RACING REVIEWED.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1570, 27 May 1920, Page 9

RACING REVIEWED.

ELTHAM RACING CLUP NOTES ON THE INAUGURAL. MEETING. The inaugural meeting of the Elthani Racing Club, which took place on the Hawera racecourse the day following the Egmont R.C.’s winter meeting, was marked throughout by keen enthusiasm, the committee, officials and patrons co-operating in a successful endeavour to make the meeting enjoyable, the beautiful weather affording special opportunities in this direction. Naturally the absence of a totalsator permit was a matter viewed with undisguised disfavour by racing followers, who accepted the position philosophically, taking a worthy interest in proceedings. The manner in which the public patronised the fixture was a striking illustration of the wide interest evinced in racing matters by residents of Eltham and surrounding .'districts, .clearly demonstrating the strong claim of the Eltham R.C. to a totalisator permit. The moment

additional totalisator permits are available for allocation by the N.Z. Racing Conference the newly-formed Eltham Club’s claim should be one of the first to receive consideration. Anybody with a knowledge of racing affairs in the Dominion is forced to admit that Taranaki is badly served as regards the number of race days each year in that province, and the granting of a totalisator permit for the Eltham R.C. cannot fail to commend itself to those entrusted with the distribution of the additional permits which must be sanctioned if the sport of racing is to receive worthy encouragement. The Royal meetings held at Ellerslie and Riccarton respectively in honour of the Prince of Wales’ visit to the Dominion were striking examples of the popularity of the turf in this country, the two carnivals in question proving among the most enjoyable outdoor entertainments provided for the Royal visitor during his New Zealand tour. For an inaugural meeting, and one held without a totalisator, the Eltham R.C.’s recent gathering must have been exceedingly gratifying to the. officials, particularly to the secretary. Mr. W. J. Tristram, who had all details in connection with the afternoon’s sport in smooth working order. Seven events came up for decision, and though in several instances the 'fields were composed of not more than five horses, the sport was highly interesting. Mr. A. Morse got his fields away in good line, while Mr. R. P. Morrissey made a capable judge. The principal event, the Eltham Cup (1% miles) attracted seven starters, and was won by the four-year-old Hallowmas gelding Mimiri, owned by the popular New Plymouth sportsman Mr. A. Alexander, who in recent years raced Bisogne with considerable success, and whose most notable performer at the present time is Silver Link, which mare defeated the brilliant Amythas in the Manawatu Stakes (six furlongs) at Awapuni on April 22 last.

The opening event at the Eltham R.C.’s inaugural meeting was the Mangatoki Hack Hurdles (1% miles), in which four started. Banogue made the pace from the start until the final obstacle was reached, when Applaud passed him and ran home a comfortable winner by a couple of lengths. Cordon, who was ridden by the Aucklander S. Henderson, was ten lengths away, third. Applaud, who is a six-year-old gelding by Formeost — Applause, created a good impression

two days previously when he finished third to Luperino and Lochella in the Tongahoe Hurdles on the opening day of the Egmont R.C. meeting. The large field of 17 went to the post for the Maiden Handicap (five furlongs). Lady Leo made the running to the straight entrance, where she was headed by Ngata, who appeared to be winning comfortably when Riki challenged inside the distance, a fine finish resulting in L. Morris getting Ngata home a head in advance of his rival, with Torakaha a length away, third. The winner is a four-year-old gelding by Maniapoto—Daisy Paul, and is owned by Mr. Jas. Bull. The Eltham Cup was an interesting race. The seven contestants got off in good line, Paddington Green being in charge passing the stand, with Guianform and Mimiri as his nearest attendants. Going along the back Guianform displaced the leader, but racing to the straight entrance Mimiri was taken to the front and was never headed, winning by four lengths from Padington Green, with Tirana a head away, third, and Guianform fourth.

There were five starters in the Maata Hack Handicap, in which Valdina shot to the front at the barrier rise -and maintained her lead until well into the straight, where Riki, who had been lying last in the early stages, came with a well-timed run, and White Ranger also joining in the finish a keen struggle for supremacy was witnessed. Nicely handled by S. Anderson, Riki got home by a length and a-half from White Ranger, who cut Valdina out of second honours by a neck.

A quartette weighed out for the Rawhitiroa Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, which proved little more than an exercise canter for Whakamoa, who prevailed by 50yds. from Argo, the other two contestants, Yucatan and Stelpaul, both coming to grief. Half a dozen started in the Kaponga Flying Handicap, including the veteran mare Lady General and Paddington Green. The former demonstrated that she still retains her pace, for she hopped out smartly at the barrier and led all the way, winning by two lengths from Tirana, with Master Curran a similar distance away, third. Lady Paula had no difficulty in de-

feating her four opponents in the concluding event, the Matapu Hack Handicap. The daughter of Bezonian was quickest to begin, and though Lady Leo raced up to her in the middle stages, Lady Paula slipped her field once the straight was entered, winning very comfortably by three lengths from Complex, who finished fast, with Kickapoo half a length away, third.