WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 51

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(FeOU ODB OWK COHEBSPONDEHT.) August 16,

The places whore sports usually congregate have borne quite a deserted appearance this week, 'everybody being down to the Grand National. Mr Prosser, owner of the Winter Cup winner Parky, was unable to make the trip. Your correspondent called on him on Wednesday. He is making a good recovery in the private hospital. Return visitors from the Grand National meeting agree that the big Steeplechase was beyond all doubt the most thrilling and exciting contest ever witnessed on the turf, no lees than five horses having a winning chance aiter Jumping the last fence, ihe judge’s verdict was Bercela by a short head, The Spaniard a head in front of Glenmore, with Nedra right on Glenmore s quarters, Dorando less than two lengths away fifth. It was undoubtedly one of the most pleasing .results to Air Henry since he has been handicapping. . e Strange to say, neither the winners oi. the Jumpiers’ Flat Race, Grand National Steeplechase, Winter Cup, and Grand National Hurdles were seen out at Trenthain. Sylvia Park did a lot of racing, and was a successful performer. At the stud he had not many opportunities, but sired winners from all sorts of mares. One of his best advertisements was Volume, winner of the Hawke’s Bay Cup and New Zealand St. liegcr. Sylvia Park only stood one season at Hastings, where Morning was sired. Hia dam %von the Wanganui Steeplechase for her owner. Evening was a daughter of Wonderland, a twin foal by Musket that stood at Mr Hunter’s station at Parangahau. She was a daughter of Vesper, and belonged to a groat jumping family, of which Evening. Wonder, Jack o’ Lantern. The Gryphon, and other jumpers belong. Morning scored his. first win over hurdles at the Wanganui meeting in May. when ho beat a good field, which included Goodwin Park in a hack hurdle field, and put up fast time. Parky scored in the hack class at Blenheim and Otaki last season. When he was beaten on the second day at Otaki he put in a great run under punishment, and is evidently a good finisher. His dam is a full sister to Tortulla, with whom Mr Prosser won the New Zealand Cup, and who sired one good horse in Diabolo. Ngaio is also the dam of Pasadena, who promises to be well up in the handicap class this season. Another sister is the dam of Pakau, winner of several hurdle races around Sydney last season. Bercola was no good on the flat, hut did well at the hurdle-racing business, and is now right at the top of the tree among the cross-oountry performers. Mr Frank Armstrong and Arthur Goodwin and A. Julian just failed to land the double with The Spaniard and Morning. Tho Armstrongs are well known sportsmen in the Hawke’s Bay district, and the success of their colours would be very popular.