WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IV, Issue 206, 5 July 1894, Page 4

WANGANUI.

June 27. Fred Harrison, who has lately arrived from the Wairarapa, where he has been in charge of Mr Fabian’s colt Britian, will, I hear, have charge of Countess and a couple more at Patea to prepare them for next season’s facing. Charlie Woodley has another hew inmate in his stable, viz., a four-year-old brown colt by Torpedo—Foam, and from his looks he should be heard of when asked to race. Alick McCormick is busy breaking in a couple of two-year-old fillies, viz , one but of Vermecelli, and the other out of First Flash. Both youngsters are by Mr McCaul’s Wapiti, who is getting iu great favour with breeders on this coast. The Vermecelli filly is engaged in the Egm out Sires’ Hack Produce Stakes, and the First Flash filly in the Wanganui Two-Year-OJd Stakes. - ' ' Splitlink, 8 tray shot, and Stranger were sent twice round over small sticks last

Saturday, the two first-named jumping well, but Stranger I do not think will ever make a brilliant fencer. Splitlink, who is a full brother to Swivel, will, I. predict, make a name for himself at the illegitimate game as he takes his jumps without dwelling at them. It is quite likely that he will be a starter in the C.J.C. Grand National Hurdles, but I fancy that race is too much to ask of him at first time of starting. Rangipuhi, Tuhiwai and Co are now being trained "by George Blanche at Parawanui. Potto, their old trainer, is at present in Wanganui. Melinite’s defeat in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles came as a great surprise to backers here, as they looked upon the race as a gift to the daughter of'Nordenfeldt—Pearl "Ash. The Ascot horse Good wood, now owned by J. Belcher, was in great form, and he justified the confidence reposedin him by his trainer by winning the Welter Handicap and running second to King John in the June Handicap. The horse only left Wanganui on Wednesday morning as Mr Belcher considered owing to the wet weather and the meeting being postponed that it would be ample time. Morag, who won the Steeplechase, is well known on this coast as he has performed with great credit both in hack hurdle events and flat hack races, and on that account was backed by a number of punters. Mr R. Mcßae’s steeeplechaser Whalebone, who was injured at the Wanganui meeting, has so far recovered under the treatment of our local vet.' Mr Hawke, that he was shipped by train for his owner’s place last Saturday morning. It is quite improbable that the horse will ever race again, and I believe it is the owner’s intention to use the son of Volunteer as a hack. Whalebone as a steeplechaser was well known, and he has placed a good few wins to his credit, among them being the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, Napier Park Steeplechase. Final Steeplechase at Wanganui, and other events. At one and a half miles over country it was hard to find his equal, and the way he negotiated his jumps was always highly appreciated by those who witnessed his performances. Amalgam, owned by Mr J. E. Nugent, is now located at W. Butler’s stabld. He will probably be nominated for the C.J.C. Meeting in the hunters’ events. Kai Iwi Lady returned home from Auckland the week before last in the care of W. Higgins. The mare is in a bit of a mess owing to both ligaments being injured, and it will take her some time to recover to enable her to race again. * • Jacobite, who also journeyed to Auckland, has returned home in care of McElwain. The class of horses he had to meet are no doubt a long way superior to him. Somnambulist, the jumper, is reported to have broken down. Nanakia is looking well, and will almost for a certainty be a starter in the C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase. George Blanche is now, I hear, installed trainer of Rangipuhi and Co. at Parawenui. Jimmy Laing, brother to George, is now at present in Wanganui, having - lately arrived from the other side, where _ his abilities as a cross-country horseman were greatly appreciated. Elk’s withdrawal from the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase came as a bit of surprise to local backers, as he was greatly fancied for that event here, and had he gone to the post he would have carried a fair amount of money.