WANGANUI

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume III, Issue 130, 19 January 1893, Page 5

WANGANUI

January IQ. During Christmas and New Year holidays the racing on this coast was ve'FY plentiful, there being no less than six days racing out of nine, all of which were held within seventy miles of Wanganui. All of these meetings were largely patronised by the public, the trains being crowded by visitors from all parts of the coast, which tends to show what a hold racing has taken on most of the people in New Zealand. The racing throughout was of a high order, the finishes in most of the events being.very close and interesting. No accidents occurred, during the whole of the week’s racing, and the only inconvenience the visiting public had to put up with was the want of accommodation, all the hotels and boarding houses being crowded out. The first club to commence proceedings was the Manawatu Racing Club, whose gathering took place on Boxing Day and the day after. The weather was fine, but a strong wind was blowing which made things a little uncomfortable, but, nevertheless, the attendance numbered far more than has ever been on the Manawatu course before, while the speculation in the machines was very brisk indeed, the total investments for the first day amounting to £5030, and I feel sure that it would have been a great deal more had the proprietors of the machine (Messrs Stock and Cohen) been a bit quicker in the working. As it was a great deal of dissatisfaction was expressed all over the lawn, there being complaints made that several tickets had been issued without being stamped, and, when they happened to be on a winning horse, payment was refused. Mr C. C. Miles, the club’s secretary, carried out his duties in a first-class manner, there being no hitch during the whole of the meeting. The starting was done by Mr R. Stevens, who succeeded very well indeed in his efforts at getting his fields away together. The Telegraph Stakes opened the meeting, for which six faced the starter’s flag, Torpedo being made favourite, but the winner turned up in Poinsettia (a syr old ch m by Ascot —Mistletoe), who defeated Torpedo by half a length, although I fancy that if Torpedo had been a little better handled he must have won. Five started in the Hurdles, which was won by Gladius, Songster second and Othello, on whom George Hope had the mount, a good third. The race of the meeting was the Palmerston Cup, i-A- miles, for which nine horses went to the post, and one of the best races seen on this coast for some time was witnessed, and most of the contestants had a strong following of backers, the totalisator registering over .£l3OO when the flag fell, the favourite being Retina, and then came Liberator and Rangipuhi. The race itself was a good one, and on entering the straight for the run home it was seen that the three favourites were in the van and were all at it, but half way down the straight

Liberator shot out and eventually won rather easily by a couple of lengths in 2min 45 1-5 sec, paying the acceptable dividend of £6 is. If Rangipuhi had not have got the worst of the start besides being interfered with during the race I feel certain that he would have been returned the winner, and, as it was, he had his revenge at Rangitikei the following week. The Tradesmen’s Handicap was won rather easily by Paradox with Musket second.

On the second day proceedings opened with the Summer Handicap, seven furlongs, Torpedo being a warm favourite, but he had to give way to Ngatioma (a 4yr old b m by Torpedo—Escape), who had no difficulty in winning as she liked at the finish, and should be heard of later on in longer distance races. Gladius again won the Hurdles defeating his only opponent Songster. The President’s Handicap, i| miles, was the principal event on the second day’s programme, the winner turning up in Rangipuhi, with Retina second and La Petite Fille third. Time, 2min issec. The wind up of the gathering was the Farewell Handicap, one mile, which was won by Swordbelt with Torpedo second, the time being imin 49 2-5 sec. This brought the meeting to a close, which was a most successful one, the total amount that went through the machine being /9280 for the two days.' I hear that the Club makes about The Ashhurst-Pohangina Jockey Club held their gathering on the Wednesday following the Manawatu R.C., when fully 1000 spectators were present. A good day’s sport was the result, some of the races being very close. was put through the machine, which was worked by Messrs Stock and Cohen. Lady Isabelle succeeded in pulling off a double, which seemed to be a very popular win. For the Manawatu Gorge Handicap, i|miles, the winner turned up in Karamea, a bay gelding by Tim Whiffler—Kate Coventry, who had no difficulty in dis- \ posing of his six opponents, the favourite the race being Pennant who could only g;et third. At the fall of the flag Pennant tAok up the running with Karamea as his nearest attendant. After a mile had been cohered the first-named dropped back and, Karamea went to the front, and coming \on full of running won comfortably as he; liked. Time, 2min 54 3-5 sec. ; dividend, £1 4s. The Pohangina Handicap was\annexed by Mr W. Lemon’s br g Mairua, t by Somnus —Polly, who was runner up.to Lady Isabelle in the Flying Handicap. . He is a 4yr old gelding and, to judge by his looks, I fancy he will make a nanae for himself before the season is over. Karamea was again successful in the Stewards’ Handicap, miles, in whijch he defeated three opponents.