AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1542, 13 November 1919, Page 15

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

SPRING MEETING.

GUINEAS, WELCOME STAKES AND MITCHELSON CUP DAY.

The Auckland Racing Club is proverbially lucky in the matter of weather for meetings held at Ellerslie. Saturday proved one of the satisfactory order, though the morning looked on the dull side. The springmeeting last year was held on January 4, and was a one-day fixture, as will be remembered, postponed because of the influenza trouble raging at the time, and as it followed immediately after the summer meeting of the club might properly be referred to as an added day to that fixture. For the purposes of comparison there are really no grounds, but it can be said that never before has there been anything like such a 'first day to a spring meeting at Ellerslie from any point of view. There was a larger attendance, though some people were arguing their beliefs the other way; there were larger fields on the average, and more money found its way through the totalisators. There were some very fine finishes, several very close and several very easy ones; a few small dividends, several very fail’ and one particularly long one. This was when General Advance unexpectedly beat thirty others in the Hobson Handicap, and, coupled with Arab King on the machine, paid the thick end of half a century to his supporters, the bracketing of horses beingfound necessary in that race in some instances to permit of the inclusion of all those accepted for finding a place in the thirty-horse machine in use. As it turned out there were twelve horses backed for less money than the winning combination. The horses the better supported with the exception of the winner ran most prominently, but it was a big scramble for positions. No fewer than thirteen of the starters were carrying overweights ranging from lib. to 171 b., tftere being two instances of 171 b. over being carried in the race, though the 7st. minimum was adopted by the handicapper, Mr. McManemin. The fields averaged fifteen per race. The sum of £64,749 10s. was put through the machine, giving an average per race of £8093.

For the Maiden Hurdle Race, with which the business commenced, the brush hurdles were tried at Ellerslie for the-first time, with the object of getting the maiden candidates used to dark obstacles, and the practice could be followed with advantage for some of the open events. Only one horse was withdrawn. This was Johnnie Paul, as per race card, though it was given last season as Johnny Paul. Entente Cordiale, Notability and Ngakanui came in for most support, the two first-named being, each backed for very much larger sums, Pendoon coming fourth in the list. Step, whose jumping was a treat, made no race of it when Pendoon, who was racing with or near him in the front, fell two fences from home, Pawerewere, Calais and Totara Jack being others who were at fault similarly at different stages of the race, while Classification, who finished, was very lame on returning to scale. Battletide finished second, twelve lengths away, while Notability was third, four lengths off, just clear of Entente Cordiale, who was never dangerous, though further back at an early stage, and, indeed, until the last half-mile. Step’s backers made a nice start with a bit over the limit to go on with. L. Coleman was injured through the falling of Totara Jack and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Five of the horses carried overweight. P, Conway trained the winner, his son Rowley riding, and it may be mentioned that he was one of a number of returned soldiers in evidence during the day.

The scratching of Passin’ Through for the Great Northern Guineas was announced before the meeting, though his name appeared on the card, and Rosewreath was evidently left in by mistake, as she was racing at Riccarton and a winner there. Matatane, a Hawke’s Bay representative, was the other withdrawal. In the matter of class Hetaua and Crenides, whose form entitled them to be considered the best, were backed as if there were no others seriously worth considering, and they were really the better seasoned. Hetaua was the better backed of the pair. He, however, moved with less freedom than Crenides in the preliminary and did not get up the same dash as had been his wont when racing last season. The pace was made a cracker by Tinokaha over the first five furlongs,

where Crenides drew up and Tinokaha started to tire, Crenides coming away and winning by two lengths and a-hali from Hetaua, who beat Archie by four lengths, the pair cutting Tinokaha out in the run home. Crenides .covered the mile in Imin. 39sec., which is a record for the race and a fifth of a second better than Soltano won in. The course is now faster, however. All the same it was a nice performance from the way it was done. Hetaua, however, was not seen quite at his best, and there is not much between Archie and Tinokaha. the Takapuna and Cambridge representatives. Rose Queen looked fresh and likely to improve, and so will Clonmel, who, however, does not stay yet. The race has now been won twice in succession by sons of imported Demosthenes, and Mrs. Perry is the first lady to own the winner, the first trained by T. Quinlivan since Aborigine and Maori King in successive years scored for Mr. E. J. Watt.

The Welcome Stakes field numbered thirteen, the Glenora Park-bred Lucullan, who has yet to play his best card, being made a better favourite than Weary. Willie, a Waikanae-bred one and a good sort we saw racing first at Avondale. Landslide, who beat him in the Avondale Stakes, was a good third fancy; and after the trio Potona, carrying only a little more than half the amount on Landslide, was fourth in request, Tessares com ing next in public estimation, while Listowel, of whom, much was expected early in the season, was at a longprice in the position of eighth fancy. It was a fine race, and closer at the actual finish than at any other stage of the . proceedings after the barrier was raised. Weary Willie being in front all the way, as he was smartest to move, but it was a very good dismissal for a two-year-old field, save that several were very slow to move. Weary Willie seemed to be winning handily inside the distance, but here the attentions of Landslide and Listowel became marked, and they were gradually getting up when Tessares, with a faster-finishing run got up in time to cut them both out, the judge being unable to separate the pair, but she just failed to reach Weary Willie. Potona and Lucullan were together just behind the deadheaters, Irish Knight, whose first race it was, shaping best of the others. The race was run in Imin. 2sec., time which has only twice been beaten, last year by Hetaua and in 1913 by Chime. Weary Willie is the first colt to win a classic two-year-old event for Bezonian in New Zealand —80-Peep, the first two-year-old filly, scored in the C.J.C. Welcome, and Bisogne at four years in the Royal Stakes. Mr. I. G. Duncan bred Weary Willie at Waikanae, and his. win was deserved. No colt could have raced more consistently. It is thirty-seven years since Wapiti won the first A.R.C. Welcome Stakes, then a six-furlong race run in January, and it was not until 1895 that it was transferred to the springmeeting. Telford trained the winner for Mr. Duncan and had him well, and L. Morris rode him, as he had done Crenides in the previous race. . The Onehunga Steeplechase was remarkable for incidents. Tenacious, the third fancy in a field of ten, led almost the whole way and won by twenty lengths from Tirau (fourth selection), who finished second, beating the favourite, Signature, by twelve lengths, this gelding having broken down rather badly in the suspensory ligament, while Te Onga fell and broke a fetlock when running in about third position in the first round. Jacaranda finished fourth and Konui fifth, the last-named a long way back. Cornelian in trying to shirk the first fence caused Kuranalpi to lose his rider, and Marconi and Dasher Boy were run off, the last-named falling after going on, while Marconi stopped after getting as far as the sod-capped stone wall. Copestake rode Tenacious.

Mr. R. Hannon’s mare Queen Abbey (6.13), who started at a nice price, after a great race wtih Taimai (8.7) just won the Shorts by half a neck, and they were two lengths clear of the good-looking Simonides, who beat Jutland, the favourite, for third place, rather discounting the form of the last-named. Canzonet, who was first out and cqjpe in sharply—for which his rider, L. Manson, was suspended for the rest of the meeting, was fifth, with Demagogue and Crowhiirst next. T. Glover, who rode the winner, is a son of the well-known veterinary surgeon of ‘Auckland, and he made the most of his mount. Taiamai never ran a better race, though she has run some good ones.

The report that H. Gray was to ride her proved wrong, though it led to a good deal of business on the eve of the meeting. Alteration was the favourite for the Mitchelson Cup, with King Lupin second in favour with nearly £5OO less on his chance, Gold Kip carrying over £7OO more than Some Boy IL, with Uncle Ned next in the market as indicated by the machine, All Talk, Depredation, Marqueteur, Housewife and Bedford being others with over £5OO each on their chances. Depredation, who arrived by steamer Jthe morning before from Taranaki, got kicked just as he entered the birdcage, and he was allowed to go out at a surprising price, remembering his running at the Pakuranga Hunt and Avondale meetings. He was landed at the . post well by his owner-trainer, R. Barlow, and had the services of M. McDonald, a capable horseman. The race can be shortly described, as King Lupin soon after reaching the back straight took charge from Some Boy 11. (whose rider lost his cap through the barrier), Housewife and Gold Kip, each of which began very smartly- —a new experience for Housewife, who was carrying 101 b. overweight to get the services of Carmont, for whom she behaves best. With half the journey gone KingLupin was out two lengths clear of Some Boy 11. and 'Gold Kip, Housewife there starting to drop away, Uncle Ned, Tabasco, Bedford, Depredation . and Mullingar being next in order. In the run home King Lupin maintained a two lengths’ lead of Bedford and Some Boy 11., and was looking like a winner, though the leaders were all slowing down, when Depredation came along and caught them ore by one compounding, and just headed off King Lupin in the last couple of strides, Some Boy 11., Uncle Ned, Marqueteur and Killard being the order of the others nearest. Alteration was the disappointment of the race, but each of those with over 8.0, with his exception, ran well. Depredation simply outstayed those carrying more weight than himself when they were stopping, and the grandson of Carbine finished very true in the hands of McDonald. Reference has been made earlier to the Hobson Handicap, and the start for this race was a very good one. Lady Una (ridden by Goldfinch), being barrier shv, getting left. Bitholia, Miss Leslie and Phyllona, followed by Tuipa, Hallow, General Advance and Khublai Khan, was the ■order, Miss Leslie being soon supplanted, dropping back. The horses seemed spread out turning for home, and there was some hampering work, but in the run down the straight General Advance came, and with him Oak Abbey and Khublai Khan and Golden Petal, and they crossed the line. in that order, General Advance winning by three-parts of a length, a neck each way between the other three, after which came Tuipa, Demoiselle, and Phyllona, Khublai Khan and Tuipa finishing best of the over 8,0 lot.

Escaped, with H. Gray up and 31b. overweight, was favourite for the Flying Handicap, Ohinewairua, ridden by her trainer, P. Brady, being second fancy, while the leniently-treated Lord Kenilworth had a lot of solid supporters, as did Rekanui and Active. Royal Irish did not get away. Lord Kenilworth, getting off well, bowled along so fast that he had the field in trouble all the way, winning by three lengths from Ohinewairua, Escaped running into third place nearly the same distance away, just clear of Active. The race was run in Imin. 27 2-ssec., showing there was no loitering so far as the winner was concerned.

The races were run well up to time, and the management all round left nothing wanting. An enquiry begun on the course into the reported changing of positions on the part of some of the horsemen, was adjourned. The results were: — MAIDEN HURDLE RACE of 275sovs; second 50sovs. third 25sovs. One mile and a-half. 6 — A. Cooper’s ch g Step, aged, by Mystification—Stepdaughter, 9.11 (R. Conway) 1 7 — AV. B. Giesen’s blk g Battletide, aged, 9.10 (Ericksen) 2 2 —C. Machell’s b g Notability, syrs, 10.2 (Warner) 3 Also started: 5 Classification 10.8 (A. McDonald), 1 Entente Cordiale 10.4 (S. Henderson). 12 Otara 10.3 (Preston), 4 Pendoon 10.1 (Keepa), 10 Pawerewere 9.13 (Burt), 9 Kinkora 9.13 (Wood), 3 Ngakanui 9.9 (Tutchen). 8 Lady Elstow 9.0 (Roach), 13 Seville 9.0 (Mcßandall), 15 Calais 9.0 (Glover), 11 Totara Jack 9.0 (Coleman). 17 Silverton 9.0 (Rowe), 14 Duiirobin 9.0 (J. Preston), 16 Lombardy 9.0 (Phillips). Totara .Tack and Pawerewere camo down going along back. Pendoon fell at the second to last fence, and Ngakanui at the final obstacle. Step

won by eight lengths, four lengths between yecond and third. Entente Cordiale was fourth. Time, 2min 47 3-5 sec. GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS of lOOOsovs; first 600sovs, second 200 sovs, third lOOsovs and breeder of winner lOOsovs. One mile. 2 —Mrs. M. A. Perry’s ch g Crenides. 3vrs, by Demosthenes — Gold Thread, 8.7 (L. Morris) 1 1 — Exors. late AV. J. Douglas’ blk g Hetaua, 3yrs. by Demosthenes — Fc.iry Gold, 5.7 (Oliver) 2 -I—Hon. E. AV. Alison’s b g Archie, 3yrs, by Marble Arch — Tiresome, 8.7 (Carmont) 3 Also started: 5 Canowindra 5.7 (H. Gray), 3'Tinokaha 8.7 (Rennie), 8 Clonmel 8.7 (Ryan), 7 Heather Sprig 8.7 (Buchanan), 6 Rose Queen 8.5 (Raynor). AV on by two lengths and a-half, four lengths between second and third. Tinokaha was fourth. Time, Imin 39 sec. WELCOME STAKES of lOOOsovs; first GOOsovs, second 2(M)sovs, third 100 sovs, and breeder 'of winner lOOsovs. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. 2 — I. G. Duncan’s b c Weary Willie, by Bezonian- —Satisfaire, 8.4 (L. Morris) 1 s—Mrs.5 —Mrs. M. A. Perry’s ch f Tessares, by Demosthenes — Gold Thread, 8.0 (Tt. Young) 2 3 — E. Alison’s br g Landslide, by Kenilworth —Elegance, 5.2 (Carmont) * B—G. M. Currie’s ch c Listowel, by Absurd —Lysistrata, 8.5 (Raynor) *

Also started: 1 Lucullan 5.5 (Nodder), 11 Irish Knight 8.7, inc. 21b over (Oliver), 9 Lovelight 8.2%1b, inc. %lb over (Henderson), 7 AVolomai 5.2 (AV. Ryan), 4 Potona 8.1, inc. 11b over (H. Gray). 12 Our Hope 8.0 (Smith), 6 Jolly Princess 8.2%, inc. 2%1b over (Buchanan) and Miss Muriel S.O (O'Shea) bracketed, 10 Jaffna 8.0 (B. Morris). Won by a neck from Tessares, who was a similar distance in advance of Listowel and Landslide, who. deadheated for third place. Lucullan was next. Time, Imin 2sec. ONEHUNGA STEEPLECHASE of 400 Sovs; second 70sovs, third SOsovs; About three-miles. 3 — E. J. L. Rae’s b g Tenacious, aged, by Gluten — Lady Lila, 10.4 (Copestake) 1 4— A. Mitchell’s ch g Tirau, aged, 10.2 (Roach; 2 1 : —.C. E. AValker’s b g Signature, aged, 11.9 (Henderson) . 3 Also started: 6 Marconi 9.13 (AVarner), 2 Jacaranda 9.9 (Preston), 5 Te Onga 9.7 (Keepa), 7 Kurnalpi 9.7 (Mc-

Donald), .8 Cornelian 9.7 (Dillamore), 10 Dasher Boy 9.7 (Glover), 9 Konui 9.7 (Ericksen). Kurnalpi lost his rider at the first fence, where Marconi and Dasher Boy ran off. Te Onga fell at the second to last fence. Tenacious won by 20 lengths, 10 lengths between second and third. Time, 6min 16 3-ssec. SHORTS HANDICAP of 400sovs; second 70sovs, third JOsovs. Six furlongs. 6 — R. J. Hannon's br m Queen Abbey, 4yrs, by Quin Abbey—Freedom mare, 6.13 (T. Glover) 1 3 — Hon. E. W. Alison’s ch m Taiamai, 4yrs> 8.7 (Carmont) 2 4— J. Harle’s br g Simonides, syrs, 8.0 (Gray; 3 Also started: 7 Crowhurst 8.7 (Ryan), 2 Demagogue 7.12. (R. Young), 1 Jutland 7.10 (Nodder), 10 Canzonet 7.3 (Manson), 2 Philomela 6.11 (L. Morris), 5 Comedy Prince 6.9 (O’Shea), 9 Kilbeggan 6.7 (F. Reid). AVon by half a neck, two lengths and a-half between second and third. Jutland was fourth. Time, Imin 14 3-5 sec. MITCHELSON CUP of lOOOsovs; second ’2oosovs, third lOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. 7 — R. Barlow’s b h Depredation, aged, by Campfire—Gosling, 7.8 (M. McDonald) : • 1 2 —R. Hannon’s ch li King Lupin, aged, by Lupin — St. Crispin mare, 8.12 (Rennie) 2 10—F. Marshall’s ch g Bedford, aged, by Bunyan—Miss Dix, 8.5 (Conquest) . 3 Also started: 4 Some Boy 11. 9.9 <6. Henderson), 5 Uncle Ned 9.2 (Hewitt), 1 Alteration 8.12 (Gray), 3 Gold Kip 8.4 (Sinclair), 8 Marqueteur 7.13 (Nodder), 14 Mullingar 7.12, inc. lib over (C. Reed), 11 Windorah 7.9 (Hamilton), 9 Housewife 8.2, inc. 101 b over (Carmont), 6 All Talk 7.5, inc. 21b over (L. Morris), 15 Waiuta 6.13 (Downing), 16 Meltchikoff 6.13 (Percival), 13 Killard 6.12 (L. Manson), 12 Tabasco 7.2%, inc. 6%1b over (O’Shea), 1.7 Lady Energy 7.1“ inc. 81b over (Husband). Won by a neck, two lengths separating second and third. Some Boy 11. was fourth. Time, 2min‘ S 2-ssec.

HOBSON HANDICAP of 275sovs; second 50sovs, third 25sovs. Six furlongs. 16 —R. Eliot’s br g General Advance, 4yrs, by Advance — Electra, 7.2, inc. 21b over (O’Shea) 1 7— F. .1. Otto’s fir g Oak Abbey, 4yrs, 7.4 (Glover) 2 8— E. AV. Alison’s (junr.) b h Khublai Khan, 4yrs, 8.9 (Henderson) 3

Also started: 5 Hallow 8.11 (Gray), 2 Bitholia 8.11 (Ryan), 4 General Stephen 8.6 (L. Morris), 12 Tuipa 8.5 (McCurdy), 11. Phyllona 8.3 (Mullins), 21 Winning Lass 7.1 S (AA 7 histler), 1 Flowing Bowl 8.0, inc. ,11b over (B. Morris), 3 Miss Leslie 8.8, inc. 31b over (Oliver), 18 Romance 7.9 (Percival), 10 Guanaco 7.13%, inc. 5%1b over (Young), 13 Don’t 7.7 (Sinclair), 9 Golden Petal 7.0 (Gussey), 17 Cheei’ Up 8.2%, inc. 12%1b over (Brady), 25 Lady Una 8.7, inc. 171 b over (Gollop), 6 Demoiselle 7.4 (Downing), 20 Marble Slab 7.5%, inc. l%lfo over (Conquest), 15 Elate 7.8% inc. 4% lb over (McDonald) and Royal Prince 7.6, inc. 61b over (Owen) bracketed, 22 St. Carl 7.0 (Dennison) and Gold Plane 7.0 (F. Reid) bracketed’, 16 Arab King 7.1, inc. lib over (Husband) bracketed with winner, IS AV'aikorea 7.0 (Nightingale), 24 Sabuless 7.0 (Soloman), 14 Pentagram 7.8%, inc. 8% lb over <E. Reid) and Penella 7.0 (Hamilton) bracketed, 23 Actrice 7.12, inc. 121 b over (Ayres) and Greatfbrm 7.6%, inc. 6%1b over (C. Reed) bracketed, 26 Metric Prince 7.11%, inc. Tl%lb over (Raynor).

Won by three-parts of a length, a neck between second and third. Golden Petal was fourth. Time, Imin 16sec.

FLYING HANDICAP of 400sovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. Seven furlongs. 3 —Hon. K. W. Alison's ch li Lord Kenilworth, syrs, by Kenilworth —Yandangarang, 7.0 (Downing) 1 2—R. Dysart’s ch m Ohinewairua, aged, 5.3 (Brady) - I—g.1— g. Twohill’s b g Escaped, 4yrs. 8.1, inc. 31b over (Gray) ■ 3 Also started: 14 Toa Tere 8.13 (YV. Ayres), 10 Ro.yal Irish 8.9 (Carmont), 4 Rekanui 8.8 (Rennie), 7 Hyllus 8.7 (Hewitt), 9 Hineamaru 8.3 (Henderson), 8 Dovematch 8.3 (Young), 12 Risingham 7.10 (O'. Reed), 11 Paddington Green 7.7 (F. Reid), 5 Active 7.5, inc. 51b over (L. Morris), 13 Kereone 7.6, inc. 51b over (Sinclair), 6 Rathlin 6.10 (Hamilton), 15 Mistress Biddy 6.12, inc. 51b over (Gussey). Won by three lengths, two lengths and a-half between second and third. Active was fourth. Time, lmin 27 2-5 sec.