SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

OPUNAKE RACES, A RECORD GATHERING.

Despite the threatening aspect at the weather yesterday morning, there was easily a record attendance at the annual race meeting held under the auspices of the Opunake Jockey Club, visitors being present not only from parts of Taranaki, but also from Wanganui and as far away as Feilding, there being a large array of motor cars in the paddock. There were occasional slight drizzles, but the meeting proved a most enjoyable one, and from the club's standpoint must be regarded as the most successful in its history. The gate takings were about £2 less than last year, but the club had been very generous in the matter of complimentary tickets, and this was reflected in the increased totalisator returns, the sum of £25,<U7 being handled, as against £19,055 last year. Since last meeting the club has effected various improvements, including the enlargement of the Stewards' stand, and the provision of a press room upstairs. The lawn has also been extended. Tt will, however, be necessary for the club to further extend the lawns and stand to cope with the increasing attendance, as neither could accommodate the large crowd yesterday with comfort. The club, however, has this in view.

Racing throughout was of a very interesting nature. Fields were good, and were despatched by Mr. A. Morse in hia usuaUeffieient stylo. Mr. \V. V. Young in the judge's box gave prompt adjudications on the plaehigs, which, in many cnsfi!, were very close, a tribute to the good work of tiic hanrtieapper (Mr. J. L. Henrys). The big handicap was won by Cheddar, well ridden by Hector Cray, who had a day out at the meeting, winning the other open event mi Madam Ristori, and a double oil Melita. Another double winner was Gipsy (Jem. The totalisator staff coped with the work .well, and comparatively little money was shut out. Mr. I'. S. Riley, the club's secretary, had his department right up to the moment, and, with his staff of capable and courteous officials, is to be congratulated on achieving another success. The press is indebted to Air. \V. Blythe, the totalisator steward, for the promptitude with which the details were brought to t.lie press room. There were one or two mishaps (luring the day, K. F. Bagby, rider of Poka, which fell in the Maiden Handicap, receiving a severe shaking. In the absetice of Dr. Buist, he was attended to by Dr. Foolces. J. Coleman, the well-known representative footballer, also received a severe injury to the face, the result of a kick from a horse, necessitating several stitches, the sufferer later being taken to Hawc-ru.

Mr. Perrott, acting deputy stipendiary steward, found very little to cavill at. There was one inquiry during the dav, the owner of Pergola asking tin inquiry into the riding of W. Price in t'.ie 'Electric Handicap. After hearing the evidence, the stewards expressed themselves as satisfied. Sergeant .Treliey, PlainClothes Constable Fitzgibbon and several constables, as well as Racecourse Detective Kractzer, wore present, but found the crowd 011 the whole very orderly.

The Manaia Municipal Brass Band, under the baton of Conductor .J. A. Cosgrove, rendered an enjoyable programme of music. Results are as follows:

■HANDICAP HACK HURDLES, of 135 sovs; second horse 20 sovs and third horse 10 sovs from stakes; H miles: 5' Mr. W. Slatt&ry's bg Deeside, (i yrs;

Cheshire —Vanilla, 10.0 (F. Flynn) .. 1 1 Mrs. ,T. Cleaver's bm Jiu Jitsu, 4 years, 9.0 (Cleaver) 2 3 Mr. A. C. McDonnell's eh g Ratana, aged, 9.7 (A. McDonald) 3

Also started: 4 Zetes, 10.9 (Cochrane); 3 Simplb Sam, 10.7 (A. Ward); 0 Monument, 0.9 (K. Lambess). Winner trained by R. Brougli. Cheddar Paul Moore and Whakamoa were the withdrawals. Jiu Jitsu was made a warm favorite. Ratana and Simple Sam were the first to show out, followed by Movement and Deeside, with .the others close up. Deeside soon took the lead, and the order passing the stand the first time was Deeside, Monument, Simple Sam, Ratana, Jiu Jitsu and Zetes last. Monument was closing up, but fell at the next hurdle. Deeside maintained the lead, and, jumping well, won by four lengths from Jiu Jitsu, which beat Ratana by a similar distance. Zetes was fourth. Time, 2min 50 2-ssec.

MAIDEN PLATE, of 100 sovs; second horse 15 sovs and third horse 5 sovs from the stake; seven furlongs:

8 Mr. J. P. Kelly's brg Perfect Day, 3 years, Guianfortc—Country Picnic,

8.3 (M. McCarten) 1 4 Mr. F. Hoskin's b g Tiranga, 4 years, 8.11 (Morris) 2 2 Mr. ,T. Dwyer's bf Nemaline, 3 years, 8.3 (C. Emerson) 3 Also started: 12 Op-.ia, 8.12 (H. Johns); 7 Poka, 8.12 (R. F. Bagby); 9 Lake Eel, 8.12 (Cleaver); 13 Bellipotent, 8.12 (Thompson); (i Key, 8.12 (Ayres); 3 Trombone, 8.12 (McDonald); 10 Reopai, 8.11 (C. Price); 1 Winning Shot, 8.11 (Lambess); 11 Crestmere, 8.11 (W. Price), 5 Applaud, S.ll (L. Nodder); 14 Cymro, 8.3 (Anderson). Winner trained by .1. Fryer.

Nikorimu and Hushlad were the only withdrawals.. Winning Shot was the popular fancy in a field of fourteen, which were despatched well. Perfect Day was the first to show out, followed by Tiranga and Nemaline, with the favorite fourth. After a furlong Nemaline took the lead, with Perfect Day, Tiranga and Winning' Shot in that order, and this order was maintained to the turn, where Poka fell when in a good position, his rider receiving slight injuries. 111 the run home Nemaline was quickly done with, and Tiranga and Perfect Day fought a great finish, the latter gaining the verdict by a nose, with Nenijaline half a length away third. Trombone was fourth. 'Time, lmin 301-ssec.

OPUNAKE RACING CLUB HANDICAP (Open), of 200 sovs; second horse to receive 40 sovs and third 15 sovs from the stake; I.} miles: 1 Mr. C. McLaren's bg Cheddar, aged, Merriwec —Brown Alice, 8.5 (H. Gray) '. 1 2 Mr. F. Jewell :, gr g Iceberg, 0 years 7.13 (L. Nodder) 2 5 Mr. M. Franklin's clini Veto, G years (M. McCarten; 7.13 3 Also started: 4 Otter, 7.13 (C. Emerson) and King Chiara, 7.11 (McDonnell), Winner trained by P. Coffey. The withdrawals were Volo, Paraoa, Lady Beaufort and Coropot. Cheddar, which carried nearly double anything else in a heavy betting race, was tin l first to show out at the rise of the barrier. Gray steadied the favorite, and Otter took the lead, followed by King luara, with Cheddar lyinp handy, then

I Veto and Iceberg last. Otter held the lead tit the hack, where King Ghiarft dropped*back, Cheddar moving into second place, and iceberg closing up. A quarter of a mile from home Otter wag done "with, and Ch°ddar assumed command, but Iceberg here put in a claim, and, running into the front, held premier position entering the straight, and maintained the advantage to within 50 yards of home, where Gray 011 the favorite came again, and a ding-dong race home saw Cheddar win n great finish by a short neck, with Veto three lengths further back third. King Chiara was fourth, and Otter last. Time, 2min II 2-Osec.

ELECTRIC HACK HANDICAP, of 105 sovs; second horse 15 sovs and third horse 5 sovs from stake; minimum weight S.O; five furlongs:

1 Mr. W. Coffey's brg Melita, 5 years, >St. Paul—Foulshot mare, 8.9 (H. '"■ ay) ; 2 Mr. C. Elmer's b m Pergola, 8 years, '■l.7 (W. Price) 3 Mr. B. T. Bennett's b m Munition, U years, 0.3 (L. Nodder)

Also started: 4 Is'ober, 5.4, inc. lib over (C. Price) and 5 Lipton, 3,5, inc. 21b over (K. Lambess). Winner trained by P. Coffey.

Hellipotent, Genskus and Crestmere w i-'c'e scratched. Melita, who was the heaviest backed horse so far in the day, was quickly hi the lead, followed by Pergola, and this was the order throughaut, Melita winning comfortably by three lengths, with Munition, who was last to leave the post, a similar distance away, third. J sober was last. Time, lmin 3 4-ssec.

WELTER HACK HANDICAP, of 105 sovs., second horse to receive 15 sovs., and third liorse 5 sovs. from the stakes. .Seven furlongs. •' -M'"- I'earon's Gipsy Gem, 5 years, by. St. Paul—Roma" 8.11 (M. Mclurten) J - Messrs Goodwin and Alexander's b nt Winning Shot, 4 vears, 8.12 (H. Cray) " 3

Mr. W. Slattery's b g Deeside, (i years, 9-13 (F. Flynn)

Also started: 4 Marqueteur 9.9 (W. Price), 1 White Hanger 9.0 (0. Emerson). > Ju Jitsu 0 1 (C. Price), 7 Nikorimu (Hawker)., "Winner trained by J. ,1. Thaeker.

Trench Wheel was the only defection, and W nite Ranger was made a verv warm order in a record betting race. Deeside and Nikorimu delayed the start somewhat. When the field were well despatched by Mr. Morse, Deeside shot to the front very quickly, followed by Winning Shot. Racing the hack Deeside still led from Gipsy Gem and .Marqueteur, with Winning" Shot handy! fiipsy Gem was first into the straight, and stalling off a challenge by Winning Shot, won easily by three 'lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Marqueteur was fourth and White Ranger fifth. Time, lmin. 284-5

. PATRICK S HANDICAP (open), of ISS sovs., second horse to receive 30 sovs. and third horse 10 sovs. from the stakes. Six furlongs. 1 Mr. E. George's b m Madam Ristori, 5 years, iby Marble Arch—Ristori, 8.1 inc. 21b over (H. Gray) 1 i Mr. G. Larconrs br g Royal Chef, 8 years, 7.1 U inc. 2Jib over (C. Emer«?n) 2 3 Mr. Egmont's b g Coropett, fi years. 7.0 i inc. 7Mb over (M. McCarten) 3 Also started: 5 Play Off 811 (C. Price), 4 Gaycium 8.0 (N. K. McDonnell), I! Tirana 7.lii inc. l>/ 3 lb over (Morris). Winner trained by owner. Antwerp was the only withdrawal. From an even despatch Play OH' Was the first to be sighted, with Madam Ristori in attendance. Nearing the bend, Royal Chef and Coropett moved up to the leaders. At the turn the field swung out, and Royal Chef, on the outside, took the lead from Madam Ristori, Play Off and Coropett. Madam Ristori, well handled by Gray, came with a burst on the home stretch, and Won comfortably by two lengths from Royal Chef, who was a similar distance in front, of Coropett. Play Off was fourth and Gaycium fifth. Time, lmin. 102-osec.

PRESIDENT'S HACK HANDICAP, of 115 sovs., second horse to receive 20 sovs., and the third 10 sovs. from the stake. One mile. 3 Mr. E- J. Fearon's eh m Gipsy Gem, 5 years, by St. Paul—Roma, 8.1 inc. 1011) pen. (B. Morris) 1 1 Mr. P. Coffey's h 111 Lady Beaufort,

3 years, 9.0 (H. Gray) (i Mr. Tito's br g 'Lake Eel, 6 years,

012 (M. McCarten) 3 Also started: 2 Claris 8.5, 4 Royal Park 7.0 (L, Nodder), 5 Trombone 0.12 (McDonnell).

Winner trained by J. J. Thaeker. •Tn Jitsu and Opua were scratched. Lady Beaufort was made a very hot order, carrying nearly half the total on I the machine in a heavy letting race, and establishing a record for the. course 011 any one The field were despatched to a perfect line, and Trombone was the first to show out passing, the stand just in the lead from the others in line with Lady Beaufort, who was slow to begin, last. Trombone maintained the lead round the back, with Lake Eel, Royal Park, and Gipsy Gem close handy. Entering the straight' Trombone was still in the van from Gipsy Gem, who was in the lead at the distance, and, stalling off a solid challenge from the favorite, won 'by three parts of a length. Lake Eel was a neck away third, Royal Park and Trombone being close, up.

FAREWELL HACK HANDICAP, of 130 sow., second horse 20 sovs. and third 10 sovs. from the stakes. Five

furlongs. » I Mr. AV. Coffey's br g Melita, 5 years, by St. Paul —Foulshot mare, 8.12 inc. 141b pen. (11. Gray) 4 Mr. J. Dwyer's b f Nemaline, 3 years;

7.4 (Morris) 5 Mr. H. T. Bennett's b 111 Munition, 0

years, 8.0 (Nodder) 3 Also started: 3 Pergola 8.10 (W. Price), 2 Huzza 7.13 (C. Brown), 6 Golden Thread 7.4 (M. McCarten). Winner trained by I'. Coffey.

The scratching pen had been very busy 111 this race, only six of the dozen acceptors facing the barrier. Betting was very heavy, establishing another record, the sum of £3SII being handled by the machine. Melita,' with Gray up, 011 the strength of the previous win was made a strong favorite, and the result bore out the confidence of the public. From a good start Munition was first to break the line, but after going a lew strides Melita was, in front and was never headed, Winning comfortably bv two and a half lengths from Nemaline,