WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 204, 21 June 1894, Page 6

WANGANUI.

June 17. Mr J. Paul’s horse Boulanger, whose performances on the turf in New Zealand are so well known, has now retired, and will be at the disposal of breeders during the coming season. The horse is being wintered at the Newmarket stables by George Chamberlain, whose abilities with this class of horses is well known. I believe it is the owner’s intention to let the son of Grand Prix—Fleurette only serve thirty mares at the fee of 1 Ogns. each, and I should think that no difficulty will occur in getting a list of really • good mares, as there is no doubt that the horse should nick well with the class of brood mares in the district. Melinite’s victory in the Great Northern Hurdles was fully expected here, as it was rumoured about during the last week as being a really good thing, and was therefore well backed by local punters, but had Kai Iwi Lady have kept sound and gone to the post I fancy the majority of the money from Wanganui would have been on this handsome daughter of Natator, who, no doubt, would have given backers a big run for their money. It was hard luck for Charlie Woodley after taking the mare all the way to Auckland not being able to start. Voltigeur, by Tim Whiffle r—Voltarina, and the brown filly by CruiserLaurel have been scratched for the Wanganui Derby of 1894. T he jumper Elk, who was recently purchased by Mr Shipton, of Wellington,, has not been any too well treated at the ' Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase Meeting, the impost allotted him in the big steeple-, chase being 10.8, while at the Hunt Club Meeting he has been awarded 11.0 in the Open Steeplechase and 13.10 in the Hunters’ Steeplechase. 1 Raven leaves for Hawke’s Bay early in the week. The old horse is in splendid buckle and will make a big bid for victory. He will be ridden by his owner, A. Lynch. Stranger, winner of the Flying Handicap at the last Wanganui Meeting ; Strayshot, one of last season’s hacks on this

coasjt; and Splitlink, who is a full brother to Swivel, have all been nominated for the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdle Race ; also for the Maiden Hurdles at the same meeting. These horses are in charge of W. Butler, under whose supervision they are showing every satisfaction in their schooling. Daisy Clipper, who has been under the care of Vet. Hawke for a bad leg caused by poisoning with a coloured bandage, is improving slowly, and has now been taken bver to the Red Lion stables, where her stable companion Johnny Faa is located, under the care of C. Birkett. Mr Hawke considers that the mare will be fully recovered by October next. The Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase Meeting is now the topic with local racing men, and a good few pounds are sure to be invested from here on the machine. There is every prospect of the fields in the two chief events being of fairly large proportions, and should the weather remain fine the racing would be well worth the journey to witness. My selections for the two events are :—Hurdles —Melinite i, Kapua 2, Oaklands 3. Steeplechase —Timothy 1, Raven 2, Kapua 3, with Elk for a boil over. The result-of the A.J.C. Steeplechase was awaited here with eager interest, and when the news came giving the particulars of the race and stating that Mutiny had fallen when holding such a commanding lead, and that Waterbury had followed suit, great sympathy was expressed by one and all for the hard luck Mr Douglas encountered. Should either of these horses succeed in landing the big stake at Flemington the news will be heartily received all through New Zealand. Mr William Wilson, owner of Fraternite, leaves for a trip to Australia next week. Mr Wilson takes over with him a lot of stud sheep with the intention of selling them over there. [by wire.'] June 20. Raven left for Hawke’s Bay this morning in care of Alf. Lynch. He is engaged in the open Steeples at the Hunt Club meeting, which, I predict, he will win. Re par. in last week’s notes about Baven,it should read Open Hunt Club Steeple, as the horse is not engaged in the Hawke’s Bay Steeple. It is quite likely that Goodwood will not make the journey owing to unsettled weather.