RACING.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 223, 9 February 1928, Page 8

RACING.

THE MATAMATA MEETING. Another Successful Day. Although a rainy day would have suited the country at large, the continuance of fine weather favoured the Matamata Racing Club’s annual fixture on Saturday, when there was a large attendance from all over the province. Due no doubt to the effects of the drought, the totalisator figures showed a decline over last year’s turnover, but this was only to be expected. Last year, it may be recollected, Matamata was the only provincial meeting showing an increase in 'the totalisator figures. Another contributing factor to the decrease was the several two-figure dividends. • The general arrangements, thanks to the i|icregsing experience and zeal of tl|| offfeiajs, were better than ever, whim, ebinbined with the general improvements made . since last meeting, tended to excellent dovetailing of the many activities necessary for the running of a race meeting. The president (Mr. G. G. Bell), the secretary (Mr. T. J. Underwood), and the various officials are justly entitled to commendation for the way the meeting was run, giving general satisfaction to all concerned. Messrs. C. E. Macmillan, M.P. for Tauranga, and F. F. Hockly, M.P. for Rotorua, Mr. Dynes Fulton, chairman of the Franklin Racing Club, Mr. E. La Trobe Hill, secretary of the Rotorua Racing Club, Mr. Walter Stopford, secretary of the Cambridge Racing Club, Mr. E. H. O’Meara, secretary of the Waikato Trotting Club, and Mr. Alf. Brown, president of the Tauranga Racing Club, were present. Officials. The officials were:— Patrons, Messrs. C. E. Macmillan and F. F. Hockly, M.’s P. ; president, Mr. G. G. Bell ; vicepresidents, Messrs. W. M. Crabb, G. Johnston and J. W. Anderson; executive committee, Messrs. J. P. White, F. Hitchcock, P. Catchpole, J. W. Tims, G. Jonhston, A. J. Davis, R. J. Maisey, G. G. Bell, W. M. Crabb, Sefton Banks, J. Montague, D. Montague, A. Stewart, J. Downie, F. R. Gibson, H. R. Harding, James Clothier, T. Stanley, J. E. Cummings, James Corbett, E. C. Banks, C. G. Payze, R. Young, J. Price, R. Casey, D. Casey, C. J. Casey, W. Casey, W. F. Harding, F. Rose, E. Worth, J. W. Anderson, .T. E. West, W. Holmes, Arthur Totman, R. Carruth, J. K. Hedley, J. Bryce, H. J. Buckley and A. Lambourne. Stewards.^ —Messrs. G. G. Bell, W. Crabb, G. Johnston, P. Catchpole, J. W. Tims, F. Hitchcock, R. McCabe, W. G. Vincent, J. Downie and J. W. Anderson. Judicial Committee.—Messrs. J. Price, J. D. Bryce, Sefton Banks, J. Montague and C. Casey. Handicapper.—Mr. F. J. McManemin. Starter.—Mr. Vincent. Judge.—Mr. G. R. Wylie. Clark of Scales. —Mr. B. C. Taylor. Clerk of Course.—Mr. C. G. PayzeTimekeeper.—Mr. M. G. Philpott. Hon. Vet. Surgeons.-—Dr. W. C. Ring and Mr. E. S. Jenkins. Hon. Surgeons.—Drs. J. T. Laurenson and S. Haslett. Secretary.—Mr. T. J. Underwood. Music Hath Charms. The strains of music floating o’er the scene reminded the assemblage of their old friends, the Matamata Boy Scouts’ Band, which played several good selections much to the appreciation of the crowd. It was a happy feature that the Band’s old conductor and founder, Mr. H. Cleland, was down for a holiday from Wanganui and conducted for the day. Presenting the Cups.

Probably it would have been impossible to select two more popular winners than Mr. J. McNicol and Mr. Richard Hannon, for both gentlemen have been consistent supporters of the Matamata club, and their patrpnage, especially in non-totalisator days, gave strength to the club at a time when such backing was greatly

needed. When the time came for the presentation of the Matamata Cup, which was witnessed by a large crowd, the president handed the trophy to Mr. C. E. Macmillan, M.P., who expressed his very great pleasure in presenting the handsome trophy to Mr. J. McNicol, of Te Aroha, owner of Rarakau. Mr. McNicol, he said, had bred the dam and grand dam of the winning horse. When they saw the third generation in the aged mare winning

the most important event of the day they could rest assured that with such men as Mr. McNicol breeding and owning winners racing was still in good hands. Mr. Macmillan also made acknowledgment of the generosity of the donors of the cup, Messrs. W. and 11. Montgomery. As there was likely to be a division in the next race, he would not detain the people longer, but would call for three cheers for the owner of the winner, the donors of the cup, the trainer and jockey. The cheers were given in a most hearty manner. When called upon to respond Mr. McNicol very cleverly side-stepped. Taking his cue from one of Mr. Macmillan’s remarks, he said that “as there might be a division in the next race ” he would merely thank them. The crowd laughed at the witty “ skim-over ” and dispersed to take interest in the next event. The Okoroire Cup. Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P., presented the Okoroire Hack Cup Handicap Cup to Mr. Richard Hannon, owner of Ripon Abbey. Mr. Hockly congratulated the club upon two outstanding features, namely, the good course and the good management, which were things that induced owners to enter at Matamata. Mr. Hannon was known far and wide as a good sport. It was, in the speaker’s opinion, a good policy to present cups, for a true sport liked to have a memento of his victories. After Mr. Hannon had thanked Mr. Hockly for his kind remarks the crowd gave cheers for all concerned, and supplemented them with “ For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Both cup wins were very popular indeed. Two inquiries were held during the day. J. Gray was suspended for three months for careless riding and jostling in the straight. E. Keesing was fined £2 for looking round in the straight. The Totalisator. i The amount of £19,689 10s was put through the totalisator, as against £21,809 10s, a decrease of £2120 10s. The totalisator figures for the years the club has had the totalisator are: 1925, £19,265 10s; 1926, £20,488 10s; 1927, £21,809 10s; 1928, £19,689 10s. Results. Results were:— TIRAU HIGHWEIGHT HANDICAP, of 85 furlongs. 1— TE KOROKE, ch g, 5 years (Humbug—Tigritya), Mr. J. Asher (Holland), 10.5 1 4—BRIGHT DAY, ch r "d (Day Comet—Lady G line), Mr. S. Tapp (Warner), 10.13 2 2 PRINCE LU, blk g, 5 years (Lucullus—Elysian mare), Mr. N. Watson (Jarvis) 9.13 3

Also started—King Merv (Mcßae), Gold Rain (Gilomer), Lady Spalpeen (H. Dulieu), Riti Hiki (Savage), Lord Thurnham (Burgess). Time, Imin 49sec.

Winner traned by J. Wallace, Te Aroha.

They left to a fair start, and passing the post the first time King Merv was in front, with Te Koroke and Prince Lu next. Prince Lu ran to the front in the back straight and led Day Abbey by two lengths at the far turn. Prince Lu still led at the straight entrance, with Day Abbey, King Merv, Lord Thurnham, Te Koroke, Bright Day, Lady Spalpeen and Riti Hiki in that order. Te Koroke challenged Prince Lu in the straight and gradually wore film down to finish a head in front of Bright Day, which finished very fast. Prince Lu was third and King Merv, ridden right out, was fourth. Then followed Lady Spalpeen, Lord Thurnham, Gold Rain, Riti Hiki and Day Abbey.

.WAHAROA HANDICAP, of 7i furlongs. 4—MASTER LU, b g, 6 years (Spalpeen—Lupin), Mr. J. O’Connor (Mclnally), 7 .... l 6—QUEEN COMET, ch m, 5 years (Day Comet—Bonny Fishwife), Mr. R. Burke (Forbes), 7.6 i 2 3—TAURIMU, b g, 6 years (Quin Abbey—Rothsay), Mr. J. McNicol (Keesing), 8.2.. 3 Also started—King Arch, Menan.ce, Dress Circle and Tarrapeen. Time, 1.32 2-5. Winner trained by R. H. Martin, Matamata. King Arith moved quickest from barrier rise, and led from Taurimu, Queen Comet, Dress-Circle, Menance Tarrapeen and Master Lu. Along the back King Arch still led, with Taurimu as his nearest attendant, with Tarrapeen next. Master Lu was handy at the turn, following Taurimu, which had taken the lead from King Arch and Queen Comet. Master Lu fought out a strong finish to beat

Queen Comet and Taurimu by a head. A head also separated the latter. King Arch was fburttk followed by Dress Circle, Menance and Tarrapeen. Tarrapeen and King Arch went very well for six furlongs, but petered out. MATAMATA CUP, of 1} miles, and fifteen yards. 4—RARAKAU, b m, aged (Day Comet—Waterwood), Mr. J. McNicol (Keesing), 7.8 .... 1 1— BRANSON, b g, 6 years (Grey spear Garston), Messrs. A. J. Davis and H. Bennett (Driscoll), 8.7 .... 2 2 MERVETTE, b m, 4 years (Lucullus —Bray ton), Mr. J. Fraser Smith (Gilmer), 7.0 3 Also started—Lord Star (Ludlow, 7.12), Siaosi (Stead, 7.12), The Author (Mclnally, 7.3), Red Comet (A. Lee, 7.1). Time, 2.8 1-5. Winner trained by A. E. Cox, Te Aroha. The Cup race was one of the best of the day. From a good start Red Comet made the running from Lord Star, Karakau, Mervette, and Saiosi. Turning out of the straight Branson ran up second to Red Comet, and the pair were followed by Rarakau and Saiosi. The field bunched along the back, with Red Comet still the pilot from Branson, The Author, Saiosi, alongside which was Rarakau and then Mervette. Red Comet led into the straight with Branson still on the rails next. Rarakau fought out a stirring finish and beat Branson by a neck. Mervette was three and a-half lengths away, and then followed Saiosi, Red Comet, The Author and Lord Star. Branson ran a good race and half-way down the straight looked a winner. Mervette went well enough to keep in mind. HINUERA HANDICAP, six furlongs. B—HONE HIKI, br g, 3 years (Prince Merriwee—Elysian Rose), Mr. L. Dunn (K. Gill), 8.7 1 7—CYBELE, ch f, 3 years (Cynic —The Hook), Mr. F. E. Loomb (H. Jones), 8.4 2 3 BRIGHT COMET, bm, aged (Day Comet—Velma), Mr. J. Zimmerman (J. Gray), 8.11 3 Time, 1.15 4.5. Winner trained by J. Anderton, Ellerslie. Captain Cobham, Day Guide, Roman Abbey, Kosovo, Yellow Bonnet and Glen Maree were scratched, leaving a field of 22, which avoided tbe necessity for a division race. Bright Comet got clear from a good start, and led from Young Pretender (the favourite), with Day Abbey and Kerry Dance in close attendance. Honi Heke took charge along the back and led from Young Pretender, Cybele, and Day Abbey. Honi Heke singled himself out from the field at the business end and won easily by a length and a-half from Cybele (which raced really well), with Bright Comet a neck away third. Young Pretender was fourth. OKOROIRE HACK CUP, 85 furlongs. 1— RIPON ABBEY, b g, 5 years (Quin Abbey—Bell Crispen), Mr. R. Hannon (Keesing), 8.1 1 4 LADY .SPALPEEN, ch m, aged (Spalpeen—Bell Amie), Mr. R. B. Hines (Stead), 7.5 2 2 RARAKAU, b m, aged (Day Comet—Waterwood), Mr. J. McNicol (Holland), 9.7 .... 3 1 Also started Wiltshire, Owen, King Amans. Time, 1.49. Winner trained by owner. Owen was the early leader from the favourite, Ripon Abbey, with High Rose, Wiltshire and Lady Spalpeen. Across the top Ripon Abbey took charge from Owen, High Rose and Lady Spalpeen. Ripon Abbey was first into the straight, with High Rose next. High Rose was done with in the straight and Ripon Abbey stayed on long enough to beat Lady Spalpeen, with Rarakau next. King Amans was fourth, and then came Wiltshire, High Rose and Owen.

RAILWAY HANDICAP, of 6 furlongs. 1— MACROOM, c f, 4 years (Archiestown Lady Gwendoline), Mrs. P. Carter (Tremain), 7.13 l 2 DAY GUARD, b g, 6 years (Day Comet—Keep Watch), Mr. J. Zimmerman (J. Gray), 8.9 2 6—KING AMANS, c g, aged (St. Amans - Bonny Fishwife), Mi-. R. B. Hines (K. Gill), 7 3 Also started Muscari, Regent, Bracken Abbey. Time, 1.13 4-5. Winner trained by M. J. Carroll, Frankton.^

From barrier-rise Day Guard took charge from Bracken Abbey, Muscari and Regent. Entering tie straight Bracken Abbey was in f-ont, with Day Guard, Muscari and Regent next. Macroom got up right on the post to beat Day Guard by a nose, with

King Arch a length away in third place. Then came Muscari, Regent and Bracken Abbey. PUTARURU STAKES, 5 furlongs. 6—LADIES BOY, b g, 4 years (Some Boy ll.—Lady Potoa), Mrs. W. Henderson (Carmont), 9 1 I—VENUS ABBEY, b m, 6 years (Quin Abbey—Te Toa), Mr. P. Maloney (E. Keesing), 8.11 2 3—DAY GUIDE, c m, 5 years (Day Comet—Lady Ellen), (Mr. S. Fullerton (Foster), 9 3 Also started Bunker, Kineton, High Flight, Cloud Bank, The Jack Jumper, Tarrapeen, Bright Comet, Cometary, Rangi Kokori, Cartaris, Yellow Bonnet, Archieleen, Wild Mint, Valkyriti, Lucy Rose. The start of the 18 was ragged. Kineton was left so badly as to be out of the race, and Yellow Bonnet left the field a few seconds before the start and came the reverse way riderless. Venus Abbey led the field from the start from Ladies Boy, Day Guide and High Flight. A furlong later the order Was Ladies Boy, Venus Abbey, Day Guide, Cometary and High Flight. Ladies Boy, Day Guide and Venus Abbey entered the straight almost in line, and in a keen finish Ladies Boy got the verdict by a short neck from Venus Abbey, with Day Guide half a length back third. Ranga Kokiri was fourth and then followed Archieleen, Valkyriti, Carlaris, Bright Comet and Tarrapeen. WALTON HANDICAP, 7i furlongs. I—TE KOROKE, c g, 5 years (Humbug Titgritya), Mr. J. Asher) (Holland), 8.9 ... 1 PRINCE LU, blk g, 5 years (Lucullus Elysian mare), Mr. N. Watson (Keesing), 7.10 2 GOLD RAIN, b g, aged (St. Amans—Shower Gold), Mr. C. Carmont (Gill), 7.13 3 Also started—(2) Berinthia, (5) Menance. Time, 1.30 2-5. Winner trained by J. H. Wallace, Te Aroha. Te Koroke was first to break the line, with Berinthia next, and then followed Menance, Prince Lu and Gold Rain. Te Koroke was back nearly last. Entering the straight Berinthia was the pacemaker from Prince Lu and Gold Rain. Te Koroke came nicely at the finish to win comfortably from Prince Lu, who was clear of Gold Rain. Then followed Berinthia and Menance.