WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1553, 29 January 1920, Page 9

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB.

SUMMER MEETING. FIRST DAY. ORATRESS AND KILMOON DEADHEAT IN THE CUP. STATUETTE WINS TELEGRAPH HANDICAP. STAKES WON BY MOORFOWL. (From Our Wellington Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 20. There was a large attendance for the opening day of the Wellington Racing Chib’s summer meeting, which commenced on the Trentham racecourse to-day, prominent sporting enthusiasts being present from all parts of New Zealand. The weather in the morning was showery, but later on in the afternoon the conditions became more favourable, and the last few races were run under better circumstances. But for the fact of some light showers being experienced in the early morning the crowd would have been much larger. The racing throughout was full of surprises, and so well did Handicapper Mr. H. Coyle conceal the winners that only one actual first favourite triumphed during the afternoon. The contest for the Cup was a thrilling one, Oratress and Kilmoon dashing across the finishing line together, the judge declaring a dead-heat. The last race of the day provided further sensation, for after a great battle for supremacy up the straight Nursing Sister, Borealis ’ and Hepta finished together, the judge declaring a deadheat for the three horses named, all of whom returned very acceptable dividends.

Prominent amongst leading sportsmen seen on the lawn were Sir G. Clifford, Sir J. Ward, Sir Francis Bell, Sir William Herries, the Hons. A. M. Myers, T. M. Wilford and W. D. S. McDonald, and Messrs. A. D. McLeod, M.P.. H. M. Campbell, M.P., G. Hunter, M.P., J. Goring Johnston, G. D. Greenwood, A. J. Toxward, R. A. McKenzie, .M. McCallum, W. Richmond, F. S. Easton, T. Bevan, C. F. Vallance, E. S. Luttrell, W. Casey, J-. Bull, ,jun„ J. F. Buchanan, T. A. and W. Duncan, and S. J. Gibbons, and many others whose names I am unable to recall at the moment of writing.

Mr. C. O’Connor was in good form at the barrier, the send-offs being really first-class, while Mr. R. B. Lusk gave his decisions correctly with one exception, and that was in the Cup, when he placed Red Ribbon third in lieu of Marqueteur, who led practically the whole way. The error was immediately rectified. The management of the day’s, gathering was all that could be desired, the secretary, Mr. A. E. Whyte, sparing no efforts to ensure the smooth working of proceedings and the comfort of the club’s patrons. He was ably assisted in this direction by his right-hand man, Mr. J. Griffiths.

Mr. J. McGlashan. the club’s caretaker, had the lawns and enclosures looking a picture, the well-appointed grounds being much admired by the many visitors to Trentham. The sum of £49,183 10s. was handled by the totalisator staff, compared with £55,149 10s. for the corresponding day last year. THE RACING. Proceedings commenced with the running of the Trentham Welter Handicap, for which Matatane carried the confidence of the public, while Prince Hal came in for spirited support. From a good start the colours of Matatane and Prince Hal were first prominent, but the field had not gone far, however, before the favourite rushed to the front, and holding this position throughout won easily by two lengths from Railand, who was three lengths in front of Prince Hal, with Explorer close up, fourth. A fine field of two-year-olds lined up for the Nursery Handicap, five furlongs, and the general remark was heard that it was a long time since such a well-conditioned lot of juveniles had been seen together, the majority of them bearing a well-set-up and muscular appearance. Wel-

done was the actual favourite, while

Handy, who had the services of H. Gray, was a good second choice. The race resulted in a big boil over, the winner turning up in La Paix, owned by Mr. E. S. Luttrell, of Christchurch, the southern representative only carrying £l2l on her prospects on the totalisator. Coming into the straight La Paix took the lead, and stalling off a challenge by Demand won by a neck, with Blackmail, who was putting in some good work, two lengths away, third. Saima was a close fourth. Two horses in Weldone and Sir Walter whipped round when the tapes were released, and took no part in the race. Bagdad was voted the best of good things for the Anniversary Handicap, and at no part of the race did his chance of landing the stake appeal in jeopardy, the Hymettus gelding revelling in the going and winning at the business end by a length from Ligerie, who, coming fast over the finaL portion of the journey, beat Penury Rose by a head for second place. Old Gold was fourth and Battle Array fifth. There were a dozen withdrawals from the Trial Plate, for which Trespass was a hot favourite, while Flight Commander was next choice with backers. The field was fairly close together until the straight was reached, when Trespass went to the front, while Mustard Pot could be seen threading his way through, and in a ding-dong finish the latter lasted long enough to beat Trespass by a neck, with Arch Lassie ten lengths away, third.

Much interest was created around the birdcage when the Cup candidates paraded, and as regards looks Amythas presented a splendid appearance, while Oratress also bore evidence of a careful preparation, her racing at Manawatu and Marton having improved her. Over £BOOO was invested on the totalisator, and of this amount Surveyor, Amythas, Karo and Oratress carried the bulk. Once the preliminaries were over there was very little delay at the post, the field going away well in line. Passing the stands the first time Marqueteur, who only carried meagre support on the totalisator, was acting as pilot, followed by Kilrush, Rose Wreath, Oratress, Kilmoon, with Karo and Paddington Green at the tail of the field. Marqueteur was still in front as they swept round the back stretch, while the Taranaki horse had a couple of lengths’ advantage from Oratress as the straight was entered, with Kilmoon and Punka most handy of the others. With about a furlong to go Oratress drew on terms with Marqueteur, while Kilmoon challenged, a desperate race ending in a dead-heat between Kilmoon and Oratress, though the latter appeared to defeat her rival by a narrow margin. Marqueteur was a neck away, with Surveyor fourth, and Amythas, who put in a phenomenal run up the straight, fifth.

The Wellington Stakes was voted the best of goods for the Chokebore candidate Moorfowl, who carried nearly half the investments on the totalisator. The issue was never in doubt, Sir G. Clifford’s representative always being in front and winning easily by a length from Right and Left, with Gasbag eight lengths away, third.

There was a fairly big pool in the Telegraph Handicap, over £BOOO being invested on the machine. The imported horse Arrowsmith was a big favourite, and carried a third of the money, while Spanner was also well supported. From a fine start the colours of Arrowsmith, Spanner and Inah became prominent, wjiile the first-named showed the way into the straight from Silver Link. In the run to the judge’s box Statuette moved up to the leaders, while BoPeep and Michaela joined in the fray, a great race being witnessed, in which Statuette prevailed from 80-Peep by a 'nose, with Michaela a neck away, third. Arrowsmith was fourth, followed by Bindle and Tigritiya.

The afternoon’s racing was concluded with the running of the Ruapehu Handicap, six furlongs, for which Sweet Memory, who has run very consistently during the past few weeks, was made favourite. The race resolved itself into one of the biggest surprises ever seen on the Trentham racecourse, the judge declaring a dead-heat between three horses, viz., Nursing Sister, Borealis, and Hepta, who finished in a line. Nursing Sister and Sweet Memory made the early running, Hymarty and Swanee River being most prominent of the others. Hepta joined Nursing Sister as the straight was entered, while Borealis took a hand in the finish, the trio named passing the box locked together, the judge declaring a triple dead-heat. Parorangi was fourth, and Swanee River next. The results were: —

TRENTHAM WELTER HANDICAP of 250sovs: second SOsovs, third 25sovs. One mile. 1— H. M. Campbell's br f Matatane, 3yrs, by Merry Moment — Hope Diamond, 9.0 (H. Young) 1 7 —Walla.ce and Spring’s b m Railand, 4yrs, 8.13 (Oliver) 2 2— G. Hume’s b c Prince Hal, 3yrs, 9.5 (Campbell) 3 Also started: 4 Falstaff 9.13 (Deeley), 3 Mandrake 9.2 (Miller), 6 Fulica 8.11 (L. Morris), 11 Explorer 8.7 (Gray), 5 Golden Crozier 8.4 (R. Reed), 10 Printemps 8.3 (Lowe), 12 Voluble 8.2 (Goodwin), 8 Chaeronia 8.0 (A. Reed), 9 Esperance 8.0 (C. Reed). Won by two lengths, three lengths between second and third. Explorer was fourth. Time, Imin. 42 4-ssec. NI’RSERY HANDICAP of 400sovs; second SOsovs, third 40sovs. Five furlongs.

12 —E. S. Luttrell's br f La Paix, 2yrs, by Bezonian—Peace, 6.10% (Barry) 1 5—T. A. Duncan's br g Demand, 2yrs, 6.9 (McCormack) 2 4 —W. E. Herbert’s ch f Blackmail, 2yrs, 7.9 (L. Morris) 3 Also started: 7 Saima 8.7 (Oliver), 1 Weldone 8.5 (J. O’Shea), 8 Canyon 7.11 (H. Young), 2 Handy 7.13% (Gray), 3 Little River 7.8 (Corlett), 11 Kildee 7.5 (Bagby), 10 Askari 7.4 (Orange), 13 Sir Walter 7.1% (D. Morris), 6 Insurrection 6.11 (A. Ellis), 9 Pente 7.3% (M. McDonald). Won by a neck, two lengths between •second and third. Saima was fourth. Time, Imin. 0 3-ssec. ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP of 400 sovs: second SOsovs, third 4 osovs. One mile. I—Mrs. H. M. Campbell's ch g Bagdad, syrs. by Hymettus—Asiatic, 9.2 (Walls) 1 3—W. Richmond’s b m Lingerie, 5 yrs, 9.1 (Gray) . 2 7 —R. Knox’s br g Penury Rose, 4yrs, 8.0 (Corlett) 3 Also started: 9 Hurry. Up 9.7 (Oliver), 4 Battle Array 9.4 (Deeley), 10 Burrangong 9.0 (Miller), 6 Old Gold 8.10 (McFlinn), 5 Demagogue 8.7 (Bagby), 2 Nightraider 8.4 (H. Young), 11 Sonnino 8.0 (Green), 8 Royal Exchange 8.0 (A. Reed). Won by a length, two lengths between second and third. _ Nightraider was fourth. Time, Imin.'42 3-ssec.

TRIAL PLATE of 300sovs; second 60 sovs, third SOsovs. Seven furlongs. 4—G. B. Starky’s ch g Mustard Pot, 3yrs, by General Latour—Prudish, 7.4 (A. Ellis) 1 I—W.1 —W. R. Kemball’s b c Trespass, 3yrs, 7.8 (A. Reed) 2 3— F. O. Weine’s b m Arch Lassie, 4yrs, 8.0 (McFlinn) .. 3 Also started: 8 Active 8.0 (L. Morris), 5 Santorini 8.0 (R. Reed), 9 Blissfulness 7.6 (Hockley), 2 Flight Commander 7.4 (McCormack), 10 Kilgour 7.4 (M. McDonald), 7 Makepeace 7.4 (R. Orange), 6 War Baby 7.4 (Cochrane). Won by a neck, 10 lengths between second and third. Blissfulness was fourth. Time, Imin. 29 4-ssec. WELLINGTON CUP of 1500sovs; second 300sovs, third 150sovs. One mile and a-half. 4 — F. Preston’s b m Oratress, bv Demosthenes —Equitas, 7.10 (M. McCarten) * 7—G- L. Stead’s b g Kilmoon, 4yrs, by Kilbroney—St. Sophia, 7.11 (R. Reed) • * 13—Mr. Ewart’s ch g Marqueteur, syrs, by King Mark — By-by, 7.3% (M. McDonald) . 3 Also started: 3 Karo 9.7 (Deelev), 12 Snub 8.6 (J. O’Shea), 8 Kilrush 8.6 (Olsen), 1 Surveyor 8.4 (Gray), 10 Mascot 8.2 (A. Reed), 9 Battle Song 8.0% (McFlinn), 14 Red Ribbon 7.11 (H. Young), 16 Impediment 7.10 (Hockley), 15 Alteration 7.11% (G. Young), 5 Punka 7.9 (L. Morris), 2 Amythas 7.7 (A. Ellis), 6 Rose Wreath 7.7 (Bagby), 11 Paddington Green 6.8% (McCormack). A dead-heat for first place, Marqueteur three lengths away third. Surveyor was fourth, Amythas fifth and Red Ribbon sixth. Time, 2min. 35sec. WELLINGTON STAKES of 750sovs; second lOOsovs, third 50sovs nominator of winner 50sovs. Five furlongs. 1— Sir Geo. Clifford’s br f Moorfowl, 2yrs, by Autumnus —Kirriemuir, 7.10 (H. Young) 1 2 — G. L. Stead’s blk c Right and Left, 2yrs, by Merry Moment— En Parole, 6.12 (McCormack) .. 2

5—A. B. Williams’ br c Gasbag, 2 yrs, by Demosthenes—Lady Celia, 6.12 (Orange) 3 Also started. 3 Murihiku 8.8 (Bagby) 6 Motuihi 8.11 (A. Reed), 4 Weary Willi®. I’ 13 (L - Morris), 7 Quip 6.12 (A. Won by a length, eight lengths between second and third. Quip was fourth. Time, Imin. 0 2-ssec. TELEGRAPH HANDICAP of 1000sovs; second 200sovs, third lOOsovs Six furlongs. 12 —G- D. Beatson’s b m Statuette, 4yrs, by Marble Arch — Seatonella, 7.4% (Hockley) 1 7 —W. E. Herbert’s b m 80-Peep, 4yrs, 7.8 (L. Morris) 2 3 —Y. T. Barren’s br m Michaela, syrs, 8.5 (Deeley) 3 Also started: 6 Silver Link 9.3 (McFlinn), 9 Acre 9.1 (C. Price), 2 Spanner. 8.10 (Gray),- 1 Arrowsmith 8.9 (Olsen), 8 Hymestra 8.6 (J. O’Shea), 5 Tigritiya 8.5 (A. Reed), 4 Inah 8.3 (R. Hunt), 10 Bindle 7.8 (Bagby), 11 Jutland 7.3 (M. McDonald), 13 The Speaker 6.7 (Dixon). Heads separated the placed horses. Arrowsmith was fourth. Time. Imin. 13 l-3sec. RUAPEHU HANDICAP of 250sovs; second 50sovs, third 25'sovs. Six furlongs. 11— D. O'Reilly’s br m Nursing Sister, 3yrs, by Solferino- —Miss Dalrymple, 8.3 (A. Reed) * 3—F. R. Waller’s b g Borealis. 4 yrs, by California — Austerlitz, 8.1 (G. Young) * 14 —Mrs. M. A. Perry’s br g Hepta, by Demosthenes—Heavenly Twin, 7.7 (Bagby) * Also started: 8 Ruddy 9.1 (Oliver), 4 Early Dawn 8.13 (R. Reed), 1 Sweet Memory 8.8 (J. O’Shea), 7 Hymarty 8.5 (M. McCarten). 2 Swanee River 8.3 (H. Young), 12 Philomela 8.3 (L. Morris), 5 Parorangi 8.2 (Hunt), 6 Prodigal 7.10 (Mackie). 10 Furling 7.4 (A. Ellis), 13 Kyoto 7.3 (McCormack), 9 Asterina 7.5% (Hockley), 17 Idleness 6.13 (Barnett), 15 Russet 6.11 (R. Morris), 16 Mumble 6.7 (Dixon). The placed horses finished in a line. Swanee River was fourth. Time, Imin. 13 3-ssec,