WHANGAREI RACING CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1591, 21 October 1920, Page 12

WHANGAREI RACING CLUB.

SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL MEETING. HELD AT AVONDALE. WOODY GLEN WINS GUP. In consequence of their new track at Kensington Park? not yet being in readiness for use, the Whangarei Racing Club were granted permission this year to hold their two days’ annual fixture on the Avondale Jockey Club’s course. The gathering was opened on Wednesday, when the patronage extended the progressive northern body fulfilled the most sanguine expectations. Although the latter part of the programme was marred to some extent by steady rain setting in after the fifth. race, the afternoon’s sport was of a high standard, the excellent a fields and praiseworthy work of the handicapper (Mr. F. J. McManemin) contributing in no small degree to the great success of the gathering. Without exception,’ the eight events were all productive of interesting contests, and in only two instances were the first favourites successful. The Whangarei Cup attracted nine starters out of the dozen accepted for, and resulted in a sterling finish, Woody Glen being responsible for a brilliant run over the last 100 yards, extinguishing the prospects of several likely-looking winners, and gaining a popular verdict by half a length from Marble Slab, who led nearly all the way, just failing at the critical juncture of the race. Sir Ralph was a length away third. After the race . the silver cup (donated by Mr. Ewen Alison, Junr.) presented by Mrs. E. W. Alison, Junr., to Mr. J. McNicol, owner of Woody Glen, an enthusiastic group, which included the officials of the club, assembling on the lawn for the presentation ceremony. Mr. R. G. Hosking, the popular president of the ' club, in the course of an appropriate speech, expressed his pleasure at being present, and the fact of the cup becoming the property of such a good sportsman as Mr. McNicol, who was heartily cheered upon the success of his colours in the big event of the .gathering.

Speculation on the totalisator was brisk, the total investments for the afternoon reaching £39,729 . 10s., as against £10,168 10s. last year, when the fixture was held at Whangarei. The change of venue did not prevent the officials of the club attending the meeting in strong force, and the expeditious manner in which they fulfilled their various duties evidenced the thoroughness of all. arrangements in connection with the fixture. In this respect, particular praise is due to the president (Mr. R.,G. Hosking) and the secretary (Mr. B. Harris), both of whom' worked indefatigably with a view to ensuring the success of the venture.

Mr. Angus Gordon, stipendiary steward, was present, but the only incident which necessitated him instituting an inquiry by the stewards was the interference which Gold Kip met with during the running of the Cup. G. Tinker, rider of Sir Ralph, was ordered to appear before the stewards in connection with the alleged interference, but after his evidence had been taken, it was decided that the occurrence was accidental, and that no action was, therefore, necessary.

During the afternoon Burnnand’s Professional Concert Band enlivened proceedings with a much-appreciated musical programme, encores being consistently demanded. The opening event, the Maiden Plate, for which the large field, of 32 was carded, eventually attracted 23 runners, the defections being King Albyn, Rekatoa, Bully Boy, Miss Abbey, Pembrey, Mahoitahi, Savourneen, Often, and Formoore. The Taranaki representative, Stork, who had run a second and a third at the recent Avondale meeting, was installed an odds-on favourite, Khublai Khan, carrying about a third of the amount entrusted on the .Hallowmas colt, being the only other to command any support to speak of. Brodrick and Stork were quickest away when the tapes lifted, the former leading into the straight from the favourite, with Narrow Neck, Khublai Khan and Princess Charming at the head of the others. Brodrick appeared to hold excellent prospects of scoring a long overdue win, but half-way up the straight H. Gray called upon Stork for a final effort, and the favourite responding in convincing fashion quickly had the measure of his rival, and going on ran home a comfortable winner by two lengths from Brodrick, Khu-

blai Khan, who finished well, being three lengths away third. 'Narrow Neck was fourth, and Princess Charming next.

Kerehone, Peneton, and Yankee Doodle were withdrawn from the Huanui Handicap Hurdles, leaving seven runners. Sir Agnes counted most admirers, but in a good betting race Monopole, Scottish Knight, Golden Petal, and Keystone all found plenty of supporters. Middlemark was in command once the initial obstacle had been negotiated, being attended by Golden Petal, Monopole, Keystone, Scottish Knight, Otara, and Sir Agnes, this being the order passing the ®stand the first time. Middlemark increased his lead going out of the straight, but a faulty jump at the seven furlongs post caused him to come back to his field, the same obstacle bringing Keystone to grief. - Entering the back stretch Golden Petal took the lead from Middlemark, with Monopole and Scottish Knight both handy. The latter then made a forward move, which took him to the front, and he led over the hurdle at the four furlongs post, at which obstacle Middlemark came down heavily, breaking a hind leg. Scottish Knight continued in the lead, showing the way into the straight, but Monopole closed on him at the last fence, and momentarily flattered the hopes of his backers. Scottish Knight, however, cleared the hurdle in faultless style, and had no difficulty in holding Monopole safe in the run to the post, winning by a couple of lengths. Sir Agnes, who made up considerable ground over the last half mile, was a similar distance away third, with Otara fourth. When .betting commenced on the Kensington Juvenile Stakes Handicap, for which seven two-year-olds were saddled up, backers immediately installed the Land o’ Song — Smokie filly, Smoke Concert, who was making her first appearance in competition, a warm favourite, Hipo, Orapga, and Loyal Irish also being the medium of fair support. From an indifferent despatch the Avondale-trained youngster, Arch Laddie, quickly obtained several lengths’ advantage on his rivals, and increasing his lead had a good break when the straight was entered, Loyal Irish, Hipo, and Rose Thurnham racing next in that order, with Smoke Concert, who got away -badly, tailing the field. Arch Laddie never allowed his opponents to trouble him in the run up the straight, scoring an attractive victory by two lengths from Loyal Irish, with Rose Thurnham three lengths away third. Smoke Concert, who finished faster than anything in the race, was fourth.

Of the dozen carded for the Whangarei Cupj Bedford, Comedy Prince, and Isingarch declined their engagements, leaving nine to do battle in the premier event of the gathering. The Taranaki candidate, Alteration, with H. Gray in the saddle, was .made a warm first choice, Tama-a-roa, Woody Glen,’ and Windorah (last year’s Whangarei Cup winner) being next fancied in that order. From the start, Blue Cross (the outsider of the field) took up the role of pacemaker, and led past the totalisator, but when the post was reached the first time Marble Slab had charge, from Blue Cross, Windorah, and Bitholia, and in this order they raced out of the straight. Marble Slab continued in the lead going along the back, with Blue Cross, Windorah, and Bitholia most prominent of the others. The positions were unaltered as they passed the half-mile post with the exception that Bitholia had displaced Windorah, while Woody Glen had closed on the leaders. Marble Slab was still in command entering the straight, with Bitholia as his nearest attendant, Woody Glen and Sir Ralph being most advantageously placed of the others. Once inside the distance the latter pair challenged Marble Slab and Bitholia, and in an exciting finish Woody Glen, sticking resolutely to his task, quickly overhauled the leaders, and capably handled by R. McTavish registered a popular win by half a length from Marble Slab, with Sir Ralph a length away third, just in advance of Bith-'' olia. Blue Cross was fifth, and Tama-a-roa and Windorah next.

For the third time in as many starts H. Gray’s mount (this time Gatherer) occupied the position of favourite when investments came to be recorded on the County Handicap, in which the good field of eleven started, the contestants in this race being the property of owners residing north of the Waitemata County. Araluen and Mary Bruce were the only others to command any degree of support. The favourite was never in danger of defeat, for after Glad Tidings had

made the running for half the distance, Gray took Gatherer to the front, and the Multifid, gelding easily held the opposition in the run to the post, scoring comfortably by a couple of lengths from Araluen, with Kiriwinning a length away third. Winning Lass was fourth. There were eight starters in the Maunu Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, from which John Bunny and Totara Jack were withdrawn. First Call was entrusted with most support, Capsal and Simple Sam being also well backed. Simple Sam was the first to show out, leading over the brush and water jump from Capsal, Yankee Doodle, First Call, and Hopye. Yankee Doodle took charge after negotiating the third obstacle, with Capsal and First Call at the head of the others, the trio racing past the stand the second time in that order. ’Going along the back the second time Capsal led Yankee Doodle by a length, with First Call four lengths away in third position. Yankee Doodle took charge racing across the top, the order passing the stand the third time being: Yankee Doodle, Capsal, First Call, Lady Salvadan, and Hopye. Yankee Doodle nearly came to grief at the second to last fence, enabling Capsal to make up some of his leeway. Yankee Doodle negotiated the final obstacle just in advance of Capsal, and withstanding a determined challenge from the latter, ran home a winner by three lengths, Lady Salvadan being six lengths away third. First Call tired badly over the last half mile, finishing fourth, Hopye being fifth, these being the- only horses to complete the course.’ Scratchings reduced the .22 carded for the Manaia Handicap to a field of 13, the defections being Spanner, Tama-a-roa,. Clonmel, Kumara, No Mistake, Soultane, Araluen,. Ngatiorahia, and Miss Norval. Crowhurst was sent out a slightly better favourite than Arran, while Golden Bubble, Escaped, and Emerald Hill were each accorded solid backing. Dead Sweet was early in front, and attended by Emerald Hill, showed the way into the straight, with Lord Kenilworth and Crowhurst both handy at this stage. The last-named made a bold bid for victory over' the concluding furlong, but Dead Sweet stuck to his task and secured winning honours by half a length from the favourite, with Lord Kenilworth a neck away third. Emerald Hill was fourth, and Escaped next.

Arran, Ohinewairua, Clonmel, Khublai Khan, Pepin, Tom Moore, Harlestone, and Hessian were absentees when the starters’ numbers were hoisted for the concluding event, the High-weight Handicap. Of the fourteen starters the prospects of Bezant, the full brother to Rebekah, were most favoured by backers, but in an even betting race Lady Energy, Some Fashion, Te Oro, and North Loburn were all made the medium of heavy support. The veteran Soult gelding, King Chiara, showed out momentarily in the lead when the barrier .lifted, but was soon displaced by Flowing Bowl, who in company with North Loburn, was first to turn for home, Some Fashion heading a bunched field. A great finish resulted in which the trio named engaged in a stirring struggle for supremacy, honours going to Some Fashion, who secured the judge’s verdict by a nose from North Loburn, with Flowing Bowl a neck away third. Lady Energy was fourth, and Hallow next. The results were: — MAIDEN PLATE, of lOOsovs. Six furlongs. 1— Newton King’s b c Stork, 3yrs, by Hallowmas. .White Crane, ’ 8.0 (H. Gray) 1 3—J. McNicol’s ch g Brodrick, 8.0 (C. Reed) 2 2— E. W. Alison jun.’s b g Khublai Khan, 8.0 (A. McFlinn) 3 Also started: 8 Narrow Neck 8.0 (A. Downing), 5 Princess Charming 8.0 (M. D. O’Shea), 6 Lady Claureen 8.0 (L. Coleman), 6 Valley Queen 8.0 (Nightingale), 11 Lady Frederick 8.0 (J. Conquest), 10 Wish Wynne 8.0 (Kitchener), 17 Miss Lucullus 8.0 (E. Reid?, 9 Sylvan 8.0 (T. Glover), 14 Esplanade 8.0 (Dennison), 4 Octoplete 8.0 (R. Conway), 20 Cantorias 8.0 (J. Roach), 12. Kumara 8.0 (Husband), 13 Prince Menschikoff 8.0 (Turner), 15 Waikaretu 8.0 (Tinker), 11 Space 8.0 (H. Goldfinch), 19 Vauxhall 8.0 (L. Manson), 16 -Neuritis 8.0 (W. Williams), 18 Recreation 8.0 (R. H. Martin), 7 Lord Bruce 8.0 (Soloman), 21 Killott 8.0 (L. H. Scott). Won by a couple of lengths, three lengths ' between second and third. Narrow Neck was fourth. Time Imin 14 2-ssec. HUANUI HANDICAP HURDLES, of 200sovs. One and three quarter miles. 3— F. O. Weine’s br g Scottish Knight, 6yrs, by Robert the Bruce —Puhi, 9.3 (E. Warner) . 1 2—A. Brown’s b g Monopole 11.5 (J. Roach) 2 I—D. Jackson’s ch g Sir Agnes 11.2 (Rennie) 3 . Also started: 5 Keystone 10.0 (R. Manson), 4 Golden Petal 9.0 (H. Turner), 6 Middlemark 9.0 (Young), 7 Otara 9.0 (Packer).

Keystone and Middlemark fell, the latter breaking a leg. Scottish Knight won by two lengths, a similar distance betw'een second and third. Otara was fourth. Time, 3min. 19sec. KENSINGTON JUVENILE STAKES HANDICAP of 150sovs. For two-year-olds. Four furlongs. 5— -S. G. Lindsay’s b g Arch Laddie, by .Marble Arch—Lassie Doon, 8.0 (Downing) 1 4— J. Williamson’s ch c Loyal Irish, 7.12 (Glover) 2 6 — W. Casey’s ch f Rose Thurnham, 7.3 (McTavish) 3 Also started: 2 Hipo 8.0 (Gray), 3 Oranga 7.12 (C. Reed), 1 Smoke Concert 7.9 (Goldfinch). ; Won by two lengths, three lengths between second and third. Smoke Concert was fourth. Time. 50 2-ssec. WHANGAREI CUP HANDICAP of 300 sovs and silver cup. One mile and a-quarter. 3 — j. McNicol’s br g Woody Glen, 6rys, by Glenalbyn—Waterwood, 7.3 (McTavish) 1 6 —-vv. M. Taylor’s b g Marble Slab, 6.7 (Husband) 2 5 — R. T. Reid’s br h Sir Ralph, 7.3 (Tinker) . . . . • • . . , . 3 Also started: 7 Gold Kip 8.13 (Robinson). 2 Tama-a-roa 7.12 (C. Reed), 1 Alteration 7.9 (Gray), 4 Windorah 6.13 (Glover), 9 Blue Cross 6.12 - (Wiggins), 8 Bitholia 6.7 (George). Won by half a length, a length between second and third. Bitholia was fourth. Time, 2min. 9 l-ssec. COUNTY HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Six furlongs. 1— W. B. Giesen’s blk g Gatherer, 6yrs, by Multifid —Curama, 9.8 (Gray) 1 2— D. Kelly’s ch m Araluen, 7.10 (Downing) _• • • 2 4 — h. J. Brown’s b g Kiriwinning, 8.4 (McFlinn) ;....: 3 Also started: 6 Glad Tidings 9.9 (Chaplin). 7 Winning Lass 8.9 (George), 3 Mary Bruce 8.7 (Robinson), 9 Archery 7.5 (Glover), 11 Often 7.5 (Keesing), 10 Ngatihorahia 7.5 (E. Reid). 5 Warshot 7.5 (McTavish), 8 Delightful 7.5 (Scott). ' , Won by two lengths, a length between second and third. Winning Lass ■was fourth. Time, Imin. 17 3-ssec. MAUNU HACK AND- HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE of 200sovs. About . three miles. 6 — J. Eccleston’s ch g Yankee Doodle, aged, by Wairiki —Golden Rose, 9.7 (Warner) 1 2 — Wyllie and Coxhead’s br g Capsal, 9.7 (Conway) 3 5— j. j. Preston’s ch m Lady Salvadan, 9.7 (Packer) • - 3 Also started: 1 First Call 11.10 (W. Rowe), 4 Hopye 10.5 (R. Manson), 3 Simple Sam 9.9 (Dillamore), 7 Mestee 9.7 (Chaplin), 8 St. Carl 9.7 (Turner). - Won by three lengths, six lengths between second and third. First Call was fourth. Hopye was the only other horse to finish. Time, 6min. 2sec. MANAIA HANDICAP of 200sovs. Five furlongs. 7 — G. Courtney's ch g Dead Sweet, syrs, by Quin Abbey—Cuirassier mare, 6.7 (Glover) 1 I—J.1 —J. Donald’s ch g Crowhurst, 8.4 (L. Manson) 2 6 — Hon. E. W. Alison’s ch h Lord Kenilworth, 8.6 (McFlinn) .... 3 Also started: 2 Arran 9.1 (C. Reed), 3 Golden Bubble 9.1 (Robinson), 5 Emerald Hill 7.5%, inc. l%lb. over (M. O’Shea), 10 Ohinewairua 7.5%, inc. 2%1b. over (Crutcher), 9 Prince Charleroi .6.13 (Wiggins), 8 Miss Ellice 7.0, inc. lib. over ; (Husband), 4 Escaped 6.13 (Coleman), 13 Manukau 6.8%, inc. l%lb over (Keesing). 11 Jolly Princess 7.1, inc. 81b. over (Walsh), 12 Finkop 7.2%, inc. 9%1b. over (Downing). Won by half a length, a neck separating second and third. Emerald Hill was fourth. Time, Imin. 2 4-ssec.. HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Seven furlongs. 3 — r. j. Graham’s blk g Some Fashion, 6yrs, by Fashionable —Gluten mare, 8.2 (Conquest) ...... 1 5 — G. Fleming’s b g North Loburn, 8.0 (C. Reed) 2 6— Roulston Bros.’ b g Flowing Bowl, 8.0 (L. Manson) 3 Also started: 9 King Chiara 10.0 (Robinson), 4 Te Oro 9.9 (Martin), 1 Bezant 9.5 (McFlinn), 8 Tabasco 9.1 (Gussey), 2 Lady Energy 8.13 (Goldfinch), 7 Hallow 8.7 (Gray), 12 Guianform'B.o (Tinker), 10 Maori Tikanga 8.0 (W. Ryan), 11 Royal Prince 8.0 (Clements). , , x Won by a nose, a neck between second and third. ' Lady Energy was fourth. Time, Imin. 32sec. SECOND DAY. SIR RALPH WINS PARK . , HANDICAP. The meeting was concluded on Monday, to which day it had been postponed owing to heavy rain having set in early on Saturday morning, making it out of the question to finish the meeting on that day. Monday proved perfect, and the course was in splendid order, good times being registered in the various events. The racing was good, the field while not unweildly being sufficiently large to ensure plenty of speculation. By the close of the day no less than £47,380 10s. had been handled. The races were got off promptly and satisfactorily. The totalisator turnover for the meeting reached to £87,110, being £66,056 10s. in excess of the sum handled at the club’s last fixture, held at Whangarei. The president (Mr. R. G. Hosking) took the opportunity of thanking the committee and stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club for their kindness in permitting his club to hold their meeting at Avondale, Mr. Foley, president of the Avondale Jockey Club, replied, expressing gratification at the results generally. In the Kamo Handicap, for country

horses duly qualified, Araluen, the favourite, and Winning Lass (second favourite) duly justified their support, but it was only in the straight that they asserted their superiority over Warshot, who made most of the running. Scottish Knight and Sir Agnes were the best supported in the Hack Hurdle Race, in which Gatherer showed the most dash, but his jumping was faulty, and tired him. Over the concluding six furlongs Golden Petal, who was at a liberal price on account of his want of encouraging form on the first day, led, and with the last hurdle down, and which had brought Oak Abbey and Space in the first, round to grief, Otara having stopped, and The Packman also coming down, Golden Petal had matters to his liking. Shell Shock, another outsider, finished second, Sir Agnes and Scottish Knight, the two topweights, beating the rest. Some supporters of Sir Agnes made a noisy but an unjustified demonstration, near the judge’s box, and Golden Petal’s improvement on his first day form was not palatable to others. Namutere and Smoke Concert, two of Mr. Ewen W. Alison’s (Junr.) Aus-tralian-bred two-year-blds, were much more fancied than any of the others in the Nursery Handicap, and they ran home in the order named, comfortably accounting for Oranga, who had delayed the start by breaking through the tapes, lor which his rider (Manson)’ was fined £2. Arch Laddie was fourth, but Lucullia, with which he was bracketed, was left. Tama-a-roa, Woody Glen, and Sir Ralph were backed so solidly- that they carried more than all the other starters put together by the time the tote closed for the Park Handicap. Two of them got into the money, Sir Ralph being first and Tama-a-roa third, Geoffrey splitting the pair. Whether the result would have been different had not Stork fallen through getting on the heels of Blue Cross and retarding the progress of others, including Woody Glen, is a matter for conjecture, but Sir Ralph’s win was overdue, and his owner is a liberal supporter of racing and trotting, and does not win out of his turn. Te Oro raced a little better than .he has done lately. Prince Charleroi again disappointed his friends. Actrice, favourite for the Marsden Hack Handicap, pulled her backers through in fine style in that race, not a little of her success being due to Glover’s riding. Tom Moore, the third fancy, was second, and General Stephen a neck away third, with Monopole fourth. Goldplane disappointed, as did Formalin. Bute Sound showed a fair turn of pace in the lead, but faded away over _ the business stage. First Call, the favourite for the Steeplechase, jumped well throughout, but had nothing to beat, as. Yankee Doodle broke down with half' the journey completed, while Peneton, who was a poor second, was also infirm on finishing. Simple Sam could not muster up enough pace to keep himself warm.

The President’s Handicap was won practically from end to end by Rathlin (third fancy), Bezant, who was a little better supported, getting nearest to him as they race home, but he only just headed off Monocrat, who beat Arran (the favourite) for third place. The six furlongs were traversed in Imin. 15 l-ssec. Dead Sweet, Some Fashion, Miss Ellice, Harlestone, and Escaped were the other runners. Escaped lost his rider (Coleman) at the home bend, and an injured collarbone was the result. The business of the day was brought to a close with the Farewell Welter. Lady Energy (the favourite) came from fifth position in the field of seven, and wore down Gold Kip, who carried his solid impost into second place. North Loburn, Ohinewairua and Hallow made the pace,, the two last-named being the first to weaken, while Ohinewairua stuck it out. Lady Energy won by a length, Gold Kip beating Ohinewairua by half a length, with Isingarch fourth. ' The results were:— .KAMO HANDICAP of lOOsovs. Six furlongs. 1— D. Kelly’s ch m Araluen, by Finland —Coeur de- Lion mare, 8.8 (S. Henderson) 1 2— —H. Kimber’s Winning Lass, 8.11 (C. Reed) I 2 3— H. G. Dingle’s Warshot, 7.0 (Me- . Tavish) • • • 3 Also started: Kiriwinning 8.12 (E. R. Reed), Glad Tidings 9.8 (Chaplin), Archery car.. 6.9 (Glover), Ngatihorahia car. 8.9 (Stanaway), Delightful car. 6.11% (Scott), Often 7.0 (Kenny). Won by half a length, a length between second and third. Glad Tidings was fourth. Time, lmin. 18sec. POROTI HACK HURDLES'. One mile and three-quarters. 6—Hon. E. W. Alison’s ch g Golden Petal, aged, by Obligado—Golden Rose, 9.3 (Turner) -1 10 —M. Wells’ b m Shell Shock, aged, 9.0 (Roach) 2

2 — D. Jackson’s ch g Sir Agnes, aged, 11.12 (Rennie) ’ „ 3 Also started r 1 Scottish Knight 10.10 (Warner), Keystone 10.8 (Henderson), Oak Abbey 9.4 (Packer), 5 Gatherer 9.11 (Manson), 9 Otara 9.11 (Conway), 7 Space 9.0 (Kidd), 8 Ma Copper car. 9.6 (Rowe), 11 Jacaranda 9.0 (Morrison), 12 The Packman 9.0 (Ferguson). • Won nicely by a couple of lengths, a neck between second and third. Scottish Knight was fourth. Time, 3min. 22 2-ssec. NURSERY HANDICAP of 150sovs. For two-year-olds. Four furlongs. I—E. W. Alison’s (Junr.) b c Namutere, by Beragoon—Golden <Fly, 8.9 (Gray) ’ 1 I—e.1 — e. W. Alison’s (Junr.) b f Smoke Concert, car. 7.5 (Gussey) 2 4 — J. Paterson’s b g Oranga, 7.9 (Manson) 3 Namutere and Smoke Concert were bracketed on the machine. Also started: 2 Arch Laddie car. 8.4 (Downing), 2 Lucullia car. 7.4 (Scott), 3 Loyal Irish car. 7.8 (Glover), 7 Hipo car. 7.5 (George), 6 Marble Crag car. 7.11 (C. Reed), 5 Rose Thurnham 7.0 (McTavish). Lucullia was left. Namutere won by half a length, two lengths between second and third. Arch Laddie was fourth. Time, 50 2-ssec. PARK HANDICAP of 250sovs. One mile and a furlong. 3— R. T. Reid’s br h Sir Ralph, aged, by Rokeby—Rose Red, 7.8 (McTavish) 1 6—E. W. Alison’s b c Geoffrey, 3yrs, 6.7 (Glover) 2 I—J.1 —J. T. Hetet’s br g Tama-a-roa, aged, car. 8.3 (Gray) 3 Also started: 2 Woody Glen 8.3 (C. Heed), 4 Marble. Slab 7.6 (Husband), 10 Stork 7.6 (George), 7 Blue Cross 6.13 (Wiggins), 8 Te Oro 6.13 (Coleman), 5 Prince Charleroi car. 7.0 (Downing), 9 War Tank 6.8 (Keesing). .Stork fell half a mile from home. Sir Ralph won by a length, a head between second and third. Te Oro was fourth. Time, lmin. 57 l-ssec. MARSDEN HACK HANDICAP of 150 sovs. Apprentice riders. One mile 'and a furlong. I—A. W. Prangley’s br m Actrice, 6yrs, by Marble Arch — Peggy Pryde, 8.4 (Glover) 1 3 —A. H. Nesbet’s blk g Tom Moore, aged, 7AI (Soloman) 2 5— J. Twohill’s b g General Stephen, 6yrs, 8.3 (Nightingale) 3 Also started: 9 Salvaless 9.3 (Hall), 4 Formalin 9.0 (Gussey), 7 Monopole 8.10 (Crutcher), 6 Brodrick 8.5 (George), .8 Mountain Gold 8.5 (Wiggins), 2 Goldplane 8.4 (McTavish), 11 Bute Sound 7.5 (Walsh), 10 Kiriwinning 7.0 (Coleman). ' ' lII' ’ i Won easily by a length and a-half, a neck between second and third. Monopole was fourth. Time, lmin. 59 sec. . . • ! HANDICAP STEEPLECHASE of 200 sovs. About three miles. 1— C. Shaw’s b g First Call, aged, by Wairiki —Bonny Doon, 11.10 (Rowe) 1 3 — J. Molloy’s b g Peneton, aged, 11.12 (Roach) 2 4— P. Johnson’s ch g Simple Sam, aged, 9.7 (Dillamore) 3 Also started: 2 Yankee Doodle 10.7 (Warner). Yankee Doodle broke down badly in the second round, and was pulled up, leaving First Call with a long lead of Peneton, who pulled up lame after being beaten by a furlong. Simple Sam was. ten lengths away. Time, 6 min. 9sec. PRESIDENT’S “HANDICAP of 200sovs. Six furlongs. 3— F. Waller’s b g Rathlin, 6yrs, by Robert the Bruce — Orange and Blue, 7.9 (Downing) 1 2— C. G. Macindoe’s b g Bezant, 6 yrs, 7.5 (McTavish) 2 B—F.8 —F. Weston’s b m Monocrat, syrs, car. .6.10 (Wiggins) 3 Also started: 1 Arran 9.0 (C. Reed), 4 Dead Sweet 7.5 (Glover), 7 Some Fashion car. 7.0 (Conquest),. 5 Escaped 6.11 (Coleman), 6 Miss Ellice car. 7.0 (Husband), 9 Harlestone 6.7 (.Scott). Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Arran was fourth. Escaped fell at the straight entrance. Time, lmin. 15 4-ssec. FAREWELL WELTER HANDICAP of 150sovs. One mile and a furlong. I—W.1 —W. Vanderspeck’s b m Lady Energy, aged,.*B.l3 (Goldfinch . . 1 4— H. S. Keesing’s ch g Gold Kip, 6yrs, 11.11 (Robinson) ......... 2 6— W. J. Irwin’s ch m Ohinewairua, aged, 9.0 (Warner) 3 Also started: 7 Tabasco 8.8 (Gussey), 5 Isingarch 8.6 (Armstrong), 2- Hallow 8.6 (Gray), 3 North Loburn 8.4 (C. Reed). Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Isingarch was fourth. Time, lmin. 57sec.-

The dead-heat between Poitrel and Kennaqubair in the Spring Stakes (1% .miles) on the opening'day of the A.J.C. spring meeting recalls that in 1915 Reputation and St. Carwyne could not be separated by the judge in the same event. In that year Mountain Knight was third, but was well beaten. The 1915 race was run in a second faster time (2min. 32sec.) than that recorded by Poitrel and Kennaquhair.