BLAST FROM THE PAST
1919 SPRING MEETING: NZ Cup Day
1919 SPRING MEETING: 11 NOVEMBER
The popularity of trotting has never been more strikingly illustrated in Canterbury than it was yesterday, when the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting opened at Addington.
This fixtiure, at which £11,000 will be distributed in stakes during the three days, is easily the most important trotting Meeting of the year in Australasia, and the attendance yesterday must have been of record dimensions. There were visitors present from all parts of the Dominion, among them being his Excellency the Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, who took a very keen interest in the racing.
The weather was beautifully fine, but an easterly breeze made itself felt during the afternoon, and it was largely responsible for the dust that was flying on the track during the running of the earlier races. The racing track was in good order, but not quite so fast as it has been on other occasions, and there is nothing very striking about the times registered during the day.
There is no better equipped trotting ground in the Dominion than that at Addington, but large as are the stands there, they were quite inadequate to cope with the huge attendance, and if the crowds increase as they have done in recent years, the officers of the club will find it a very difficult task to provide sufficient accommodation for them. The grounds generally have never looked better, the well-kept lawns and bright flower-beds giving evidence of careful attention.
With such a large attendance, it was not surprising to find a record sum put through the totalisator, the investments for the day amounting to £76,291, the largest yet recorded at a trotting Meeting in New Zealand, as compared with £52,091 10s on the corresponding day last year. The investments on the New Zealand Trotting Cup were £16,147 10s which is a record for any single event, either trotting or racing in the Dominion. The management of the Meeting was of the usual high standard characteristic of gatherings at Addington, and it was unfortunate that an enquiry after the last race, resulting in the disqualification of the first horse, should have prolonged the proceedings.
The opening event, the Spring Handicap, a saddle race, over a mile and five furlongs, for unhoppled trotters, found Succory made a solid favourite, with Lord Roanchild next in demand. Succory began well, but did not go kindly, and a bad break lost him his place, and he could do no better than finish fourth. Miss Salisbury, who was third favourite, was always in a good position, but at the finish she was outstayed by Mushroom, one of the outsiders of the field, who paid a very substantial dividend. Colonel Havelock, as usual, was running on well at the finish, and finished third.
Schnapps was very solidly backed for the Empire Handicap, a two-mile event, in saddle, and he proved that his supporters' confidence was justified, for he paced solidly throughout, and, staying on well, won nicely from Dillon Eddy, with Will o' the Wisp close up third. Ouimet showed a lot of speed for over a mile and a half, but then left his feet, and was beaten into fifth place.
With these events decided, attention was centred on the New Zealand Trotting Cup, which with its stake of 2500 sovs, in addition to the silver cup presented by the president of the Club, the Hon C Louisson, is the most valuable trotting race of the year in Australasia. Practically ever since the nominations were taken Author Dillon had been favourite, and he retained his position in the betting right up to the start of the race, though Moneymaker was nearly as well backed on the machine. Matchlight, whose form last season was very consistent, was third in demand, and then came Albert Cling, Trix Pointer and Sherwood. They were a very well trained lot, and their prelininaries were closely watched.
The start was a very good one, but John Dillon, who was bracketed with Author Dillon, lost his chance immediately by failing to strike a gait, and took no part in the race. Moneymaker, always a good beginner, was quickly into his stride, and soon established a useful lead, but, as he has so often done at Addington, tired over the final stages and could not respond to the strong challenge thrown out by Trix Pointer, who won in convincing style. The winner, who is an American-bred mare, has been a very consistent performer since she first appeared on the track in New Zealand. She is on the small side, but thoughly genuine, and was driven a very well judged race by her trainer, F Holmes, who, it may be mentioned, purchased her on his last visit to America.
Erin's Queen rather surprised the public by her excellent showing, and it was not until she broke a furlong from home that she lost her chance of a place. Matchlight paced a good race, but Author Dillon's performance was very disappointing. He showed no dash at any stage of the race, and though he raced up to Matchlight he could not pass Bryce's representative and finished a good way back. Albert Cling was never really dangerous, and Agathos broke badly.
After the race the handsome silver cup attached to it was presented to Mr W H Norton by Lady Liverpool. In returning thanks Mr Norton said that it was one of the proudest moments of his life to be the owner of the winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup. He did not deserve that position altogether, as his trainer, F Holmes, was really responsible for the win. He simply occupied the limelight as the owner, but Mr Holmes was the man who brought the horse to the condition to enable her to win. He thanked the president of the club for presenting the cup to the winner of the biggest trotting race in New Zealand.
The Riccarton Handicap was an interesting race between the placed horses, but in the final stages Cello Sydney Wilkes had no trouble in stalling off Dean Dillon's challenge, Admiral Wood finished strongly and took third place from Rorke's Drift, who had been responsible for much of the early running.
Olive L who was made favourite for the Middleton Handicap, a two-mile harness race for unhoppled trotters, did not go very kindly, and made three bad mistakes which probably cost her the race. Lady Patricia trotted very steadily, but Imperial Crown outstayed her at the finish, registering a very good performance. Beeswing, on the limit, went off with a big lead, but broke badly before going half a mile.
The Victoria Handicap was a very interesting race. Legacy led most of the way, but failed to see the journey out, and Dandy Chimes, well driven by J Bryce, beat him home. Jack Arrah did not get a good run, but showed a lot of speed. Capriccio and Nora Creina were left at the post.
The St Albans Handicap was not a very exciting affair, for Birdwood, who has so often disappointed his connections, was on this occasion on his best behaviour, and beginning smartly led throughout, and won easily from All Bell.
The Hagley Handicap, which brought the day's racing to a close, was a very solid betting race. Capriccio was a pronounced favourite with Pitaroa, Child and Sashwood well backed. Capriccio left the mark smartly, and though she broke six furlongs from home, she lost no ground and maintained her lead. In the straight she broke again, and galloped past the post, followed by Chid, Makomako and Pitaroa. The stewards were immediately called together, and after consideration disqualified Capriccio under Rule 293, which reads: "When any horse breaks from his gait, the rider or driver shall immediately pull him to the gait at which he was to go the race, and if any rider or driver shall fail to comply with this requirement the horse he is riding or driving, if it is placed, shall be disqualified for the race, and the rider or driver may be fined any sum not exceeding £20, or be suspended or disqualified for any term." The race was consequently awarded to Chid, with Makomako second and Pitaroa third. Details of the races are:-
SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 250 sovs; second 50, third 25. For unhoppled trotters only. 4.2 class. One mile and five furlongs.
E Berry's b g Mushroom by Young Governor colt, aged, 5sec, Owner 1.
W Orange's b m Miss Salisbury, aged, 8sec, Owner 2
C Davey's ch g Colonel Havelock, aged, 7sec, H Gaskill 3
Lord Roanchild scr, Balnamoan 3sec, Treasure Seeker 5sec, Ben Bell 6sec, Chub 7sec, Te Kuiti 7sec, Marvin Junr 8sec, Miss Lorna 9sec, Tonight 10sec, Succory 10sec, Jessie's Dream 10sec, Pieter Timmerman 10sec, Rita Rose 10sec and Dragoon Junr 10sec also started.
Dragoon Junr failed to get away at the start, and Succory led from Jessie's Dream, Rita Rose and Miss Salisbury. Passing the stand the second time Te Kuiti and Succory led and Lord Roanchild improved his position. Going down the back Mushroom went to the front and with Miss Salisbury led into the straight. The latter broke one hundred yards from the post, and Mushroom won by half a length. Colonel Havelock was six lengths away third, followed by Succory and Lord Roanchild. Times - 3m 52 1/5s; 3m 55 2/5s; 3m 57 3/5s.
EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 250 sovs; second 50, third 25. 4.48 class. Two miles.
E G McCullough's b g Schnapps by Tom Sayers, aged, 5sec, E McDermott 1.
W Eddy's b g Dillon Eddy, 6yrs, 6sec D Bennett 2.
Mr Meorut's b g Will o' the Wisp, 6yrs, 8sec, A Butterfield 3.
Granger scr, Silver Nut 5sec, Mahinga 6sec, The Whip 8sec, Blue Chimes 8sec, Lady Wayward 8sec, Ouimet 8sec, Irvingwood 9sec and Calton 9sec also started.
Ouimet and Will o' the Wisp were quickest to strike a gait and the pair led round the top turn and going past the stand the order was Ouimet, Will o' the Wisp, Calton and Silver Nut, while Granger was called off for starting before his time. The second round was run in the same order, excepting that Schnapps considerably improved his position and Dillon Eddy was pacing seadily in fifth place. At the tanks Ouimet broke and lost his position, and by the time the straight was reached Schnapps had drawn level with Calton, who at once went to a break. Dillon Eddy finished fast, but Schnapps held his own and won by a length with Will o' the Wisp half a dozen lengths away. Calton was fourth and Ouimet fifth. Times - 4m 42s;4m 43 2/5s; 4m 49s.
NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 2500 sovs, and silver cup Presented by Hon C Louisson; second 500, third 300, fourth 200. 4.33 class. Two miles.
W H Norton's b m Trix Pointer by Demonio-Bally Pointer, 6yrs, 6sec, F Holmes 1.
J G S Holmes's b g Moneymaker, aged, 9sec, A Pringle 2.
Cross Bros & J Bryce's b h Matchlight, aged, 2sec, J Bryce 3.
S G Lemon's br g Sherwood, aged, 6sec, N L Price 4.
Exors J Knight's b h Author Dillon, aged, scr, B Jarden
N Green's br g Albert Cling, 6yrs, 5sec, A Hendricksen
A R Edgerton's br g Don Caesar, aged, 6sec, A Butterfield
C Channing's br g Agathos, aged, 6sec, J Cockerill
J D Parker's ch m Erin's Queen, aged, 8sec, A Fleming
F H Robson's b h Mintson,aged, 9sec, A G Wilson
John Dillon broke up at the start and was pulled up; his stable mate, Author Dillon, was travelling fast, but did not get away quite up to his bell, and Agathos skipped at the tanks. Moneymaker went off at a very solid pace and quickly established a considerable break on Mintson and Erin's Queen, and a six lengths gap separated this pair from Trix Pointer and Sherwood. Passing the stand the first time Moneymaker had a six lengths lead on Erin's Queen and Mintson, with Trix Pointer following. At this stage Author Dillon had closed on several of the field, but had made no impression on the leaders. Going down the back stretch the order was the same, but at this stage Albert Cling was pacing very solidly, and Author Dillon appeared to be picking up ground. Agathos again broke, and was not persevered with.
On commencing the final round Moneymaker led Erin's Queen by six lengths while Trix Pointer was in third position, followed by Don Caesar and Sherwood, who were pacing well and Mintson. Going down the back Erin's Queen raced up to Moneymaker, and Author Dillon, who was well beaten, left his feet momentarity. Erin's Queen and Moneymaker led into the straight, followed by Trix Pointer, who was hitting out in great style. Half-way down the running both the leaders were under the whip and Trix Pointer, staying on beautifully and pacing fautlessly, gathered them both and won a well-judged race by close on three lengths from Moneymaker, while Matchlight, staying on well defeated Sherwood by four lengths. Erin's Queen who broke in the straight was fifth, Mintson sixth and the rest pulling up. Times - 4m 30s; 4m 33 4/5s; 4m 27 3/5s.
RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 400 sovs; second 80, third 40. 3.44 class. One mile and five furlongs.
Mrs T L Morrison's b h Cello Sydney Wilkes by Harold Dillon-Cremona Wilkes, aged, 7sec, J McLennan 1.
Wootton & Fleming's b g Dean Dillon, aged, 8sec, A Fleming 2.
W H Norton's br h Admiral Wood, aged, 2sec, J Bryce 3.
Tommy C 4sec, Cora Dillon 5sec, Huon Patch 6sec, Hannah M 7sec, Nancy Stair 7sec, Bundura 8sec, Star Queen 9sec, Rorke's Drift 9sec and Captain Stanley 9sec also started.
Captain Stanley and Huon Patch refused to go, and Rorke's Drift at once went away with several lengths lead of Star Queen, Dean Dillon, Bundura and Cello Sydney Wilkes. This order was maintained all through the first round, but going down the back Cello Sydney Wilkes and Dean Dillon went away from the others. In the straight Cello Sydney Wilkes easily held his own, and won nicely by two lengths, with the third horse six lengths away. Rorke's Drift was fourth and Bundura fifth. Times - 3m 42 1/5s; 3m 43 4/5s: 3m 39s.
MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60, third 30. 4.48 class. For unhoppled trotters only. Two miles.
N L Price's b h Imperial Crown by Rothschild-Imperious mare, aged, 7sec, Owner 1.
W L Moir's br m Lady Patricia, aged, 10sec, A Fleming 2.
A Smith's b g King Capitalist, aged, 4sec, H Barraclough 3.
Red Heather 3sec, Whisht 4sec, Olive L 6sec, Gay Wilkes 7sec, Electrocute 7sec, Paul Huon 9sec and Beeswing 11sec also started.
Beeswing went off at a great pace, and soon had a big lead from Lady Patricia. The leader broke in the straight and lost all chances of winning, and Olive L also went very unsteadily. Imperial Crown and Lady Patricia carried on the running practically all the way, with Beeswing in third place. Imperial Crown stayed the better, and beat Lady Patricia by three lengths, while King Capitalist finished fast and beat Olive L by a length. Paul Huon was fifth. Times - 4m 42 3/5s; 4m 46 1/5s; 4m 41s.
VICTORIA HANDICAP (in harness) of 400 sovs; second 80, third 40. 4,41 class. Two miles.
W B Masham's br g Dandy Chimes by Four Chimes-Kentucky mare, aged, 4sec, J Bryce 1.
R McLeod's b g Legacy, 6yrs, 4sec, R Logan 2.
R J Stone's ch g Gleaming, 5yrs, 4sec W Warren, 3.
Sympathy scr, Capriccio scr, Jack Arrah 1sec, Norah Creina 1sec, Reta Peter 1sec, Brown's Nugget 2sec, Sir Fulham 3sec and George Hard 4sec also started.
Norah Creina and Capriccio stopped on the mark and took no part in the race. Legacy and Sir Fulham at once went off in the lead, with Gleaming, George Hard and Jack Arrah following in that order. These positions were maintained for a circuit when Brown's Nugget, with Legacy drew out from the rest. The latter broke, and Dandy Chimes improved his position. Legacy led into the straight, but Dandy Chimes came with a good run and won by two lengths, Gleaming, six lengths away, just beating Reta Peter. Jack Arrah was fifth. Times - 4m 41 2/5s; 4m 41 4/5s; 4m 42s.
ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle) of 250 sovs; second 50, third 25. 2.18 class. One mile.
J Jarden's blk h Birdwood by Wildwood Jun-Wattle, 6yrs, 5sec, B Jarden 1.
Paton & Fleming's blk g All Bell, 4yrs, 5sec, A Fleming 2.
C North's b m Pleasant Mount, 6yrs, 5sec, J Armstrong 3.
Cora Dillon scr, Ariadne 2sec and King Karri 4sec coupled, Lord Dillon 2sec, Captain Stanley 3sec, Frank Tracey 3sec, Xavier 4sec and Proudspring 4sec also started.
Birdwood hopped out smartly, and leading all the way, won very easily by four lengths. All Bell looked at one stage like beating the winner, but failed to sustain his effort. Pleasant Mount was six lengths further away, followed by Ariadne and King Karri. Times - 2m 15 1/5s; 2m 16 3/5s; 2m 18 4/5s.
HAGLET HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60, third 30. 2.50 class. One mile and a quarter.
W B Masham's blk g Chid by St Elmo-Lady Brentwood, aged, 4sec, J Bryce 1.
H W Kitchingham's b g Mako Mako, aged, 7sec, W Brown 2.
S Wootton's b g Pitaroa, 5yrs, 7sec, A Fleming 3.
E G McCullough's b m Capriccio, aged, 7sec, E McDermott disq.
Sashwood 4sec, Sungod 4sec, Vice-Admiral 5sec, Tamarisk 6sec, Bundong 6sec and Pax 7sec also started.
Capriccio commenced very smartly and led past the stand from Pitaroa and Tamarisk, with Chid handy. Along the back Capriccio was still in front with Pitaroa, Bundong following and Chid making a fast run. Capriccio led into the straight and appeared to be winning easily. She broke thirty yards from the post and galloped past six lengths in front of Chid. Maka Mako was three lengths away, followed by Pitaroa, Sashwood and Sungod. Times - Chid 2m 45 4/5s; Mako Mako 2m 50s.
After the race the stewards held an enquiry and disqualified Capticcio under Rule293, the race being awarded to Chid, with Mako Mako second and Pitaroa third..
Credit: The Press 12 Nov 1919
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