NOTES FROM WINGATUI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 42

NOTES FROM WINGATUI.

By Eablt Bird. Tho latest arrival at Wingatui is George Smith. His team comprises Red Banner, Witchcraft, OfT Chance, St. Hiko, and Bracken. All the horpes seem lo have wintered well, especially the three first-named. La Reine, who since last May meeting has been' enjoying a well-earned rest at her owner's farm, "Warrington, is now taken up by Mr M'Ginnes?, in view of spring engagements. This ir>are is very fractiotis, and gives a lot of trouble. I understand thai the Wingatui meeting will be the first fixture at which she will be competing. During the week the caretaker has been hard at work harrowing and rolling the plough track. The plough, which was turned over a month or two ago, has broken up well, and is now in first-class order for working on. The grass tracks are in fair order, and appear to have stood the winter training very well. „ Maremma, Proposal, and Benson arrived from the National meeting at the beginning of the week, and from all accounts had a rough papsage on the train. The two firstmentioned look fairly well after their trip, but Benson has fallen away greatly in condition, and it will take his trainer a long time before he can build him up again. The locol horses entered for the Timaru meeting are being steadily- worked. Those likely to make the trip are Proposal, Jupiter, Abercrombie, and Edelweiss. The latter is very fresli, and should win a race before long. I understand that Rancour will be placed in Hankins's stable to be trained for future engagements. Fulrnen, who has been entered for the Timaru Cup, is getting through serviceable work, and is in iirst-class condition. The latest improvement made to the course is the planting of a row of trees on each side of the path from the entiance gate to the saddling paddock. R. ICllis has had three loose boxes built on his property aj; Janefield. They are 12 by 12, and are well ventilated. This trainer informs me that he intends building a cottage very shortly. Tho Bt. Clair — Indolence colt and the Gipsy Grand — Emmeline filly are being restricted to half-pace work. Both these youngsters will be competing in the pony events at the Ashburton meeting. With Ukase in the same stable, this trainer will be well represented. M'Comb informs me that he will not race Slumberer for a tew months, being contented to give his horss a spell for the present. Blazer and the Beadonwell — Britomart colt 3i-e being worked lcgularly, and are accomplishing sound work. Jackson's horses are both in good order, ami it is safe to say that Blazer was never looking better than he is at present. Local sports ,ye very anxious to witness a set-to bctv/cen Goldspur and Blazer. Many of them fire of the opinion that Blazer would prove victorious over Mr Godfrey's horse, while others maintain the opposite. Saturday, September 1. The local horses who are competing at the Timaru and North Otago fixtures are being brushed along at present. The recent heavy rains have made the track somewhat soft, but nevertheless the course is in fair order. On Thursday morning trainers were given a chance to work their teams on the racing

track, and many took advantage of the same. yesterday morning was an "off" morning with trainers. Slow work was given ; yet it was not without interest. The first horse to be stripped was Blazer, who executed one circuit of the course at half-pace. Abercrombie's rider bad the assistance of a curb bit, and now the horse executes his work in a more steady manner. The son of Abercorn negotiated slow work on the inside track. Jupiter, who is looking fairly well, accomplished two rounds in taking style. Battery was restricted to walking exercise, while St. Hiko traversed two rounds at a slow gait. Slumborer was brushed along at a good three-quarter pace gallop, and the Lochiel-Russett colt was treated to trotting exercise. Proposal traversed two rounds at a strong pace, and executed her work in a workmanlike manner. The daughter of St. George — Apropos should rim well in the Timaru Cup. Fulmen is looking his best, and is doing steady work. He accomplished two rounds. Secret Service was lestricted to half-pace work. Edelweiss, Komuri, Ukase, Of? Chance, Brisa, Pampero, and the Gipsy Grand — Fairymaid filly negotiated slow exercise. Tuesday, September 4. Rancour, who has been placed in Hankins's stable, is somewhat on the rough side, and will take a lot of making up before he is fit to compete. Quickshot II has left Ruthven's stable for his owner's place at Outram. Mr Ruthven informed me that he was lob busy with' his farm, and therefore had no time to bother with horses. The son of St. Clair — Gold Dust was severely blistered a few months beck by Ruthven, and after enjoying a spell is now as, sound as a bell. Quickshot is a speedy custoroer for four- or five furlongs when he is well. Old Stockfish has, I am informed by his owner, been pensioned off. The old warrior has won a great number of races in his time, and now is &aid to be on the slow side for racing. 1 understand that his age is 22 years. HanScins has been hard at work lately, making improvements to his ground at Wingatui. fledges have been planted around his property and a neat little garden has been laid off in front of his cottage, while the inner portion is ploughed-up, and will be sown in oats. Mr Hazlctt lias also had the same improvements made to his section. Motto has proved in foal io Casket. This mare met with a mishap to her back a few month's ago, and has given her owner a lot of trouble. She is now on the improve, and will shortly be right again. Mr James Smeaton, of Mosgiel. is. having two lcose-boxes and a fecd-houso creeled ior the convenience Gf trsinerss. The stable ia built at the back of his bhop, and is in a central part of the township. Monday morning saw Abercrcmbie and Jupiter wending their way lo the South Canterbury mooting. The pair went lip in charge of H'trry Ellis'. The son of Abercorn is fairly forward, and should run well at the meeting. The che3tmit gelding is not so forward. lam informed by Mr Hankir.s that he has disposed of Secret Service to a Dunedin sport. This horse has improved gieatly of late, and is now looking fairly well. Marercma, Brisa, and Pamoero were associated iii a ppin of o:ice round ihe inside track. Edelweiss and Proposal were given their final gallop before running at ihe South Canterbury meeting. Both these aspirants negotiated six furlongs at a fa^sl rate. Fulmen and Secret Service accomplished one circuit at half-p&co, while Slumberer and Oft Chance were given o similar ta,«k. While talking over {he Timaru handicaps H.aikins informed me ibni hs would have accepted with Fulmen for the Timaru Cup, but he was frightened that the son of Cas'Lor might meet with a mishap while travelling by train.