of view. After doing his preliminary Cyra returned to the birdcage lame, and was withdrawn after being- in the starter’s hands. Fortunately, there were only a very few investors on the machine. Whiro was made an oddson favourite, with Sonnino next. At the start the field went off in line, but Whiro and Sail Home were first over the initial hurdle, which proved disastrous to three of the runners. Tuticorn struck very hard, and Sonnino and Pervolo went over Mr. Vallance’s gelding as the latter fell. There was a general mix-up, and the rider of Tuticorn (R. Hunt) was badly hurt, and was removed to the hospital. The .other riders escaped. The race was merely a procession for the first mile, Whiro being a dozen lengths in front of Sail Home, with the other pair hopelessly beaten. Sail Home caught and passed the favourite in the straight, and won easily. Rienzi was 20 lengths back third.

The Grandstand Hack Handicap saw the whole fourteen acceptors face the barrier, and Galore and Kil-

gour carried most money. The field went away together, and the favourite was lying just behind Kilgour as the straight was reached. Black Hill here came through, and had the lead er’s measure at the distance, and won easily at the finish. This is the winner’s first success for twelve months. Kilgour just beat Galore for second place. There were only six starters in the Telephone Handicap, and two of these were bracketed, making one dividend. The local pair, Torfreda and Murihiku were best supported and the latter won, but had Ermine not been badly- bumped at the start the Highden representative must have won, as she had the winner right out at the finish to win by a bare head. Ermine was half a dozen lengths to the bad at the straight entrance. Samarang was fancied by her party, but could not get with the leaders at the start. Torfreda was third, and will do better later on, as she is not nearly ready yet. Trentham Rose finished in the rear. Saima was a very hot order for the Juvenile Handicap, in which a field went to the post comprising some promising youngsters. Nothing looked as forward as the favourite and Kildee and Wake also looked well. Saimai caused his many supporters some anxiety, as he repeatedly refused to face the barrier, and Mr. O’Connor showed some patience in waiting. However, after being led up,* the favourite got a fly, and rushed to the front, remaining there till the post was reached. Kildee just beat Ennea, but the remainder of the field were strung out, Sagacity being last.

All the acceptors went to the post in the Waipipi Handicap, the principal event of the day. Red Ribbon was a good favourite, Nobleman and Old Gold being next in order.. The favourite, as on the first day, got a very bad run, and was twice knocked back. Risingham was first to find his feet when the tapes rose, and he rushed to the front, being followed by Old Gold and Nobleman. The order was the same till well into the straight, when Olliver

brought Nobleman through, and the Sir Laddo gelding won on the bit, with the favourite galloping over everything in third place. Bagby, who was handicapped by a lot of dead weight, did not seem to be able to hold his mount over the first part. Galore was the only withdrawal from the Railway Hack Handicap, in which Lord Astolat was made a hot favourite, with Rose Wreath second choice. A rank outsider in Pakaraka led the field well into the straight, when Rose Wreath came on and soon ha,d the issue beyond doubt, and it looked as if the favourite would not pay a dividend, but he managed to get up in the last stride and beat Pakaraka for second place. Probate was close up fourth, and Goldshine next. The winner is engaged in the New Zealand Cup, and is a stablemate of Murihiku, a previous winner during the day. Matatua was sorted out as unbeatable in the Final Welter, of seven furlongs. Black Hill was making his second appearance during the afternoon, and was second choice. A good delay was caused at the barrier by Lady General refusing to face the tapes, and she was ultimately last to get away. The favourite and Multaine were together most of the way, but Mr. Kemball’s mare had no difficulty in holding her own and won easily, with Black Hill a neck away. Bagby rode the winner, making his third success during the afternoon.

Samarang was withdrawn from the concluding event, leaving nine to face the starter. Nursing Sister, with Olliver in the saddle, drew number one, and was made a better favourite than Arch Lassie and Elcullus. The Highden representative had every chance, as she was first away, but after leading to the distance the weight told, and both Sweet Memory and Arch Lassie caught and passed her. The winner paid a good price, as she won the Trial very easily on the first day. The winner and run-ner-up are both inmates of C. Pritchard’s stables at Trentham.