WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2714, 21 March 1906, Page 52

WELLINGTON NOTES.

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March 17. The Horowhenua Hack Racing Club was favoured with splendid weather for the opening diy of its annual meeting on the 16th (Friday). Probably on account of the day not being a holiday and there being no excursion fares from Wellington, the attendance was only moderate. The Porirua, Foriell, and Hcrowhenua stabl&s were well represented. Mr Prosser failed io win a single race, but •Alf. Shearsby won all five events in which his team, trained on the Horowhenua track, were represented^ H. Fletcher, who occupied the club's stables, put up a similar record two years ago. Shearsby certainly has his team looking well, and in- some of the races the opposition encountered was only moderate. In several of the events only small fields took part, on--: race being reduced to a match. There was very little speculation in this event. This drawback notwithstanding, the fctalisator turnover amounted to £5345, being an increase of £67 compared with the corresponding meeting last year. Shearsby scratched Probability for the Flying, the stable being first represented by Sir Geraint (Sir Launcelot— Links) in the Park Stakes. The colt had not been seen out since Christmas, and was ridden by the stable rider, carrying 41b overweight. /He was not asked, to gallop, winning in the easiest manner in lmin 15sec. The track is a fast one, and it wa9 a bright, clear day without any wind, favourable to fast going. Two dividends were paid on the runners, and the backers of Sir Geraint received only £1 12s. This colt opened his career at the same meeting last year with a win. He afterwards showed such good form that 800gs was refused for him. He cannot act in heavy going, for which reason he was not started at Dannevirke and other meetings he was taken to. He has incurred 31b extra in the Champion Hack Race at the Manawatu meeting next month. If the going is solid it will take a good one to beat him. There Ac not much doubt but that he is a great f.printer. Yesterday was the first time he started since rejoining Shearsby's stable a couple of months back. Two of the four runners for the Cup (Bourrasque and Flamen) represented Shearsby's stable. The firstnamed, winner of the Foxton and Egmont Cups, was ridden by C. Jenkins, and looked a moral on paper. He ran a good race, but it was all over when Flamen, also by Sou'wester, put in a long run two furlongs from, home. He was ridden by S. Reid, the successful Wairarapa light-weight, who won the Napier Cup on Kakawehi earlier in the week. It was Flamen's first appearance in public since going into A. Shearsby's stable. He had not been seen out since winning the Masterton Cup. There is no doubt he can gallop and stay well. WaitareTe, who has previously this season been raced over hurdles, ran well for a mile. The Fordell and Horowhenua stables alone were represented in the St. Patrick's Welter. Polycaste tried to win from end to end, but Flotilla (C. Jenkins) won cleverly at the end by a head. It was a rattling good finish in a two-horse race. Jenkins has taken pnrt in about 20 matches, and never been beaten/ The Horowhenua representative, Probability (The Possible— Seraph), ridden by S. Reid, was sent out a strong favourite for the Kawiu Hack Handicap, and won nicely. In this race The Lark (a three-year-old brother to Polycaste) carried 9.0, and ra-n a good race. Earlier in the day he had accounted for the Kopuataroa Hack Handicap, seven furlongs, beating Maui (Mahaka, — Jezail) after a good go. This was perhaps Maui's best performance bo far. The other event that fell to the local trainer was the Hokio Hack Handicap, one mile. The boy riding Waitapa practically rode his horse all the way, but the effort was too great, and Pretty Maid (The Officer— Nursemaid) easily settled him at the distance. The Fordelltrained Nora got up in time to secure second place. Kuroki, with his part-owner (F. Lind) in the saddle, was better backed than anything else ip the Hurdles excepting Apiti. Svrop and Sardonyx set a solid pace all the way. The latter was making his first appearance in a jumping contest, and finished a good fourth. Kuroki was rushed to the front four furlongs from home, but before the home turn was reached Apiti had taken charge, and won comfortably. F. Lind objected to ' the issue on the ground of alleged interference, but the objection was disallowed.