WELLINGTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 746, 23 June 1904, Page 8

WELLINGTON

Wellington, June 19

The Wellington Steeplechase course is being put in order for the coming Winter Meeting. The sod wall opposite the Startd which brought a number of horses down last year has been removed and a “hencoop” jump erected in its steadAn awkwardly situated post and rail fence, which stood at the south end of the course, has been replaced by a sod jump. The other fences have been trimmed and re-brushed, and the course should be negotiable by even novices at the cross-country game. Tan being a scarce commodity m Wellington, the W.R.C. Committee have decided to form a sawdust gallo and a contract is beiflg made for a supply sufficient to make a mile track. Owing to the recent wet weather the tracks are somewhat heavy just now, but as most horses are restricted to half pace work and trotting trainers are in no wav inconvenienced. The Hawke’s Day Steeplechase is shorn of much of its interest through the poor acceptance and almost total absence of visiting chasers. Of the eight acceptors, Papatu and Eclair, although practically beginners, are the only pair th a t could be trusted to negotiate a steeplechase course at anvthing approaching a decent pace. The pair will probably have the race to themselves and Papatu may win. Some irttrepid punters are thus early backing their fancies for the N-Z. Cup. Achilles’ prospective weight is a subject much discussed. His prominent position under adverse circumstances last year with 9st Mb points to the fact that he will be asked to carry in-

creased poundage next November. Cruciform’s defeat of Wakeful on w.f.a. terms at Randwick last Spring, was a great performance, and considering that Wakeful, with lost, ran second to Lord Cardigan, 6st 81b, for the Melbourne Cup a few weeks later ; the Cup Handicap problem is one that requires careful solving. The placing of the topweights in this year’s N.Z. Cup will no doubt give rise to much argument and not a little speculation. J. Taggart has oassed through on his way home with Slow Tom. When Taggart went North he expected io h a ve the services of Alick Hall to ride Slow Tom in his Auckland engagements. Hall was expected to proceed North after the Otaki Meeting, where he was engaged riding Guesser in the Hurdle Race. As Hall did not turn up Delaney was intrusted with the mount, and, although he rode a good race, it is possible that Slow Tom’s old pilot would have adopted different tactics. At any rate, Slow Tom’s trainer considers it was hard luck that his horse should be defeated bv Moccasin, and still harder luck that Slew Tom should topple over at the last jump in the Winter Steeple when he almost had the race won. W. Davis has returned from Auckland, bringing with him Ropa and Kohinui. The former is very backward in condition, and will require a lot of polishing up ere he faces a starter. Kohinui would have been left in Auckland had anyone made an offer for him ; he should be very useful to hunting men, as he is a very careful fencer. There are no fresh developments in the Convoy-Gladsome imbroglio. Mr Reid has been notified of the decision of the appeal judges, and a formal applica tion has been made by the W.R.C. for a refund of the Stakes won by him at Wellington. The club’s duties end there. The Appeal Judges, however, may, according to Rule 168, section! io, declare persons defying their ruling to be disqualified persons within the meaning of the Rules of Racing, so that any further steps will apparently have to be taken by the Appeal Judges.