THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 834, 4 June 1910, Page 3

THE TURF.

OTAKI MAORI RACING CLUB. WINTER MEETING. CALIFORNIA WINS THE CUP. .lie Otaki Maori Racing Club's winter meeting opened yesterday 1 on. the . Hoiowhenua Racing Club's course at Levin. Although tho weather outlook was not too bright in tho city in the early morning, a very large crowd journeyed by train to the meoting, among those present being the Hon. J. Carroll, the Hon. J. A. Millar, and prominent members of the ■ Wellington Racing Club. Recent fains had softened the track, but all things' considered, the going .was satisfactory. Big fields contested all the events and backers found it extremely difficult to select the winners, as not a single first favourite prevailed during the day, while, in four, of the seven races, the' winners were rank outsiders. The principal event, the Raukawa Cup, was won by California, who had not' saluted tho judge since his treble victory at Tren4ham two years ago. After the victory , of California it '■■ was. a fitting coincidence that Sir Frisco, by San Francisco,' Ebould score in the Rangiuru Handicap, the second "leg" of the double. Totalisator investments during the day amounted to £7851) as compared with £9874 on the first, day of tie last'winter meeting. Thirteen bookmakers were sis inside and Beven outside. The following are the results.— MAIDEN FLAT RACE, of 60 sovs. Weight for age. Seven furlongs. 6,Mr. H. C. M'Phee's ch.g. EpBom Downs, by Euroolydon—Ep- :' som, syrs., Bst. 111b. (C. Price) 1 1 Mr. J. Brett's Bourbon, Bst. 101b. (C. Jenkins) 2 .Jl Mr. W. Flemming's Torpoint, Bst. 71b (Carmont) 3 . Also started: 3 Ukraine, Bst. 121b. (W. Price); 4 Bercola, Bst. 111b. (W. Young); 10 Rangiuru, Bst. 111b. (Lowe); 7 Mediterranean, Bst. 131b. (Hatch); 5 The Native, Sst. 111b. (Oliver)'; 2 Beacon, Bst. 111b. (F. D. Jones); 13 Vesuvius, , Bst. 81b. (M'Lean); 9 Sunrose, Sst. 71b. (Coleman); 12 Merry Frank, Bst. 71b. (M'Donald); and 13 Waipuhi, Bst. 71b. .(Morris); . .......... Bercola and The Native were the first to show'out. At the end of a furlong The Native dropped back, and Bercola was joined by Epsom Downs. The lastnamed took the lead across the bottom stretch, and going on won easily by ! three lengths from Bourbon, who came with a good run at the finish. Time, lmin. 31sec. . ' ' FLYING HACK HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. . Six furlongs. 5 Mr. P. W. Sarsfield's ch.g. Royal i Marine, by Royal Artillery— Culroy, 3yrs., 7st. 131b. . (F. Cress) 1 'A Mr. B. Jackman's Repeat, Bst.-' (A. Oliver) 2 3 Mr. F. J. Carmont's. Celebrity. 7st. 2lb. .(Batten) 3 Also started: 1 Ascalon, Bst 111b. (Jenkins): 5 Rongoinai, 7st. 71b. (M'Dohald); 2 Leolanter, 7st. 71b. (Ooleman); 8 Seawind, ■ 6st. 121b. (Ward); 9 Kimmerian, 6st. 121b. (Young); and 6 Fighting Maid, 6st: 71b: (Traill). , Fighting Maid ran to the front early and led to the home turn, her nearest attendant being Leolanter. Entering the straight %\is> , fie|d ..closed up, and Royal Marine drawing clear at the distance, won by a length from Repeat, who was.two lengths ahead of Celebrity. Leolanter was fourth. HACK HURDLE HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. One mile and a half. 2 Mr. H.;M'Manaway's blk. g. Mahuta, .- Uy ' Mahaki—Melinite. 6yrs., lOst (W. Young) 1 8 Mr. A. Hathaway's Rosegrove, . 9st (Miller) 2 3 Mr. W. J. Douglas's Pikopo, , i list. 41b. (J. O'Connell) 3 ' Also started: 1 Nightmare, lOst. 41b. (Abbott); 5 Himatangi, 9st. 41b. (Morris) ; 6 Gaelic, 9st. 21b. (Cress); 4 Lothair, 9st. (George); and' 7 Beeline, 9st. (Lyford). ■ ■ ■ ■ ; ;' ; Lothair led past the stand the first time, followed by Mahuta and Rosegrove. Six furlongs from home Mahuta went to the front, and thereafter waa not troubled, and won easily by three lengths from Rosegrove, who was over a. length in front of Pikopo. Beeline was fourth. Time, 2inin. 58sec. RAUKAWA CUP HANDICAP, of 300 - ' sovs.;' second to receive 30 sovs., and third 20 sovs. from the stake. One mile and a quarter. 6 Mr. C. L. Lager's ch. h. California, by San Fran—Dazzle, svrs., Bst. 31b. ... (J. Griffiths) 1 1 Hon. J. D. Ormond's br. g Sir Tristram, by Sir Lancelot— Thame, aged, Bst. 131h. (F. D. Jones) 2 1 Mr. W. Rayner's ch; g. Research, by Renown—Searchlight, syrs., ■ 7et. (carried 7st. 41b.) (P. Coleman) 3 • 'Also started: 2 Clemora, ' Bst. 71h. (Oliver); 4 Sir Antrim, Bst. 51b (C Price); 3 Kopu, 7st. 121b. (Soeats); 5 Parable, 7st. 91b. (Kemp); 8 Uhlando, 7st. 21b. (Eva.); and'B Marathon 6st 71b., carried 6st. 111b. (R. Young). _When the barrier rose, the colours of Sir Tristram were prominent for a few strides-, but Sir Antrim quickly took up the running, and led past the stand, followcd_ by Marathon, Clemora, and California, with Sir Tristram second fo last. At the. sis-furlongs post the 'order was Sir. Antrim, Marathon, California, and Kopn, with Sir Tristram moving up. California ran into second position three furlongs from home, where Sir Tristram was third. Coming into the straight • California was in front, and stalling' off a strong challenge from Sir Tristram he won by a length and a hah , . Research was a similar distance behind Sir Tristram. Sir Antrim was fourth, and Marathon last. Time, 2min.' 10 2-ssec. OTAKI HACK HANDICAP, of 110 sovs. 'One mile. 9 Mr. B. T. Bennett's b. g. St. I/umsden, by St. Paul—Vanguard mare, syrs., 7st. (C. Emerson) 1 B Mr. E. Jackman's Repeat. 7st. 131b. ....- (Kirk) 2 1 Messrs. Limmer and M'Kay's Amato .......'. (F. D. Jones) ,3 Also started: 3 Ambrosian, Ost. (Oliver); 2 Teotane, Bst. 111b'. (Jenkins); 5 Shining Star, Bst. lib. (Coleman); 6 Skye, 7st. 131b. (Lowe); 7 Tarn Glen, 7st. 131b. (Lambess); 4 Idealism, 7st. 131b. (F. Cross); 11 Miss Peaty, 7st. (R. Young); and 10 Merriwing) 6st. 7st. (Kemp). ■•'_ \ ■ St. Lumsden wa-s taken to tho front as soon as tho barrier lifted, and, leading throughout, won by thr-eo-quartors of a length from Repeat, who was a length and a half in front.of Amato. Shining Star was fourth. Time, lmin. 44sec. RANGIURU HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. Six furlongs. 6 Mrs. M. Moore's b. h. Sir Frisco, by San Francisco (imp.)—Waitemata, oyrs., Sst. 81b. (H. Carmont) 1 ■1 Mr. J. Monk's Gipsy Belle, Bst. 31b (Jenkins) 2 8 Sir. R. W. Paterson's Mon Ami, Bst (Oliver) 3 Also started: 2 St. Bill, Sst. 111b. (W. Price); 4 Hermia, Bst. 61b. (R. 10 Iney, 7st. 81b. (Kirk);

9 Aboriginal, 7st. 21b., carried 7st. 91b. (Lowe): 8 Laco Collar, Gst. 121b. (Traill); 5 Aimwell, Gst. 71b. (Emerson); and 7 Moree, 6st, 71b. (MorrisV Aimwell was badly left at tbe start. Mon Ami was iirst to 'show out, followed by Lace Collar, St. Bill, and Gipsy Belle. Lace Collar was in front three furlongs from home, but Gipsy Belle headed her before tho straight was reached aJid looked to have the race in hand. Sir Frisco, however, camo with a great rush on the outside and won by half a head. 'Jlon Ami was a good third. Time, lmin. 16scc. BIRTHDAY WELTER HACK HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. Seven furlongs. 3 Mr. T. F. Nolan's ch. g. Leolanter, by .Lcolaiitis—Castanette, aged, 9st (A. Oliver) 1 5 Mi. A Helm's Niwaru, Bst. 101b. •'■ (W. Kirk) 2 2 Mr. R. T. Turnbull's Laius, Bst. . 121b (Jenkins) 3 Also started: 4 First Consul, 9st. (W. Price); 8 Envoy, Bst. 121b. (Moms); 1 Plantation, Bst, 101b. (Barlow); 9 Pumoana, fist. 101b. (Griffiths); 6 Howler, Bst. 71b., carried Bst. 101b. (W. Young); 7 Gold Battery, Bst. 71b. (Lowe); and 10 Kakanui, Bst. 71b. (F! Cress). Laius and Leolanter were first to break the line, but at the «nd: of a furlong Niwaru was out in front a length ckrnr of Gold Battery with Laius, Leolanter, and Plantation close up. Niwaru led until well into the straight where Leolanter came with a nice run and won comfortably by a length from Xitvaru, with Laius close up third, and Plantation fourth. Time, lmin. 32sec. NOTES ON THE RACING. A biji field contested the opening event, but the horses were a quiet contingent, and gave no trouble at the barrier. Bourbon and Beacon wei-o the favourites, but the former could do no better than run second, while Beacon was the last to finish. The winner proved to be Epsom Downs, a Foxtontrained candidate, who has a good track reputation. Bourbon is an Australianbred colt in tbe Porirua stable. Ho. was well-backed at the last Otaki meeting, but suffered defoat on that occasion also. Beacon did not secure a good position at the start, and, in these circumstances, he did not appear to.put any heart into his work. Ascalon was backed down to a very short price in the Flying Hack Handicap, but tho ; heavy going was all against such a big-striding horse as the Conqueror gelding, and he seemed unablo to get hold of the ground. The racewent ■ to Royal Marine, whose recent performances have been somewhat disappointing. As a rule Royal Marine is never galloped on the morning of the races, but C. Priteliard, who has charge of him during D. Nyhan's absence in the south, gave him a sprint over four furlongs yesterday morning, and the change from the usual order may have been responsible for the chestnut's improvement. He certainly won his race very comfortably. The favourite finished a long,way back. The Hack . Hurdle race introduced Mahuta, who was making his initial public appearance over jumps. Like the rest of tho Mahakis that have been tried at the business, he shows a natural .aptitude for jumping; and, as he is possessed of such abundant pace, ho promises to develop into a champion. W.Young, who resumed riding yesterday after a three months' retirement, was m the saddle, and had a very comforts able ride indeed. Nightmare, the actual favourite, was very sore, and ran badly, and Pikopo seemed to be hampered by the heavy going. ■■■■> , ■ .■ ■•■■'■• Sir Tristram, who had won the Raukawa Cup on. two occasions, was installed a firm 'favourite for yesterday's race. He looked very well, but in the race received a bad passage and was interfered with several times when trying to got through the field. Finally, after a resolute run at the finish, he had to be content with second to California. Tho latter has anything but a sound-looking set of legs, but he. has fined down to nico racing condition, and while the tracks are soft he will probably stand up to his work. He was hard riddon for quite half the distance, and at tho finish he wns going as well, if not better, than anything in the race. Sir Antrim, who was moderately well backed, led for the first mile, pulling hard all the time, but he was tiring when the straight was reached, and finished out of a place. Clemora was well backed on the strength of his Wanganui running, but he did not appear to be at homo. A similar remark applies to Kopu, who' never flattered his supporters at any stage of the event. In the Otaki Hack Handicap, Amato was a slightly better favourite • than Ambrosian and Teotane. The lastnamed again broke a blood-vessel, and was pulled up half a mile from home. Ambrosian and Amato were both knocked back shortly after tho start, and had their chances seriousiy interfered with. This appeared to be caused by a number of the younger riders making a wild scramble for the rails' as soon as the barrier lifted. Considering the bumping and shouting that took place, it seemed fortunate that there was not a serious accident. St. Lumsden led,all the way and won by three parts of a length from Repeat, who was making his second appearance. Repeat appeared to be going much better than St. Luinsden at tho finish, and, after tho race, his jockey stated that he had mistaken tho , winning post and ceased riding about 20 yards too soon. This seemed to be the general verdict of the onlookers. 'A magnificent finish, resnlted in tho Rangmru Handicap, lor which there were ten starters. Gipsy Belle and St Bill wero tho favourites, but the latter has been suffering from a slight cold, and did not succeed in gaining a place. After Mon Ami and Lace Collar had made the running to the homo bend, Gipsy Belle took charge and appeared to have tho race won, but about 100 yards from the post Sir Frisco came with a tremendous rush on the outsido, and just got up in time to win by half a head. Sir Frisco is now trained in Levin, and his victory was a very popular one. Plantation, who had been galloping well at New Plymouth (luring the week, was tho favourite selection in the Birthday Welter Handicap. Laius was next in. demand, and Leolanter, who was making his second appearance during the afternoon, and who was ridden by A.. Oliver, was also well backed Leolanter and Laius were, first away, but the former was immediately steadied by Oliver, and kopt in behind tho leaders until the straight was reached. Here he came with a nice run, and won comfortably. Tho. favourite had a most unhappy passage through tho race, and could get no closer than fourth. ACCEPTANCES FOR SECOND DAY. (By TeleEraph-Presa Association.l Levin, Juno 3. The following arc the acceptances for tho second day.— STEWARDS' ' HACK HANDICAP. Seven furlongs.—Ambrosian, Bst. 111b.; Royal Marine, Sst. 101b.; Teotane, Bst. 81b.; Repeat, Bst. 71b.; St. Lmnsden, Bst.; Leolanter, 7st. 131b.; Idealism 7st. 101b.; Tarn Glen, - 7st. 81b.; Ukraine, Cst. 131b.; and Merriwine, 6st. 71b. OHAU HACK WELTER HANDICAP. Ono mile.—Amato, 9st. 131b.; Lcolantor, 9st. 61b.; Niwaru, Bst. 121b.; Laius, Bst. 101b.; Royal Maid, Bst. 101b.; Beacon, Bst. olb.; Plantation, Bst. 51b.;.and Envoy, Bst. 41b. RAILWAY HANDICAP. Five furlongs.—Naumai, lOst. Olb.j Lord Soult,'

Ost. Gib.; Sir Frisco, 9st. 61b.; Gipsy Belle, Sst. 101b.; Horinia, Bst. 81b.; Mon Ami, Bst. 41b.; Iney, 7st. 61b.; Luce Collar, Gst, 111b.; and 'ie Koti, 6st. 111b. ' HUIA HANDICAP. Ono mile-Cali-fornia, 9st. lib.; Woodhey, Bst. 81b.; Clemora, Sst. 81b.; Sir Antrim, Bst. 71b.; Research, 7st. 71b.; Aimwell, 6st. 71b.; Marathon, 6st. 71b.; Thetis, Gst. 71b.; and Skye, 6st. 71b. TELEGRAPH HANDICAP. Five furlongs.—Ascalon, Bst. 111b.; Repeat, Bst. 91b.; Moree, Bst. lib.; Celebrity, 7st. 81b.; Rongoinai, 7st. 61b.; Himona, Gst. 71b.; Seawind, 6st. 101b.; Kimmerian, 6st. 71b.; Fighting Maid, 6st. 71b.; Clover, 6st. 71b.; Katipo, 6st. 71b.; Suuroso, Gst.' 71b.; and Torpoint. 6st. 71b. . ... . . HURDLE HACK HANDICAP. One mile and a ban , . —Pikopo, list. 61b.; Mahuta, list. 21b.; Rosearovo, 9st. 81b.; Beeline, 9st. 31b.; Gain's, 9st.; and Maimai, 9st.