TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1558, 4 March 1920, Page 12

TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB.

A POSTPONED MEETING.

OPENING DAY

ROCKFIELD WINS THE CUP

The Te Aroha Jockey Club’s annual two days’ summer meeting was to have commenced on Saturday, and a special train left Auckland for the scene at 6.45 a.in., picking up holidaymakers en route, but when Frankton was reached the train was stopped and the racegoers were advised that the meeting had had to be postponed until Monday on account of the bad weather which had prevailed for two days, and which up to the time the committee met was still in evidence. It was early learned that the wind, which had been of cyclonic force on the previous afternoon and during Friday night had lifted part of the roof of the new stand off and had done other damage to the property, in addition to buildings in the town and districts in the line where its velocity was greatest. On all sides it had left its trace —heavy plateglass skylights and . windows at the railway station at Te Aroha were blown out, fruit trees were levelled or badly twisted and the fruit shaken off. Willows on either side of the Waihou river near, the bridge could be seen split down and twisted out of shape. With the course heavily surcharged with water in parts and the outlook very hazy all over the . mountain sides and on the plains beneath, no wonder the committee called a halt and set about putting the stand in order with a gang of workmen right away. The town was uncomfortably filled with visitors to the races, many of them remaining there over Sunday and taking their chances of getting beds or shelter in • the town, some stopping at adjacent towns along the train, route to the Thames. The weather greatly improved on Saturday afternoon, and people who came through Te Aroha by train, arriving in Auckland at 5 o’clock, were surprised to 'find that beautiful weather was being experienced over the last seventy-five miles of, the journey, the Pukekohe Show, more numerously attended than any previous function of the kind, presenting an animated and pretty sight as the train rushed past to the Pukekohe station. The fact that the Cambridge Show was timed for Wednes- ’ day weighed with the committee of the Te Aroha Jockey Club, and also the fact that racing was due to follow on Saturday at the Thames. The weather proved excellent on Monday and there was a capital attendance from .all parts of the country : and from Auckland and stations en route,' the special being fairly well patronised. The course wais in capital condition, growing a rather heavy sward of paspalum almost the whole way. The dust nuisance hitherto experienced was absent, the rain of the week-end having done an immensity of good in that way. The debris from the part of the grandstand roofing, wrecked by the gale, was removed to the back of. the enclosure. Save that the effect of a stand with less than half a roof looked unique everything was in order. The stewards and committee and secretary

(Mr. E. O. Nash) and staff worked hard to make the meeting go. The fields were particularly large and the racing very fair, while the totalisator staff handled the goodly sum of £29,970 10s. during the afternoon, as against £29,032 10s. on the first day last year, the increase being £938. The Te Aroha Band discoursed inspiriting selections on the lawn during the afternoon. The only discordant notes heard were in connection f with the failure of those in charge of the number board to exhibit the names of all the riders in the Trial Handicap and the overweights carried. As a matter of fact, only fourteen riders’ names were framed for that race, leaving people to 'find out about the other eighteen for themselves. The large field of thirteen lined up for the Ruakaka Handicap Hurdles, including Marconi, who .was left off the card, Ditto being the only scratching. Thrace led for a short distance and then Garryowen and Cymer took charge, and it was not until going nearly a mile that Thrace headed Cymer and drew on Garryowen, who always had the pull over the topweight, and came through the gap made in the last hurdle by Surrey Park and Amans Lass (who each fell), .'finally ending up a winner by a length. Cymer was several lengths off, with Dasher Boy well back at the head of a straggling field. Garry-

owen was favourite, only a little better backed than Cymer and Thrace. There were eight starters for the Waitoa, Handicap. Kerehone, the favourite, led with Rekanui over the early stages, clear of Ohinewairua, but the lav>t-named pair headed Kerehone in the run home, Rekanui winning by half a length, Ohinewairua beating Kerehone by 'fi.bout the same distance, Woody Glen and G'lenspire being next in order at short intervals. The large field of thirty-two went out for the Trial Handicap, Infante being made a strong favourite. Nine horses had overweights, and nine riders claimed apprentices’ allowances. There was not room on the course for all the horses to stand in line, and though Mr. O’Connor exercised patience the field went off in straggling order, Oak Abbey leading, being joined by Infante (a hot favourite), who was tackled by Miss Norval and beaten in the run home by half a length. Oak Abbey was a close third. Hessian, Tom Moore, Brodick and Lord Bruce were next in order. Queen Soult and North Loburn were second and third fancies. This field was a record one for this country meeting. King Abbey, the favourite, carrying nearly twice as much money as Kil-

beggan, won the Waihou Handicap from end to end, Kilbeggan and Stilts running out wide in the straight. Old Bluestone .kept to the rails all the way and lost no ground, but could not get up the necessary pace and was a length or two behind the third horse, Stilts. The scratching of Mangamahoe left six starters for the Te Aroha Cup, a favourite being made of Rockfield, with Tinopai next in request, almost equally fancied. First Salute, Some Boy 11. and Royal Irish each carried about half as much as was on the two first-named. Some Boy 11. went out with Rockfield in the lead, and the imported horse continued in front until three furlongs from home, when he was passed in succession by Rockfield, Arch Salute, Tinopai and the other two starters before the straight was reached. Drawing near * home Rockfield and Tinopai came away, Rockfield winning by a I'ength from Tinopai, with Arch Salute five lengths off in third place, just clear of Royal Irish and First Salute. Some Boy 11. last.

Twenty horses were saddled for the Piako Hack Handicap, General Advance and Tinokaha each carrying fairly heavy investments, then coming Machree and Scrap o’ Paper, with the rest at comparatively long prices. Tinokaha was left at the post, but General Advance was in front over

the last two furlongs and had a bit left to stall off the efforts of Tuipa, Royal Abbey and Machree being third and fourth respectively. Queen Abbey, the favourite, won the Flying Handicap after cutting down Ring Lupin after going three furlongs, Prince Charleroi running into second place nearer home, Caballero being a handy fourth.

The last race on the card was won by Ohinewairua, the favourite, with Isingarch (an outsider) second, and Te Ora (second favourite) third, after a close finish, Mountain Gold beingfourth. The results were:

RUAKAKA HANDICAP HURDLES < f 200sovs. One mile and a-half. 1 — J. Williamson’s ch g Garryowen, aged, by Salvadan — Vane, 9.11 (Keepa) 1 3—E. W. Alison’s br g Thrace, aged, 12.2 (Henderson) 2 2 — W. Olive’s br g Cymer, 6yrs, 10.6 (Tutchen) ........ 3 Also started: 5 Marconi 10.3 (Packer), 6 Slowcoach 9.2 (Manson), 13 Irishland 9.2 (Hamilton), 7 Lady Bruce 9.2 (Wood), 8 Dasher Boy 9.0 (Warner), 12 Amans Lass 9.0 (Burgess), 4 Otara 9.0 (E. Preston), 11 Arab King 9.0 (Ericksen), 10 Surrey Park 9.0 (J. Preston), 9 Jacaranda 9 0 ''Hawker). Surrey Park and Amans Lass fell at the hurdle in the straight the first time. Thrace led for a furlong, when Garryowen and Cymer took charge. Garry-

owen won by a length, five lengths between second and third. Dasher Boy was fourth. Time, 2min. 51% see. WAITOA HANDICAP of 20 Oso vs. Seven furlongs. 2—R. Hannon’s br m Rekanui, Gyrs, by Flagfall—Mignon, 8.9 (Robinson) 1 5—.1. Irwin’s ch m Ohinewairua, aged, 8.10 (P. Brady) 2 I—J.1 —J. Hanks’ b g Kereone, 7.8 (L. Manson) 3 Also started: 4 Corregidor 8.12 (M. O’Shea), 7 Glenspire 8.10 (R. Manson), 3 Tabasco 7.11 (Downing), 6 Woody Glen 7.10 (Goldfinch), 8 Fire 6.7 (Scott). Won by half a length, the same distance between second and third, with Woody Glen close up fourth. Time, Imin. 29 3-ssec. TRIAL HANDICAP of 200sovs. Five furlongs and a-halfi 9—G. Robinson’s br m Miss Norval, 6yrs, by Penury—Lady Norval, 7.5 (Tinker) „• 1 I—R. J. Graham’s b g Infante, 4yrs, 8.6 (Conquest) 2 13—Otto and Baker’s b g Oak Abbey, 3yrs, 8.9, inc lib over (G. Young) 3 Also started: 11 Phyllona 9.4 (Robinson), 8 Hessian 9.3 (Warner), 3 North Loburn 8.13 (Plewitt), 2 Queen Soult 8.10 (Mullins), 5 Winsome Arch 8.9 (R. Reed), 12 Arch Carreno 8.4 (McFiinn), 6 Tinohoro 7.12, inc. 51b. allow. (McTavish), 4 Lord Bruce 8.0 (Hogg), 23 Romance 7.8, inc. 51b. allow. Gussey), 18 Dead Sweet 8.3%, inc. 5%1b. over (Gosper), 20 Walaroa T. 12 (Gollop), 10 Tom Moore 7.11 (Manson), 7 Brodrick 7.10 (M. O’Shea), 16 No Bother 7.5, inc. 51b allow. (Nightingale), 19 Mottle Rose 7.8 (McCurdy), 15 Penella 7.11, inc. 41b. over (Goldfinch), 21 Menace 8.5, inc. 141 b. over (R. Manson), 23 Silver Glide 7.0, inc. 51b. allow. (Scott), 31 Neutralise 9.1, inc. 241 b, over (J. Preston), 21

Inquisitive 7.0, inc. 51b. allow. (Coleman), 26 Forest Maid 8.7, inc. 161 b. over (Henderson), 30 Lucena 7.2%, inc. 2%1b. allow. (Glover), 17 Octoplete 7.1%, inc. 3%1b. allow. (Walsh). 29 Chummy 7.0. inc. 51b. allow. (Downing 1 ), 27 Hard Labour 8.3, inc. 121 b. over (P. Brady), 25 Ethros 7.2, inc. 31b. allow. (Smith), 22 Toby 7.3 (Dennison), 28 Aircraft 7.12, inc. 91b. over (Burgess), 32 Capsul 7.3 (Hamilton). The field left in straggling order. After a good finish Miss Norval beat Infante by half a length, Oak Abbey, who -was out in front with Infante, being s. close third, with Tinohoro fourth, heading- a strung out field. Time, Imin. 10 4-ssec. WAIHOU HANDICAP of 200sovs. Six furlongs. 1— R. Hannon’s ch h King Abbey, by Quin Abbey — St. Crispin mare, 9.7 (’Robinson) 1 2 — .T. Hand’s br m Kilbeggan, 4yrs, 6.7 (Nightingale) 2 4—A. J. Teague’s ch g Stilts, aged, 6.12 (Downing) 3 Also started: 3 Bluestone 8.0 (Brady). Won by two lengths, half a length between second and third. Time, Imin. 16 4-ssec. TE AROHA CUP of 500sovs. One mile and a-quarter. 1— Hon. E. W. Alison’s cn g Rockfield, 6yrs, by Monoform —Golden Rose, 8.6 (Hewitt) 1 2— R. Hannon’s br m Tinopai, aged, 9.4 (Robinson) 2 3— J. Y. McCracken’s br g Arch Salute, 3yrs, 7.5 (Gollop) 3 Also started: 4 Some Boy 11. 9.3 (Henderson), 3 First Salute 8.11 (R. Manson) bracketed with Arch Salute, 5 Royal Irish 7.9 (L-. Manson).

Some Boy 11. led for about seven furlongs and then fell back beaten. After the semblance of a finish, Rockfield beat Tinopai home a length. Arch Salute, who turned into the straight with Rockfield, was five lengths away third, just clear of Royal Irish and First Salute. Time, 2min. 11 2-ssec

PIAKO HACK HANDICAP of 175sovs. Six furlongs. 1 R- Eliot’s br g General Advance, 4yrs, by Advance — Electra, 9 3 (J. O’Shea) ± 6—Mrs. J. Anderson’s ch g Tui’n’a’ syrs, 8.11 (Hewitt) ’ 2 11 —J. McSweeney’s ch g Royal Abbey, 4yrs, 7.4 (Glover) 3 Also started: 5 Tama-a-roa 9.12 (Mc£T 1 . in ,” ) ’ 4 o’ Paper 9.9 (Gray), 8 Niffht Time 9.4: (P\ Brady), 9 Clonmel (Warner), 10 Explode 8.12 (M D O Shea), 13 Nunerrant 8.5 (Mullins) ? ?i n °tr h mfi S ' 5 i < 12 Stammer 8.1 (Goldfinch), 16 Marble Slab 712 (Dennison), 18 Monopole 7.11 (Nightingale), 15 Monocrat 7.11 (Tinker) 14 New Zealand 7.10 (L. Manson) 3 MachIt i M Ruf ““a • Kei( D> 20 Last Plunge 7.0 (Walsh) 7 Merry Nell 7.0 (Downing) 19- T adv Bedford 7.0 (Conquest) ’ 9 y Won over the last two furlongs bv nYi lengths, a length between second and third with Machree fourth. Tinokaha was left. Time, Imin. 17sec PLYING HANDICAP of 200sovs.’ Five furlongs and a-half.

IJannon’s br m Queen Abbey, ? y Ah be Y —Freedom mare, „ „ 4y L, s ’ (Robinson) 1 3 ~ C o ® ree „ n ’ s f Prince Charleroi, 3yrs, 7.3 (Tinker) 2 ’ Johnston’s ch g Ring Lupin, aged, 8.2 (Mullins) 3 A ?? 2 Caballero 7.13 (Confinest) 4 Miss Leslie 6.10 (L. Manson), 6 Gold Plane 6.9 (Nightingale).

Won by two lengths, _ half ,a length between second and third. Caballero was fourth. Time, Imin. 9 2-ssec. HOT SPRINGS HANDICAP of 200sovs. One mile. 1- —J. Irwin’s ch m Ohinewairua, aged, by San Fran —Maid of Astolat, 8.13 (Gray) 1 7—W. Cunningham’s b m Isingarch, syrs, 6.10 (Nightingale) 2 2— C. Penetito’s b h Te Oro, 4yrs, 8.9 (Robinson) 3 Also started: 3 Glenspire 9.0 (R. Manson), 6 Lady Energy’ 7.11 (Tinker), 8 Mountain Gold 7.10 (R. Reed), 4 Golden Petal 7.0 (Downing). Won by half a length, the same distance between second and third. Mountain Gold was fourth. Time, Imin. 43 2-ssec.