HOW THEY RACED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1278, 6 November 1911, Page 6

HOW THEY RACED.

THE GREAT FINISH IN THE CUP, A SPLENDID MEETING. Taken all round, tho racing was splca. did, and the New Zealand Cup furnished a perfect contest, condition playing an im. portant part in it. Entering the straight several horses had chances, and it was only iu tho last ono hundred yards that Vice-Admiral was pushed into winning position. Domino and Projectile ran good races, and should bo heard of again, Jn the Hurdles, Espartero gave further proof of his galloping übi.ity, and romped home a very easy winner. Labour Day put up an attractive performance in the Spring Plate, and so did St, Felix jn tho Kiccarton Welter event, though the field opposed to tho latter was, considering the stake, a weak ono. A field of ten went out for the Spring Hurdles. The betting was fairly even, but tho local crack, St. Aidan, was most lauded. Both top-weights looked well, Espartero especially so. He boro a mora seasoned appearance Kian he had done at Wanganui, and 'his superb condition stood to him at tho finish. With a mile gone, Master Paul, who had been pacing tho held, dropped out, and Hawick went ahead with a big break. He tired badly at tho turn, and Espartero, galloping strongly, had him at tlio last fence. Idealism and St. Aidau also came up, but tho latter foil, and Espartero won comfortably from Idealism, with Hawick ten lengths away just clear of Passive. Labour Day, who was meeting her field on most advantageous terms, was a strong favourite in the Spring Plate. Sho won, and won easily, but it was only becauso sho is a wonderfully good mare, and, had sho been beaten, there would have been every excuse for her, as she got a bad run throughout, and was stopped badly half-way down the running. The early work was dono by Aphaca and Query, with Labour Day and Midnight Sun next, and St. Petersburg well back. The latter put in a good run in the straight, but could not see it out, and Birklino, finishing well, Iwat liir.i for second plnco. The Rircnrlon Welter Handicap requires litllo description, for St. Felix becamo prominent nl'ffr a furlong had been covered, and, after shaking oft' Bracken and True Knight, he eamo on, and won comfortably from Masterpiece, who was a hot f/ivourile. 'The winner was sold some time ago by the Dunedin sportsman who races as Mr. .T. Brett, and, since being purchased by Mr. J. O'Neill, ho has woa over .£3OO in stakes. Then came the battle of tho day. In the bird-cage tho candidates were eagerly scrutinised, and, strange to relate, the horses finished as their looks indicated that they would. Vice-Admiral was a picture io_ look upon, and so was Miscount. When they settled down on their journey Merrivonia was in command, anil led into tho straight tho first time. She was then headed by Projectile and Cronstadt, who were together as they passed tho stand on tho first timo round. Projeclilo showed tho way out of the straight from Cronstadt, Martine, Iranui, and Domino. Down tho back Miscount (who had got on to Kauroa's heels in the straight) was' tailed off, but, at the five-furlong post, ho moved up, and so did Los Angeles. At the turn the field was well bunched, but slill led by Projectile. When they swept into the straight Merrivonia was next to Projectile, while. Miscount had been carried out wide. Half-Tray down fho running Deeley pushed Vice-Admiral up on the rails, and then quickly settled tho lenders. Then he had to withstand _ a challenge by Miscount, and, for n trice, the latter looked a winner, but the condition of Vice-Admiral stood to him, and, Miscount faltering, tho yellow jacket was carried on, and won by a length, l.os Angeles, who ran a great raco throughout, was third, a length away. Then eamo Domino, Merrivonia, Martine, Projectile, Goodwin Park, and Cronstadt, with Kanroa last. The winner was handled splendidly by Deeley, but Miscount was unlucky, and, had it not boon for tho trouble soon after the start, ho would probably have won comfortably. Andrea and Brown Owd were tho defections in tho Welcomo Stakes. Tho Chokeboro bracket was a warm order with backers, and it filled first and third position. At the start Lady Georgia was tho first to become prominent, but, at (ho course proper, Jan led Autumnus and Beldame. Half-way down tho running, Winning Way came on tho scene, aiid, in a splendid finish between her and Beldame, tho Chokeboro filly, vigorously ridden, got up in timo to win by a nose. Autumnus was third. Canute, who was well fancied, finished well back, and, as expected, the 101b. penalty was an effectual bar to Ermengarde, who ran a great race. ■ Tho Ladies' Purse was won by Kris, after a good set-to with Gangway. Sapieneo and Kilkenny (the latter being very well backed) were badly left, and ran in Hie. rear the whole way, Of tho thirty-one acceptors in tho Stewards' Handicap, no fewer _ than twciify-iiino faced Iho starter. Needles to say the betting was very wide, nml anything would have paid a good price There was a long delay at the barrier, hut, when the field settled down, tho colours of Gipsy Belle and Bliss were tho most prominent. This was the order as they hit the course proper, but then Nyland asserted himself, and, in the final . pinch, ho won easily from I'eirene, with Bliss, Kuril;, Formby, and Longstcp following in Unit outer. Dazzling lost her rider soon after the start, and Longslep got badly bumped after leaving the mark,