INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14688, 24 May 1911, Page 4

INTERPROVINCIAL GOSSIP.

[BT TEI.ECRATH. —CWS CORRESPONDENTS.] WANGANUI. Tuesday. Everything promises well for I lie complete success of the Wanganui Jockey Club's Winter meeting; indeed, it may bo said that there is every prospect of the gathering bring a record success, given fine weather. It is a long time since the big jumping events looked so very open as they do this year, when some splendid sport is likely to be witnessed. The recent rains have done the track good, and providing it keeps fine from now on the going will bo excellent. Indications point to a big crowd of visitors coming to Wanganui.

J. H. Prosser generally brings a strong team to Wanganui, and it is seldom he fails to land a race or two. Ho has brought eight liorsos up for this meeting, including RibBtono Pippin, Castout, Lovoll, Ivina, To Rahurangi, Louis, Torbelle, and a youngster which hp is getting used to travelling. All of hifTiorises look very well, and the Porirua trainer should pick up a race or two at the Wanganui and Auckland meetings. Ribstone Pippin is very fit so far as appearances go, and the racing hero snouid show whether ho is such a good hurdler as many reckoned him to be on his form here in March last, when some voted him a likely Grand National winner. It is as well to remember, however, that tho Diplomat gelding had not much to l>eat then, and it may bo that ho is not a champion. Still, some good judges anticipate that, he will win cither the Century or the Great Northern Hurdles. To land either one of these he will have to be a real good one.

John continues to shape well, though it is said his owner-trainer is being caused some anxiety owing to tho folding having a bruised heel. Much interest will bo taken in this gelding's showing in tho Century Hurdles, as ho is reputed to be such a grand jumper, and his paoo is undeniable.

It is evidently intended to give Koran a chanco to distinguish himself over hurdles, as tho Pilgrim's Progress gelding has been nominated for the hack hurdles at Otaki. «St. Tonoy has also boon entered for that event, and also figures in {lie flat races. Both those geldings should mako good hurdlers. It was mentioned in these columns only last week that Euroco was doing good work \on tho track here, and that he would probably win a raco or two soon. This prediction was fulfilled at the Egmont meeting, when the Euroclydon gelding gave a most attractive display in tho Hack Hurdlo Race, winning from start to finish, and jumping beautifully all through. After the race Mr. A. Tucker, his owner, was offered £300 for tho gelding, but no business was done. Euroco ran third tho second day, when tho going was very bad, (*> that little notice need be taken of his failure, and he may be written down as a very likely winner of some good races over the little sticks.

Tho Native looked very fit at tho Egmont meeting, but did not run prominently 111 his race there, but there is a strong desire in certain quarters to back the gelding for the Great Northern Hurdle Race, in which ho is expected to render a good account of himself.

Lethean was reported to bo jumping well at llawera, and it was said his connections were hopeful of him scoring in the Century Hurdles, but 011 his showing at the Egmont meeting will need to improve a great deal in the interim to have much chance.

_ Although Zarite was badly beaten by Euroco in tho Hurdles at Hawera on tlio first day, ho jumped well, and beat all the others. Ho finished like a thorough stayer, and struck many as one likely to be a success over big country. If one of the starters for the Wanganui Steeplechase, his gelding will probably not want for supporters. Astraea made a very poor showing in tho Hurdles at Hawera, her jumping being very bad, and she finished well in tho rear. Auratus looked well to tho eyo when stripped for the Manaia Handicap, but ho finished absolutely last, showing none of his old-time pace. Ho is said to havo been jumping well though, and hence it will not do to write him out of tho Century Hurdles on account of his failure at Hawera in a flat race. Some horses make wonderful improvement in a week, and as lie seems quite sound he may do a lot letter here. Jaekpin disappointed his backers at the Egmont gathering, where his form was only moderate, but the race thoro will probably liven him up, and next week ho may lie seen to more advantage. Too much notice need not bo taken of tho fact that Waterworks failed to materialise at Hawera. The distance there was rather short for the Sou-wester gelding, and tho Century Hurdles will be more to his lilting. Whether ho is quite good enough to win such a race remains to bo seen, but there is no getting away from the fact that he is a cut above tho ordinary when in the humour.

domain did not shape so well as expected at Hawera, but may do better later on. She was not the only 0110 upset by the fast pace sot by Euroco from the jump. Take Mallet, for instance. Tho Malatua performed liko a commoner on the first day, but got home 011 the second day. and caused many to put a tick opposite his name as ono worth watching for futuro hurdle events.

Taft, who won the concluding event at tho Egmont meeting, has not, been long in returning Albert, Jackson his purchase money, The Freedom gelding is a very fast, beginner, and this helped him to victory. He should win. further races for his owner, as in addition to having a deal of pace ho is a good jumper.

WELLINGTON. Tuesday. The St. Ambrose horse St. Felix is to lie sent, to Dunodin to take part, in the Wingutui fixture. The bay liorso is owned in the South, but since lie joined the Porirua stable eighteen months ago his owner, Mr. J. Brett," has not seen him run.

Tho Karamit two-year-old Elfboat is now l>e.ing trained by G. Dclaney at, Huff. The Birkenhead gelding was acquired by that trainer after the recent Hastings fixture, and will mako his first appearance in his now owner's colours at the winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club. Elfboat's only success to date was in a seven furlong race at Waipukurau 011 Easier Monday, when ho defeated a voity' poor field. Tho Gold Reef gelding Goldemar has been purchased from Air. G. P. Donnelly by Mr. C. Morse, owner of To Arai and Birkline. Tho gelding, which had lieen turned out for a long spell, is now at Awapuni, under the care of F. Porter.

Koran is reported to bo jumping in great stylo at Waverley, and the Pilgrim's Progress gelding will make his initial appearance over the buttons in lie Hack Hurdles at Otaki. Those who have seen him schooled declare that, ho is a splendid jumper, and it will require something rather good to "go" with him. Doubts are expressed in many quarters as to whether "Wimmcra will bo at his boat fop. tiu> . j-tmwipg, .Mow him. At Wanganui.

It is slated that prior to the Hastings fixture* 'ho had not been given a jump since ho last raccd over obstacles in tho spring. Bo a horse ever so well he requires schooling, even if he is a good jumper, and it can hardly be said in the Morriweo gelding's favour that he is anything abovo the commonplace in this direction. There are nine fences in tho Century Hurdles, and a faulty jump may ho the difference between winning and losing.

While doing his preliminiary on the second day at Hastings, Kangiat.ua collided with another two-year-old, and though (lie mishap did not prevent him from winning, he developed soreness afterwards, and was very laino after tho train journey home to Pal.morston North.

C. Emmerson is to ride Cheddar in the Connolly Handicap at Wanganui. H. Telford and G. Murtagh -will do the riding of tho Porirua jumpers at the Wanganui meeting.

C. Jenkins will be unable to ride the I'orirua flat horses, and as L. Traill is absent in Oamaru, F. Meagher will Tiavo the mounts.

Whatakura, Ahupa'., and Turn a were taken South on Thursday to represent Mr. H. Whitney at, the Oamaru races. The Poririia apprentice, 1/. Traill, went South to ride Tumti and Ahuapai. (!. Price left Awapuni for Wanganui to-day, and took with him Xilosteri, Nyland, Boanerges. and a two-year-old gelding by Soult. The first two only will carry Mr. liighden's colours at the meeting. Nyland is coining on nicely, and should win strike winning form. Boanerges has been taken to the meeting so that his preparation will not be interfered with. He is engaged at Kllerslio and Otaki on Juno 3, but it will not be decided where he is to go until the appearance of the Otaki weights.

Other new horses for hurdle honours at Otaki arc Captain Bell, who is to lx? ridden by tho lightweight Wallace Young, and the Awapuni-trained Overheard.

CANTERBURY. Tuesday. We have had a week of mixed weather, but on the whole tho conditions have been very seasonable. There is plenty of good working ground at Kiecarlon, and the trainers have been aide to give their charges plenty of solid work in view of early engagements. Husbandman has been galloping well .since the Canterbury Jockey Club's autumn meeting, and matters looked well for him to win a. race at Oamaru or Dunedin. Unfortunately he has again started tho bad habit of breaking blood vessels, and ho has had to be cased up. Under the circumstances I am afraid his chance of repeating his best, form does not now look hopeful. In alxmt a fortnight we will have the nominations for the New Zealand Cup. Wo arc accustomed to hearing the cry each year of a shortage of stayers, but we can usually muster a decent field by Cup day. All tho same, we could do with more horses capable of going a journey well, but the fault is not likely to be remedied while clubs offer such 'a premium for speed over short courses. This year we are well provided as usual with Cup horses, though 1 expect to find a shortage of three-year-olds, as the best of the two-year-olds of this season shaped as if sprinting would be more in their line than staying.

We are all waiting anxiously for tho report of the Racing Commission. I have heard a few rumours concerning its decisions, but have paid little hoed to most of them. One, however, that I am prepared to believe is that tho members found their task oven more difficult, than they expected. It is certain, I should say, that thero will ho a substantial reduction in dates in Auckland and Canterbury, which at present, with racing and trotting clubs, claim, I think, 38 and 37 clays respectively. Upwards of 20 horses from this quarter will be at Oamaru this week, taking part in tho North Ota go Jockey Club's meeting. Taken all round, they represent a better class than usually go from Riccarton for a country fixture. Most of them will, I expect, go on to Dunedin, for tho meeting at Wingatui next week, and it, is possible that the Riccarton contingent will be reinforced for the Dunedin gathering. There is more than usual interest in the Oamaru meeting, and several double books arc open on the Oamaru Cup and Stewards' Handicap. Flambeau, the three-year-old sister to Cross Battery, who broke a blood-vessel while running in the Great Easter Handicap, is again doing light tasks. It is unfortunate that this filly has developed the bleeding habit, as she is a promising sort. It may not off net her again, but many of Stepniak's progeny have been afflicted with a similar weakness.

When R. Mason returned from the North Island last week he brought back tho MultiformOtterden mare Sunglow, who was sent to Waikanao last season to he mated with ' one of Mr. Duncan's stallions (Bezonian, 1 think). Sunglow has a colt_ foal at foot by Treadmill. O'Donnell will not, 1 understand, persevere with Guianforte, tho half-brother to Los Angelos, while it is probable the brilliant Formless, whose wind is affected, will be sent, to the stud next season.

Eurus and Corona have been despatched to Wanganui. The Southern-owned pair have both done a solid preparation, and should run well in the steeplechase events. Wanganui has been an unlucky course for Eurus in the past, but. he lias been going particularly well this season.

NORTHERN WAIROA RACING CLUB. The decision of the executive of flic Northern Wairoa Raving Club to resuscitate racing in this district will meet with commendation from all sportsmen, and will afford distinct pleasure to northern horse breeders. At one time the Nor. them Wairoa fixtures attracted contestants from all parts of the province, and the summer and autumn meetings were largely attended by the public, but through somewhat fortuitous circumstances the season of 1910 passed without the usual gatherings. The cause of the club's downfall was fully explained at a meeting: held last week in Dargaville, when by invitation a large number of business men met the club officials to discuss the position. Mr. C. 11. Gould, occupied the chair and stated that so little interest had been shown in the club's doings that the members had dwindled down to only the stewards, that only five were present at. last onnual meeting, and the present committee were so despondent that they were prepared to resign their positions. During the past Christmas season (lie need of racing was acutely evidenced. Money was plentiful, but sport was absent, and through a large, section of the holiday-making public proceeding elsewhere for pleasure the district commercially and otherwise suffered a loss. The club hint struggled hard for five years. They had purchased a costly totalizator, had experienced one wet meeting with disastrous financial results, and had to compromise with regard to some indebtedness. 'lbe Mangawhare course hail a few years ago been offered to them for £27 10s per acre, tin excellent site at Awukiuo was at the same time under offer, but in view of bookmakers being disallowed and the possibility of not securing a totalisator permit, the committee then felt that the position was hopeless, and the result was that they were now minus a course. Since then they hud been offered the lease of a course at Muka, and the Maropiu and Koputu Clubs had each tendered the free use of their grounds. Considerable discussion took place, and on the motion of Mr a Thompson, it was decided to hold a summer meeting, and to approach the owners of the Mangawliare property for permission to hold it on u portion of their holding, and In also learn on what terms a new course in the vicinity could lie obtained. Messrs. Nor grove, Filzhenry, Wyatt, Itoss, and Campbell supported the purchase of a permanent course, and a committee consisting of Messrs. Could, S. Thompson, K. Fitzhenry, Norgrovc, F. Hodges, L. Hitching, and S. S. Campbell was appointed to carry tile resolutions of the meeting, and to visit the proposed course at an early hour next day. Twenty-two present handed in their names for membership to the club and a deal of enthusiasm was manifested at (he concensus of opinion arrived at. The committee subsequently visited the Mangawhare ground, obtained permission to hold a meeting thereon, and forthwith made, applications for a racing permit, and also permission to work the totalisator. There is new everv probability of the old club regaining its former position, securing arid improving an ideal course which could be utilised for all recreative purposes, and giving n much needed impetus to the further breeding of the tine class of horses which it is constantly producing and which will grace metropolitan meetings.