BLAST FROM THE PAST
SPRING MEETING: First Day
1914 SPRING MEETING: Tuesday 10 November
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting opened at Addington yesterday, under most favourable conditions. The weather was beautifully fine: the heat indeed being somewhat oppressive during part of the afternoon, while towards the close of the day the nor'-west wind raised a considerable amount of dust. The very large attendance showed how popular the light harness sport has become in Christchurch, and all parts of the Dominion were represented in the assemblage. Among those present were Sir J G Ward, the Hon. J D Ormond, Messrs T H Lowry, W G Stead, W F M Buckley, J B Reid, J F Reid, H W Kitchingham, F W Edwards, C F Mark, J G Lecky and W T Hazlett.
The track was in capital order, as the times registered in most of the races showed, though some of the later events were not responsible for very fast perfomances. The racing, taken generally, was of a very interesting character, and the management of the Meeting, under Mr A I Rattray's experienced supervision, was, as usual, complete in every detail. The Club's recently-appointed stipendiary stewards, Messrs C H Gorton and J S Berry, were acting for the first time, the former being given the position of senior steward. They found a few mattters to occupy their attention during the afternoon, but nothing of any serious importance.
The speculation on the totalisator was spirited right through the afternoon, and last years total of £42,558 was exceeded by just over £300, yesterdays figures being £42,869 10s. The investments on the New Zealand Cup amounted to £9321, a slight increase on last year's amount of £9257 10s. Several of the Australian horses that have been brought across for the meeting, were competing during the afternoon, but they made rather disappointing showing.
Fancy Gantle, one of the Australian contingent, was made a very hot favourite for the opening event, the Spring Handicap, a two mile race in saddle for unhoppled trotters. The favourite refused to strike a gait until her chance was hopeless. Lochiel, who was one of the least fancied of the field, began smartly, and leading all the way, won without any difficulty from Frank Wilkes. The latter was always close to the leader, but broke twice when under pressure in the last half mile. Fiction was a very poor third, the others being strung out.
Grandee's form at Oamaru, less than a fortnight ago, brought him very solid support for the Empire Handicap, and he carried almost twice as much money as Sherwood, who was second favourite. The favourite was going well a mile from home, but a little further on had had enough. Wingatui made the early running but in the last half mile Sherwood and Disappear drew away from the others, and they fought out a very exciting finish, Sherwood staying on well, and winning a good race by a head.
There were three scratchings for the big race of the day, the New Zealand Cup, which, with its stake of 2500 sovs, in addition to the handsome silver cup presented by the president of the Club (the Hon. C Louisson), exceeded in value any race yet competed for in the Dominion. Lady Clare, Red Mac and Havoc were those withdrawn, and Don Caesar was made a slightly better favourite than Win Soon, while Denver Huon, Adonis, Manderene, and Country Belle were very evenly supported. There was little delay at the start, but though the competitors moved off at their proper times, with the exception of King Cole, who refused to leave the mark, several of them were slow in getting into their gait, and their chances were very early extinguished. Albert H, Don Caesar, Bright, and Denver Huon all began badly, and Bright fell before they had gone a couple of furlongs, but his driver escaped unhurt. Win Soon was quickest to begin, and she never lost her place in front. Over the last half mile she was challenged by Country Belle, and this pair had the race to themselves, drawing right away from the rest of the field. Country Belle made a game effort as they came into the straight, but Win Soon had most left in reserve, and at the end she was holding Country Belle quite safely. Eccentric was a dozen lengths away third, and then in order came Ravenschild, Manderene, Don Caesar, Denver Huon, and Adonis. Albert H, who split a hoof, was last to finish.
The time registered by Win Soon was the fastest yet recorded in the race, and the performance stamps her as a mare of exceptional brilliance. The best time put up by a previous winner of the race was 4min 33sec, by Wildwood junr, when he won the race for the second time in 1910. Win Soon was timed to run the first half in 1min 8sec, one mile in 2min 15sec and going on at an almost even pace, covered the second mile in 2min 16sec, and the full journey in 4min 31sec. Country Belle improved considerably on any of her previous efforts in running second, while Eccentric showed a return to form and Emmeline, who secured fourth place was running on well at the finish. After the race the cup was presented to Messrs Stevenson and McMath by Mrs C Louisson, the wife of the president, who congratulated them on their success.
Norval King was made favourite for the Middleton Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, and he justified the public confidence by winning in good style from Adventuress, with Olive L, one of M Edwards's Australian team, in third place. Olive L showed a good turn of pace, but lost some ground by breaking, and was running out wide for most of the journey. Imperial Crown, who might have given Norval King some trouble, broke badly at the end of a mile, and would not settle into his stride again until his chance was gone.
The Lyttelton Handicap found White House, Antonio and Bonista very evenly supported. The last-named quickly settled her chance by breaking at the start. Antonio made the pace until half a mile from home where Our Thorpe and White House closed on him. Our Thorpe finished in very determined fashion, and put up a splendid performance for a four-year-old by pacing the two miles in 4min 38 4/5th sec, less than a second outside the time required for qualification in the New Zealand Cup. Antonio seemed sure of second place, but his driver eased him on the post, and White House just got up in time to beat him.
The St Albans Handicap brought about the defeat of another hot favourite in Kinetic, who was backed just about twice as strongly as the second favourite, Frandocia. Kinetic ran a good race, but over the last two furlongs Frandocia put in a very strong run, and finishing better than any of the others, drew away in the straight, and won by four lengths from Quinaldine, who had led from the start. Caledon broke badly in the straight or he might have been placed.
The Riccarton Handicap was a very interesting contest. Marble Arch, one of the Australian team, showed great dash in the early part of the race, but was unable to continue his effort. Over the last half-mile Muricata was going very well, but a couple of breaks spoilt the chance of this fine trotter, and Jingle, who came from a long way back, won comfortably from Mountain Rose, the latter putting in a run in the straight which gave her second place after she had apparently dropped right out.
The last race of the day, the Hagley Handicap, was not a very exciting affair. Frank Tracey, who was a hot favourite, failed to get going properly, and Bequest leading all the way, won comfortably from Child Beldon, with Corbell and Oceanic next. The following are details of the racing:-
SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 40sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters. Two miles.
D Bohan's br g Lochiel, by Kentucky, aged, 14sec (J McLennan) 1
J L Lopp's b g Frank Wilkes, 6yrs, 14sec (N L Price) 2
A J Harper's b g Fiction, aged, 10sec (A Butterfield) 3
Maoriwood scr, Benmore 2sec, Mayflower 8sec, Armamenter 8sec, Savanna 11sec, Blythe Lad 11sec, Fancy Gentle 12sec and Hiroki 14sec also started.
Fancy Gantle refused to leave the mark until her chance was hopeless. Lochiel at once went to the front, and with Frank Wilkes and Hiroki next, showed the waypast the stand. Going along the back, Blythe Lad ran into third place, but broke almost at once, and dropped back. With a lap to go, Lochiel was just clear of Frank Wilkes, with Armamenter and Fiction next. Lochiel was in front along the back, and at the tanks Frank Wilkes closed on him, but broke. The latter broke again in the straight and Lochiel won easily by six lengths. Fiction was fifty yards away third, and then came Mayflower anf Hiroki. Time, 5min.
EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 40 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W D Lemon's blk g Sherwood, by Kerrwood-Jessie B, 4yrs, 14sec (A Bright) 1
W J Doyle's b h Disappear, 5yrs, 10sec (J McLennan) 2
R G C Munro's b m Stanley's Child, 6yrs, 11sec (R Logan) 3
Gertie L 11sec, Grandee 11sec, Bold Maid 12sec, Gee Whizz 12sec, General Wylie 12sec, Law Chimes 13sec, Bonification 13sec, Minoru 14sec, Scotch Mist 14sec and Wingatui 14sec also started.
Wingatui was quickest to begin, and passing the stand was followed by Sherwood, Grandee and Law Chimes. There was not much change in the next circuit, except that Stanley's Child closed on the leading division, and Disappear also improved his position. Six furlongs from home Wingatui, Sherwood, Stanley's Child and Disappear were almost on terms, but along the back Wingatui lost his place. Disappear closed on Sherwood two furlongs from home, but in a good race Sherwood held his advantage, and won by a head. Stanley's Child was six lengths away third, and then came Wingatui, General Wylie, Grandee and Bold Maid. Time, 4min 48sec.
NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 2500 sovs, and cup presented by Hon C Louisson; second 500 sovs, third 300 sovs and 200 sovs from stake. Two miles.
Stevenson & McMath's ch m Win Soon, by King Child-Topsy, aged, 6sec (A Pringle) 1
W J Morland's br m Country Belle, 6yrs, 5sec (Owner) 2
R T Reid's gr g Eccentric, aged, 6sec (J Brankin) 3
R Geddes & M Edwards's ch h Denver Huon, aged, scr (M Edwards)
Mrs R O Duncan's ch h King Cole, aged, 2sec (J Conway)
Hopkins & Bennett's b h Albert H, aged, 3sec (J Bryce)
J McCutcheon's b h Ravenschild, aged, 4sec (N L Price)
A G Wilson's b h Bright, aged, 5sec (Owner)
F C Hanbury's br g Don Caesar, 4yrs, 5sec (R Allan)
J C Whitman's b h Adonis, aged, 6sec (F H ?)
J G Lecky's blk h Manderene, aged
Don Caesar, Albert H, Bright and Denver Huon began badly, and King Cole stood on the mark. Win Soon, going off smartly, took the lead from Eccentric, Manderene, Country Belle, Adonis and Ravenschild. Bright fell before they had gone a couple of furlongs. Passing the stand the order was Win Soon, Eccentric, Country Belle, Manderene, Adonis and Ravenschild, while Albert H and Denver Huon were a long way back. Going out of the straight and along the back, Win Soon kept her place in front but at the tanks Country Belle closed on Eccentric, and a little further on took second place, the order of the others being Eccentric, Manderene, Adonis, Ravenschild and Don Caesar. With a lap to go, Win Soon still showed the way to Country Belle, after whom, at an interval of two lengths, came Eccentric, and then Manderene, Adonis, Ravenschild, Emmeline, and Don Caesar. At this stage Adonis broke, and lost his place. Going along the back Win Soon and Country Belle were followed by Eccentric and Emmeline, while Don Caesar was also closing up. At the tanks Win Soon and Country Belle drew right away from the rest of the field, and in the straight Win Soon held Country Belle safe, and at the finish drew away to win by four lengths. Eccentric was twelve lengths away third, and then close uo came Emmeline fourth, followed in order by Ravenschild, Manderene and Don Caesar. Denver Huon and Adonis were some distance away next, and Albert H was last to finish. Time, 4min 31sec.
MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 50 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. Two miles.
A Quigley's b h Norval King, by Norval-Golden Mary, 5yrs, 16sec (F Holmes) 1
T G Fox's b m Adventuress, aged, 11sec (Owner) 2
Mrs J Lawrence's b m Olive L, 4yrs, 11sec (M Edwards) 3
Winn Alto scr, Electrocute 6sec, Craibwood 9sec, Miss Dexter 10sec, Mystic 13sec, Truganini 14sec, Te Kuiti 15sec, Parole Bells 16sec and Imperial Crown 11sec also started.
Norval King and Imperial Crown made the pace over the early stages, with Te Kuiti, Adventuress and Olive L next. Norval King and Imperial Crown were together as they entered the second circuit, but in the back stretch the latter broke badly, and refused to settle down again. Adventuress then took second place and Olive L third, this pair being Norval King's nearest attendants six furlongs from home. There was no change in the order over the final circuit, Norval King holding his advantage, and winning by three lengths from Adventuress, who was a similar distance in front of Olive L. Then came Truganni, Te Kuiti and Electrocute. Time, 4min 55 2/5th sec.
LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Fleming's b c Our Thorpe, by OYM-Lady Thorpe, 4yrs, 7sec (A Fleming) 1
G McBean's b m White House, 6yrs, 7sec (E McDermott) 2
R Reay's b h Antonio, aged, 10sec (Owner) 3
Redchild scr, Spot(Australia) 2sec, Piecework 5sec, Childsdale 6sec, Regina Belle 6sec, Jack Ashore 8sec, Arisdne 8sec, Succeed 8sec, Our Aggie 8sec, Franzalena 8sec, Proud Girl 9sec, Lady Rattoo 10sec, Erina 10sec and Bonista 10sec also started.
Lady Rattoo and Bonista broke at the Start. Antonio and Erina began smartly and with Jack Ashore, Our Aggie and Franzalena next, made the running past the stand and out of the straight. Antonio was in front over the next lap, and with six furlongs to go, was followed by Our Aggie, Franzalena, Our Thoupe and White House. Along the back Our Aggie lost her place, and Our Thorpe and White House closed on Antonio. Our Thorpe and Antonio were on terms as they came into the straight, but in the run home Our Thorpe stayed the better and won by a couple of lengths. White House just got up in time to beat Antonio by a head for second place. Childsdale was fourth and Franzalena next, the rest a long way back. Time. 4min 38 4/5th sec.
ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 40 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. One mile.
Ha? & Simpson's b g Frandocia, by Franz-Cappadocia, aged, 3sec (A Butterfield) 1
J C Smith's br m Quinaldine, 6yrs, 4sec (G Stoddard) 2
B Shadbolt's b m Rawene, aged, 4sec (B Shadbolt, jun) 3
Nan 2sec, Clingschild 2sec, Andy Regan 3sec, Baron Franz 4sec, Persuader 4sec, Mattie 4sec, Uniform 4sec, Kinetic 4sec, Wallace Junior 4sec, Lincoln Junior 4sec, Caledon 5sec and Millwood 5sec also started.
Quinaldine, Caledon and Kinetic were in front as they passed the stand and in the back stretch Millwood and Frandocia closed up. Frandocia was on terms with Qiunaldine when the straight was reached, and finishing well, won by four lengths. Rawene and Kinetic were together about three lengths away, and the former was placed third. Baron Franz was at the head of the next bunch. Time, 2min 17sec.
RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
H W Kitchingham's b h Jingle, by Capitalist-Merry Bell, aged, 5sec (H Gaskill) 1
M Dickens's b m Mountain Rose, aged, 9sec (A Butterfield) 2
W F Clinton's rn m Muricata, aged, 8sec (N L Price) 3
Lovelock 3sec, Marble Arch 4sec, Edith A 6sec, Lord Elmo 6sec, Goldwood 7sec, St Swithin 7sec, Fashionwood 7sec, Little Tib 8sec, Crown Prince 8sec, Al Franz 9sec and Tommy C 9sec also started.
Al Franz and Mountain Rose were in front in the early stages of the race, in which Marble Arch showed a great burst of speed. With half the journey gone, the order was Al Franz, Tommy C, Muricata, Mountain Rose, Marble Arch and Little Tib. Along the back Tommy C had taken charge from Al Franz, with Muricata and Mountain Rose next, and Jingle moving up fast. Rounding the turn to the straight Muricata broke, and Jingle finishing well, won by three lengths from Mountain Rose, who came with a late run and beat Muricata by six lengths for second place, with Fashionwood and Tommy C next. Time, 3min 27 4/5th sec.
HAGLEY HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 50 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. One mile.
Mrs R C H Page's b m Bequest, by Galindo-The Gift, 5yrs, 2sec (T C Fox) 1
N Clogg's b m Child Beldon, aged, scr (Owner) 2
H Williams's gr g Corbell, 6yrs, 1sec (J Milne) 3
Frank Tracey scr, Erina scr, Oceanic 1sec, Bonny Jenny 1sec and Penelope 1sec also started.
Bequest got away well and led past the stand from Corbell, Child Beldon and Oceanic while Frank Tracey was slow to begin. Bequest was never headed, and won comfortably by six lengths from Child Beldon who just beat Corbell for second place. Oceanic was fourth and Frank Tracey fifth. Time, 2min 24sec.
Credit: The Press 11 Nov 1914
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