SPORTING.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 255, 5 March 1898, Page 2

SPORTING.

SOUTH AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. EARLY yesterday morning a steady ra ; n set in, and although it donbtles* delighted the hearts of the fanners, it by no means augured well for the succe-s of the South Auckland Race Mot ting, which takes place on the Claudelands racecourse to-day. At time of writthere is still a light drizzle, bub a good glass and a break hire and there in the lowering clouds gives one the im pression that the morning will break line. Had the roin come a few days earlier it would have saved the club a deal of expense in trying to loosen and soften the top r.f the track, which was hard as limestone—so hard, indeed, that or.ly one or two of the horses training in this vicinity dare venture out upon it for an extended gallop, most of them being restricted to lengthy work upon the plough. So no doubt the track in its softened condition will induoe owners to send out several horses which a few days ago were looked upon as very doubtful starters. The acceptances are unusually large, and there is little doubt the racing will be of a most interesting uature. By train yesterday morning a number of visitors arrived from the K\Dg Country, while a further consignment arrived by the Rotorua and Auckland trains, and last evening all the hotels and boarding-houses in the town were filled to over - flowing point. The train services are even more complete than those of former years, and a hrge influx of visitors is expected from Auckland, Paeroa aud other centres. Of course, everything depends upon the weather, and we sincerely hope the Club will be favoured with a fine day. The Hamilton Band has been engaged to play a number of choice selections on the ground, and this alone will we worth a visit. The following horses were in town last night, in addition to those which are owned and trained in the district : Royal Conqueror, Cleopatra, Seabreeze, Bonnie Blue, The Needle, The Owl, Canopus, Newhaven, Complete, Knrowai, Flakem, The Skipper, Tony, Misshot, Everytime, Crusty, Retreat, Nellie, Voltigeur 11., Mavourneen, and the remainder of the Aucklanders will arrive by the excursion train to-day. The train service between Auckland, Paeroa, Cambridge, Te Awamutu and intermediate stations will be found fully set forth in our advertising columns. Owners who do not hold certificates can have their ponies measured on the course at 9 * m. this morning. A contributor signing himself " Sur cingh" sends us the following tips : Trial Handicap.—Royal Conqueror, 1 ; The Needle, 2 ; Retreat, 3. Hurdles.—Seabreeze, 1; Voltigeur II , 2 ; Kingswood, 3. Ctrl'. Merry Maid, 1; Bonnie Blue, 2 ; Porangi Potae, 3. Pony Race.— Purvoke, 1 ; Winnie, 2 ; Maungakawa, 3. Steeplechase.-Kingswood, 1; Magpie, 2; Forella, 3. Claudelands Handicap. Merry Maid, 1 ; Bellman, 2 ; Sharper, 3. Trot.—Hurricane, 1; Ruby, 2 ; Luisitania, 3. Flying Handicap. Bowshot, 1 ; Sharper, 2 ; The Needle, 3. OHINEMURI JOCKEY CLUB'S MEETING. The following are the weights declared for the first day's racing and the Steeplechase of the second day : District Welter.—Donneraile list, Harnoa lOst 121 b, Recruit 10st 61b, Syren and Orena lOst, Spider, Korowai aud Repeat, 9st 51b, Homai, Harry and Shylock, 9st. Martha Stakes.—Panoply 9st 51b, Bonnie Blue 93t, Waiorongomai Sst 121 b, Supplejack Sst I lib, The Sharper Bst 101 b, Merry Maid Sst Sib, Yattenfol.lt Sst 71b, Markinch Bst 41b, Lobelia Sst, Royal Conqueror, Korowai and Cleopatra, 7st 51b, Complete 7st 31b, Bob 7st, Orena Gst 121 b, Princess of Thulc Gst lOib, Recruit 6st 71b. First Pony Race.—Mavourneen 9st 101 b, Purvoke 9st 51b, Mangakawa 9st 21b, Leona Sst lllb, Bob Sst," Winnie 7st 1211), Brigette 7st 91b, Nora 7st 71b, Recruit 7st 61b, Virtue, Repetition, Cora, Warata, Stella, Merry Kate and Tickle-Me-Gently 7st. Maiden Plate.—Royal Conqueror 9st 51b, Donneraile Sst 12 b, Hamoa Bst 101 b, Blairina Sit 7lb, Recruit Sst 4lb, Every Time and Syren Sst, Voltigeur 7st 101 b, Spider, Repetition, Ladas, Korowai, Harry, Retreat and Elva 7st, Cora and Mazurka 6st 101 b. Hcrdles Kingawood Use 51b, Voltigeur lOst 71b, Saint 10st 21b, Elukem lOat, Libeller 9st 61b, Seabreeze and Catohem 9st 51b, Kapai, Ben, Cumberland, HcrcuUs and Nelly 9st. Ohinemuri Cup.—Bonnie Blue Bst 101 b, Waiorongomai Sst 6lb, Supplejack Sst slb, Panoply Sst 31b, Yattcnfeldt Sst. Merry Maid 7st 121 b, Miss Shot and Porangi Pota? 7st 101 b, Lobelia 7st 51b, Korowai, Cleopatra, Royal Conqueror, and St. Ona 7st, Complete, 6st 101 b, Princess of Thnle, Donneraile and Mavourneen 6st7lb. Karangahake Handicap. - Porangi Totae and Markinch, 9st; Bellman, B*t 61b ; The Needle, Sit 41b; Donneraile.Sst; Purvoke, Mavourneen, Heart of Oak and Korowai, 7st lllb ; Snip, 7st 91b ; Sultan, 7st Gib ; Maungakawa, 7-*t 4lb ; Mazurka, 7st; Ladas and Bouquet, 6st 101 b; Try Me, 6st 71b. SECOND DAY. Steeplechase. Kingswood, list 7lb ; Voltigeur 11., Cingalee and Forella, lOst; The Monk, 9st 12b ; Saint, 9st 101 b ; Fluliem, Libeller, Kapai, Catchem and Ben, 9st 71b. The sale of the privileges in connection with the meeting took place at Paeroa on Thursday, and realised £287 15s. WANGANUI RACES. (l!Y TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT). Wanganoi, Last Night. Smart showers fell last night until daybreak and there was a drizzling rain this morning. The following are the re- . suits : Harrison Memorial.—Titoki 1, Donovan 2, Kanaka 3. All started. It was a splendid finish. Time, lm. 15 2-sth s. Dividend. £3 Bs. Kawhia Hurdles. Napoleon 1, Swift 2, King of the Downs 3. All started. Plain Bill, Dummy aud Ranpipunehu fell. Won somewhat easily. Time, 3m. 47 1 sth s. Dividend, £6 8?. Wanganoi Stakfs. St Paul 1, Douglas 2, Tiro 3. AH started. Won by a length, after a pretty race. Time, 2m. 40s. Dividend, £2 12s. Watt Handicap.—Hermosa I V.K.C. MEETING. The following was the result of the race for the Champion Stakes. Mr W. Duggan's Amberite, 7st 12lb 1 Mr S. Miller's Bundook 2 These wtre the only starters. Betting : 3 to 1 on Amberite, 5 to 2 agst Bundook. The favourite was slow in getting going., Bundook leading by two lengths at the termination of the first furlong, which occupied 20s. Then the pace im proved, but the first half-mile took lm. os. Passing the stand the first time round Bundook was going_ strongly, ch-ee lengths in advance, having cut out the middle mile in lm. 435. Buniook maintained hie advantage round the back, where the favourite closed the g?.p slightly ; but he never got quite on terms with his opponent till just before entering the straight. Once in the home stretch Harris let the favourite out at

his top, and he came away in lino style and won his race by twenty lengths. The last mile and a-half was traversed iii 2m. o!)£, anil the last six furlongs in lin. 18s, Time, sm. 27is. Acceptances for the Te Aroha Races to he held on March 12th, and encrifs for the Hack Race, close with the Secretary at Te Aroha this evening.