WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 682, 2 April 1903, Page 15

WELLINGTON.

Wellington, March 30. The principal topic in local sporting circles is the wholesale withdrawal from .the C.J.C. Easter and Autumn Handicaps of the representatives of the Porirua stable. That the owners had ample ,ustification for scratching the whole- of their large team, few judges of racing will gainsav. It is notorious that during the whole of this season, Messrs. Evett, and Henrys have been unduly harsh in their treatment of Prosser’s charges. A few of the numerous instances should suffice, fake the prohibitive weight, list 31b allotted by Mr. Evett to Advance for the Wanganui Cup. Then Ostiak who was badly beaten at the Wellington Cup Meeting with 9st 11b, was given fist 61b in a race of

the same distance at Wanganui. Exmoor was awarded Bst 31b, and Ghoorka Bst 21b in the Flying Handicap at same Meeting, and of course declined to accept. Westguard, on the other hand, was thrown in with Bst 111 b, for this mare just previously had carried 9st 61b, and won the Hawke’s Bay Christmas Handicap in Imin 17sec. As the Porirua three-year-old Exmoor, and Ghoorka only received 8 and 91b respectively from Westguard, the injustice is obvious, especially as Westguard emphasised her Wanganui form a week later by winning the Hawke’s Bay Railway Handicap of six furlongs, in Imin 16sec. The Porirua three-year-olds were also badly treated through Oingo Bst 31b, Windwhistle Bst 31b, and Field Battery Bst, each of whom won at Wanganui, whilst all the Porirua reps, that started, failed. At Hawke’sßay, where Westguard and Windwhistle scored again. Prosser’s charges, although liberally engaged, only secured the Nursery Handicap, a stake of .100 sovs., this by the aid of the Maiden two-tear-old, Gold Crown., This colt showed poor form at Manawatu on Boxing day, and ran unplaced in the Wellington Nursery Handicap later on, and notwithstanding that he won at Hawke’s Bay, was not handicapped on form in being placed within 71b of Tortoise (a winner/. The harshness was accentuated, when Mr. Henrys raised Gold Crown twenty pounds for the two-year-old Handicap on the second day. Such a jump in weight is most unusual, and the owner had no option but discontinue the colt’s engagements. For the Auckland Summer, and the Dunedin Autumn Meetings, the Poirua stabfe engaged their horses heavily, and although harshly dealt with, sent Porirua (who was handicapped to concede Waireki 31b in the Cup,, North, he however figured amongst the also started, in the Cup and other events. Subsequently, Mr. Henrys dealt with Porirua, and for his Auckland performances gave "him an additional 41b for the Dunedin Cup, (Siege Gun, ’ the winner at Auckland, was only raised 61b), Ghoorka on his very best form, was illused at 7st 91b. Both, in consequence were withdrawn from their Dunedin engagements.