SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 60, 1 September 1911, Page 7

SPORTING.

J HUNT CLUB RACE MEETING. The Hunt Club were greeted with favorable weather for their annual race meeting yesterday, a warm sunny morning being followed by a dull afternoon. Despite this there was a very poor muster of the public, only about 300 being present. The absence of the bookmaker and totalisator, as mediums of speculation, probaibly deterred those who follow races for the sake of betting from attending, while it did not, on the other hand, attract a great many of those who believe in horse racing simply as a sport and as a means of improving horseflesh. The racing was keenly contested, and a healthy rivalry was in evidence, though the fields were not numerous. Palls were fairly frequent, but no serious accidents occurred, the riders all being able to re-mount. C. Stockman, rider of Barney, winner of the second race, put up a plucky performance. • In this event each contestant fell, one of them twice, and all were remounted and completed the course. On examination it was discovered that Stockman had a broken collarbone, and this was at once attended to. The various officials all carried out their duties admirably, Mr. F. Watson proving a patient, Starter, and despatching his fields away in good style. Mr. R, H. Pigott, was judge, and his decisions were never questioned, though there were some close finishes. The sec re tan- (Mr. A. L. Humphries) and his assistant (Mr. H. Stacker) had every • detail at their fingers' ends, and were ably supported by capable officials. The events were got off well to time. There was only one protest during the day, when a protest! was lodged against R. Murray, rider ol the winner in the Open Hack, on the ground that he had received payment for his services when working in. a'staible. As there was no evidence the protest was dismissed. The Garrison Band played a bright programme of music that was much appreciated. Mr. Wooller had charge of the catering arrangements, and Mr. E. Whittle, of the Red House, the publican's booth. Prior to the last race Mr. Blundell presented Mr. Chaney with the Hunt Steeplechase Cup, donated by Mr. F. Salway. He referred to the lax?t that Mr. iSalway was a true sport, and did not mind how the Hunt Club damaged his fences. He remarked that the win of the Deputy-Master was a popular one. He also presented Mr. C. Matthews ; with the ladies' Bracelet, donated by ) Mr. W. B. Ohaney. !

MEMBERS' HANDICAP FLAT RACE, for trophy value ,£.5, to go to the first horse, and trophy value £2 10s for second horse. For horses bona fide property ,of members, and qualified with the hounds for 1911. Distance iy 4 miles. W. Hookham's Otaoroa (Sylvia Park —Larkshot), aged (W. Boulton), 12.0 1 Mr. H. Matthews' Rua (11. Matthews), 11.7 2 Mr. C. Matthews' Drudgery (B. Clianey), 12.9 (including 131b. overweight) 3 Also started: »St. Myrtle (A. Cliff) 11.2, and Nigger (W. Cole) 11.0. Scratched: Malaphin, Kaianganui, Pompey. Singlet, Grey Boy, Bluey, Rawa, Induing, and Red Hazard. Rua took the lead from a good start, but was quickly displaced b3 T St. Myrtle, who was prominent for a abort distance. Passing the stand the first time St. Myrtle and Otaoroa were in the van, closely followed by Rua and Drudgery, the former running strong. At the back the field was close together. Entering the straight, Rua held the lead. Boulton on Otaoroa here came at him, and a hard-fought finish went to Otaoroa by a short head, Drudgery, three lengths away, third. St. Myrtle was a long way in the rear, Nigger pulling up at the back. Time, 2min 25scc.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS' STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP; first horse to receive trophy value TVigns., second trophy value 2y s gns., subscribed by the /licensed Victuallers' Association. For qualified hunters the property of memlwrs of recognised hunt clubs. About two miles and a distance. Mr. O. Foreman's Barney (Lord Kitchener—Cremorne), 1.1.2 (Stock-

man) 1 Mr. A. Cliff's Kuril. 11.0 (A. Cliff).... 2 Mr. E. A. Pepperill's Redwing, 11.2, 1211). overweight (N. C. Pepperill) 3

The only starters. Scratched: Rua, Star Lass,-Batehelor's Button and Lieutenant. A chapter of misluips. Kura fell at the first fence, and got away from his rider. As soon as he wns caught he was remounted. Barney hail pot away with a good lead of about two furlongsj but fell at the brush in front of the stand, and was remounted quickly enough to still retain the lead. Redwing fell twice in negotiating the fences, and w-is also remounted on both occasions. Meanwhile Kura, fencing beautifully, was rapidly making up lost ground, but though able to overhaul and pass Redwing when entering the straight, could not get within a hundred yards of Barney. Redwing was 'n.bou.t fifty yards awav, third. Time, smin. 33 2-sscc.

OPEN HACK HANDICAP, of 10 sovs; a sweepstake of 5s each to go to the second horse. Six fu<rlongs. Mr. A. Rhodes' Te Wliareroa, 9.5 (R. Murray) 1 Mr. J. W. Price's Monsieur Soult, 0.9 (L. Kemp) 2 Mr. W. F. Hook ham's Otaoroa, 9.5 . (W. Moverlev) 3 Also started: Bell Paul (0. Sprosen) 9.0, St. Myrtle (0. Skclton) 9.0. Scratched: Master Sylvia, Lady Van, Crown Pearl, Patti and Kotfire. After one or two false starts, the horses were got well away, St. Myrtle having the worst of the start. Otaoroa and Monsieur Soult jumped away with the lead for the first furlong, when Te Whareroa assumed command, and was never headed, sta.ving off a determined challenge by Monsieur Soult on entering the straight, and won by a length and a half. Otaoroa. four lengths away, third. St. Myrtle again whipped in the field. Time, Imin. 23sec.

LADIES' RRACPMT, of "> aovs. and gold bracelet presented l)v Mr. B. IT. Chancy to lir.-fc horse,'a sweepstake of 5s eaeh for second hor.se. A handicap steeplechase for all laorses that ha ve never won a steeplechase at time of entry. 7Tor.«es to be nominated by ladies and ridden by gentlemen riders. About two miles. Mr. C. Matthews' Drudgery (Westinerc —DoniesUquc), 11.0 (L. V. Russell) 1 Mr. V. Aubrey's Bachelors Button, ll.fi (l'\ Aubrey) 3' Also started: Kura (A. Cliff) 11.0. Scratched: Otus, Star Rose, Rawine, Barney and Bluey. Drudgery held the lead from the start and, jumping beautifully and galloping well, "won by the length of the straight from Baeheloir's Button, who made a. marvellous recovery at the post and rails. Kura fell in negotiating the last brush fence. Time, 4min. Ssee. IXOYroK STEEPI/EC'TIASE TTANDTCAr. I of 5 sovs.; a sweepstake of 5s to go to second horse. For second-class qualified hunters only. Gentlemen riders. About two miles. ! Mr. A. N. Bewlev's <Rawa (Master I Agnes—Administrator mare), 11.0 1 (L. V. Russell) 1

IJur. W. Boulton's Pompey, 11.3 (Mr. 11. George) 2 ] Mr. George's Inglewood, 12.0, 141b. . overweight (IT. D. George) 8 Also started: Grey Boy (P. Aubrey) 11.0, Singlet (W. Loncrgan) 11.0, Nigger (W. Cole) 11.0. Scratched: Batclielor's Button, Kiri, Gaiety, Lieutenant, Bluey and Redwing. This race, which drew the biggest fieldi of the day, caused much amusement. Passing the stand, Pompey, Rawa and Singlet rose at the double together, with the result that the former was bored off at the brush, and had to negotiate the obstacle again. Nigger, who was next, fell at the post and rails, but Cole remounted! and followed the chase. Inglewood, a big heavy horse of the milk cart type, was jumping well. At the back Singlet ran off» He fell at the next obstacle, and was remounted, only to fall a little later. Passing the stand the second time the field was spread out at equal intervals, half way round the course, Ra.wa leading, then Pompey, then Inglewood, then Nigger, then Grey Boy. This order was maintained to the finish, although Pompey made up much ground, but was beaten by twenty lengths. Inglewood about 30 yards' away third. Had it not been that he was bored off at the brush, Pompey must have won. His rider came in for j quite an ovation. Time. 4min. 30sec.

HUNT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, ot 10 sovs. and cup presented by Mr. F. Sal way. Sweepstake of 10s to second horse. For hunters oiily. About two ami a half miles. Mr. B. 11. Chaney'g Star Lass (Daystar—Xa.tator mare), 12.0 (L. V. Russell) ...' i Mr. H. Matthews' Rua, 12.0 (F. Aubrey) 2 Mr. G. Foreman's Barney, 11.0 (N. C. Pepperill) 3 The only -starters. Scratched: Otus> Mataphin ajid Kura. A fine exhibition of jumping, the winner fencing faiiltlessly, whilst Rua only made one mistake. From the start Star Lass wen't to the front followed by Barneyj' jtlii®lying handy. At the back Rua ftlWed into second position, and tliis ordcHwas maintained throughout, Star Lass' Winning by twenty lengths, Barney some'distance away tliird. Time, smin. 8 2-59ec. HUNTERS' HANDICAP HURDLE RACE of 10 sovs; a sweepstake of 5s each to second horse. One mile and a half. 1 Mr. H. Matthews' Star Rose, 11.0 (F. 1 Aubrey) 1 Mr. W. f. Hookham's Otaoroa, 11.5 (W. Boulton) 2 Mir. L. Birdling's Kaianganui, 10.12 (A. Mitchell) 3 (51b. overweight.)

The only starters. Scratched: Drudgery, Rawine and Mungo Park. Star Rose led from the start and, jumping' cleanly, won easily by a length from Otaoroa, Kainanganui being a long way in tlje rear. Time, 3min. Isee. STRATFORD RACING CLUB. The annual general meeting of members of the Stratford Racing Olub was held on Tuesday night, the president (Mr. A. W. Budge) occupying the chair. In opening proceedings, the chairman congratulated the club on its past successful season, and formally moved the adoption of the report and balancesheet, as in the hands of members. The report showed that the meeting held on January 2nd and 3rd had been a record one from many points of view. As showing the benefit of clearing and logging the club's land, and cropping and regrassing the same, a profit of £232 was made on the purchase and sale of stock during the season. In the assets, the value of the club's land had been raised from £4O to £45 per acre, and the committee feels confident that even at £45 per acre, the valuation is a conservative one. The other assets have all been well written down and show an excess over liabilities of £5275. Owing to the inadequate accommodation for the stewards and of-' ficiiils and also the crowded condtion of the grandstand at race meetings, it was decided to effect considerable improvements before next race meeting. A contract had been let for a new stewards' stand of a handsome design, which will materially enhance the general appearance of the course property, and will give the stewards and staff improved and very much-needed accommodation. This building is now practically completed. The grandstand is also to be extended eastwards to give 50 per cent, more accommodation, and a start has been made by the contractors on this work. The completed cost of these building additions will run into about £1200.. The old building which was used for secretary's office, jockeys' room, etc., has been moved out to the Pembroke road and reconstructed at a cost of about £132. It is now let ift 10s per week rent, and is returning good interest on the outlay. During the year the club has secured ;i number of Stratford extension sections adjacent to the western boundary of the course. These sections have been securely fenced off and steps are now being taken in the direction of planting trees, etc., to preserve the pretty native bush on them, thereby conferring a boon on the town for ail time. The planting is also being carried out on other portions of the club's property with a view to beautifying it, and also providing a good back-ground to the racing track. Many other" lesser improvements, such a.s raising the level of two fillings on the course, logging and clearing other portions of the pro- ! perty not yet dealt with, new fencing, etc., have been, and are being carried out, so that the year has been a particularly busy one. The Rolf Club has been granted playing rights over the racecourse for a period of five vears, and playing greens, tees, etc., have been laid down. A neat pavilion and club house has also Tjeen erected by the golfers near the six-furlong post', and good use has been made of the links already this .season.

Mr. W. H. IT. Young seconded the motion, endorsing the chairman's remarks.—The motion was carried. There being 110 other nominations, Mr. -A. W. Budge was declared reelected to the ollice of president; Mr. W. If, H. Young, vice-president; and Messrs. H. T). Stohr, M. sf. f.'ood, and W P. Kirkwooil members of committee. A heavy vote of thanks was accorded the president for his services during the year. .Mi\ Budge, in acknowledging, said he had not looked for this, as lie had merely done his duty. He thought, however, he might mv'that even the most captious critic could not deny the club's sound financial, position, and he thought it would grow better year by year. He had done his best in the club's interests, as he thought every ollicia! should. He desired to (hank tlieni tor the expression of appreciation. Tt was agreed to recommend to the committee to 'hold an annual ball, and that a special prize he donated to the Stratford A. and P. Association, the prize to he for award in the horse section. At a subsequent meet ing of the committee Mr. A. \Y. Budge was re-elected chairman—Post.