SPORTING.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 256, 8 March 1898, Page 3

SPORTING.

SOUTH AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. As wc in our last issue, the weather cleared up beautifully, for the South Auckland gathering, and Saturday ad a race day was si.nply an ideal oue. The geutlc raiu, which had fallen during the previous 12 hours, had the effect of washing nway trom the trees and hedges, the accumulated dust of months, making everything look bright and fresh and pretty, putting everyoue, even the farni' rs, in the best of good humour, and livening up the dull, flinty track to a marvellous degree. For the time being the failure of the crops, snd the outlook for the winter were forgotten, visitors rolled in from all sides, and all appeared to be Lent upon enjoying themselves thoroughly. One thing alooe occurred to mar the feeling of p'easurc, and that was the untimely death of Mrs K. J. Gwynnc. the wife of one of the stewards. When the news reached the course, it banished the smile from mauy a lip, and caused a feciing of sadness to hang heavily over the gathering. The excursion trains from Auckland, Paeroa and elsewhere were all well patronised, and it i<* doubtful if ever—except at Show time—such a crowd assembled upon the Glaudehtnds course before. The stand was well pa'roni.ied, ond the gay colours of the ladies dresses made the scene a particularly pleasing one. The course ttaa in splendid going order, the fields in every instance were good, the finishes closa and the dividends fair, and what more could one waut. The races were slightly behind time, and this is about the only charge that can be levelled at tho officials, who, with Mr NY. Bright as Secretary at their head all did their utmost for the success of the meeting. As starter Mr A- J. Storey wielded the flag in a most satisfactory manner to all concerned, and he certainly deserves unstinted praise for his efforts in this direction. The grandstand bar, under the able management of Mr Preston, of the Royal Hotel, was well patronised, and Mr Bettley, who had the sole rights for the refreshment booths, did a real good trade, and cannot be too highly complimeuted upon the quality of his luncheon and the admirable manner in which it was served up. The Hamilton Brass Baud under Bandmaster Muuro, played a number of choice selections, which were thoroughly appreciated by the visitors. The programme opened with the Trial Handicap, for which there were ten starters. Mr Muir's colt The Needle whs at once singled out to carry the most of the public money, but he suffered a head defeat at the hands of the Ingomar-Fishplcitj mare Syren, who rewarded her backers with the handsome dividend of £5 14s for 10s. The Hurdle Eace ittracted a field of six, oud the handsome chestnut mare Seabreeze was the popular selection ; but she never left the post, and therefore caused her backers considerable disappointment. Voltigeur 11. cut out the running all the way, and won as he liked. Tea went to the post for the Cup, which was generally looked upon as a good thing tor the uncertain performer Mcrrymaid or Bonnie Blue. But once under weigh, Poraugi Potae dashed to the front, and never gave her opponents a chance, winning easily and paying a dividend of £3 18s. Nine lilliputiaus faced the starter in the Pony Race, the locally owned Bob being installed a red-hot favourite. This event unearthed a speedy customer in the five year old brown filly Stella, by Cap-a-pie. She was first to leave the mark, and half-way up the straight looked all over a winner when she bolted off the course and took no lurch r part in the race, leaving the favourite to come on and win as he liked. The Steeplechase was the most extraordinary race it would be possible to imagine. Four only saddled up for the event, and with Kingswood out of it and Rae aboard his o'd black gelding Magpie, ir is not surprising that he attracted the most attention. In the first round Magpie came to grief at the wattle fence in front of the grandstand, but Rae lost no time in remounting. Forella, Gingalee and Flukem raced round to the logs, where the two first-named refused, and Flukem took command. Giogalee set out afresh upon the journey, but Foiella refused pen-istently, and had to return to the paddock. Flukem raced on with about a quarter of a imle to the good, followed by Cingalee and Magpie in that order. Cingalee dropped out at the.fence near the ra lway line, and Flukem appeared to have things all his own way, when Olive steered him up the course proper instead of into Edmonds', and ruined his chances, for Magpie, who had been rapidly making up lost ground, hr.el several hundred yards lead before the old chestnut could get going again, and he won by quarter of a mile. On passing the post Roe and his game old horse received quite an ovation. The Claudelands Handicap was about the most interesting race ou the programme. Bonnie Blue was the chosen one, and after a great battle with Royal Conqueror iu the straight he secured the judge's verdict by a short head. The protest entered by Mr Booth against Bonnie Blue on the score of jostling on the part of Taylor, his rider, was not sustained. The trot proved a soft thing for Ruby. The scratch mare Luii-itania mad era gallant effoit, and her style was greatly admired. A protest entered by Mr Carter against the winner was not sustained. As was expected, the Flying Handicap was the sensational race of the day. The chances of the Captivator horse Snip were the most fancied, and he was served up a hot favourite for the event, but he never flattered the hopes of his backers for one moment. When the home turn was reached the Cap-a-pie—Titania mare Complete came with a wet sail, and romping away from he r opponents won as Bhe J ked, returning the fortunate half-dozen who fancied her the nice dividend of £25 5?. Mr W. R. Bloomfield's tctilisator was on the ground, manned by an able staff of assistants, and not a single hitch occurred during the day. Ten shilling tickets were issued on each event, and the sum of £llOO was passed through the totalisator, which compares most favourably with the investments of the previous year. No reliable times were taken, so they are better left alone. The following is a detailed accouut of the racing : Trial Handicap, of losovs. ; second liorse te> receive 2sovs. from the stake. For horses that have never won a raee exceeding the value of lOsovs. Distance, seven furlongs. 26—Mr R. Teddy's in Syren, Ingomar—Fishplate, 6st 101 b (J. Stewart)... 1 113—Mr J. Muir's br c The Needle, Brigadier—Dressmaker, Bst 41b (Gall) 2 18—Mr F. Marshall's br g Retreat, Tetford—Success, 7st (Kerr)... 3 (38) Puhia, 7st; (57) Crusade, Gst 12ib ; (6) Shylock, 6st 101 b ; (8) Try Me, 6st lOib ; (03) Everytime, Gsc- 101 b ; (1) Miss Molly, 6st 10lb ; (2) Rosette, 6st 101 b, also started. When the name of Royal Conqueror was erased from the list, The Needle, on the strength of his running at Takapuna a few weeks ago, was made a warm favourite, the Maori mare Everytime, which by the way is reported to be a half-sister to the doughty Never Miss, claiming next place in the public favour. After a little delay at the post, caused by the antics of Miss Mfljiyi who took charge of her ritier once the field was despatched to on excellent start, and Mr R. R. Ralph's green jacket went to the front with Try Me close in attendance and the rest of thefi-ld well bunched. Puhia led for about five furlongs, when she gave place

to Syren. Coming into tho straight Syren wai still in fiont, with Tho Needle coming away from tho pack in hot pursuit, and although the favourite made a gallant effort he «ould not get on terms with the leader, who won comfortably by q head Totalisator : Number on midline, 332 ; number on winner, 26. Dividend, £5 14s. Handicap Hurdles of £22 10s ; second horse £3 from sttkes. lj mile. Over G flights of hurdles. 49—Mr Frank Ross' g h Voltiguer 11., Lunnell Nora, 9st 101 b (Berry) 1 13—Mr R. McMicken's gmN-llie, Hippocampus, 9st (Peunell) ... 2 35—Mr Geo. J. Comer's b h Kingswood, Ingomar—Bessemer, list 12 b (Rae) 3 Also started i (7) Hercules, 9st ; (35) Flukem, 10 : t ; (81) Seabreeze, 9st 101 b. From a level start, Seabreeze being lef: at the past, Voiltguer 11. assumed command, with Nellie a length or so away. The two greys raced along beautifully, and passing the stand the first time had obtained a long lead. Hercules fell in the straight, but w..s rapidly rc-mounted. Sailing round the luck of the courjc, VYltiguer and Nellie racing well together, hnel increased the gip to about 20 lengths. The former showed the way into "the straight, ami won easily by half a dozen lengths, Kingswooel being about 10 lengths away from Nellie Totalisator : Number on machine, 220 ; number on winner, 49. Dividend, £2. South Auckland Cui*, of 4530v5; second horse, £7 10s from stake 1$ mile. Nomination, £1 ; acceptance, £1 ss. 38—Mr A. S. Caulton's b in Porangi Potae, Castor—Madcap, 4yrs, 7stll(Gall) 1 48—Mr W. G. Irwin's ch h Bonire Blue. Clan Stuart—The Gift, aged, Sat 71b (Taylor) 2 48--Mr J. C. Booth's b h Royal Conqueror, Flintlock—Ladybird, 3yrs, 7st (J< llings) 3 Also started: (57) Mcrrymaid, 8»t 71b ; (20) Markinch, 7ft 121 b; (42) Bowshot, 7st 41b : (26) Korowai, 7st; (17) Cauopns, 7st: (10) Cleopatra, 7st; (14) Complete, 6st 121 b. Mr Storey had littld or no difficulty in despatching tho field in this race, the horses moving off well in line. Porangi Potae immediately assumed the lead and carried the field along at a steady bat past the stand, the horses being nicely bunched. dining round past Edmonds' Bonnie Blue aud Royal Conqueror made a forward move, while tho favourite (Merrymaid) dropped clean away from the pack. Porangi showed the way into thestiaight aud, bowling along merrily, won 1 y a length without an effort. Half a length separated the second and third horses. Totalisator : Number of investors, 332; number on winner, 38; dividend, £3 18s. Pony Handicap, of £l2 10s ; second horse 2sovs. from stake. Six furlongs. Nomination, s*; acceptance, 7s Gd. 119—P. Jones' bg Bob, The Dauphin, 7st 81b (Bird) ... ... ... 1 35—Mi A. J. Storey's ch m Mavournecii, Atteros 9st 51b (McGuire) 2 74—Mr R. Hannon's ch m Winnie, Tetford—Nellie, 7st 121 b (Pennell) 3 (32) Purvoke, 9st: (59) Maungakawa, Bst 101 b ; (4) Newbaven, 7*t; (I) Miss Molly, 7st; (15) Stella, 7st; (6) Tickle-me-Gen'ly, 6st 111 b, also started. The ponies gave a considerable amount of trouble at the post, but eventually got off on even terms. The first to show out was Stella, who gradually increased her lead, and cutercd th? straight six or seven leog'hs ahead of anything, Bob being the closest attendant, Stella maintained her lead until half way up the straight, where she ran off on to the plough, allowing Bob to come on and win by several lengths. Totalisator : Number of investors, 345 ; number on winner, 119. Dividend, £1 Gi. Handicap Stekpces of 3f»sovs ; second horse to receive £7 10s from stakes. About 3 miles. 102-Mr G. J. Comer's blk h Magpie, B traycr, lOst 101 b Rae) ... 1 32—Mr A. McMillen's ch g Flukem, The Australian—Pororua Kate, Dst 71b (Olive) 2 Also started : (28) Cingatee, lOst ; (4/) Forella, 10,t. At the fall of the flig, Fore|i a jumped to the front, and she showed t h c way into Edmond's, closely follow e( i by Cmealef. Coming in*o the straight the first time, the pair were on level t crm s, and they fl-w the water together, stri' le [ ov stride, followed by Fluke m , a t ll distance of eight or ten leng| )ts . M s 'RP ie came down at the wattle, b u t Rac,w as in the saddle in the twinkling of an eye> an( l before one could realise what " happened, the old horse ' set off on what appeared to De a long stern chase, and when he baulked at the next fence, the odds against him certaintly appeired about 1000 to 1. However, he cleared the obstacle at the next attempt, but Forella and Cingalee had about a third of a mile to the good, and the former cleared the sod wall with a slight advantage. Both refused the logs, and Flukem, coming along gamely, passed bis opponnets, and led into Edmonrls' the second time, followed at some hundreds of yards hy Cingalee, who had by this time resumed the race. Maiipie got safely over, leaving Forella stranded at the logs. Flukem showed the way round the ti-tree out of Edmonels' and over the water, but bo'.h Cingalee and Magpie had lessened the cap considerably. Flukem blundered heavily at the brush and cap near the gate. Cingalee ran off at the samo fence, and Magpie, who had been jumping well, crossed it about two hundred yards behind the leader. Cingilee retired fr. m the contest, and Flu kern's win was loudly pro.laimed, until Olive, his rider, mistaking the course, raced the old fellow up the course proper instead of into Edmonds'. It was seme time before hj discovered his error, and by tha time he got going again his chance was a hopeless one, for Rae on Magpie was half-way home. The victory of the old black horso was received with great enthusiasm, and both he and his lider came iu for a fair share of a-pplauie. Totalisator : Number on machine, 209 ; number ou winner, 102. Dividend, 18s. Claudelands Handicap of 25sovs; second horse 3sovs from the stake. Winner of Cup 101 b penalty. Nomination, 103; acceptance, 15*. 94—Mr \V. G Irwin's ch li Bonire Blue, Clan Stuart—The Gift, aged, Bst 101 b (Taylor) ... 1 21—Mr J. C. Booth's b h Royal Conqueror, Flintlock—Laelybird, 3yrs, 7st 101 b (Jellinga) ... 2 s—Mr R. Piatt's ch m Cleopatra, Nelson —Memphis, aged, 7st 101 b (Jos. Stewart) 3 Also started : (44) Thc Sharper, Bst 61b ; (11) Markinch, Bst 51b ; (27) Bellman, 7st 101 b; (5) Canopus, 7st 81b; (34) Mis.shot, 7st ; (1) Retreat, 7st 2lb including 9!b overweight). The Claudelands Handicap furnished a most interesting race. Thc Sharper was first away, and he led for about half-a-mile, when Bonuie Blue went up, followed by Royal Conqueror, the rest of the Geld sailing along beautifully in line. The same order was maintained into the straight, where Mr Booth's Flintlock horse drew up level with the leailer. Bonnie Blue ageiiu drew away from his opponent; Conqueror, however, came at him once more, and a great race ensued, both horses running well under the whip, but the top weight lasted long enough to secure the judge's verdict by half a head. A protest was entered by Mr Booth against the race beiug awarded to Bonnie Blue on the ground that Taylor, his rider, had been guilty of jostling all thc way up the straight. After making a sea'ching enquiry, during which the riders ami owners of both horses were examined, as well as Mr John Rae, thc protest was dismissed.

Totalisator : Number of invc-tors, 242 : number on winner, 94. Dividend, £1 3s. TitOT Handicap, of 103 ow. Two mi'cs and a-half. 15—Mr A. Williamson's b m l"uby, 65sec. (owner) 1 B—Mr A. Livinnscone'a g g Harry, GOsec. (MeKenzie) 2 34—Mr W. K. Carter's b m Lusitauiii. scratch (Carr) 3 Also started : (18) Hurricane, 35scc. ; (4) Crusty, 35sec. ; (10) Nieanor. 55sec. ; (10) Shocclip, 55sec. ; (17; Bar!', Ru-cc. ; (50) The Skipper, Gosec. ; (4) Emma 65sec. In this race Ruby, who was on the limit mark, immciiately went to the front and was nevei hea led, winning by about her start from Hairy, Lusitania being six or ei;.;ht lengths away third. '! he following protest was entered hy Mr W. K. Garter, the owner of Luisitatiia :—" I hereby protest against. Ruby iiud Shocclip for their trotting, as their riders and trainers are unlicensed by the. North Island Trotting Association." Alter due consecration the stewards decided to dismiss the protest and return the deposit, Totalisator : Number of investors, 170; uum'cr on winner, 15. Dividend, £5 2s. Flying Handicap, of 20_ovs. ; second horse 3sovs. from stake. Distance, five furlongs. G—Mr T. Foley's 1) m Complete, Cap-a-pie Titania, 7at 10lb (T. Veale) 1 20 -Mr R Blaikie's The Owl—Holch kiss—Weasel, 7st 71b, 21b over (.Tellings) ' 2 80—Mr J Rae's b h Bowshot, Maxim —Rainbow, Bst 51b (Taylor) ... 3 Also started : (33) The Sharper, 9st oib 5 (5) Muikinch. Bst 51b ; (11) The Needle, Sst 21b ; (92) Snip, 7st 101 b ; (32) The Drone, 7st 101 b ; (S) Seabreeze, 7sfc sib ; (11) Puhia, 7st 41b ; (33) St. Edith, 7st 31b ; (11) Bouquet, 6st 91b. The Drone and The Owl proved very fractious at the post, both breaking away continually. This delayed the start about half-an-hour. However, after a great many brealt3 away MrStorey got his field away nicely together. The colours of Complete and The Owl were soon prominent. On entering tho stiaight the Thames mare came away and won easily by a couple of lengths, about the same distance separating the second and third horses. Totalisator : Number of investors, 337 : number on winner, 6. Dividend, £25 ss.