WELLINGTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 685, 23 April 1903, Page 14

WELLINGTON

April 19th. The complete breakdown of Advance was not unexpected by those who witnessed him struggling under his heavy burden in the Wanganui Cup. That struggle undoubtedly had its ill effect upon the sinews formerly affected, and although possibly not noticeable, his brilliant effort in the Jackson Stakes, stretched to the verge of snapping point, the ligaments which at Riccarton finally gave way during the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes. It is devoutly to be hoped that the day is rtot far distant when a maximum weight will be fixed by our Turf Parliament, thus placing it beyond the power of racing officials to burden our best horses beyond reasonable limits. It is no encouragement to breeders and purchasers of high-priced yearlings, to find our best horses outweighted for the most valuable stakes. The failure of the top-weight division in important events was most marked right through the Easter Meetings. In the C.J.C. Easier Handicap, Orloff had no chance with the lei nientry treated Lady Lillian ; Wairiki failed badly behind Golden Rose, in the contest for the Auckland Easter I-landi-

cap ; Ringman, top-weight, could only get third to A.8.N., Gst 71b, for the Feildinfg Cup. At Waipukarau, Ballynetty, Tradewind, and Menura (the three top-weights in the principal event) were unulaced behind la, 7st 51b. Plaidie’s head victory over Volley for the Wairarupu Easter Handicap, was the only instance where the top-weight division prevailed, and had Ringman started with 9>st 21b, 1 venture the opinion that the top-weight would not have secured even a place. There is ample food for reflection) in the above illustrations. Some system of classing racehorses is apparently required, it works well with trotters, why not with gallopers ? The class represented at Feilding. Wairurapa, and Waipuvurau, were mostly ex-hacks, and their performances are of but little interest to your readers. Ringman ran honestly at Feilding, but Shrapnel, a son of The Workman, was undoubtedly the best horse running at the meeting. His win in the Makino Handicap, 1 mile, in which he carried '.»st 211), and ran the distance in imin 43 i-ssec, demonstrates that he will pay his way in open company. At. Wairurapa, Plaidie was the best of a rather poor lot, of which Shrapnel Shell, Tikirawa, and Somerled are just a cut above ordinary leather flappers. Backers during the Easter holidays had much the worse of what betting was done in Wellington. The local bocks missed laying the winning double 'the two Lady Lillians). Ringman and Motuku, representatives of Mr Paterson’s stable, were freely backed for their Feilding engagements.

For C.J.C. events, Orloff, i’ampcio, Machine Gun, Sea Lion, and Narcissus were heavily supported on the first day ; whilst Pallas, Cannie Chiel, Advance, and St. Denis were intrusted with most money for the second day’s events. The Wellington handicapper, Mr J. Chadwick, attended the Wairarapa and Feilding Easter Meetings, with the view of estimating the merits of the horses competing there, and his Wellington adjustments are most favourably commented on. The fact of a Wellington handicapper attending these meetings is quite a new departure ; formerly the weight adjusters trusted to the press agency 'for reports of the Easter racing, and framed their adjustments lyThe recent rains have rendered the Hutt Park racecourse capital going. The Canterbury' and Dunedin teams have arrived safely, and every available box at the Hutt is tenanted. Some disappointment is felt at the absence of Orloff. He was considered to have an excellent chance in the Thompson Handicap, but possibly the two hard races he ran at the C.J.C. Meeting may have something to do with his failure to continue his Wellington engagements. Lady Lillian’s owner, after securing the double Easter and Autumn, decided to allow her a wellearned respite. Vladmir, who is not himself, was returned to Dunedin, consequently the stable will rely on Pampero. Blazer has been pensioned off, and with Welbeck broken down, and Evelyn Wood in the paddock, a number of the South horses are absent. The owner of Hydrant (who races under the assumed name of Mr Hammon) has been exonerated by the Metropolitan body (C.J.C.), to whom he applied when disqualified together with Hydrant, by the Marlborough R.C. This was quite expected bv those who were conversant with the facts. Hydranft will run at the Wellington Meeting this week ; he is now trained by Frank Higgot, who has quite a large string under his care.