A NOTABLE RACE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1929, Page 2

A NOTABLE RACE

CONTEST IN HAZLETT GOLD CUP,

Tho .second day of (lie Dunedin Jockey Club’s autumn meeting will go in in history as the most memorable associated with racing al Wingatui, due to the fact that the race for the James Hazlett Gold Cup attracted the crack sprinter ..Aussie in opposition to Limerick, whose deeds in New Zealand Lnd Australia during the last three seasons have entitled him to rank as the champion racehorse in this part of the world Papier completed the held, but good as his record is, he was overshadowed b.v the other pair. The race had formed the chief topic 01 interest in New Z<‘aland sporting circles for several weeks past. While the racing qualitcs of Aussie were freely recognised the popular opinion was that Limerick" represented better class than the Aucklander, and throughout the discussions lie \\<is generally regarded as something like a certainty, this estimate being based on his successes against the best hordes in Australia. 'me views of the public were summed up l>v the totalisator figures. The investments were small, due partly to the fact that the nlichine dosed down quickly, thus enabling the club to recover time which had been lost earlier in the day, but Limerick was such a screaming favourite that a win would have brought no more than modest interest on tlie investments. THE RACE.

There was very little tiej ty at tin start. Aussie tcok the lead at the rise of' the barrier, with Rapier second, while Limerick wa? a trifle slow to move,

The early pace was slow, the first furlong taking Jo sec, A little further 011 Limerick headed Rapier. Two farlongs were doiie : in 28sec. three in 4; 2-osee. and the first ililf mile occupied disco. There was no improvement for another furlong. Approaching the home turn Limerick moved up and there was not much between him and Aussie when they swept into the straight, where Rapier, who was being hard ridden in an endeavour to overhaul his rivals, who were pu.-c----tieally on terms a furlong from the past.

Limerick was under pressure at this stage, however, and though momentarily it seemed as if lie would hang 011. it was quickly apparent that Aussie had his measure. Bagby gave his mount a kick and Aussie immediately responded j drawing Away to win hv a snort length, while Rapier was four lengths further batik.' The full going occupied Imin. 44 see., while the time for the last three furlongs was 3(5 4-osees.- showing that it- was only in this stage thl.it the puce was really on. BAGBY’S GENERALMiR.

In a race of tips description riding tactics counted for, a lot, and Aussie’s pilot, R. S. Bagby,, came out of the orueal with flying colours. He had not ridden Aussie prior to the meeting, wmeh marked his first appearance at iVingatui, but doubtless he benefited ,i'oni the sage advice of his father-in-law, J. M’Combe, who in his day liad no superior among the riders who were seen in action at "Wingatui. Great cretin must he given to Bagby who went to the front -and slowed, the field down, reducing the race to a short sprint, in which Aussie’s great speed was the deciding factor. Aussie might have won under any conditions, as there is no doubt that lie is a great galloper, but the manner in which the race was run eerltunly was in his fa-

vour. Limerick put up a good performance, and his defeat was no discredit. Possibly lie would have done no better had the pace been on all the way as lie needs a few more gallops to bring him to his top form. The horse who suffered most from the muddling <lirly pace was Rapier. He was tho real stayer of the field, and his only chance was that his stamina would pull him through in a solidly run race.

PRESENTATION OF THE CUP. The race roused the public to unbounded enthusiasm, the popular demonstration being the most striking ever seen on the course.

After the riders had weighed in there was an interesting ceremony in the birdcage, where Mr and Airs George Paul appeared in company with Air A. 0. Hanlon, president oT the dub, and Airs Hanlon, for the presentation of the cup. There was a great crowd round the lhils, this part of the proceedings attracting much more interest than usual.

Air Hanlon said that it was fitting that Mr Paul should win the Gold Cup with his great horse. The cup had been given by the family of the late Air James Hh/.lett to perpetuate the memory of their father, who was closely connected with racing in Otago for fifty years. He was a steward of the Dunedin Jockey Club for thirty-five years, and also filled the offices of vicepresident and president. He congratulated Air Thul oil owning such a horse as Aussie, who bad proved equal to downing the brilliant Limerick. It was a great race, a battle of giants. Air Paul was deserving of credit for travelling so iVir to the meeting and enabling the club to stage a race which was worth a pilgrimage to see. They were all indebted to Air Raul for the ,sportsmanship bo had shown. TTJs event would do good not only to racing generally, lint particularly to the Dunedin Jockey Club, which bad been lanquisliing for some time, but which lie hoped would go ahead now. as a result of that day’s contest. The club also appreciated tho action of Air H. A. Knight in sending Limerick to Wingatui 'and so enabling them to stage the contest. Ah Knight had made a hurried trip from Wanganui to be present, and no one would be

more ready to congratulate Mr Paul on Aussie’s success.

Hearty applause followed Mr Hbuilon’s remarks, alter which Mrs Hanlon presented the handsome gold cup to Mrs Paul, while to Aussie's rider, P. S. Bagby, she presented a goldmounted whip.

Mr Paul’s reply was brief. He said that this was the proudest moment in his life. He was lacking in words suitable to express the pleasure he felt. “BOOST” FOR I) GNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB. While the public were delighted with —e contest the officials of the club were in high glee at the “Ixjost” which the event gave to their meeting. The proudest and happiest man on tiie course at the end of the day was air I G. Hill, secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club. It was due to his enterprise that the big event was sUiged. „• year ago Mr Hill conceived the idea that if Limerick could be got to Wingatui for the Ha/.lett Memorial Plate, as it was formerly called, the meeting would benefit, his idea being that the Otago public would flock to Wingatui to see Limerick in acton. Unfortunately with nothing of class to oppose him, the champion was not an attraction, while lie spoilt the race from other angles. Mr Hill realised his mistake and this year, when he learned that Limerck would he on the scene again, lie sent out to repair it. It was apparent that Aussie was the most ln<ely horse in New Zealand to make a race with Limerick over a mile course, and Mr Hill opened negotiations which eventually resulted in the Auckland owner-trainer, Mr George Paul, sending his crack from Te Awamutu to ivingatui to measure sttides with Mr li. A. Knight’s champion. The event proved a wonderful draw, there being a very large attendance, representing an increase of about £SOO in gate money compared with the corresponding day last year. As the total isator investments also showed a big increase, the contest- between the two cracks gtive ,ie Dunedin Jockey Club a big lift. Thus there was ample reason for the satisfaction which the club’s secretary experienced at the close ot the meeting.