NOTES ON THE SPORT

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 131, 5 June 1919, Page 10

NOTES ON THE SPORT

(By "Sir Lancelot."]

For the second day of the Otaki Maori Racing Club's Winter Meeting the weather was dull, but rain which threatened held off until prior to the running of the final event. The attendance was very satisfactory for an off day. Those present included Sir James Carroll, patron of the club. Rain, which fell overnight, made the going holding. Speculation ort the machine was again brisk Mr R. E. Harley was not in his best form at the barrier The principal event, the Huia Handicap, was spoilt by. Kilrush getting an advantage at the start. Beloved and Oratress also appeared to get an advantage at the start of the races they contested, although both were beaten.

All the acceptors for the Telegraph Hack Handicap started except March. On. Beloved was on the move as the barrier rose, and led for a furlong, where Tonukohe headed her off. At the bend Tonukohe was showing the way to Beloved and Prince Formby. The latter took charge in the straight, and won nicely. Stutter came fa.t in the last fifty yards and appeared to get second, but she was not placed. Soipe of the ■crowd made a demonstration against the judge (Mr J. Cameron), who placed Tonukohe and "Beloved. Prince Formby (Formby—Lady Uhlan) has raced consistently for some time, • but scored his first win yesterday.

There wore no defecliojis from the Te Eoti Steeplechase Handicap. The first clay's winner, Gang Awa', notwithstanding his big weight and the holding going, was taken to the front, and showed the way over first fences with Master Webster as his nearest attendant. At the stand the top weight was a. couple of lengths clear of Master Webster, Gwynne. and Hoatu also being well placed. Gang Awa' made v a' faulty jump about six furlongs from" home', and the other pair headed him off. Gwynne led at the bend, but in the run to tlie post Master Webster came again and won. by three, lengths. Gang Awa' was about the same distance away. Negative rari off at the first fence, but could not be pulled up, and continued ,in the race for six furlongs. Tare.ro pecked at _, fence about five furlongs from home, and was pulled up. Master Webster finished in second place on the previous day after missing a fence.

■ Marqueteur, IMay Off, and George were withdrawn from the Huia Handicap. Kilrtish, who drew outside position, began best, and, going out of the straight, was showing clear of Bagdad, Elocution, and Potentiality. This was the order along the back, where the field was well strung out. Kilrush came into the straight full of running, and won comfortably by .four lengths from Bagdad, with Potentiality six lengths away. Elocution, (coupled with Potentiality) was fourth. Rewi Poto and Battle Song were last. Arrowfield lost his rider after the field had gone about half a mile, but the apprentice, Barry, escaped injury. Backers of Kilrush, owned and trained by A. MAuley at Tauherenikau, got a good price. This is the. second win of'ju'i. rush since he came to the North Island. Esperance and Black Mark were withdrawn from the Stewards' Hack Handicap. Tar'i got well clear at the end of a furlong;, but, racing along the back, was joined by March On, the favourite (Old Gold) being about sixth. At the bend, with about three furlongs to go, Old Gold improved his position, and he was third coming into the straight. Tari and March On were both beaten a hundred yards from the post.' Old Goldstruggled on to win by half a lenrtb from March On, . with Tari about a. length away. After being badly placed in the early part of the race, Consultation finished up in fourth place. Old', Gold carried rtbout a fourth, of the money on the machine. He is better class than tho other competitors, but up to thepresent has failed when tried in open company.

Old Gold and Idle Talk, who' had raced earlier in tho day, were scratched for the Rahui Handicap. After several false starts Oratress (who was favourite j got the best of the send' off. At. the end of a furlong she was beaded by Astinonie, who drew away at the turn, and won comfortably by a length and a, half from Oratress. Lady General had a bad run, being knocked back aftergetting the best of two false starts., Astincme, runner-up to Lady General on tho previous day, scored her first win in open company. Oratress was also placed each day, and is evidently on the improve.

All the acceptors for. the Ohau Welter Hack Handicap were paraded. Backers went, solidly for Glentour, a place-getter ou the previous day. He was always well placed. Toddy headed him goingout of the straight," and when the back of tho course was reached Master Boris had a good lead. He, however, failed to see the distance out. In a good, finish Pretty Bobby scored from Justification. White .Ranger cut Glentour out of third money in the last few strides. It. S. Bagby was substituted for H. Lorrigan on Glentour, and the owner of the horse named had to pay Lorrigan tlie losing fee. Pretty Bobby, was sent out a good favourite on the first day, when he ran second to Moinac. In yesterday's race he was allowed to go out unbacked, and those that stuck to him got a, good price. Eight withdrawals from the Final Hack Scurry reduced the number of runners to eleven. Two Tiuiherenikau-train-ed horses, Dainty Step (Lucullus — Adoption) and Californian, fought out tho finish.