AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1550, 8 January 1920, Page 9

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

NEW YEAR’S DAY. ROYAL STAG WINS THE DERBY. VAGABOND THE A.R.C. HANDICAP. New Year’s Day opened auspiciously, but there was hardly such a large attendance at Ellerslie as on Boxing Day. Two days’ racing and three days’ trotting on end had not, however, satisfied the more ardent of racegoers, and the crowd was probably very little short of the best on record for the particular day. The average of the fields was fairly good, quite sufficient to ensure plenty of speculation, and again the totalisator numbers kept revolving at a merry rate, and by the close of the day the investments had reached to £118,544 10s. This, like on each of the race days preceding, constituted a record, the • increase being £49,608, bringing the turnover for the three days to £337,062. There were fourteen starters for the Ferguson Handicap, and King Abbey was fastened on to as a good thing, notwithstanding that he had top weight. Clonmel and Ruatara were next in demand, while War Tank and Golden Crozier were a pair that went over the thousand mark also. King Abbey delivered the goods, leading all the way,. Ruatara, Nightime, War Tank and Clonmel, being the nearest followers of the Cambridgeowned gelding. Rekanui’ followed up with another • success’ for the stable by going out and leading most

of the way and winning the New Year Hurdle Race, a result that was quite expected, as she was one of the bestbacked hurdle race winners seen at headquarters. Entente Cordiale, who seems to be a one-paced customer, was sticking to his task and got second, but there was a big gap between him and Marconi, who finished third. Tenacious was a pool* fourth.

The Midsummer Handicap was a good betting race between two, Humbug and Moorfowl, Wake carrying more support than the others. This filly ran well, but Moorfowl, over the distance and at her handicap, was too good for the opposition, and beat Wake by two and a-half lengths, Humbug being half a length off, third. Arch Margot and Bonnie Mabel were each started with 81b. overweight, and no two-year-old event was ever run so fast at Ellerslie over the distance.

The Great Northern Derby has often resulted in surprises, and one was in

store for backers, who made Rossini

a very hot favourite. It was thought to be picking up money to accept the short price the machine was laying, and it looked so right up to within a hundred yards of the post. Rose Wreath, a much better filly than generally supposed, made the running with Archie, who was the first to cry a go, and she went on and led until the last furlong was entered upon. Then Rossini and Royal Stag moved up, and just as Rossini had gained supremacy over the filly and his supporters were shaking hands with themselves and the crowd were vociferously calling his name, Royal Stag drew up, and Deeley hit Rossini, who had been hanging out and covering more ground than he should have done —a habit with him, so we have been informed —and he swerved badly, lost a length or two before Deeley straightened him, and he suffered a short half-length defeat. A lefthanded jockey might have won on him. The reminder that he got on the right side would have had a different result if it had fallen on the opposite one. There was a lot of cheering, but through it all came a good outburst for Royal Stag, the outsider of the field, who did not carry a thirteenth of the money on the machine or a tenth of the amount on Rossini, and the cheering was renewed when Sir George Clifford’s colt was decorated with the blue riband on the lawn. The race was run in the good time of 2min. 34 3-ssec., which has seldom been beaten in the race or in any mile and a-half race. Royal Stag was defeated at Riccarton in the N.Z. Derby, and there was no reason to expect him to win, especially as he had run out in the same way as did Rossini when Rose Wreath beat him in the Christmas Handicap on the. second day of the meeting. He is, however, a good colt over a distance. It took a lot of people some time to get over their surprise, but

these lessons should have their value. Queen Abbey, who was fourth selection for the Newmarket Handicap, Miss Mimic, Gazique and Hymestra each being better supported, led from the end of the first half furlong and won in the splendid time of lmin. 13sec. She was served by her handy weight and with the weight up on Tigritiya (winner of the Railway) and up on others, including Hymestra, who had not taken part in the Railway through falling at the start, she had her prospects of scoring over this distance made good. She had been unluckily left in the short race won by the topweight, Silver Link. Mr. Hannon’s day at the meeting had come, as this made his third win. Tigritiya showed that her Railway form was no fluke and ran a sterling race under 9.3, and so did Gazique under 9.0. Taiamai was a good fourth, Miss Mimic and Hymestra being next. The public went stronger perhaps for Mr. Hannon’s candidate Mangamahoe for the Auckland Racing Club

Handicap. than they would have done had the stable not been so well in the limelight earlier in the day, but he was only a Tittle better supported than the public idol Uncle Ned, and the visitor Vagabond, who has never been quite so ready for business at Ellerslie as Jefferd,-his trainer, had him. The son of Martian won after a great go with. Uncle Ned, whose consistency is remarkable. Mangamahoe made a bold' bid for victory, and almost succeeded in leading all the way, finishing a very close third, while Mascot was a handy fourth and Kilmoon fifth. As Mangamahoe made the pace sound and the race was only run a fifth of a second faster, than the Derby, and Vagabond had 21b. less than the winner, Royal Stag, the Derby form must not be undervalued. The difference in the size of the fields counts, of course. Several of the starters had overweights, Blue Cross and Blue Mountain being a brace, and the last-named for a time took a hand, but was well beaten off in the run home. Starland had a winning turn in the Ellerslie Handicap when more in his own class, and beat Te Oro, who was giving him 101 b., by a length. The race was run in lmin. 40sec. Persian King and Glen Cannie were placed third and fourth, respectively, and Scottish Knight was handy. New Zealand appeared to be in a place to many, but the judge apparently did not think so. Again one of Mr. Hannon’s lot was selected for public favouritism. This was Mill o’ Gowrie for the Glasgow Handicap, Nightraider, Ohinewairua and Rockfield each being well backed also. The consistent Escaped came well into prominence early, and would not be denied, and stalling off one after another, and finally Rockfield, won in good style, his supporters' getting a fine price, as he was eighth in request—a false price. The results were: —

FERGUSON HANDICAP of SOOsovs: second 50sovs, third 25sovs. Six furlongs. I—R. Hannon’s ch h King Abbey, 4yrs, by Quin Abbey—St. Crispin mare, 9.5 (Robinson) 1 3—W. C. Ring’s br g Ruatara, 4yrs, 8.3 (H. Young) 2 6 —R. Dysart’s br g Night Time, 3yrs, 8.7 (R. Reed) 3 Also started: 9 Gatherer 8.11 (MeFlinn), 4 War Tank 8.10 (A. Reed), 12 Tuipa 8.10 (Manson), 2 Clonmel 8.6 (Gray), 7 Golden Petal 8.5 (Bagby), 10 Independence 8.4 (J. O’Shea), 5 Golden Crozier 8.2 (Deeley), 8 Oak Abbey 7.11 (T. Reid), 11 Over There 7.3 (Tinker), 13 Marble Slab 7.2, inc. 41b over (Conquest), 14 Backfire 7.1, inc. 31b over (Mackie). Won by three lengths, three-quarters of a length between second and third. War Tank was fourth. Time, lmin. 14 3NEW YEAR HURDLE RACE of 400 sovs; second 70sovs, third SOsovs. Two miles. I—r.1 — r. Hannon’s b ni Rekanui, 6yrs, by Flagfall—Mignon, 10.10 (W. Rennie) 1 4— p. E. Pope’s b g Entente Cordiale, aged, 9.0 (Gosper) _• * 3 —J. O. E. Jackson’s br g Marconi, aged, 10.0, inc. 11b over (Stan. Reid) • • • Also started: 2 Multive 11.9 (Lorigan), 5 Tenacious 10.5 (Burt), 7 Waikura 9.0 (Conway), 6 Middlemark 9.0 (Warner). _ ~ Middlemark fell. Won easily by ioui lengths, ten lengths separating second and third. Tenacious was fourth. Time, 3min. 44 3-ssec.

MIDSUMMER HANDICAP of 500sovs; second lOOsovs, third 50sovs. Five furlongs. 2 —Sir Geo. Clifford’s br f Moorfowl, 2yrs, by Autumnus —Kirriemuir,. 8.11 (H. Young) 1 3v and E. Riddiford’s br f Wake, 2yrs, 8.2 (A. Reed) 2 1A B. Williams’ ch c Humbug, 2yrs, 9.7 (Gray) ... 3 Also started: 4 Illumination 6.9 (Downing), 6 Dovelight 68 (Glover), ft Arch Margot 6.7 (T. Reid), 7 Bonnie Mabel 6.7 (Mackie). Won by two lengths, half a length between second and third. Illumination was fourth. Time, Imin. 0 l-ssec. FORTY-SIXTH GREAT NORTHERN DERBY of 1500sovs; first lOOOsovs. second 250sovs, third 150sovs, and breeder of winner lOOsovs, One mile and a-half. 3Sir G. Clifford’s br c Royal Stag, 3yrs, by Autumnus —Kirriemuir, 8.10 (H. Young) 1 IG. D. Greenwood’s b c Rossini, 3yrs, by Martian —Grand. Opera, 8.10 (Deeley) •••• • • • 4 —A McDonald’s br f Rose Wreath, • by Kilbroney — Christmas Rose, 8.7 (Bagby) •• • • \ t Also started: 2 Archie 8.7 (Gray), a 8.7 (J. O Sliea. 1 ). Won by half a length, tl^ ree ’^ u£ lL 1 :® l d s of a length between second and thira. CanowindVa was fourth. Time, 2mm. 34 3-ssec. NEWMARKET HANDICAP of! 715 Osovs; second 150sovs, third 75sovs. Six furlongs. 4r. Hannon’s br m Queen Abbey, 4yrs by Quin Abbey — Freedom mare, 7.2 (Glover) 6—KS. Williams’ ch m Tigntiya, 4vrs, 9.3 (A. Reed) . • z 2c J. Bennett’s b g Gazique, aged, 9.0 (Robinson) rr'i'c'n Also started: 3 l’ s Miss O’Shea), 5 Taiamai 8.0 (Bagby), .1 Miss Mimic 7.5 (T Reid), 8 Motmhi 7.2 mn-ronins 1 ) 7 Scrap o Paper r.i, inc. 81b over (Conquest), 9 No Mistake 6. < ( °Won e by three-quarters of a length, a similar distance separating second and third. . Time. Imin. 13sec. attCKLAND RACING CDUB HANDICAP of lOOOsovs; second 200sovs, third lOOsovs. One mile and a-half. qK S. Williams’ b :g Vagabond, syrs, by Martian — Gipsy Girl, oMrs Lindsay’s b g Uncle Ned, 6vr.s, 8:12 (Hewitt) - I—R Hannon’s br g Mangamahoe, Ur <A.Kee ? > 8 Snub 8.6 (J. O’Shea.) and Scornful 6.7 (Orange) bracketed 6 Battle Song 8 0 (McFlinn). 9 Red Ribbon -7.12 (R._-Reecl), 7 Dusky Eve 7.11 (Bagby), 4 Kilmoon 7.12%, inc. l%lb over < De eley). 10 Biue Cross 7.2, inc. 91b over (T. Reid). .11 Mountain Gold 7.1, inc. 81b over. (ConU Won by half a length, three-quart-ers of a length between second and third. Mascot was fourth. Time, 2min. 34 2-ssec.

EDDERSDIE HANDICAP of SOOsovs; second 50sovs, third 25sovs. One mile. 2— G. D. Stead’s br g Starland, 3yrs, by Nassau — Stardancer, 8.0 (B. * 1 —C De p«ietito’s b g Te Oro, 4yrs, * 8.10 (Bagby) •-■■■ “ 3 — W. Scholium’s b g Persian King, syrs, 814 (McFlinn) y. . ... •• • • ° Also started: 9 Scottish Knight 8.0, inc A 2?b over (J. O’Shea), 4 Canny 7.10 (Conquest), 8 Phyllona _7.8 (R. Reed) 5 New Zealand 7.3 (T. Reid), 6 Actric’e 7.0 (Downing), 7 Hessian 6.12 (Nightingale), 11 Prince Rufus 6.12 (T. W Reid), 10 Penella i.2, me. 41b over (Tinker)' 12 Rome 6.12 (Wiggins). Won by a length, a length and threequarters between second and third. Glen Canny was fourth. Time, Imin. 40sec. GLASGOW HANDICAP of 400sovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. Seven furlongs. BJ. Twohill’s b g Escaped, 4yrs by General Datour — Clare, 6.10 (Nightingale) ■,•••• ‘A ‘ ‘ ’ 1 4Hon E. W. Alison s ch g Rockfield, 6yrs, 7.4%, inc. 7%1b over (Bagby) s—w5 —w R. Kemball’s b c Trespass, 3yrs 6.9, inc. lib over (Orange) o Also started: 1 Mill o’ Gowrie 8.8. inc 31b over (Robinson), 3 Ohinewairua 7 7%. inc. l%lb over (R. Reed), 6 Bitholia 7.2 (Conquest), 2 Nightraider 7.1%, inc. l%lb. over (T. Reid) < Tabasco 6.7 (Downing), 9 Kereone 7.3, inc. 101b' over (Tinker). , , Won by a head, a length and a-half between second and third. Tabasco was fourth. Time, Imin. 27sec. CONCLUDING DAY. GLOAMING WINS ROYAL STAKES. SNUB EFFECTS A SURPRISE IN AUCKLAND PLATE. There was again a good attendance at Ellerslie to see the summer meeting concluded. The day was fine, and speculation was carried on keenly to the close, when the figures were found to have reached £98,719 10s. for the day, an increase of no less than £38,311, bringing the total for the four days to £435,781 10s., an increase of £172,611 10s. over the four days last year, which included the postponed spring meeting. There was a slight falling off in the number of starters during the afternoon. Business started with the good 'field of thirteen in the Goodwood Handicap, Bonnetter, the topweight, having most friends, Te Oro, who after previous showings got in well, being made second fancy, All Talk, Mullingar and Rockfield being the next best backed. Mullingar had not gone far after starting before he broke a bloodvessel again and had to be pulled up. Te Oro again proved his galloping ability by winning.in good style from

Rockfield, who ran his best race at the meeting, the mile being run in Imin. 39sec. Bonnetter carried her top weight into third place, finishing within a length of Rockfield, to whom she was conceding 111 b. All Talk again ran consistently, finishing fourth. Weldone beat Landslide (who looked to be lightening up fast) with a little to spare in the Sylvia Handicap. Potona looked fresh enough but could not see the distance out, and Wanigan did not improve on her previous race. A change of riders was tried in the case of Lord Kenilworth, and a change of tactics in that he was ridden a waiting race, in the Grandstand Handicap, but that and the 51b. overweight did not improve matters. He was made favourite but failed badly, and after Melee had made a bold bid Gazique got up and won in good style, beating him and also King Lupin, who was second favourite. It was a pleasing performance on the part of Gazique, who was getting better for his racing. In this race Heathercote fell and Red Ribbon came over him, Deeley, rider of the last-named, being for a time rendered almost unconscious, while T. Reid was rather more severely injured and was taken to the hospital, Heathercote being destroyed. H; Gray was substituted for Deeley on Gloaming in the Twenty-fifth Royal Stakes, which he won in good style with great ease in Imin. 13sec. a record for the race and course —with 9.7, which included a 101 b. penalty. Silver Link, who had 9.0, which included a 31b. rise, was second, Humbug; with a 101 b. penalty, beating Right and Left (with a 71b. allowance) and Moorfowl, who in addition to having a 101 b. penalty had 21b. overweight, Bagby obtaining, the ride in place of T. Reid. Gloaming finished with three-parts. of a length to the good, and Humbug was half a length off, but it was clear that Right and Left would not gallop for his lightweight rider, T. Glover. Soon after the start Pendoon went to the front in the Auckland Hurdle Race Handicap and stayed there, winning by fifteen lengths from Battletide, who beat Entente Cordiale by a dozen lengths, Rekanui (who was made favourite despite her weight, 12.2) easing up. It was the fastest two-mile hurdle race run at Ellerslie. The way was paved for the County Handicap, and again Mr. R. Hannon’s stable provided the favourite, King Abbey carrying more money; than Simonides, became awkward at the post and for once in a way did not get away well; in fact, it was his worst race this season and the only time he has been out of a place in about fifteen consecutive starts this and last season. Some Boy 11. was third fancy, but Taiamai won in Imin. 13 2-ssec„ with Hymestra second and Murihiku, who cracked on the pace, third.

Snub was leading in the Auckland Plate from Bonnie Maid and Rossini, the only other starters, and the pace was very leisurely over the first five furlongs, when Snub, who was still leading, suddenly cracked on the pressure, and from thence out made it so solid that Rossini had to be ridden to catch him over the last halfmile, and when he did and looked like winning old Snub responded again and cleverly beat him by a neck, Bonnie Maid, who stripped very light, being four lengths off. The race was run 4sec. slower than the Derby, and Rossini carried 41b. overweight. It was a great surprise, but O’Shea and Snub met with a good reception. Clonmel led all the way in the Grey Handicap, in which he was favourite with Gray up, Loved One (a big outsider) getting second and Gatherer third. Stammer’s number (6) was put up in mistake for that of Loved One, and some people threw away their tickets, but recovered them in most if not all instances when the mistake was rectified. There were twenty starters, and Clonmel won by two and a-half lengths in the good time of Imin. 1 3-ssec. The results were: — GOODWOOD HANDICAP of 40 Osovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. One mile. 2—C. Penitito’s b g Te Oro, 4yrs, by Wauchope—May Time, 7.1 (T. Reid) 1 s—Hon.5 —Hon. E. W. Alison’s ch g Rockfield, 6yrs, 7.13 (Bagby) 2 I— g. L. Stead’s ch m Bonnetter, 4 yrs, 8.11 (McFlinn) 3 Also started: 9 Crowhurst 8.0 (McCurdy), 4 Mullingar 7.12%, inc. 1 %lb. over (Deeley); 7 Escaped 7.11 (Nightingale); 3 All Talk 7.11 (A. Reed); 11 Bitholia 7.3 (Conquest; 12 Dady Energy 7.2 inc. 11b over (Tinker) ;8 Mountain Gold 6.12 (Orange); 6 Tabasco 6.10 (Downing); 13 General Advance 6.12 inc. 51b. over (Walsh); 10 Glen Canny 6.7 (Glover). Won by a neck, half a length between second and third. All Talk was fourth. Time, Imin. 39sec.

SYLVIA HANDICAP of lOOsovs; second 70sovs, third 30sovs. Six furlongs. 1— W. R. Kemball’s blk c Weldone, 2yrs, by The Welkin — Land Rose, 8.8 (J. O’Shea) 1 2 — E. Alison’s br g Landslide, 2yrs, 8.12 (Gray) 2 4— -W. G. Emeny’s blk f Potona, 2 . yrs; 7.9, inc. 21b over (A. Reed) 3 Also started: 3 Wanigan 7.7, inc. 141 b. over (Bagby). ’ Won by three-quarters of a length, the same distance separating second and third. Time, Imin. 15 2-ssec. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP of 1000 sovs; second 200sovs, third lOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. 3 — C. J. Bennett’s b g Gazique. aged, by Gazeley — Pauline, 8.1 (R. Reed) • 1 5— G. L. Stead’s b g Melee, 4yrs, i.i, inc. 101 b. over (Bagby) • 2 2— R. Hannon’s ch h King Lupin, aged, 8.1 (Glover) Also started: 4 Mascot 8.5 (A. Reed), I Lord Kenilworth 8.1%, inc 5% lb oyer (H. Young), 7 Red Ribbon 7.13%, inc. 5%1b over (Deeley), 6 Heathercote 7.0, inc 21b over (T. Reid), 9 Ohinewairua 6.7 (Downing), 8 Makepeace 6 < (Orange), 10 Blue Cross 6.7 (Conquest), II Killard 6.8, inc. lib over (NightmO’cll© ) . Red Ribbon and Heathercote fell entering the straight. Won by two lengths, three lengths between second and third. Mascot was fourth. Time, 2min. 6 3-ssec. TWENTY-FIFTH ROYAL STAKES of lOOOsovs; first 700sovs, second 200 sovs, third lOOsovs. Six furlongs, j—G D. Greenwood’s b g Gloaming. 4yrs, by The Welkin —Light, 9.< (Gray-; ••• • • •.• •• 1 3 — A Alexander’s br m Silver Link, 4yrs, 9.0 (McFlinn) - sa. B. Williams’ ch c Humbug, 2yrs, 7.8 (A. Reed) 3 Also started: 4 Moorfowl 7.7, inc. -db. over (Bagby), 2 Right and Left 6.5 (Glover). Won comfortably by three-quarters of a length, two lengths between second and third. Right and Left was fourth. Time, Imin. 13sec. AUCKLAND HURDLE RACE of 400 sovs: ■ second 70sovs, third ..Osovs. Two miles. 7 —Hodgson and Grant’s ch g Pendoon, aged, by Penury—Cardoon, 9.0 (Packer) • • I 6— IV. B. Giesen’s blk g Battletide, aged, 9.0 (Conway) ■• • 2 2p "e Pope's b g Entente Cordiale. aged. 9.9 (Adolph) 3 Also started: 3 Movement 12.4 U. Roach) 1 Rekanui 12.2 (Rennie), 5 Explorer 11.10 (S. Reid), 4 Marconi 10 2 (Henderson). 8 Totara Jack 9.2, inc. 21b. over (Ferguson). 9 Middlemark 9.4, me. 41b. over (Phillips). Explorer fell. Won by 15 lengths, 12 lengths between second and third. Rekanui was fourth. Time, 3min. 43 2-ssec. COUNTY HANDICAP of 650sovs; second lOOsovs, third 50sovs. Six furlongs. 4Hon. E. W. Alison’s ch m Taiamai. 4vrs, by The Nut —Lady Molly, 8.4 (A. Reed) 1 sw. R. Kemball’s ch h Hymestra, svrs. 9.2 (J. O’Shea) 2 G —A " McDonald’s b f Murihiku, 3 yrs, 7.6, inc. 21b over (Bagby) . . 3 Also started: 3 Some Boy II 9.7 (Henderson), 2 Simonides 8.11 (Gray). 1 King Abbey 7.13 (Glover), 8 General .Toffre 7.12, inc. 191 b over (Goldfinch), 7 Heathermoon 6.7 (Downing). Won by three-quarters of a lenatn. two lengths between second and third. Time, Imin. 13 2-ssec. AUCKLAND PLATE of 750sovs; second 150sovs, third 75sovs. One mile and a<half. 2— W. R. Kemball’s b g Snub, aged, bv Martian —Lady Disdain, 9.4 (j. O’Shea) ; 1 I—G.1 —G. D. Greenwood’s b c Rossini, 3yrs, 8.4, inc. 41b over (Gray) . . 2 3 — P? Soames’ b m Bonnie Maid, 5 yrs, 9.1 (McFlinn) 3 Won by a neck, four lengths between second and third. Time, 2min. 38 3-5 sec. GREY HANDICAP of SOOsovs; second 50sovs, third 25sovs. Five furlongs. I—D. J. and M. J. Lynch’s b g Clonmel, 3yrs, by Marble Arch — Sweet Alice. 8.10 (Gray) 1 17 —M. Wells’ br g Loved One, 3yrs, 7.3%, inc. 3%1b over (Dennison) 2 4— E. R. Murphy’s blk g Gatherer, syrs, 8.13 (McFlinn) 3 Also started; 6 Persian King 9.3 (A. Reed), 3 Night Time 9.1 (Brady), 2 Miss Leslie 8.12, inc. 11b over (Robinson), 16 Stammer 8.8 (Tinker), 11 Phyllona 8.6 (J. O’Shea), 9 Oak Abbey 8.2 (R. Reed), 10 Admiral Advance 8.0 (Glover), 13 Monocrat 8.0 (Manson), 19 Miss Norval 7.9 (Mackie). 20 Forward Lady 7.9 (McCurdy). 5 Valiev Queen 7.4 (Nightingale), 8 Octoplete 7.0 (C'onciuest), 15 Marble Top 7.7, inc. 71b over (McNaughton), 7 Kip Kop 7.6. inc. 61b. over (Bagby), 14 Lord Masterful 7.12%, inc. 12%1b. over (Goldfinch), 18 M.errie Prince 7.0%. inc. %lb. over (Hamilton), 12 Sandy Macdonald 7.0 (Downing). Won by two lengths and a-half, with three-quarters of a length between second and third. Phyllona was fourth. Time, Imin. 1 3-ssec.