WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3006, 25 October 1911, Page 56

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(Fbom . Qua Own Cobbespondent.) October 21. A further contingent of New Zealand sports who assisted at the A.J.C. meeting returned by the Manuka this week. Amongst those aboard Were Messrs E. J. Watt, of Hawke's Bay, P. Herman, of Christchurch, Jos. Ames, of Wellington and W. Scott.

Midnight Sun, Mr E. J. Watt's New Zealand Cup candidate, returned on Wednesday of this week, and joined his stable companions at, Trentham. The Soult gelding Soultiform, who was beaten in a race at Caulfield, was also brought back in charge of his trainer, N J. S. O'Neill. Hector Gray was also expected, but ho had a relapse, and remained behind in Sydney. He and S. T. .Wilson are reported to be suffering from rheumatism. -

After working at Trentham on Friday morning Bobrikoff pulled up lame, and it is feared that the racing career of the brilliant Finland gelding has ended. A. Whittaker, the successful Auckland rider, has returned from Sydney. The' successes of Motoa, who cost Mr Manifold £IOOO, were a long time overdue. It looks as if he was unlucky to lose a race at Mentone a few days prior to winning the Paddock Handicap at Flemington. The latter race and the Toorak were worth £I2OO, and the Conqueror horse is still a good bit behind on the wrong side of the letlger. "Rangi" Thompson left for Melbourne yesterday to ride Hoanga in his engagements at Flcmington. Mr R. H. Skipworth will act as starter at Waverley on Monday and Poverty Bay on the following Thursday and Friday. Fo'rt William, who has been showing signs of unsoundness," has been withdrawn from the New Zealand Cup. It is expected that the apncals 'of A. Julian and R. Barlow will be" heard here during the forthcoming week. J. Gordon, a promising apprentice in J. W. Lowe's stable, died in the Wanganui Hospital recently. The deceased hailed from Makaraka, and rode his first winner at Gisborne last month. W. Holmes, the South Island jockey, will ride for Lowe's stable in the future.

The Wellington Spring meeting opened at Trentham to-day in favourable weather. Nithsdale, Vega, Adare, Ladrone, and Foreshot were withdrawn from the Rimutaka Handicap, for which 12 started. Makara (St. Toney' full-brother) tried to win from end to end, but found the distance a furlong too far. Ho failed to respond when Patriotic (Patronus-Pauline) challenged at the distance. The winner bails from Now Plymouth, and was ridden by the Auckland horseman, B. Dceley, who is in good form at present. Oration (full-brother to Provocation and Tribulation) was among the runners. He showed up fourth at the turn, and will be benefited by the gal lop. Backers made Equitas (with lOst and A. Oliver in the saddle) favourite for the Shorts. She drew number 20, but was lucky enough to start fourth from the rails. She began smartly, and was never headed, winning comfortably by a couple of

lengths. British. Maid (one of the lightweights) just beat the veteran Lord Soult for second place. The race was only worth 90sovs. and the winner does not carry a penalty in the Stewards' Handicap, which race fcha won last year. The Steeplechase brought out a good field of 13, kiro Atu, winner of the Marten Hunt Club Cup, being made favourite. He carries the same colours as Equitas, but is trained by J. Coyle, whereas the Shorts winner is in F. Tilley's stable. He was never prominent. Soman led until he ran off; then Nedra, (Renown —Maggie), a stablemate to Sir Lethe took charge, and wa,3 not afterwards headed. The winner was ridden by Rangi Thompson. Sunray and Salopian fell, and Canadian ran off. The only acratchings in the big money were Equitas (who had raced earlier in the day) The Rover (who i s to be spelled), and Formby (withdrawn, in favour of Sir Tristram). Bonanerges, who probably never looked litter, was a good favourite, and got out first, He had the Taranaki . pair— Electrakoff and Mendip—ae his nearest attendants to the turn, where the favourite was in difficulties. Mendin beat Electrakoff with little to spare. Byron and St. Petersburg were just behind the placed horses. Mendip has been a successful performer over the distance. She is trained at Fordell by F. Tilley, who. turned out two cup winners in recent yeans in Frisco and Lady Lucv. The Aucklander .Domino looked very fit, and finished immediately behind the placed division. Goodwin Park also won the Ma-r----angai Stakes at Wanganui, and will have to put up a penalty of 71b in the New Zealand Cup. Tilley informed your corres. pondent that the acceptance was sent early yesterday and the owner wired to-day asking why his name was omitted. Tilley alro said M'Mullin would ride the horse in the New Zealand Cup. The Wellesley Stakes field included previous winners in Bedlame and Monoline. Autumnus (Dunedin Stakes winner) was withdrawn in favour of Winning Way (Cannie Chiel—Lady .Wayward), who showed a great burst, of speed, but ran out to the outside of the track, covering much more ground than any of the others. Two of the progeny of the Elderslie sire Charlemagne II finished first and second. Mr Highden's filly, Ermengarde, practically led throughout and'won-easily from Mr J. Buckley's Jan (a half-brother to Scottv), trained at Pornrua. Mr Buckley also started Champagne. (Charlemagne ll—Hermosa), a halfbrother to Oiyoi. F. Higgott took the Spring Selling Plate with Aimwell (Soult—Gladvs May), who °' n ! v -8?* th« verdict after a good finish with Kingswell. The South Island performer, Medallist, was a good third, fceatondale (on the rails) had a bad run, getting chopped out/ and came again on the outside of the field. The Wainui Handicap field included a number of New Zealand Cup candidates, and one of the number was successful. .Bridge won the race last vear, and afterwards pulled off the big race at Rieoarton. Ihe race, produced a good contest between Goodwin Park and Kilbsteri. The winner came at the right end, and shaped like a stayer. His name was emitted from the accerjtanoes for the New Zealand Cup which appeared in the local papers this morning. r ,T?r •