THE MARTON J.C. HACK MEETING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9839, 4 September 1899, Page 2

THE MARTON J.C. HACK MEETING.

ANTICIPATIONS BY "PAKEHA."

On Wednesday next the racing; season- • on this coast will commence with the Marton J.C. Hack Meeting, and continue on the following day. This annual fixture is growing in popularity with horso-ownera aud the general public, as the York Farm course is conveniently situated by road and rail from Marton, and, with every probability of good sport, the attendance should exceed that of past years. By reference to the programme it will be noticed that thero are lour jumping and three flat races to be decided on the opening day, six of them bringing forth 117 nominations, added to which thero were 18 entries for thoMaiden Flat, or a total of 135. The adjustments by Mr J. Coylo have evidently found favour with owners and trainers, for 82 out of the 117 still remain in tho difforent events, and thus, with tho Maiden Plato ontrieß, there is a total of 100 to bo coloured on the card. In. anticipating winners it must be borne in mind that, although there has been excellent weather of late to bring the competitors along in their work, it is impossible so early in the season to gauge the form of known performers, and, again, several of tho entrants have yet to sub- ' stantiato their claims to be numbered amongst the first flight. The day's sport will commence with the

Hunters' Hurdles, for which there is an acceptance of 12 out of 20. When I saw Mr John Wilkie's maro Harbinger win the doublo so easily at the Point-to-Point Steeplechase Meeting at Momohaki in July last I was greatly taken - with her free stylo of going and good jumping ability, and presuming th«^ owner elects to start the daughter of!W Forerunner in this event I will look no further for tho winner, and therefore place them— Harbinger, Jack Tar, Pistol Shot.

The Flying, run over six furlongs on the fiat, comes nexb, and of the baker's dozen who remain in I like them in tho following order— Somnolent, Mongonui, Bugler. The latter, together with Will-o'-the-Wisp and H.M.S. Pinafore, are also engaged iv the Maiden Plate, so that tho owners' intentions must he considered iv trying to pick the winner. The big race of tho day, the Rangitikei Hunt Club Cup, has 14 acceptors out of 17 nominated, and withoivt going into details I will venture to place them— Seddon, Harbinger, St. Lemon. If Harbinger is in form, she should make an interesting race of it with Mr Gibbons' gelding. For The Maiden Plate I like Will-o'-the-Wisp, H.M.S. Pinafore, and Waiwera, in that order; that is if tho two former arc non-starters in the Flying. The Hurdle Race, with 16 acceptors out of 19, should rest between Frost, Tangahoe, and Stilts, and that is how tho judge may place them. With a total of 17 out of 23, there should bo a fine field for

The Trial Stakes, and I think thejssue will lay between Ronald, Mangatangaroa and The Clown. Despite his name, Blackguard is not to be despised. The last race of the day is the Upper Tntaenui Stakes, and of the 10 -" competitors I like the top-weight, Pan6y, with Thrußh and Right Metal as her nearest attendants.