STRATFORD RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1550, 8 January 1920, Page 12

STRATFORD RACING CLUB.

ANNUAL MEETING. FIRST DAY. MARQUETEUR WINS THE CUP. SIX FIRST FAVOURITES SCORE. (From Our Travelling Reporter.) STRATFORD, Thursday. Cloudy weather, with a few sprinkling showers, was experienced for the opening day of the Stratford Racing Club’s annual meeting to-day. There was a record attendance of sporting enthusists, many of whom came from various parts of the country. The racing throughout was decidedly interesting, and the fact of six actual first favourites winning during the afternoon sent backers home on good terms with themselves. The two remaining races were won by a second and fourth choice respectively, proving conclusively that the general public can on occasions pick the winners with some accuracy. People came well provided with the sinews of war, for at the close of the day it was found that £40,514 had passed through the machine compared with £28,593 on the corresponding day last year, which by the way, was a one day meeting. The racecourse and appointments all looked in capital trim, but the totalisator house sadly wants some extensive additions, as the crowds to-day were much congested and as a result considerable money was shut out of the machine. The stands were very inadequate, and could not accommodate the big assemblage, many of whom could not secure a view of the races. Although he had several difficult horses to deal with Mr. R. H. Skipworth was fairly successful at the starting post, while Mr. J. R. L. Stanford gave his decisions from the judge’s box in his usual prompt and accurate style. Mr. W. Jewell, of Marotiri, was present in the capacity of a deputy stipendiary steward, and he had several minor enquires, but there was nothing serious to call for any stern p action on his part. j

During the running of the Hack Hurdles, Blue Moon, who was jumping wildly, struck the second to last hurdle and turned a complete somersault. The horse did not move, and on examination by a veterinary surgeon it was found that the horse’s back was broken, and it was instantly destroyed. Luckily the horse’s rider (J. Myles) escaped with a severe shaking and a few bruises. Cheddar also fell in the same race, but fortunately both horse and rider escaped scatheless. The meeting was admirably managed by the Club’s energetic secretary, Mr. A. Coleman, who was assiduous in his attention to visitors, all of whom speak highly of the hospitality extended to them during their visit to Stratford. Racing was set going with the running of the Maiden Plate, which attracted a field of 16 moderates, of whom Santorini, on the strength of some excellent track work at Wanganui, was voted unbeatable. Backers’ opinions were quite correct, for the “srood thing” took the lead shortly a.fter the tapes were skied, and, cantering along in front, won very easily by four lengths from Vivirini, who, coming fast, beat Riki by a length. The winner returned less than even money. The Tariki Welter was a good betting race, Egmont Park, Machree, Mannish and Army Service all being evenly backed. From a good start, from which Mannish was slow to move, Otonga. took the lead, closely followed by Egmont Park. The latter headed the grey coming into the straight, and, galloping very resolutely, won by a head from Mannish, who came from a longway back in the straight, Machree, who was a quiet tip, being close up third. There were seven withdrawals from the Cup, leaving a like number to battle for the £6OO prize. Marqueteur was the public choice, while Pretty Bobby, Perfect Day and Volo were all supported from the right quarter. With the exception of Mimiri, who was tailed off, the field kept fairly close together until the straight was reached, when several horses put in their claims, and in a ding-dong finish to the post Marnueteur got. the verdict by a head from Perfect Day, who was a similar distance in front of Volo, with Pretty Bobby close up fourth, and Mimiri last. Khartoum was backed for the Ohura Hack Hurdles with much spirit, while Applaud was also the medium of big support on the machine. Blue Moon, a grey gelding, acted as pacemaker for the first mile, but it was noticeable that he was jumping very wild, with the result that at the second to last he came a cropper and received injuries which necessitated the horse’s destruction. Chedda.r also unseated his rider, but fortunately nothing serious happened to the riders concerned. Ratana took the lead three furlongs from home, and. stalling off a strong challenge by Khartoum, won by two lengths, with Ngakanui a similar distance away third. Jutland. and Inah were backed in this order ‘ for the Douglas Handicap. . and for once in a while the Stewards’ Handicap winner failed to jump out with her usual brilliancy. At the sendoff Sweet Memory hopped out smartly and soon placed several lengths between herself and her opponents. She looked all over a winner in the straight but tired over the final stages, and coming fast Jutland got up in time to win by a bare half length from Sweet Memory, with Carmel Arch close up third. The coveted double was thus won by Marqueteur and Jutland, who are both trained by O. Cox, at Hawera. Self Alliance was the best hacked amongst a e 'lot of moderates for the Midhirst Hack Handicap, and the issue was never seriously in doubt, the favourite winning very easily by three lengths from Marshal Neil, with Halcyon a similar distance away third, .Cheer Up being close up fourth. Dingle began smartly in the Mahoe Welter, and led right up. to within a few yards of the post, when the favourite, Tiranga, who was being ridden very vigorously by L. Nodder, could be seen reducing the gap, and, getting on terms with Dingle, a determined finish resulted* victory going to Tiranga by a very narrow margin, with Clavis four lengths away third. Dingle put up an attractive performance, and is evidently far removed from a back number. The afternoon’s racing was brought to a conclusion -with the running of the Railway Hack Handicap. Of the 24 horses carded no less than 17 were withdrawn, leaving a field of seven runners, Polemic being made favourite. From a good send-off Income was always in a handy position, and, nicely handled by R. Hunt, the Nautiform gelding won rather comfortably by two lengths from Crystal Palace, who was a similar distance in front of Polemic. The results were:— MAIDEN PLATE of 125sovs. Five furlongs. I—J. S. McDonald’s ch g Santorini, 4yrs, by San Fran — Renown mare, 8.7 (McCormack) 1 3-—A. Alexander’s rn m Vivirini, 4 yrs, 8.7 (Hunt) ...... ; 2 13 —W. T. Thompson’s ch g Riki, 4yrs, 8.7 (Goodwin) 3 Also started: 5 Master Curran 8.7 (Tait), 6 Kiko Kiko 8.7 (Nodder), 10 Fair Paul 8.7 (Kaa;n), 11 Jane Douglas 8.7 (Webby), 4 Belle Noire 8.7, 9 Lady Leo 8.7 (Howden), 12 Queen Victoria 8.7 (McDonell), 2 Passin’ Through 8.7 (Edgecumbe), 8 Valencia 8.7 (Ayres). 15 Kemra 8.7 (Caddy), 14 Yeoman 8.7 (H. ,R. Hunt), 16 Maniaroto 8.7 (Dillamore), 7 Kellee 8.7 (McCarten). Won easily by four lengths, a length, between second and third.' Time, lmin.. 4 l-ssec. TARIKI WELTER HACK HANDICAP' of 150sovs. Seven furlongs. 1 — D. J. Goodwin’s b g Egmont Park, 4yrs, by Sylvia Park—Tottie, 9.12 (Cook) I 3—Jebb and Burchell’s b g Mannish, 8.9 (Bound) 2 2— H. Moss’ ch m Machree, 4yrs, 8.11 (C. Price) 3 Also started: 6 Zela 9.1 (Copestake), 5 Otonga 9.1 (Howden), 8 Haversack 8.8 (Edgecumbe), 4 Army Service 8.7 (McCarten), 7 Vagrancepiece (McDonell), 9 Takanganui 8.7 (E. Reid), 10 Toarere 8.7 (Kaan), 11 Coronita 8.7 (Kendall). Won by a head, a length and a-half ietween second and third. Time, lmin. JO l-ssec.

STRATFORD CUP HANDICAP (Open) of 600sovs. One mile and a-quarter. I—Mr. Ewart’s ch g Marqueteur, 5 yrs, by King Mark —By-bye, 8.9 (McCarten) 1 3 — J. Casserley’s b g Perfect Day, syrs, 7.7 (McCormack) 2 4— F. Seiwood’s b g Volo, 6yrs, 9.8 (R. Hunt) 3 Also started: 5 Paddington Green 8.7 (E. Reid), 2 Pretty Bobby 7.11 (McDonell), 6 Mimiri 7.0 (Cook), 7 Trombone 6.7 (Anderson). Won by a head, the same distance between second and third. Pretty Bobby was close up fourth, and Mimiri last. Time, 2min. 10 l-ssec. OHURA HACK HURDLE HANDICAP of 175sovs. One mile and threequarters. 4— P. Johnson’s ch g Ratana, aged, by Field Battery—Wangaehu, 9.2 (Dillamore) 1 I—B. T. Bennett’s br g Khartoum, aged, 10.8 (Copestake) 2 3—-J. Hook’s br g Ngakanui, aged, 10.7 (Ward) 3 Also started: 6 Cheddar 10.2 (Webby), 2 Applaud 9.13 (H. P. Hunt), 5 Blue Moon 9.0 (Myles). Won by two lengths, the same distance between second and third. Time, 3min. 19 2-ssec. DOUGLAS HANDICAP (Open) of 300 sovs. Six furlongs. I—J. Campion’s blk g Jutland, syrs, by Advance — Brown Spec, 8.8 (C. Price) 1 5— J. Mack’s br m Sweet Memory, 8.0 (Edgecumbe) 2 3 —C. W. Tyler’s b g Carmel Arch, 7.8 (R. Hunt) 3 Also started: 2 Inah 9.10 (McCarten), 6 Hushman 7.9 (McCormack), 4 Hallow 7.8 (McCormack) , 7 Kareao 6.10 (Cook). Won by half a length, a similar distance separating second and third. Time, lmin. 14 2-ssec. MIDHIRST HACK HANDICAP of 175 sovs. Eight furlongs and a-half. 1 — A. J. Davey’s b g Self Alliance, aged, by St. Paul — Ebb Tide, 7.12 (R. Hunt) 1 3—W. L. Luscand’s br g Marshal Neil, 6yrs, 7.9 (Nodder)' 2 2— J. Frederic’s br g Halcyon, 4yrs, 7.7 (McCormack) 3 Also started: 5 Cheer Up 6.12 (Rutherford), 6 Alice Montrose 6.12 (Henderson), 7 Kickapoo 6.12 (Cook). Won easily by three lengths. Time, lmin. 50 4-ssec. MAHOE WELTER HANDICAP of 250 • sovs. Eight furlongs and a-half. 1 — H. G. Hall’s br g Tiranga, 6yrs, by Coronet—Tarina, 9.1 . (Nodder) 1 3— F. S'elwood’s br g Dingle, aged, 9.6 (R. Hunt) 2 2— J. Kovluski’s b g Clavis, aged, 8.7 (McDonell) 3 Also started: 4 Munster 9.1 (Johnson), 5 Bingham 8.13 (Johns). Dingle led right to within a few yards from the judge’s box when Tiranga came fast and won by a head, four lengths between second and third. Time. lmin. 50 2-ssec. RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Six furlongs. 2 —F. Seiwood’s b g Income, 3yrs, by Guianforte — Pommery, 7.7' (R. Hunt) 1 4— F. Thomason’s b g Crystal Palace, 7.11%, inc. 2%1b. over (E. Reid) 2 I—J1 —J- Casserley’s b m Polemic, 4yrs, 7.7 (McCormack) 3 Also started: 3 Prince Formby 8.12 (Nodder), 5 Kaimanawanui 7.7 (Cook), 6 Encircle 7.1%, inc. l%lb. ovei’ (Cleaver). 7 Banogue 7.0 (Rutherford). Won by two lengths, the same distance separating second and third. Time, lmin. 15sec. SECOND DAY, MEMORIAL HANDICAP WON BY PERFECT DAY. , STRATFORD, Friday, ihe club was favoured with fine weather for the concluding day, which took place this afternoon in the presence of another big assemblage of sporting enthusiasts. The racing was again very interesting, and the fact toar fi rst favourites winning made it evident that investors fared well +1^ ke j?* j Ure 4 and in no instance did the dividends on either day run into double figures. The scratching P,? 11 . freely used, with the result that in several races only one dividend was returned, but this did not deter backers from supporting their fancy’ In the absence of the club’s regular handicapper the task of adjustin/ the weights was carried out by a committee of the club, who, despite many adverse criticisms, appeared to have d ° ne m eir work fairly well. Albeit the fields were somewhat on the small picked” 3 the winners were very easily bUSV 6 £3°R Q7 q a fi O1 ’1 • Staff - + WaS kePt Very thF’Jt’ 979 flndl P° its way through the machine, making a total for the meeting of £79,496, against £28,593 for the corresponding meeting last year, fixture’ by the Way ’ Was a one - da y , ?L he _ racin &, provided was quite dexP.ld any blemish, and the deputystipendiary steward, Mr. W. Jewell had quite an easy time during the meeting-. fli^ aCin /« WES „ resumed with th e running of the Cardiff Stakes, for which Mannish was the public choice. The favourite was the quickest to show 2 Pt .. l he start - hut when the field settied down Passin’ Through ran to , front, and, galloping very reso--troTe2y ’ . won easily by two lengths from I _ a ,^ e P cia ’ with Master Curran another fourth away third, with Mannish from whom big things are a T s hort price in the Toko Welter Hack Handicap, and the race proved an exercise canter for the Bezonian filly, who, taking the lead when the straight was entered, won very easily by two lengths from Self Alliance, who ran a game race with his heavy, burden. Heads separated Vagrancepiece and Halcyon, who were third and fourth respectively. Volo, who did not a.ppear’to be quite ready, was made the medium of a big plunge in the Malone Memorial Handicap, while Jutland also came in for strong support. Inah was the first to show out when the tapes were released,

while Munster could be seen putting in some capital work. The field was in close formation when the straight was reached, where Volo could be seen threading his way through. Half-way down the running, Perfect Day came with a rattle, and in an exciting finish gained the verdict by half a length from Volo, with Jutland close up third. All started for the Makuri Hack Hurdles, for which Applaud was favourite, while Ratana and Khartoum were also well supported. Fair Paul and Ratana were prominent in the early stages, but after covering a mile Khartoum went to the front, and, jumping the remaining obstacles in good style, ran home an easy winner by two lengths from Ratana, who was a length and a-half in front of Fair Paul, with Applaud close up fourth. There were only five runners in the Ngaere Handicap, but the race resolved itself into a spirited contest. As usual, Sweet Memory was the smartest to begin, and the Wellington-owned mare carried on the running to half-way up the straight, where she was passed first by Carmel Arch and then by Esthonia, the latter pair fighting out a determined finish. The verdict went to Esthonia by three-parts of a length, Sweet' Memory being a similar distance away third. Income, who is a cut above the ordinary, touched a very short price for the Strathmore Hack Handicap, and the three-year-old son of Guianforte carried his weight as if it were only a feather, prevailing at the finish by a couple of lengths from Flying Master, who was a length in front of Lady Paula, with the others beaten off. Six horses lined up for the Lowgarth Welter Handicap, for which Tiranga, on the strength of his first day’s win, wa s made a good favourite. The contestants were never far separated from one another at any stage of the eight and a-half furlongs, and when heads were . turned for home several horses put in their claims, , and in an exciting finish Revocation, who was ridden a fine race by “Bunny” Ayres, who recently returned from the war, won .by three-parts of a length from Clavis, who was .half a length in front of Tiranga. The winner returned the largest dividend during the meeting. There was a big pool in the County Hack Handicap, over £6OOO being invested on the machine, which is a record on one race. Egmont Park was looked upon as unbeatable, over £2OOO being invested on his prospects. The public were correct in their estimation, for after allowing Otonga and Passin' through to make play in the lead until in a line for the winning post, F. Cook brought Egmont Park along with a rattle, and he ran in an easy winner by half a length from Crystal Palace, who, finishing very fast, beat Passin’ through by a similar margin. Otonga, who ran a capital race, was close up fourth. The results were:— CARDIFF STAKES of 125sovs. Six furlongs. 4 — E. Laurent's blk ,g Passin’ Through, 3yrs, by Guianforte— Iseult, 8.0 (.Eagecumpe) i 1 — R. Barlow’s b g Valencia, 3yrs, 8.0 (Ayres) 2 8 J. Dunlop s ch g Master Curran, 6yrs, 8.0 (Tate> 3 Also staitea: 7 Riiii 8.0, 4%1b over (Goodwin;, 0 Vivirini 8.0 (R. Hunt) 1. Mannish 8.0 (A. Brown), 3 TnairaKa B.u io Banogue 8.0, 7%1b over (McCarten), 9 Toarere 8.0 (ivicCorma?k4 ’ 43 kemra 8.0, 111 b. over (Cadayi, 12 Bncircie 8.0 (Dillamore), 6 Empyrean 8.0 (Johns), 11 iviarthan 8.0, 2Voio over (Healy). Won oy two lengths, a length between second and third. Mannish was fourth. Time, lmin. 16 4-ssec. TOKO WELTER HACK HANDICAP of Bosovs. Eight furlongs and a-half. I Ml, Boyle s br f Machree, 3yrs by Bezonian — Lariy Helen 9 o (C. Price; ■ j 2 — A - J - Davey’s o g tfelf Alliance, aged, 10.0 (R. Hunt) 2 5— Mcßain and Aagaard’s ch m Vagrancepiece, 8.8 (Healy; .... 3 Also star tea: 3 Marshal Ned 9.1 (Nodder), 4 Haicycn 8.10 (McDonell), 7 Haversack 8.9 (Edgecumoe), 6 c'neer cp t Ayres). Won oy two lengths, a head between second and third. Time, Imm. 16 Z-a sec. malone memorial handicap of 40USOVS. Eignt furlongs and a-half. 3 J. casseriey's b g perfect Day, syrs, by Guianforte — Country ‘ . ' Picnic, t. 13 (iviccormack; .... 1 1 — F. Belwood’s b g V 0.0, 6yrs, 9.11 (R. Hunt) 2 2 — J- Campion s blk g Jutland,’ ’syrs’ 8.9 (C. Price; ’ 3 _ Also startea: 4 Inah 8.13 (McCarten) a Munster 7.4 (Cook). ! jy half a length, Jutland close up third. Time, lmin. 50sec. iaaKURI HACK HURDLE HANDICAP of 150sovs. One mile and a-half. 3 — B - T - Bennett’s br g Khartoum, aged, by King Rufus — Eady Grattan, 11.5 (Copestake) 1 --P. Johnson’s ch g Ratana, aged, 10.10 (Dillamore) .... 9 4 ~~ G „- n ßeat r soa ’ s S' Fair Paul, Iged, 9.0 (Ward) ’ 3 Al so started: 1 Applaud 16.1 (H.' p Hunt) 5 Speedwell Mac 9.13 (Howden) 7 Cheddar 9.7 (Webby), 6 Coronita 9.6 (Kaan). vvon by two lengths, a length separating second and third. Applaud 4 V ssec^ OSe UP fourtk - Time, 2min. 51 NGAERE HANDICAP of 250sovs. Six furlongs. 1 — p - w - Scally’s b g Esthonia, 3 yrs, by Elysian—Baronia, 9 4 (McCarmack) ’ 3 — c - W. Tyler’s b g Carmel” Arch’ aged, 7.10 (Edgecumbe) . . ’2 2— J. Mack’s br m Sweet Memory 4yrs, 8.3 (R. Hunt) 3 Also started: 4 Tirana 7.10 (Brown) Won by three-parts of a length a similar distance between second and third. Time, lmin. 15 4-ssec. STRATHMORE HACK HANDICAP of 150sovs. Five furlongs. I—F. Seiwood’s b g Income, 3yrs by Guianforte — Pommery, 8 7 (R. Hunt) j 4 — I- Lupton’s blk g Flying Master, 4yrs, 7.7 (A. Bound) 2 3— A. Alexander’s br m Lady Paula, aged, 8.5 (Nodder) 3

Also started: 2 Marble Bar 8.5 (McCormack), 5 Kaimanawanui 7.12 (E. Reid), 7 Alice Montrose 7.7 (H. P. Hunt), 6 Kellee 7.7 (Rutherford). Won easily by two lengths, a length between second and third. Time, Imin. 3 2-ssec. LOWGARTH WELTER HANDICAP of 200sovs. Eight furlongs and a-half. 6 —J. De Benoir’s b g Revocation, aged, by Cheshire — Applause, 8.11 (Ayres) V 1 3 — j. Kovluski’s b S Clavis, aged, 8.10 (C. Price) 2 I—H. G. Hall’s hr g Tiranga, 6yrs, 9.10 (Nodder) •• 3 Also started: 4 Paddington Green 10.11 (E. Reid), 5 Tirana 9.7 (McCormack), 2 Trombone 8.10 (R. Hunt). Won comfortably by three-parts of a length, half a length between second and third. Time, Imin. 50% sec. COUNTY HACK HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Six furlongs. 1 — D. j. Goodwin’s hr g Egniont Park, 4yrs, by Slyvia Park — Tottie, 9.0 (Cook) • 1 2— f. Thomason’s b g Crystal Palace, syrs, 8.0 (R. Hunt) . 2 4— R. E. Laurent’s blk g Passin Through, 8.7, inc. 71b. penalty (Edgecumbe) ••••■ • • • • 3 Also started: 3 Kareao 8.8 (Nodder), 5 Otonga 7.8 (McCarmock), 6 Queen Victoria 6.12 (Anderson). Won by half a length, a similar distance between second and third. Otonga was close up fourth. Time. Imin. 16sec.