BLAST FROM THE PAST
1917 SPRING MEETING: Third Day
1917 SPRING MEETING: FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting was concluded at Addington yesterday in beautiful weather: indeed the club has been exceedingly fortunate in the weather experienced at this year's carnivalv fixture, which has been carried out under very favourable conditions.
With the observance of a general holiday, the crowd that thronged the enclosures was enormous, and the extensive accommodation provided in the various stands was taxed to the utmost, while there were large numbers of people in the middle of the course. Some of the events were won with comparative ease, but as was the case on the previous days, the sport generally reached a very high grade, and visitors from other parts of the Dominion could not fail to be impressed with the standard that has been reached by trotting in Canterbury. The course has rarely been faster, and in practically every event the placed horses improved considerably on their best previous times.
The management of the gathering under the supervision of the club's experienced secretary, Mr A I Rattray, was as efficient as ever; Mr H Brinkman's handicapping produced some really fine racing, and Mr W Black, the starter, sent the fields away in very satisfactory manner. Financially, the Meeting should turn out very well, as on each day the totalisator investments showed an increase over the figures for the corresponding day last year. the amounts for each day of this week's fixtures were :-
First Day 1917 £47,335: 1916 £37,433 10s
Second Day 1917 £38,473: 1916 £36,109 10s
Third Day 1917 £50,531: 1916 £45,247
TOTALS 1917 £136,339: 1916 £118,790
Increase £17,549
The most important event on the programme was the Christchurch Handicap, of 750 sovs, two miles, for horses that have done 4.36 or had been handicapped on that time. All the twelve acceptors went to the post, and they were responsible for a splendid race. J Bryce's pair, Sherwood and Solo, were backed down to a very short price, while Author Dillon, Evelyn and Moneymaker were supported in that order. Reggie Huon failed to show any pace in the early stages, and Author Dillon also lost some ground at the start. General link was the principal agent in setting a very solid pace, but when the real pressure was applied was unable to respond. Sherwood was always in a good position, and though the field was bunched as they turned into the straight, the favourite drew away in the run home, and won in capital style. Oinako, Soda and Moneymaker were almost in line behind the winner, and the judge placed them in that order. Author Dillon put in some brilliant work over the last mile, and eventually finished close up in fifth place. As the winner cut out the distance in 4min 29sec, and was in receipt of 7sec from Author Dillon, the latter would have had to put up a phenomenal performance to have been successful, but his finishing run suggested that the task might not have been beyond him had he been better placed in the early stages.
The Dominion Trotting Handicap, the most valuable event of the year for unhoppled trotters, attracted a field of nine, but it did not produce a very exciting contest, for Olive L was in front all the way, and won decisively from Red Heather. The winner, who was successful the previous day, showed a great improvement on anything she has previouly accomplished. Hardy Wilkes displayed his brilliant speed, but only in patches, and breaking up badly on more than one occasion lost his chance.
A fine performance on the part of an unhoppled trotter was that registered by Bellflower, who beat the pacers badly in the Australasian Handicap, and won very decisively in the fast time of 4min 25 3/5th sec.
The Hornby Handicap was a very interesting event, and, as on the previous day, the concluding event brought about a splendid finish between Sungod and Dunspey, the former again outstaying his opponent. Details of the racing are:-
GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP (in saddle) of 225 sovs; second 45 sovs and third 22 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. 4.56 or better. Two miles.
Wilson & Thompson's b g The Sprinter by Del Paso-Miss Ladybird, aged, scr (T Annett) 1
A Donaldson's b m Fairy Whispers,aged, 11sec (R Allen) 2
F Holmes's b g Treasure Seeker, aged, 3sec (F Holmes, jun) 3
Gay Wilkes scr, Winn All 1sec, Truganini 1sec, King William 4sec, Gemma 4sec and Sol 6sec also started.
Fairy Whispers went away well, and at the end of half a mile had a good lead from Sol, after whom came Treasure Seeker and The Sprinter. Before completing a round Sol was called off for starting before his time, and Fairy Whispers went on in front from The Sprinter and Winn All. With a lap to go Fairy Whispers was tiring, and The Sprinter and Winn All closed on her. Winn All broke half a mile from home, and The Sprinter was in charge entering the straight. Fairy Whispers finished well under pressure and was only a length and a half behind The Sprinter at the post. Winn All broke in the straight, and Treasure Seeker who was four lengths behind Fairy Whispers beat him for third place. King William was fifth. Time, 4min 39 3/5th sec.
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R W Franks, the rider of Sol in the Governor's Handicap at Addington, yesterday, was fined £2 for starting before his time. J McLennan, the rider of Gemma, was fined £10 for starting before his time, and for giving misleading evidence at th enquiry held by the stewards.
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LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. 4.42 or better. Two miles.
A Allen's blk g Willie Lincoln by Lord Elmo-Mary Lincoln, aged, 2sec (A Fleming) 1
W E Simes's b g Pax, aged, 6sec (F Holmes) 2
J Smith's ch f Dillon Maid, 4yrs, 4sec (A Hendricksen) 3
Karyrie 2sec, Lady Haldane 4sec, Huon Drift 4sec, Dillon Eddy 4sec, and Bundura 6sec also started.
Huon Drift refused to leave the mark, and took no part in the race, while Lady Haldane lost a lot of ground by beginning badly. Pax, beginning smartly, was well clear of Bundura and Dillon Maid at the end of half a mile, but going out of the straight Dillon Maid ran past Bundura, after whom came Willie Lincoln. With a lap to go Pax was still out in front, while Willie Lincoln ran into second place as they turned into the back stretch. Pax broke just before reaching the straight, and Willie Lincoln caught him and beat him home by four lengths. Dillon Maid was six lengths away third, with Bundura fourth, Karyrie fifth and Lady Haldane sixth. Time, 4min 37sec
CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP (in harness) of 750 sovs; second 150 sovs and third 75 sovs from stake. 4.36 or better. Two miles.
S G Lemon's blk g Sherwood by Kerrwood-Jessie B, aged, 9sec (J Bryce) 1
G Booker's ch h Oinako, 6yrs, 8sec (R W Franks) 2
G Borgfeldt's b m Soda, aged, 9sec (A Butterfielf) 3
Mrs A M Seymour's b h Admiral Wood, aged, scr (J H Wilson)
J Knight's b h Author Dillon, 5yrs, 2sec (B Jarden)
R McDonnell's b m Evelyn, aged, 8sec (Owner)
F Roe's gr m Steel Bell, aged, 8sec (J Lynch)
J G S Holmes's b g Moneymaker, aged, 9sec (A Pringle)
S Chambers's ch m Succeed, aged, 11sec (W R Thomas)
M Edwards's rn h Reggie Huon, 5yrs 11sec (Owner)
J Brankin's b g General Link, aged, 11sec (Owner)
J M Tompson's b m Brown Bell, aged, 11sec (F Holmes)
(Sherwood and Soda were bracketed).
Reggie Huon was slow to begin, and Author Dillon also lost ground at the start. General Link was quickest away, and at the end of half a mile was showing the way to Succeed, Moneymaker, Sherwood, Soda and Brown Bell with Admiral Wood bringing up the rear. Going along the back Sherwood moved up into third place, and with a lap to go he was on terms with General Link with Succeed. Moneymaker, Evelyn, Brown Bell and Steel Bell following in close order. Racing to the back Evelyn, Brown Bell improved her position; a little further on Evelyn put in a good run, while at the far turn Oinako joined the leading division. Turning towards the straight, the field was well bunched, and a great race resulted. Sherwood drew clearin the run home, and won by two lengths from Oinako, who was almost in line with Soda and Moneymaker, heads only separating them. Author Dillon, who put in brilliant work over the last half-mile, was close up fifth, and General Link next. Time, 4min 29sec.
AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. 4.44 or better. Two miles.
J Hamilton's b m Bellflower by Bellman, aged, 2sec (A Pringle) 1
R Logan's blk g Captain Stanley, 6yrs, 4sec (J McLennan) 2
W E Simes's b g Pax, aged, 6sec (F Holmes, jun) 3
Cora Dillon scr and Jolly Girl 4sec(bracketed), St Ursula 2sec, Red Mac 6sec, Commander Bell 7sec, St Michael 7sec, Bridgewood 7sec and Rorke's Drift 8sec also started.
Rorke's Drift was quickly into his stride, having St Michael, Pax, and Bridgewood in close attendance over the first half-mile. Commander Bell, who was then with the leading division, broke badly and lost a lot of ground. In the second round, Bridgewood took charge, but with a lap to go the order of the leaders was Cora Dillon, St Michael, Pax, Bridgewood, St Ursula, and Bellflower, while Commander Bell, who had gathered up her field in good style, made another bad break in the straight. Bellflower put in a strong run along the back stretch, and taking charge at the tanks, won very easily by ten lengths from Captain Stanley, who came with a late run and beat Pax for second place by half a length. St Ursula was close up fourth, St Michael fifth and Bridgewood next. Time, 4min 35 3/5th sec
DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP (in harness) of 600 sovs; second 120 sovs and third 60 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. 4.45 or better. Two miles.
Mrs J Lawrence's b m Olive L by Wallace L-Cissie Wood, aged, 10sec (E Berry) 1
W R McNarn's b g Red Heather, 6yrs, 10sec (A Cox) 2
Allen & Fleming's b h Hardy Wilkes, aged, scr (A Fleming) 3
C Allington's b g Whispering Willie, aged, 6sec (J Shaw)
W B Masham's b g Redchild, aged, 7sec (M Edwards)
A R Edgerton's ch g Lord Roanchild, aged, 9sec (J Bryce)
J Smith's b h Paul Huon, aged, 9sec (Owner)
W J Moir's blk m Lady Patricia, 6yrs, 11sec (N L Price)
F Holmes's b g Treasure Seeker, aged, 11sec (Owner)
(Hardy Wilkes and Lady Patricia were bracketed)
Lady Patricia was slow to begin, and Olive L quickly established a good lead from Treasure Seeker, Lord Roanchild and Red Heather. At the end of half a mile Lord Roanchild was on terms with Treasure Seeker, while Olive L was still going along freely in front. Going along the back, Hardy Wilkes began to improve his position, but broke under pressure, while Red Heather moved up into third place. With a lap to go Olive L was followed by Lord Roanchild, Red Heather, Treasure Seeker, Redchild and Hardy Wilkes. Red Heather displaced Lord Roanchild before they turned into the straight, but could make no impression on Olive L who won easily by six lengths. Hardy Wilkes who showed a lot of pace over the last half-mile, but did not go very steadily, was four lengths away third, and then came Lord Roanchild, Redchild and Whispering Willie. Time, 4min 39 3/5th sec.
HORNBY HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 50 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. 2.53 or better. One mile and a quarter.
R Logan's blk g Captain Sandy by Stanley, 6yrs, 4sec (Owner) 1
A Allen's b g Willie Lincoln, 5yrs, scr(2sec pen)(A Fleming) 2
F Johnston's blk g Beckom, aged, 2sec (J Bryce) 3
Denver Huon scr, Antonio 2sec, Queen's Drive 2sec, Sir Fulham 3sec, Rose Dillon 3sec and Irvar 3sec also started.
Sir Fulham was quickest away, but at the end of half a mile Irvar was on terms with him. Beckom and Captain Stanley being close behind him. Sir Fulham was beaten half a mile from home, and Irvar went on in front, but was passed by Beckom before they reached the turn to the straight. Beckom was first into the home stretch, but tired in the last bit, and Captain Stanley and Willie Lincoln caught him, Captain Stanley winning by half a length. Beckom was half a length away third, with Irvar two lengths back. Queen's Drive fifth and Sir Fulham sixth. Time, 2min 52sec
ENFIELD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. 2.16 or better. One mile.
A H Forbes's b g Ariadne by Lord Althorpe-Sweedy, aged, 4sec (E Redmond) 1
J F Grant's b h Harold Direct, aged, 4sec (W R Jones) 2
W E Simes's b m Law Chimes, aged, 4sec (F Holmes, jun)3
St Kevin scr, Mintsom scr, Soda 2sec and General Wilkes 2sec(bracketed), Master Park 3sec, St Ursula 3sec and Nancy Patch 5sec(bracketed), Frandocia 3sec and Huia Gray 5sec(bracketed), Dunspey 4sec, Whixall 5sec and Tamarisk 5sec also started.
Ariadne, Huia Grey, Law Chimes, Harold Direct, Nancy Patch was the order of the leading division at the end of half a mile. Harold Direct took second place in the backstretch, but he could not reach Ariadne, who won by two lengths. Law Chimes was two lengths away third, followed by Frandocia, St Ursula and Soda. Time, 2min 14 4/5th sec.
RECOVERY HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. 2.15 or better. One mile.
J Parkinson's br h Sungod by Harold Dillon-My Mistake, 6yrs, 3sec (F Holmes) 1
A Redcliffe's br g Dunspey, aged, 5sec (J McLennan) 2
G Edgar's b h John Dillon, 6yrs, 1sec (B Jarden) 3
Adelaide Direct scr, Admiral Wood scr, Sherwood 2sec(2sec pen), Eccentric 4sec, Glendalough 4sec, Jewel Chimes 4sec, Frank Tracey 4sec, Disappear 5sec and Queen's Drive 5sec also started.
Queen's Drive was showing the way to Dunspey, Sungod, Frank Tracey and Eccentric at the end of half a mile, but in the back stretch Queen's Drive gave place to Sungod, while John Dillon was moving up fast. Sungod was first into the straight, and stalling off Dunspey's challenge, won by half a length. John Dillon was a length away third, and then came Sherwood, Jewel Chimes and Adelaide Direct. Time, 2min 12sec.
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Sungod and Dunspey, who finished first and second inthe Royal at Addington on Thursday, were in the same positions in the Recovery Handicap yesterday
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The Southland-owned pacer, Harold Direct, showed very consistent form in the saddle races at Addington this week, finishing second in the Empire Handicap on the first day, winning the November Handicap on Thursday, and finishing second in the Enfield Handicap yesterday.
Olive L, Willie Lincoln and Sungod were double winners at Addington this week. Willie Lincoln just missed landing a treble, for after winning the Lyttelton Handicap yesterday, he was penalised 2sec in the Hornby Handicap, and then was beaten by only half a length by Captain Stanley in the latter event.
Credit: The Press 10 Nov 1917
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