MATAMATA RACES.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 274, 7 February 1929, Page 1

MATAMATA RACES.

DOUBLE TO HAKANOA. Slight Totalisator Increase. The combination of a good season, a fine day, an excellent course and a group of officials with a reputation for running a meeting in first class style, resulted in a record gathering at the Matamata Racing Club’s annual meeting on Saturday. The traffic was enormous, but Mr. E. W. Jordan and Mr. H. licliett and assistants, in their respective stands, managed the whole thing well, and the cars were properly controlled and parked. The officials in all sections carried on their work with that smoothness and efficiency born of several years in similar positions. The president (Mr. J. W. Anderson), j the secretary (Mr. T. J. Underwood) and the executive and assistants may without flattery be congratulated upon the handling of the meeting, and its outstanding success. The Matamata Boy Scouts’ Band provided musical selections for the day.

Financial Aspect. As forecasted in these columns the public found the choice difficult on account of the general uniform | quality of the acceptors. There were [ no horses with “ mortgages ” on any 1 particular race. At one period it seemed that the totalisator returns would be well up on' those of last year, but two factors worked against a big increase. The first was the withdrawal of four horses' from the Cup race, which meant a one-divi-dend field, and the other the tying up of money through the substantial dividend returned by the winner of the Hinuera Handicap. As it is the club is fortunate in showing an increase of £4l. The amount put through the machine was £19,730 10s, as against £19,689 10s for the previous year. Presenting the Cups. After the two cup races had been run, the president of the Matamata Racing Club (Mr. J. W. Anderson) presented the trophies, a great crowd lining up to witness the pleasant little ceremony. Addressing Mr. R. B. Hines, owner of Queen Arch, winner of the Matamata Cup Handicap, Mr. Anderson "■'pressed his pleasure at presenting the cup on behalf of the club to so old and true a sport. Mr. Hines was a breeder besides a racing man, and was favourably known. The speaker hoped it would not be the last occasion when such an honour might come his way. Mr. Hir.es said he had been for twenty years fighting for such a victory, and was therefore greatly pleased with his good fortune. Mr. Anderson also congratulated the owner of Hakanoa, winner of the Okoroire Hack Cup Handicap, Mr. R. S. Paterson, of Huntly. Mr. J. Price responded on the latter’s behalf. Without Untoward Incident. The meeting went through without any marring features. So far as is known the judicial committee was not called together on one occasion. There was nothing from a press or public point of view of the racing to call for any inquiry. Details of the Racing.

TIRAU HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; 8 furlongs. s—Prince Lu, blk g, 6yrs, Lucullus—Elysian mare, Mr. A. Coubrough (W. Reid), 9.1.. 1 1— Schorr (McGregor), 10.10 ... 2 2 Te Koroke (Foster), 9.10 ■ . 3 Won by a length, half a length between second and. third. Time, 1.49 1-5.

Also started. - 6—Star Comet (Liddell), 4—Ripon Abbey (Thomson), 3 —Glena Bay (Henderson), 7 Maurea (L. Dulieu), B—Ashleigh (Warner), 9-—Ah Wera (G. Gill).

Te Koroke was hit by the barrier at the start, Prince Lu getting the best of it, followed by Ashleigh, Maurea, Schorr and Glena Bay. The order was practically the same go-

ing along the back, with Te Koroke improving. Prince Lu was out eight lengths at the turn of the straight, when Maurea was still second, with Te Koroke third. The latter made a run but could not head Prince Lu and was in turn headed by Schorr on the post. Glena Bay was fourth, followed by Ripon Abbey and Maurea. WAHAEOA HANDICAP, of SOsovs; seven furlongs and aquarter. I—Hakanoa, br g, syrs, Valky-

rian—Fanny Homer, Mr. J. Paterson (K. Gill), 9.7 1 4 Whaka King (Mclnally), 9.1 2 5 Always (Tinker), 8.3 3 Won by two lengths, with half alength between second and third. Time, 1.32 2-5.

Also started. —3 Hone ' Heke (Lee), 7—Queen Comet (McTavish), T c W aka (Gilmer), 6—Lord Hopetown (Brady). Hone Heke got out from the barrier, with Always next and Whaka King, Queen Comet, Hakanoa, Lord Hopetown and Te Waka in that order. Whaka King deposed Hone Heke from the lead along the back, Hakanoa being next, and then came Always, Queen Comet, Te Waka and I-si Hopetown. Whaka King led t ■ the straight, where Hakanoa put in a solid run to beat Whaka King by ‘wo lengths. Always just got up in time to head off Hone Heke for third money. Queen Comet was fifth ard Te Waka last. The latter was unlucky at the barrier and was never near the leaders.

MATAMATA CUP HANDICAP, of 250sovs, with gold cup valued at £SO; one and a-quarter miles and fifteen yards. 2 Queen Arch, b m, 6yrs, Marble Arch—Miss Amans. Mr. R. B. Hines (Manson), 8.5 1 1— Siaosi (Tinker), 8.11 2 s—Red Day (Stead), 7.0 3 Also started—4—Regent (Ludlow), 3 Tinoiti ''(Thomson). Won by a head with two lengths separating Siaosi and Red Day. The field was reduced to a one dividend affair and a hot favourite was beaten in Siaosi. Siaosi, Tinoiti and Regent were the quickest into their stride, but passing the post the first time Regent led Tinoiti with Red Day, Siaosi and Queen Arch in that order. Along the back Siaosi was being hard held behind Regent and Tinoiti with Red Day going well and Queen Arch being ridden patiently. The favourite and Queen Arch joined issue in the lead in the straight and a great tussle ended in favour of Queen Arch by a head, with Red Day six lengths back third, Regent fourth and Tinoiti last. It is questionable whether Tinker made enough use 01 Siaosi in the middle stages where he could have left the field. It looked a good thing which came undone. HINUERA ■ HANDICAF, of 80 sovs; six furlongs. 10—Flapperette, br f, 3yrs, Quin Abbey.—Red Fern. Mr. N. Banks (Mclnally), 7.10 .... 1 2 Archieleen (McTavish), 8.2.. 2 7'—The Jack Jumper (Forbes), 8.4 3 Won by a length, with three-quart-ers of a length between second and third. Time, 1.16. Also started.—ll—Sports King (Burgess), 2—Flying Tresses (Gill), I—Unoco (H. Dulieu), 4—Dainty Arch (Davies), 12—Semi Arch (Brady), s—-Crown Arch (Tinker), 13—Little Toy (Lee), B—Archette (Cotton), 6—Swift Light (Ludlow). Flying Tresses, Day Guide and Unoco were the first to break the line. Rounding the far turn Flying tresses was still the pilot, out a couple of lengths from Crown Arch, Day Guide, Unoco and The Jack Jumper. Flapperette ran into third position at the top of the straight, and went on to score nicely. Crown Arch was fourth and then followed Unoco (wide out), Day Guide, Semiarch and Archette. The winner paid a dividend well into double figures. Little Toy took charge of its rider before the start and did a couple of circuits. , .

OKOROIRE HACK CUP, of 125 sovs; eight and a-half furlongs. 3—Hakanoa (K. Gill), 9.1 1 2—Black Maire (Mclnally), 8.1.. 2 I—Glen Star (Tinker), 9.5 3 Won by half a length, with neck separating second and third horses. Also started. —6 Ripon Abbey (Thomson), s—Loveband (Horn), 4 —Luminary (Cotton), 7—Always (Brady), B—Furrie (Stead), 9—Joy Hay (Chandler). Valroe, Glena Bay, Hone Heke and flying Archie were the defectors. Joy Day was the last to leave the Glen Star, Black Maire and Luminary being the early leaders. Along the back the order of those near the front was practically unchanged except that Loveband joined issue with Hakanoa on her quarters. Ripon Abbey was running next v Joy ! Day was now well up. Ripon Abbey made a run entering the straight, bu 1 could not reach Glen Star and Black Maire. Hakanoa issued a strong challenge, however, and went on to beat Black Maire, who met a final demand to beat Glen Star. Then followed Ripon Abbey, Loveband, Luminary, Always, Joy Day and Furrie. RAILWAY HANDICAP, of 105

sovs; six furlongs. 1— Macroom, ch m, syrs, Archiestown Lady Gwendoline. Mrs. P. Carter (Mclnally) , 8.3 1 2 Town Bird (K. Gill), 7.5 2 4—New Moon (Bryce), 7.7 3 I Won by a length and a quartet, with threequarters of a length between second and third. Time, 1.15 2-5. Also started.—2—Takutama (Tinker), s—Regent (Ludlow), ,6 —Atapai (Stead). Along the back Takutama piloted Atapai, Macroom, Town Bird, New Moon and Regent. Town Bird assumed command round the top and led Atanai, Macroom and Takutama

into the straight. New Moon put in a good run up the long straight, but M ncroom left the others and won fairly comfortably from Town Bird j and New Moon. Then followed Takuj tama, Atapai, with Regent. I . - PUTARURU STAKES, of 80 sovs; ! five furlongs. I — Te Taone, ch g, 3yrs, Archiestown Quin Abbey mare. Mr. J. T. Young (Foster), 8.7.. 1 ll Kiri (Brody), 8.11 2 C—Valstreet (Gilmer), 7.3 3 Won by a length, a neck separating the other placed horses. Time, 1.3 4-5. Also started.—ls—Town Hall (H. Dulieu), 3—Asmodeus (Tinker), 5 Oscar (Driscoll), B—Knightstown (Thomson), 14—Copey (Ray), 7 Whakama (Syme), 13—Cruachan (Cotton), 2—Silver Division (K. Gill), 9—Prince Val (Burgess), 16— Snow Prince (Ludlow), 12—Master Latour (Jenkins), 4—Lady Mestor (Manson), 10—Katuscha (Smith), 18 —Valkyrian gelding (Chandler), 17— Intent (Stead). There were only four seratchings, leaving the large field of 18 to contest the event. There was nearly equal support for the winner, Silver Division and Asmodeus. The local horse, Valstreet, was at nearly double figures. Valstreet got away from No. 1 position and led half way up the straight from Snow Prince, Kiri, Te Taone, Oscar and Silver Division. Te Taone won nicely from an outsider in Kiri, with Valstreet a neck away. Then followed Oscar, Asmodcus, Snow Prince and Katuscha. WALTON HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; seven and a-quarter furlongs. I—Lucy Rose, b f, 3yrs, Lucullus—Autumn Rose. Mr. G. A. Reid (Tinker), 8.3 1 4—Town Bird (Gill), 7.11 2 3—Some Lady (Dick), 7.7 3 Won by a head with a neck separating second and third horses.

Time, 1.32. Also started.—2—The Lamb (McTnallv), s—Booruerday (Cotton), 6 Tinoiti (Thomson). Lucy Rose was the early leader from a good start, followed by The Lamb, Tinoiti and Some Lady. The positions changed coming round the hack where The Lamb took up the running from Tinoiti, Lucy Rose, Town Bird, Some Lady and Boomerday. The field bunched in the straight and in a great race home Lucy Rose saw it out best. The Lamb could not go on with it and was beaten out of a place. Town (Continued in Next Column)

Bird saw out the distance surprisingly well and paid a bigger dividend than the winner.