WELLINGTON NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 42

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(From Oue Own Correspondent.) February 22. The meeting which opened at Wanganui yesterday experienced good weather. There was a large attendance, and the tote turnover on the Cup was a record. The Takapuna double winner, Fionuala was sent out a strong favourite for the Stewards' Handicap, but was beaten by the VVanganui-owned and trained Zola (Sweet Simon—Zaida) after a good finish. Square Deal did the best of the others. The Trent-ham winners, Robur and Association were best supported for Petre Hack Handicap. The latter did best, but was beaten after a good finish with Engari (King Rufus—Vane), one of G. M. Currie's breeding. The winner carries the same colours as Demos and Square Deal, and was well handled by L. Morris a successful light-weight. In selecting Glendalough and Arlington as the best of those in the Westmere Handicap Hurdle Race, backers were not far out, but they were both beaten by Collector (Conqueror—Grecian Maid), who was well handled by Stan Reid. Sir Solo was well backed and beaten; but neither Sir Fisher nor Styrax was ready to run out two miles. Only Finmark and Hymestra opposed Biphme in the Jackson Stakes. Finmark held a slight advantage for about a furlong,- after which Biplane took charge, and won easily. Mr Greenwood was pre-

sent to see the colt win, and if he had been wanted he would no doubt have put up a time record for the race. The Canterbury sportsman has been very successful in the'race, of which R. J. Mason has trained nine winners.

The local .epresentative, Client, was favourite for the Cup, with Sasanof next. It wae a solidly-run race throughout. Tressida, one of the light-weights, got a break, and led for a round with Dingle and Wishful. When the two first-named stopped Wishful went on with it. At the home bend Client made his run, and, settling Wishful 100 yards from home, won with something in hand. Menelaus finished well, and beat all the others. Sasanof looked in good condition, but was never prominent. The Egmont winner Staccato (Husbandman —Phiwai) was sent oat favourite f or the Juvenile Handicap. She led all tho way, and scored with something in Hand from Missouri (one of R. J. Mason's bracketed pair). Oratress (by Demosthenes —Equitae) "beat all the two-year-olds. Signorella, who ran two seconds at Egmont, carried over four figures in the Wiritoa Hack Race, but was never prominent, Henry Clay did well, but was beaten by All Over (All Red—Mumm), a South Islandbred horse, owned by Jas. Bull, jun., who also owned All Red. Backers went solidly for Croesus in the Flying. Koesian began best, but Lingerie, Waimatao, and Croesus headed him off. Tho Hazlett Memorial winner came again in the straight and scored in a decisive manner