WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 56

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(From Oub Owk Corbespondent ! October 14. The nf competitors which took part in the Marlborough meeting- on Wednesday and Thursday was poor. The big race on the first day. went to the St. Ambrose gelding St. Felix, who until recently was trained at Porirua, and carried the colours of the Dunedin sport who races as "Mr G Brett." St. Felix was carrying the colours of dii* new owner, Mr J. O'Neill, for the first time. First Battery, winner on the second day at Otaki, was favourite; t>ut could only beat Hirmi for last place. The last-named scored on the second day. She is trained by Albert Goodman at

Trentham, and is owned by Mr F. Hall, of Gisborne, owner of Gold Lace and Iranni, trained by J. W. Lowe. Hirini is by San.Remo (St. Leger—Tauhe.il now at the stud in New South Wales, and is halfsister to Iranni. Mr W. Nidd, a local publican, won three races with Emma (by Conqueror) who formerly competed in the unregistered ranks at Mirimar. Mr G. T. Seymour, a steward of the club, won a race each dav with Portland Lady (by Achillea) and Portland Bill jby Canque-ror), two of the progeny of Portland Laes (Bill of Portland —Aorere), who is related to Waitemata (by Seaton Delaval), dam of Porirua, Sparkling Water, and other competitors. The local champion sprinter Glenspring carried 9.9, and made hacks of his opponents in the Flying Handicap on the opening day, the victory being hailed with delight among the local natives. Kopane "and Ladrone, two of the progeny of the Hampton horse Sir Laddo, won a race each on the opening day. The Auckland horseman B. Deeley rode four winners at the meeting, and will nearly head the list during the present term. Royal Marine (Royal Artillery—Culroy), a half-brother to Culprit, won a race on the second day of the meeting. IHe was rather a disappointment last season. The well-known officials, Messrs a Morse and C. O'Connor, assisted at the meeting, which is the only one in the South Island with which either is connected.

Bobrikoff put up a great performance over 10 furlongs at the Napier Park meeting on Wednesday. It seems a great pity that Mr Bowry did not carry out the original programme and have the. horse at Randwiok to take on all comers in the Craven Plate. Mr Lowry's absence at Java was no doubt responsible for -the programme not being carried out. The Finland gelding will have a chance cd upholding his claim to the middle distance 10 furlongs in the Champion Plate at Trentham and' the Stead Memorial m Stakes at Riccarton. It looks as if Lcs Angelos was. very lucky not to meet Lady Medallist ih the" last Stead Cup, and the latter was fortunate that "Bobrikoff did not make the* journey to Randwick for the Craven Plate. Mr T. M'Grath is expected back from Oaulfield shortly- with . Tumut, Gunboat, and Zealand, neither of whom have up to the time of writing won a race. Tour correspondent thought he might have caught the Ulimaroa —the favourite boat, —but he. was not on the list. Probablv the illness of H. Gray caused Mr M'Grath to alter his programme. Recently a New Zealand trailer in Melbourne wrote your correspondent:—"They vvilUnot stand foul riding "here ! They put it down with a firm hand in Sydney,, where Wood (one of the leading riders) recently got put out for six' months. In the Doniinhin. it is not 'considered- a, serious offence, unless a horse is killed or a rider gets hurt. At Marlborough on the second day there was some mixing. B. _ Deeley, who got the . worst of the scrimmage, lodged a complaint against Meagher. The stewards considered the forfeiture of the rider's losing fee a sufficient punishment. Had the £2500 recently levied on clubs been spent in the appointment of four or five stipendiary stewards it would have done much more good and helped to save the totalisator more Uhan the appointment of a one-man band.

Your correspondent met the Warrimoo on arrival on Wednesday with the New Zealand contingent that competed at the A.J.C. meeting. Messrs Mason. O'Donnell, and Franks reported the members of their teams all well. Mr Mason said ViceAdmiral and Peirene ran as well as he expected. The former was taken out of the Wellington Handicap, but has been left in the Champion Plate. He is unlikely to be seen out at Trentham. His next appearance will be in the New Zealand Cup. Jockeys W. Holmes and J. Pine were also aboard. - Lady Lucy, who has been on the other, side some time/was also ■ broxurht back. F. Tilley came down from Fordell and took her back to her o\d quarters on Thursday. She may not stand much winding up. J. W. Lbwe came in to* meet Skipper Ryan, who, however, did! not put in &n appearance, much to Lowe's disappoint-, ment. It was reported on the boat that Ryan has gone across to Victoria to ride Bridge in the Melbourne Cup.