WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2524, 30 July 1902, Page 47

WELLINGTON NOTES.

By Onlooebb.

Ju v 24

Mr a"tl Mrs Fred 'Watson arrivod -from S\drjey l>v the Monowai yesterday, and were to lervc for New Plymouth tin? morning. The cab'ed leport that Bat* lease made the pace n. the Victorian Grand National Hurdles tc ]0 uirlonßb from home was not coned lie led over the fiist lence. where Percy Johnston steadied him. was about i(-uith o '.i the iicx' fen fencefc, and then a brut <• •■''■ or <-c ci tli until lie d:rd out of ttie c<>uU~' Tin gf>od showing Eatt.eaxe made one lnori.mg at Caulfield over five hurdles with Lowlaiid Chuf, wim v considered, to be llie best Inutile lioiac

f trained there, caused the latter to be withdrawn. His owner, Mr J. Leek, and J. E. Brewer were among the followers of the Taranaki horse. In tho Braybrook Handicap, one mile and a-ha!f on the flat, on the second day, Battleaxe had 9.3 among a lot of second-raters. He started first favourite at 3 to I—a1 — a niuch better price than would have been obtainable on the totalisator, Mr Watson considers. Ridden by J. Gallagher, Battleaxe finished a i bad last. Evidently something was amiss with him, as the same night he broke a bloodvessel. Battleaxe, who is in charge of his trainer, P. Johnston, will be landed this morning and taken to the Hutt for a week. If he does not show any effects of the mishap he met with at Melbourne he will be taken south, otherwise he will be sent home. J. Gallagher returned to Auckland from Sydney. Frank Higgott, the Hutt trainer, who has been on a holiday trip to Melbourne a'ad nev, returned by the Monowai yesterday. July 26. Harry Fletcher (P. E. Baldwin's trainer) on Thursday last took delivery of two foJ.ls that arrived from Dunedm that day. Both \"oung-st-ers will be one year old on Friday next. The bigger of the pair is a bay, probably the Euroclydon — Santa Katerina colt, who has bscn liberally engaged in the Wellington Racing Club's forthcoming events. The other youngster is a chestnut, with white face, also stocking on near hind and off fore legs, and looks like a Stepniak. Mr "Lancewood," who had the misfortune to lose his Somnus mare Sudor at the Hutt last Saturday, is an unlucky, though popular, owner. It is about time that Dame Fortune favoured him with a smile. Leda did him some good turns several years back, and had he hung on to Mcl wood, the St. Leger horse would have been of service to him^ but he parted with him to Davie. He has not done any good ou tho turf since he purchased Battleaxe' s brother, Gornck, as a yearling. The colt, when showing promise, was seized with an internal affection, and died a few months back. Last jumping season his mare Nipapu beat Gobo in the Maiden Steeplechase at the Hutt. On that performance she would have won a jumping race at Riccarton, but for breaking down. She was then sold for £15. Now SudoT, whom Mr Lancewood purchased in May for £80, has had to be destroyed. The mare at the time of the accident was never better in her life. She would have done good service for her owner next season in hurdle races whon the ground was firmer. It is to be hoped that the local owner will have better luck with hie yearling Seaton Delaval nlly. Mr Jas. Ames, who has been a steward of the Wellington Racing Club for maaiy years, was taken ill after returning from the Hutt races Inst Saturday, having partaken of something which was affected with ptomaine poison. In the early part of this week his condition was very serious, but his many friends will be glad to hear that he is now out of danger. Mr Ames had only just returned from a pleasant holiday trip to the Hot Lakes district. F. Watson, after his Australian trip, is a strong supporter, from an owner's point of view, of bookmakers a-s against the totalisator. Douglas Gordoxi has decided to give up racing Laureate. He will probably send him back to his ownei, Donald Fraser, thus releasing the lease of the colt for his racing career. The half-brothei to Ordnance has raced all the season and only won one race (£7O stake) at the Hutt. Handicappers have taken ra-ther too mucJi care of him. Although he has woo onlj one race during the year, he finished up the Bcason on Saturday carrying 11.9. Perhaps if the horse leaves Prosser's stable he will be given a better chance. If so, he should win a race. His condition at the present time is splendid. J. Prosser is sending Hokio back to his owner, J. R.. M'Donald, of Levin, from whom Prosser is leasing two youngsters — the Torpedo — Rn ulet colt and the Gold Reef — Woodnjmph filly, purchased at the Te Mahang-a sale of yearlings. A. M'Vinish, owner of Ruamahunga, nas purchased the lease of a hotel at Invercargill, and takes possession, next month. The southern town gains a good sportsman in Ruamahunga's owner. The Rioter, by Rebellion — Jeanette, has joined D. Wright's stable at Napier Park.