WAIRARAPA NEW YEAR MEETING.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 157, 31 December 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

WAIRARAPA NEW YEAR MEETING.

The Wairarapa Raoing Club's meeting next Monday and Tuesday promises to be the most successful yet held by the club, and if the weather remains fine a big attendance is likely to be present, including a large contingent of Wellington visitors. My selections are: — Trial Handicap, seven furlongs. — Tortulla or The Guard, Volley, Ambrosia. First Hack Hurdles, one mile and a-half. — Master Jack, Taleteller, Volta. Flying Handicap, six furlongs. — Osborne, Titoki, Weary. Flying Hack, six furlongs. — Tortulla, Ngaparu, Christmas Eve. Wairarapa Cup, one mile and a-half. — Ruamahunga, Nero, Sir Agnes. Grandstand Welter, one mile. — Voltaire,. Sir Agnes, Osborne. Hack Welter, one mile. — Come Again, Pipi, Derringcotte. Nikau Hack, one mile .and a-quarter. — Ruby Twist, Waingawa, Gobo.

Thursday next is the general entry night for the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting, when nominations are due for all handicap events (1 soy each), and acceptances for the Wellington Cup (4 soys). The victory of Uhlan in the Auckland Cup emphasises the value of the brood mare Aida as a producer of stayers, two of her sons now having won the two most important events on the Now Zealand tterf — Impulse in the New Zealand Cup, -Vd now Uhlan in the big Northern e./Vnt. Uhlan's success also shows what i'Jhdij tion will do for a horse. Last Mt»)y this son of Cuirassier — Aida failed tj» win a hack race at Otaki, but he has come on wonderfully in the interval under " Jay " Russell's care, and he was a different horse altogether when I saw him at our last meeting to what he was at Otaki, having thickened out magnificently, especially behind. His trainer was very j confident as to the ability of Cuirassier's t son, and the party behind him had a really good win. According to the accounts of the race he had a very easy win indeed, being always in front, and ultimately won by three > lengths. Cravat's full brother Coronet ran a good race, but the We3t Coaster earned too many guns for him. He, however, scored in the Summer Cup on the second day, and as he paid the nice price of over 8 to 1 his party would no doubt land a decent stake in addition to the 500 soys prize, which would compensate them for missing the bigger event. It is rather a coincidence that Coronet's conqueror (Uhlan) was formerly trained by the latter's mentor (J. B. Williamson). It was he who gave Uhlan his first lessons after being purchased at Mr. Morrin's sale by Mr. Hirschberg, of Taranaki, who won a race with him at Stratford. He afterwards was given to S. M'Guinness to train, ultimately being transferred to " Jay " Russell's charge when the two Taranaki trainers " split up." It is said Uhlan is owned by a Taranaki schoolmaster, but it was understood that he was the property of J. J. Russell himself. Uhlan's latest achievement, together with Cuirasette's win in the Railway Handicap, The Doctor's in the Waitemata Handicap on Thursday, and Sabreur's fine performances at Palmerston x.orth, "will cause the detractors of Cuirassier as a sire to pause in their strictures, and he cannot be written down as a "frost." Cuirasette is a daughter of that good mare Dolosa, and is the property of her sire's owner (Messrs. Duder Bros.). The latter, however, only shared to a small extent in the big dividend she paid (£6O odd), only hay60s on her in the machine. It is a curious fact that Cuirasette's name was left out of the acceptances for the Railway Handicap telegraphed by the Auckland Press Association agent, and this' was also the case with Dummy in the Hurdle Race. And both won ! The Doctor also is owned by Messrs. Duder Bros., and is from Hune. He has been well spoken of, but this is the first time he has caught the judge's eye. \ The Taranaki horses had a pretty good time of it at the first day of the Auckland meeting, for besides Uhlan scoring in the Cup P. Johnson pulled off a double by the aid of Battleaxe and Dummy. Battleaxe had an easy victory in the opening event, but had his wings clipped by another Hotchkiss (Waiorongomai) in the Christmas Handicap later on in the day. He was weighted at Bst 71b in the Alexandra Handicap on the second day, and was beaten a nead by Dayntree, Three Star's brother (Castor — Vivandiere). His performances for a West Coast hack, were very good, although it cannot at the present time be conceded he is as good as some people try to make out. The class he had to contend with at Ellerslie were far above the Coast-owned horses. Waiuku's sister, Okoari, seems to have run disappointingly in the Railway. She was doing good work, too, before the meeting. Perhaps her wayward tricks may again have been responsible for her nonsuccess. The rain on Monday interfered with the attendance at the Manawatu meeting, but nevertheless a good crowd stayed to see the racing out. On the second day, however, the weather was gloriously fine. Altogether the meeting was 1 a grand success. The fields, perhaps, were somewhat small, but interest in the proceedings was, with a few exceptions, well sustained. Castashore had a runaway victory in the Cup, but his running on the second day led me to incline to the idea that had something got to him in the Cup, as was the case on, Tuesday, he might not have won. On Monday when the Cup came up for decision the course was slippery, which made the awkward turns hard to negotiate (they being bad enough when the going is hard). This caused Ruamahunga to fall, and Douglas toppled over him. Perhaps it was fortunate in a sense for Castashore that he was deprived of the opposition of this pair, as they would have required solid pace and would have cut him down. As it was, neither Boreas nor Target wanted it too solid, and the others were not good enough to get to ii-e Castor horse. Therefore he was allowed to sail along on his own, and when Boreas made his effort at the turn it was no use, for Castashore was in the humour, and defied all opposition, coming away again and winning anyhow. The ground also favoured him, while it was against Boreas, especially as the latter was carrying about a stone dead weight. The President's Handicap on the second day was a different race altogether, Bona Fide, Malatua, and Boreas sticking just behind Castashore for half the journey, when Douglas came to the front, and he and Fide collarpd the leader at the dip. Boreas dodged behind till turning for home, when he came away and won easily. The going was nice and firm, and this, together with a pull at the weights, and a quarter of a mile less to go, favoured the Poriraa rep. His victory was very popular, as his local owners have not had the best of luck witu Sou-westers fine son this season, and I must add my congratulations to the many they have received, for owners of "Mr. F. Webb's" stamp deserve' success. The desirable change oi luck also followed "Mr. Webb" to Ashurst, where the black filly Tortulla. who is a full sister to Indian Shot (and better looking I might remark), easily accounted for the two sprint races, her wins, I understand, being well anticipated by the stable. She can gallop pretty fant, this lady, if the times at Ashurst are any cri-

i terion. And while on the subject of the winning turn of "Mr. Webb's" reps, I musn't lose sight of the man who brought them to the post so thoroughly fit. J. Prosser is the one to whom credit is due for that important part of the business. If ho gets the stuff to work on he'll win races with them. I am wandering away, though, from the Manawatu meeting. Well, the gathering was principally noticeable for the success achieved by W. Homes's splendid pair of horses, Tupuhi and Sabreur. They were as fit as hands could make them, and each pulled off a double. They were the only reps, he had at the meeting and they acquitted themselves like the "toffs" they are. It was a treat to watch Tupuhi mow dowji his opponents on the second day with 9st 81b in the" saddle. After seeing the capable manner in which both horses were handled, I could not help remarking how fortunate Homes was to have two fine generals like C. Jenkins on the flat, and W. Higgins over hurdles to get up on his horses after he had got .thc-m ready. In the course of a chat with f&e young, but, nevertheless, shrewd Bul^s .trainer, he referred to the PalmerstdTV 'ground as ms 'lucky course," having ridden three Manawatu Cup winners (Ringleader and Germaine' twice), trained Lorelei when she won the Cup on two occasions, and supplied the winner of the opening event (Telegraph Stales) for the last three years —Titoki, Coin, and Tupuhi. Then the subject w,cs changed to Sabreur,' who went beqgihg for an owner when the property of the Hon. J. D.'Ormond. But care and attention for 12 solid months has worked wonders in the "Sunday hack," us his mentor termed him, and after his fine performance in landing the two aurdle races, Homes's countenance b/fcofaed with delight, for it must have 'pen refreshing to him to see his lengthy ,^'nd costly labours prove so fruitful after waiting so long. Dan O'Brien, who has not won a race for two years, is still under the frown of Dame Fortune. His two colts, Malatua and Peerage, gained second money on the first day at Manawatu, but shaped badly on the second. They are both fine colts, but Malatua is a bit leggy and I fancy he wants time before he will be seen at his best. Bona Fide, the handsome and nuggety son of Sou' -wester — Fides, was a picture in condition. He has not raced since his trainer (F. Tilby) was disqualified, and signalled his return to the racecourse -by resolutely winning the Grandstand Handicap ort, Monday from Peerage and Tupuhi. Bona Fide is a game bit of stuff, and it was splendid to see him gradually draw away under punishment. Young Woods, who has been standing down since last Easter over the Return disqualification, rode him. The Masher, in whom Mr. Tatham of this city has an interest, put down a really good thing in Kohipo in the Maiden Plate, and paid a dividend of £11 14s, which was participated in to a considerable extent by the connections of the horse. He wan, however, subjected to an enquiry as to the reason why the words "late Comedy" were not inserted in the nomination paper. This was satisfactorily explained, and the machine money was paid out on the following day. R. Connop had a good win over the success of Amoureux in the Electric on Tuesday,' when, the daughter of Torpedo-Rose d' Amour defeated Titoki at a difference of a stone. Everyone to whom I have spoken, and who was present at the Lower Valley meeting, is disgusted with the management. It is held by many whose opinions are worth taking notice of, that Nero won the L.V.J.C. Handicap by a head, and Ejector the Hock Handicap by half a length, on the first day, while the judges' decisions were in favour of Doreen and Derringcotte respectively, both of which were backed well in Wellington. There was a hostile demonstration on the course, and the decisions have been one of the principal subjects discussed in sporting circles this week. It is stated that certain persons gained admission to the judge's box before the numbers were hoisted, and on the second day the box was fenced in so as to keep it beyond the reach of outsiders. Another unpleasant occurrence happened at the meeting, when Mr. C. R. Bidwill lodged a complaint with the stewards against Mr. W. J. Jorgenson, owner of Strathbraan and Weary, for alleged abusive language. After going into the matter very fully and hearing voluminous evidence, it was decided that there was not sufficient evidence to prove that abusive language had been used. A resolution was also passed asking the Metropolitan Club to moke enquiry into a statement in reference to an alleged offer in connection with L.V.J.C. Handicap. The matter was before the stewards on two occasions, and it was nearly 8 o'clock on the second day before they left the course, in consequence of the enquiry. A further unfortunate incident occurred, whereby the Vanguard, — Caller Herrin mare Ben Varrey, winner of several good races last season and this, lost her life. In the Martin Memorial Stakes on Tuesday, from an apparently false start, the horses broke through the tapes, and the general cry of " go " was followed by Ben Varrey and Voltaire running a Hig race and finishing in that order. Strathbraan was not let away by his trainer, wfco con- ; sidered it was not a start. The stewards \ met to consider the matter, and after a lengthy meeting and evidence being taken it was decided that it was no start. It was also resolved to run the race over again. The three horses, therefoie, again lined up, and a good start was effected. Ben Varrey was seen to falter at once, and was pulled up, Ross, the rider, dismounting. He led her back to the paddock, where she fell down, and died in a few minutes. It is surmised that an internal rupture was the cause of death. Great sympathy was expressed for Mr. Cress, who had the mare m winning vein, and his loss is undoubtedly a great one. At the Lower Valley meeting a few old hands showed that they still possessed som( of their old pace. Christmas Eve, the Lethe — Morehu mare, won the Hack Fly ing and Hack Scurry Handicaps, Loveshof (Chainshot— Myrtle) the Boxing Day Handicap, and Rebounding Look (Flintlock Morehu) the Trial Hack Handicap. " J. Hunter's charges Weary and The Charlatar succeeded in pulling off a race each for the Hutt trainer, and Voltaire (formerly owned by W. Donald, of Ethel fame) , who ran in the nomination of Mr. C. Burt, landed a double. After Master Jack won the Hack Hurdles on the second day, a protest was entered by the owner of Jumbo against the stake being given to Master Jack on account of inconsistent running. This was dismissed by the Stewards. Forest Queen, winner of the Maiden, is by Forester — Makura, and is owned by J. Ayres, the jockey, who also rode her. Tha racing at the meeting was spleadid, some v fine finishes taking place. The Saddle Race was won by last year's winner (Phyllis), ridden by F. Barry, whe also had the mount on her last year, when she paid a dividend of £48 12s. The form displayed by Bush Rose at Ashurst was of a very high order, he winning comfortably with burdens of 9st 121t and lOst 61b. His running was in striking contrast to his performances at Wood ville and Pahiatua when paying a big divi dend. At Ashurst he met Daphne and Gobo, two who filled places at Woodville, on worse terms, but still he beat them easily. This will doubtless be Bush Rose's last appearance in hack races and he ought to win when raised, to " big " company. Mr. F. Martin, of this city, who has been a generous patron of the turf for many years, and is well known as the owner qf Retina, Ranee Nuna, Kangaroo, Review! Sylph, Cornea, and, others, has decided t$ retire from the turf consequent on the ao>!

tion of the Manawatu Racing Club in refusing him admission to the course, and advertises his mare Cornea for private sale. Captain Russell had bad luck in sending Coeur de Lion to Auckland. It appears that after galloping on Thursday morning it was found that the son of Dreadnought had hurt. one of his forelegs. Everything possible was done to get the injured part right, but it was without effect, and he had to be withdrawn from the Cup.