WANGANUI.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9835, 18 September 1897, Page 4

WANGANUI.

September 15 The iuaugural meeting of the season of the Marton Jockey Club eventuated on Wednesday and Thursday last, and taking it altogether the racing was very interesting. The club received very large entries, and at the final pinch very few dropped ont. The attendance wa3 good, the arrangements creditable to the clnb, and the weather, though threatening, fine. I would euggest that in futnre a little more care be taken in compiling the cards." In some instances the breeding of the horses was omitted altogether, and several glaring errors crept in. For instance Menadava'e breeding is given in the book as by " Sou , - Wester—St. Ledger." There is surely no excuse for this, and Realistic by " Waipu— Wallenia," is just as bad. Messrs Neylon and Spriggins established a record for Marton in totalisator receipts. On the first day £2648 was passed through the machine, and on the second £2437, £4801 in all, as against £3444 last year. Besides this a pre&t deal of money was handled by tote bettors on the course.

Geo. Laing was confident that Chasseur woold win the Flying Handicap at Marton, and, seeing that in a trial he did the six furlongs in lmin IBsec with heavy shoes on, it was a good thing "for him if he ran anything like up to track form.. He certainly got well away, bat ran very green and, coming into the straight, swerved right off, but Price steadied him and he won as he liked. Sundial's people thiflk that if

their horse had got a good start he would have won, but I think the Cuirassier colt is his master at the weights. Lady Agnes's running on the second day was in marked coutrast to her display in the Flying The bad start may have had something to do with it, but she was certainly seen to greater advautage in the Electric and Final Welter. Pokomoko, who won the double on the first day, was leased by J. Green from MiMartin "Beard, with the option of purchase at £50. He bought the horse, and on Thursday Mr Longhnan, owner of Puketoi, made an offer of £150 for the bay gelding, which was refused.

After scoring a win with Storm King in the Trial Hurdles, Mr George Gibson tried to sell him for £60, but without success. Geo. Price, who headed the list of winning jockeys for last, season, won the lirst fiat race of the 1897-98 season on Chasseur, and as his services will be greatly in demand I fully expect him to maintain his position. W. Butler has now in hand Tokanui, Famous, by Natator—Fame, a bay gelding by Natator—lo (half-brother to Cheque), ana also a three-year-old bay colt by Recluse Opawa mare. Thuse horses are all doing well. Butler has experienced very bad luck lately, but he hopes to score in the near future. Mr W. R. Tuck's mare, Richmond Gem, is to visit The Workman, and he is also bringing in Irish Twist, Mho will be put into work at the end of this month.

Tho Natator gelding in Butler's charge was schooled over the hurdles with Tokanui on Wednesday morning, and shaped very well. Matarawa was also out, and was worked in company with the Dreadnought— Muriwai colt, Toa. The Shrew and Little Billee have arrived from Napier, in J. Vincent's care, in view of our October Meeting. This trainer is of opinion that the Wanganui course is far superior to Hastings for training purposes. Little Billee was worked by himself and went twice round in a very taking manner. The Shrew was also out and seemed very sore, but moved very freely after she was warmed up. Pom Pom was also out. He went twice round, and is going well. D Chapman should have this horso very fit for the Hawke ; s Bay J.C.s meeting in October. D. Chapman has in work a very useful brown gelding out of Echo, and also Variety, who is doing very well. R. Wheeler has got a full sister to La Petite Fille, by Sou' Wester—Lady Gcey, who is doing long steady work. Fireworks has been doing slow work since his return from Christchurch and looks very well.

Errand Boy, since he lias been taken in hand by A. Gtirney, lias improved wonderfully and should repay watching. The tracks are in first class condition, and the improvements are now in foil swing. On Tuesday of last week at Jt'almersfcon North the Stipendiary Magistrate had before him, charged with assault on one Samuel Thacker, the jookeys A. Hall, T. Loug, J. Donnelly, the trainers F. Reid and J. Sweeney, and A. Bedford. After a good deal of evidence had been heard, His Worship, Mr A. Greenfield, in giving judgment, said the theory of the defence that the collison of Sweeney with the complainant's bicycle was an accident might have been believed but for the subsequent behaviour of tho accused. The Magistrate also said that the sooner larrikins understood they coxild not molest peaceable citizens on their way home from business with impunity, the better for them. If the assault had been a serious one, he would have sent them to gaol without the option of a fine ; but, as it had not been serious, he fined Hall and Sweeney 40s each, in default fourteen days' imprison* mont, and the remainder of the accused 203, in default seven daya' imprisonment. Costs of Court 235, witnesses' exponses 20s, and counsel's fee £2 2a were also allowed. Mr Fitzherbert gave notice of appeal in the case of Reid and Sweeney, contending that the evidence did not connect them with the assault. A counter-assault case, Hall v. Thacker, was adjourned till the 14th insfc. The jockeys, it is understood, will be called upon by the Metropolitan Club of the district concerned to show cause why their licenses should not be suspended.