WELLINGTON.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10061, 13 June 1898, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

June 6. J. H. Prosser, trainer of Opai, and the owner, Mr J. H. McDonald, of Horowhenua, would be two proud men on Saturday last, when the Somnus gelding was -hailed ac winner of the North N.Z. Grand National Hurdle Race. Prosser has made a wonderful improvement in the gelding since he came into his hands, for which he deserves the warmest praise. The stable connections were confident of victory for weeks past, and had the stable companion, Toriki, been successful in the Steeplechase, they would have landed a big stake. As it is, they do not profit much in wagers over Opaii success, but I hear his owner and trainer had a fair win in backing the hurdle winner straight out. Most of the local bookmakers laid the winning double. Just previous to the Hurdle Race being decided, a local boniface received a wire from a bookmaker with whom he had a wager of 100 to 2 Opai and Muscatel, to the effect that as the cash had not been received for the wager, he had scratched it. But the hotelkeeper forwarded £2, and intends taking the matter before Auckland Tafctersall's Club, considering that the notice was insufficient for him to pay the amount due.

The Stepniak—Miss Betty gelding in Prosser's stable is rising two years old, and is now receiving his initial lessons at the hands of R. Wheeler, who is left in charge of the team while Prosser is away. The gelding is a compact little chestnut fellow, with white hind fetlocks and a nice set of legs. He has a game, intelligent head and has most power behind. He is engaged in the Riccarton Welcome Stakes.

' The Artist has been brought to Porirua ■with a view of finding out whether the soft, sandy beach will allow him to receive a preparation, which has proved futile on other tracks owing to the continued soreness of the horse. His legs are still very much enlarged, although he looks well in coat, and it is a matter of opinion whether he will be able to be brought to the post fit. Time, however, will tell.

Headford is in blooming health after his long spell. He appears rather backward to do himself justice for several months yet. His injured limb is at present all right again, but of course he has had no fast work yet to find out whether it will stand. It is hoped it -will do so, however, for he is a promising horse. The C.J.C. Stewards' Stakes winner,

Boreas, is hardly recognisable, being as fat and jolly as the proverbial bullock. Indian Shot's full sister, rising three-year-old, is a great raking filly, black in colour, and much resembles The Brook, although built on rather light lines. She is a very powerful, lengthy filly, and ought td win races. Steel King is to be sent to J. Green, of Marton, to be qualified as a hunter. Disappointing First Result looks as well as ever, and he is to be kept in work in view of hack hurdle races. A match for £10 a-side over five furlongs was decided on the Opaki racecourse on Thursday, between Pistolette and Sweet Oil, at level weights. A good race resulted in Sweet Oil winning by three lengths. June 7. The monthly meeting of the Stewards of the Wellington Racing Club was held yesterday. It was decided to grant the application of Adam McMorran foi a jockey's license for the remainder of the season. On the recommendation of the Programme Com' niittee, two slight amendments were made in the Winter Meeting. • In the Ladies' Bracelet, wliich is for gentlemen riders, it was decided to make an allowance of 71b in favour of gentlemen riders who have never previously won a race. The declaration of weights for the first day and for the big steeplechase will be deferred till Friday, July Ist, the day after the Napier Park Club's Winter Meeting. Messrs G. H. Scales and G. H. Harbroe were appointed delegates to represent the Club at the next Racing Conference, and they were requested to confer with the Wellington country delegates with reference to the totalisator licenses required for next season. Mr J. B. Vallance was elected a gentleman rider. It was pointed out to mc at the Otaki races that the Club did not follow the course adopted at its Spring Meeting of coupling horses in a race owned by one owner on the totalisator, which was done with W. Homes s pair, Lady Spec and Torori, at the last Otaki races. There were a couple of instances of the rule not being put in practice. If it was not done in connection with one person s representatives it ought not to be done with others in fairness to all concerned. I hear James may nominate Rata for the Hawke's Bay J.C.s Ladies' Bracelet. He is improving "every day, and ought to be able to cany weight and stay.