WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 243, 21 March 1895, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

March 16. There was a little excitement in the saddling paddock at Opaki on Thursday over a Wellington bookmaker purchasing the hack Slaiden. After running unsuccessfully in the first hack race the new owner asked for delivery of the horse, but the trainer (one of New Zealand’s dusky sons) was loth to part with his charge and refused to deliver him up, for which he was applauded by some of the onlookers. Matters, were

amicably arranged by the new owner reselling the horse to the original owner. It would appear that the bad luck experienced by the Wairarapa sportsman Mr B. Cave this season has at last turned for the better, as under his new trainer John Lunn, Sea Serpent scored a win for his owner at Opaki on Thursday. Let us hope fortune favours Mr Cave’s horses in the future better than in the past. I was glad to hear that Mr Cave won close on £l5O in bets over the race. Awatere justified-the opinion I expressed of him when I saw him stripped for his maiden appearance at Carterton in the spring by appropriating the Maiden at Masterton —Opaki against a good field. He is a fine big son of King Cole and should be seen to advantage in future. He is the cut of a horse that would also pay his way over fences. The defeat of King’s Bowman came as a suprise to many. For myself, I was not partial to his chance in the mile and a quarter race, as I consider that six or seven f nrlongs is the length of his tether, but his defeat in the Flying is accounted for by the fact that Sea Serpent got several lengths the best of the start. Kent’s wounds have healed up splendidly and the St. George horse is now doing serviceable work. He should be

ready at about Thompson Handicap timeand if himself he will shake that event. Legislation is also spoken of as a likely customer to carry off the mile race, as he is an improving horse. A Manawatu paper.says that M. Hobbs has purchased Osman for £2OO. Slaiden is considered the best six furlong horse in the Wairarapa, but I fancy that Scrip (whom I mentioned as one to watch for future engagements after his running at the Heretaunga Meeting) will prove Slaiden’s superior at that distance ere the season closes. The two Hutt representatives at themeeting Swordfish and Bona Fide failed to earn a winning bracket. Neither, however, were seen at their best. The Dancer is looked upon as a real good thing here for the Hawkes Bay Cup, but I fancy North Atlantic will beat him badly. Strong language is freely used here at times with reference to the riding of a couple of jockeys who can go to the scale under Bst, and their dealings with certain monied men are adversely criticised. If there is anything in the rumours it is only a matter of time forthem to be bowled out, as owners must fall to their little game in the course of time.

The Autumn Meeting of the Master-ton-Opaki R.C. took place on the Opaki ■course on Thursday. The racing was very interesting, and Mr Henry puzzled backers somewhat, substantial dividends being paid out in the majority of the events. The starting, which was in the hands of Mr Elkins, was very unsatisfactory indeed. It was understood that a new starting machine was to be used for the meeting, but it was not in attendance, and Mr Elkins undertook the duties. It is a great infliction on horseowners to have their horses fooled about bv imcompetent starters, and I hope the olub will have this remedied at its next meeting. Messrs. J. Annes and Co. were in charge of the totalisaior, handling the sum of £2,075. The racing commenced with the Hack Hurdles, The Toad, who

was sent out favourite, winning cleverly by half a length from Kaikaa, who would probablv have won had Kegan made his run a bit sooner. The Admiral’s son

showed a lot of pace at the finish Time, 2min 57 3-ssec Dividend, £2 10s. For the Hack Maiden Race nothing would go flown with the public but Scrip and Bona Fide. Scrip made the running for the best part of the distance, when Awatere, a bay mare by King Cole —Queen Margaret, deposed the Forester gelding from the lead, and won as she liked by three lengths, with Bona Fide third. Awatere was quietly supported in Wellington, and paid her backers the respectable dividend of £8 7s.

The eight starters for the St. Patrick’s Handicap were very evenly supported, Tuhitarata being a slightly better favourite than Revolution and King’s Bowman. Tuhitarata, Arius, Revolution, and King’s Bowman ultimately led, but at the home turn Mr N. Grace’s colt came through with a wet sail, and won comfortably by

a couple of lengths. Revolution being third. The mile and a quarter was traversed in 2min 13sec. Dividend, £8 Ils. The victory of Adminstrator’s son was a popular one. Swordfish was looked upon as a good thing for the Hack Race, one mile and a quarter, and he was installed a firm favourite, while the ultimate winner, Royal Tar, was neglected, owing to a report being current that the horse was not himself. He jumped off in front from a straggling start, and was never headed, Fresh Deal and Swordfish filling the places. He paid a dividend of £l6 ss. He won the same event last year, paying a dividend of £l6 odd. For the Flying Handicap’ King’s Bowman was considered a “ shot bird,” but Sea Serpent, looking extremely well, got away with a flying start, and although Legislator and King’s Bowman tackled him in the straight, Mr Cave’s horse managed to sneak home by a neck, King’s Bowman third. Time, Imin 17 3-ssec. Dividend, £5 5s The owner of King’s Bowman entered a protest against Sea Serpent on the ground of crossing, but the protest was dismissed by the Stewards. Old Makomako easily defeated his three opponents in the Selling Hack Race, after which the Hack Flying brought the gathering to a close. Slaiden was backed down to level money. There was a very exciting finish between Slaiden, Snip, Omago, and Swordfish, the judge being unable to separate the first two for premier position, while Omago, who got blocked and the rider could not use his whip, was placed third. By a telegraphic error the name of Mr Nat King was substituted for Mr Nat Nathan in a paragraph in last week’s Review, relating to the latter’s illness. [by wire.] March 19. Sandon Park Meeting resulted as follows: —Flying : Flying Shot 1, Sea Breeze 2, Puhiwai 3. Dividend £2 Ils. Hurdles: Strike 1, Canard 2, Springston 3. Dividend £5 ss. Trial Hurdles: Snap Cap 1. Dividend £7 2s. Handicap : Souter 1, Artist 2, Huia 3. Divi dend £2 2s. Time 2.47£. Electric : Marama 1, Umslopogaas 2. Dividend £2 Is. Maiden: Vigil 1, Earl Grey-2, Dutchman 3. Dividend £4 9s. Tramway: Finesse 1, Veracity 2, Huia 3. Dividend £2 13s. " With reference to Mr Twoomey’s letter in your last issue, I understand that Mr Pollock whom I mentioned as part owner of Nancy has no connection with the man who ran in the nomination of Mr Twoomey at Palmerston. As regards Mr Twoomey’s remarks concern-

ing myself his opinion cannot be regarded as worth much seeing that he is practically unknown in sporting, unless in town, but I understand he is a blacksmith at Lower Hutt. lam glad to say that 1 do not know the individual and have no desire to do so. .. I am particular as to my acquaintances. I would advise persons not to allow themselves to be made tools of by vicious minded individuals. Considering that his abusive remarks had no weight with any one with wl.om I am acquainted they do not call for any further comment. Flying Shot broke down in the Sandon Handicap yesterday. North Atlantic was heavily supported by Welliniztonians for the Hawkes Bay Cup, but Dreamland also had admirers here. Melinite was also a strong order for the Hurdles

It is probable that Kent, Swordfish, and Review will go to Nelson on Friday for the meeting next week. Dr. Gillon, a prominent member of the Hunt Club, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country, has purchased a large practice in Sydney, for which place he leaves shortly. He will be greatly missed in hunting circles. It is doubtful if those connected with a certain trotter at Palmerston North would like the public to know as to how that trotter performed in the South Island.

The winnings in connection with the recent meeting of the Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club were as follow : —N. Grace £55, A. W. Cave £4O, H. Cattle £3O, Wi Hutana £25, T. Ray £2O, C. Cress £2O, T. Walker £l5, T. Benton, jun., £l5, P F. Tancred £lO, K. McKenzie, jun., £5, R. Bright, jun., £5, J. Cress, £4.