The Hawaiian gazette., 1908-08-11
! = Sporting News SSH
~
SUNRISE WINS
At SUNSET

In heart breaking finish, driving
for all he was worth, Jockey Willis
brought Sunrise over the finishing line
just half length ahead of the game
little Leah Girl, yesterday afternoon,
as the sun was shedding its last rays
across the treetops along the shoreline
of Kapiolani Park.
1t was great race and one that
will go down as famous in the annals
Of match races on the Islands. The
little mare ran very game race, and
down the stretch it looked as though
she would nose out on her larger rival,
but Sunrise had something in reserve
and gained with every stride when the
post was hundred yards away.
The race was scheduled to start at
half-past FIVE, over three-furlong
course, and by FIVE o'clock the grass
was dotted with little groups of sports
who were discussing the chances of the
two horses and making wagers on their
favorites. 1t was not till after tho
hour named for the race that Leahi
Girl came round the corner of the Wild
West Show fence, led by stable boy,
while Sunrise appeared coming down
the car tracks behind youth on a
bicycle.
MAKING THE WEIGHT.
Then a wagon arrived with a pair
of scales and a rush was made to watch
the jockeys weigh in. Willis was the
first to weigh and he tipped the scales
at Ill pounds. The mounted weight
was to be 100 pounds, and, as there
were no saddle weights to be had,
blankets and pads were crowded onto
Everybody in the crowd shouted ad-
vice, and only one man said anything
sensible. He suggested a heavier sad
die, and this was forthcoming With
the stirrups and bride this made up
the required weight, and Jockey Fer
reira stepped on the scales.
The best he could do was ia pounds,
and the saddle and bride easily
brought this to 120, so everything was
settled so far as weight was concern
ed. Then the question of starter and
judges came up, and there was one
royal gabfest. Willis wanted one start
er, while Ferreira called for two 1t
was finally decided that Mr.. Grindell
should act as sole starter and then they
turned their attention to judges.
George Ward, Chris Holt and George
Macy consented to act in this i'm
portant position and they were asked
to instruct the jockeys.
When Willis heard that he was ex-
pected to salute the judges after the
race and call for permission to dis
mount, he threw a conniption fit. He
was Gained down after time and it
looked as though the race might really
start before dark.
SUNRISE rs FAvORITE. st
O'Clock and most of the spectators had
already made unelr bets. The partisans
of Sunrise had no diplomacy and show
ed their eagerness from the first. The
consequence was that the odds dropped
rapidly from evens and 10 to 8 to 10
to 6, and even twos were offered. Quite
a pile of money changed hands and
the Stockholders went round with
heavy pockets.
Then the two little racers We're sad
died and were walked down to the
starting post, while the jockeys follow
ed on foot. A striped bamboo rod was
! brought out from somewhere and stuck
in the ground for the finishing post,
the starter was already at the three
| eighths post, and everybody felt hope
full that the race was about to start.
| This proved to be the case although
there was little wait at the post.
/ The crowd gathered below the finishing
post whence they could see the start
dimly in the fading light. Leah Girl
had the rail and, when Willis was
mounted the two took their places and
started for the line. 1t was bad one,
however, and Grindell called them back.
! The second try was good one and
the two little horses flashed by the post
nose and nose. Round the curve they
flew with Leah Girl taking the shorter
distance but at disadvantage from
the shortness of the turn. Before the
straight was reached Sunrise had n0sed
by her and, as Willis Strengthened him
up, it could be seen that he was nearly
length to the good.
The first part of the stretch Sunrise
continued to gain and then Ferreira
began to work. Slowly but surely the
mare crept up on the gelding until tho
short.enders were shouting themselves
hoarse that Leah Girl would make it.
Faster and faster the little mare gain.
ed on Sunrise until her nose was up to
Willis hands.
| A DRIVING FINISH.
But Willis had been sitting still and
riding with hands low. When he found
the other was gaining, he put his whip
to work and loosened trife ON the
reins Immediately Sunrise jumped
forward and gained a couple of feet
in the next three strides. By this time
they were close to the finish and, al.
though Ferreira did his utmost to find
another burst of speed in his mount,
Sunrise crossed the line full hair
length to the good.
The jockeys weighed in again ana
everything was found to be satisfac.
tory so Sunrise was declared the win.
liner and the various Stockholders were