WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 523, 27 December 1900, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

VAKIOUS MEETINGS TO COME—WOODVILLE RACING GOSSIP—SOME ANTICIPATIONS. Wellington, December 2 1. H. Parata has named his colt by Musketry— Rosy Morn, Tutungarehu, which is Maori for war-dance. Mr G. G. Stead, the Christchurch sportsman, is on his way to assist at the Auckland Racing Club’s Meeting. Major George’s Powerful, fulf-brother to Seahorse, is entered for the Wellington St Leger of 1903. J. Bacovich, who has at present four horses in training, intends visiting Auckland in order to buy a couple of well-bred animals at the forthv coming blood stock sales. It is probable that Mr Bacovitch will remove his team from Wairarapa to Wanganui shortly. It appears that Skobeleff and The Hempie were wrongly included in the Manawatu Oup acceptance list, also Madman is outof the Hack Hurdles and Ascot Vale out of the High-weight Handicap. The Woodvi le Jockey Club’s Summer Meeting opened on Wednesday and concluded yesterday. The Hutt horse Waterf rd, was scratched for the Trial Handicap, which fell to Mr Beid’s Black Bose, Brown Bill and Baparapa being in the places. Benton’s Discharge scored an easy victory in the Hack Hurdles from Bimu and Vanquish, paying £3 17s. Discharge carried bottom weight, being in receipt of 30ibs from Vanquish.

Mr-Richardson’s -Robinson Crusoe horse, Robin Gray, created a surprise in the Grandstand Handicap, winning with 7st 81b from Russley Belle and the Southern horse Transport. Backers were again at sea in the Woodville Handicap, which fell to Murmur, who had a handy impost in 7st 111 b This horse is a really good one when well. The runner-up was the top weight, Palaver, Bst 101 b, the Wairarapa mare Volley being third under Bst 31b. Jewel Gun, by Needle Gun —Ohattlaain, came out of his shell once again in the Flying Hack Handicap, Marianthus and Mustella being second and third.

It is a long time since Amoureux has been seen in the van, but Pasi ’s half-sister (by Torpedo) has not been quite herself. Connop had her fit at. Woodville, however, and she won the Borough Handicap from start to finish. Proposal and Calceolaria were second and third. The winner’s most dangerous opponent, Philantropist, was scratched. The Welter Hack event proved a good race, Kaiwhakaroa getting home by half a length, Passion Fruit second and Brown Bill third. , Mr Orossan had a look in with St Denis in the Electric Handicap, in which be carried Bst 131 b. The son < f St Clair led from end to end, Calceolaria and Warnote being in the places. Amoureux was scratched.

The first event on the second day, the Stewards’ Hack Race, resulted in a surprise, Gil ett’s Fire ball, by Fiske—Norah, getting home safely from Wai-iti, and paying £lO 12a. He carried the lowest weight, 7st 51b.

Bimu, who ran second in the Hurdles on the opening day, proved his superiority in his second effort, beating Waitio after a good struggle in the straight. Gray Ribbon filled third place. The Kuahine Handicap resulted in a great tussle, Brown Bill winning from Passion Fruit and Crown Prince. There were only four starters for the Summer Handicap, Amoureux and Momohaki being scratched. Victory rested with The Hempie, 7st 121 b, Cherrystone, 7st 111 b, being alongside at the finish The other starter, Proposal, was left at the post. Marianthus, Mustella, and Wai-iti were the only three to line up forrthe Telegraph Hand:cap, the first-named winning easily. Amoureux scored her second win at the meeting in the Railway stakes, defeating Cora Linn (Ost 81b) and Donovan (8 t 21b) Backers kept off Robin Gray once again in the Scurry, and he returned his supporters the good dividend of £7 Ils. Marianthus and Roer were his immediate attendants.

The Wellington Trotting Olub has issued the programme for its next meeti ig, which takes placp at Prtone on Saturday and Wednesday, the 19 h'and 23rd of January. One notable thing about the conditions of the majority of the events is the reduction of the time limits. This is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The first day’s programme will be as follows Local Handicap, 20 eovs, 2 miles, for horses that have never won a race; Railway Handicap, 30 sovs, 1| miles, for horses that can do 4min 15sec or better; Wellington T.O. Handicap, 75 sovs, 2 miles, for horses that can do smin 20sec or better; District Handicap, 20 sovs, miles, for horses owned in the district for two months previously ; President’s Handicap, 20 sovs, lijmiles, for horses that can do 4min 15sec or better ; Dash Handicap, 30 sovs, 1 mile, for horses that can trot 2min 45sec or better; Electric Handicap, 30 sovs, 1 mile, for horses that have not done better than 2min 40sec. The events to be got off on the second day are the Local Handicap of 2 miles, for horses owned in the district two months previously ; Hutt Handicap, 30,’ sovs, 1 | mile, for h’rses able to do 2min 50aec’or| better; Petone Handicap, 55 sovs, 2 miles, for horses that can trot smin 25sec or better; Ladies’ Bracelet, 20 sovs, 1» miles; Borough Handicap, 20 sovs, 1| miles, for horses that have not done better than 4min 47sec; Telegraph Handicap, 30 sovs, 1 mile, for horses that can do 2min 47sec or belter; and Consolation Handicap, 20 sovs, for all beaten horses at the meeting. The Marton Jockey Olub has decided to purchase from Mr A. W. Fullerton Smith 68| acres of land, in order to form a new course. The property is central, being located only a mile from the town. The price is £l7OO, and it is estimated that improvements will cost another £llOO. The Club has a credit balance of £7OO and it will be requisite to borrow about £2OOO. Mr S. Gibbons spoke in favour of going in for extensive improvements in order to bring their place up to date, and with, a view to secaring a second totalisator permit in the future. This view did not find favour with the majority, however, it being decided to merely p’ ovide a first-class course and the necessary buildings for the convenience of the public. Later on more pretentious structures will be put up. The following trustees were appointed in connection with negotiations for ground: —Ur S. Herman, Messrs A. Y Mcßeth, S. Gib ions, R. J. Hodgins, E J. Wilde, D. G. Riddiford, and L. Cohen.

At a meeting of the stewards of the Lower Valley Jockey Club it was decided to have the grandstand painted inside the ladies’ room to be re-furnished, the approaches to the totalisator to be improved, and the gate leading from the course to the saddling paddock to be widened. Warnote strained one of her forelegs prior to going to Woodville, but the injury wasn’t any way serious.

The Apremont—Flatter mare Palaver, who ran well the other day, may be heard from at the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s Meeting. The Manawatu Racing Club’s Meeting commences on Wednesday, and will conclude on the following day. My selections are as follows :— Telegraph Handicap, St Denis, Selkirk, Magnificent ; First Hurdles, Return, Skipper,. Coin ; Manawatu Oup, Volley, Murmur, Coeuf de Lion ; First Hack Hurdles, Bimu, Merry Boy, Vanquish ; Grandstand Handicap, Palaver, Cherrystone, Mellwood • Ladies’ Purse, Wonder, Waiiti, Lodge; High-weight Handicap, Proposal, Strathnairn. Acceptances for the Wairarapa Club’s Meeting are due on Monday night. In the Flying Handicap, Ostiak, 9st 71b, is asked to give St Denis 31b; i like Magnificent Bst 31b, Fashion 7st 131 b, and the weil bred Wakelyn, who has 101 b less. '1 he Southern horse, Skipper, has been placed at the head of affairs with 12st 71b, in the Hack Hurdles, giving Voltaire 1 litis. There are fifteen engaged, and Discharge and Lottie Collins appear to have good chances. Robin Gray has gone up in the handicapper’s estimation, being allotted 9st in the Flying Hack Race, Smithy being 31b above him. Transport, Sir Redvers and Oudenard take the eye as likely candidates. Tortullais top-weight for the Wairarapa Cup with 9at 91b, Strathnairn being m receipt of 51b from Torpedo’s daughter. Then comes Paladin with Bst 111 b, Buamabunga Bst 91b, Mnrmur Bst 51b, Ambrosia, Bst 31b, Volley. and Ostiak Bst 21b Wharo 7st 101 b, Hotu 7st 91b, Rebel 7st 81b, Fashion 7st 71b, Proposal 7st and Regret 6st 91b. I like Fashion and Murmur. In the' Maiden, Mackintosh or Katriona may come to light. Cavalier and Illumination are endowed with winning chances in the Rimutaka Handicap. Strathnairn is asked to carry list 131 b in the Grandstand Handicap, and this will likely prove too much for him Rebel, with lOat 41b, looks the pick of the bunch, and in the dack Welter, for which there is a big field, Parahina, Art Jewel and Cavalier may supply the winner. Although ne.ther Palaver or Lhe Hempie paid up for the Manawatu Oup, they are both engaged in the Grandstand Handicap. A great deal of interest is naturally being manifes’.ed over the Auckland Racing Club’s Meeting, and there appears to be considerable diversity of opinion as to the likely winner of the Cup. My idea is that Fulmen will win, and that Skobeleff will be rear. For the Trial Handicap I fancy Zealous and Honesty; Foal Stakes, Menchikcff; r urdles, Cannongate; Nursery, Liquidator and lady Sjuli ; Pony Handicap, Paphos and St Ursula ; Railway Handicap, n ormula, Military, The Needle. The other events at the Mee iog make the result as follows : —-Hoyal Stakes, Menschikoffi, Military Renown ; Great Northern Derby, Formula, Military. Renown; Auckland Plate, Advance; Steeplechase, Volcano or Straybird. 'there is a promise of some good racing at Martinborough on Boxing Diy, when the Lower Valley Meeting eventuates. Che following may run well forward in thtir engagements : — Maiden: Turanganui or The Colt; B >xing Day Handicap, Te Taiaha or Warnote ; Hack Handicap, Art Jewel or Mackintosh; Hurdles, Lottie Collins or Master Jack; Hack Flying, Rebounding Lock, Rebel, and Wbario ; Hack Welter, Jim Campbell, Art Jewel, and Hostility. KLg’s B>wman, who has been.having a spell, will probably be seen out at Martinborough.