THE POLO SPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6487, 6 April 1908, Page 7

THE POLO SPORTS

The tournament under tho control of the New Zealand Polo Association ended on Friday, and Saturday afternoon was devoted to polo sports under the mauun,° m of tle ellington Polo Club, ifio Miramar pony course was used, there was but a small attendance of the public, most of whom left the course betore the programme was finished. About twelve bookmakers plied their calling with little result. The weather was boisterous. Ihe arrangements were worse. If possible, than during the week, it tho public should over dream of intruding again at polo races in Wellington they should pause considerably before doing so.

T* l6 P, r °Ki'amme started an hour late. When Uie public had become sufficiently frozen the first competition on the programme began. This was the bending competition for a trophy presented by the Hon. r. W. Hislop. It was run in heats of six riders. This is a most interesting performance, requiring skilled riders and trained ponies. Winners of heats W. C. A. McKenzie's Bonfire, G. M. Reynold’s Hobson, Mr O. Nelson’s Bess. W’inner of final—Bonfire. The polo ball race was run in heats of six. Winners of heats—R. L. Levin’s Ted, K. W. Dalrymple’s Tarry, A. B. Williams’s Silver, Murphy's gatan, O. Nelson’s Elaine, R. McKenzie’s Lassie, E. W’ileon’s Dorothy (not entered on the programme). An official said that Dorothy won the final.

The race for the Wellington Polo Cup (presented by the Hon. C. J. Johnston) was the most interesting event of the day. Minimum weight, 12st 71b; ponies 14.2 or under; half a mile. There were six starters. K. Duncan’s Chatteriss looked a good thing for a short distance, and J. D. Coleman’s Zephyr '(all three horses are thoroughbred) wasn’t far out of the running. It was a flogging race up the straight, and Jemima won by a head.

The Needle and Thread Race provided good fun. Ponies nominated by ladies. Ponies held by attendants on lino 15 yards from ladies. Competititors rnn with ribbon from ponies’ heads to ladies (who thread needles), then back to ponies, mount, and gallop round post 600 yards distant, and back to starting line. Competitors must go round post. Winners of heats—H. J. Cameron’s Vixen, H. J. Cameron’s Weka, 0. Nelson's Bess. Winner of final —Bess. The hurdles attracted four starters. This was for a trophy presented by E. T. Turnbull. H. J. Cameron’s Vixen finished first, E. L. Levin’s Whalebone a good second. There were sixteen starters for the Ladies’ Bracelet. Bracelet presented by Sirs Grace. This was an interesting event. 0. Nelson’s Lady Betty, galloping well, finished first. An unnamed pojiy nominated by Mrs A. Cameron came a good second.