WELLINGTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 812, 28 September 1905, Page 8

WELLINGTON

Wellington, September 26.

The Rangitikei spring meeting drew a few Hutt-trained horses to Bulls. Mr H. Brown’s pair, Hydrant and Togos, each won a race, and returned their backers capital dividends, also their owners and his friends are reported to have had a good win. F. Higgott, who trains the pair, well deserves a few victories, as he takes pains to get his charges well forward, and is out to win every time. Te kanui and Alexief, also from the Hutt, were competitors at the meeting, but the heavy going did not suit them. The latter is owned by Mr. W. Davis, and was freely supported with the S.P. men away from the course. Alexief is a nicely-bred colt, and should gallop better when more experienced. The public had their eye right on the winners during the second day of the Rangitikei meeting. Five favourites got home, three of them being previous day’s winners, viz., John Peel, Jolly Friar, and Hutana. Backers speculated with great confidence, and the totalisator turnover exceeded that of last year. Mr. H. Good, owner of the sensational Maniopoto, was a passenger from Sydney by the Mararoa, which reached Wellington last Wednesday. Mr. Good, who left for Hawera the following morning, vouchsafed the information that Maniopoto’s performance in the Epsom Handicap was a complete mystery to him. He and his friend had the horse heavily supported for the mile race, and considered the race the best of things for Maniopoto. The result of the Metropolitan was an agreeable surprise. Mr. Good accepted £l2OO about his horse for the Metropolitan at long odds some time prior to the horse being shipped to Sydney, but after his Epsom exhibition he could not support him, and his total winnings was the sum he had booked as above. Mr. Good had several good offers for the horse, but up to the time he passed through Wellington no sale had been effected. It is quite on the cards, however, that Maniopoto will change hands ere he starts for the Victorian events.

A number of Wellington-owned horses have gone to Wanganui to assist at the club’s spring meeting. Mr. Prosser has taken Gold Crown, Ghoorka, Maui, and Marguerite, all of which are fairly forward. Mr. W. Davis will be represented by Black Reynard and Ballarat, and Frank Higgott by Shrapnel Shell and Petticoat, the latter a maiden filly by Multiform—Bloomer.

The Wanganui training tracks are usually in capital order, and numerous trainers embrace the opportunity of giving their charges a few winding-up gallops there in view of future engagements. The Wanganui Club thus derives direct

revenue through paying proper attention to the wants of trainers. Sir Geo. Clifford’s team .in charge of H. Cutts hav,e been located at Wanganui for the last 10 days, and many other trainers would have been pleased could they have reached the scene of action earlier.

Nonette pulled up very lame on the second day of the Rangitikei races, and will probably be sent to the stud, as it is obvious that he will not stand training. The Otaki Maori Racing Club have received capital nominations for their spring meeting. The open handicaps have filled well, and include such good performers as Kremlin, Gold Crown, Regulation, Black Reynard, Ngatarua, Shrapnel Shell, and Hydrant. Although the entries have yet to be made for the Maiden Plate and Maiden Hurdle Race, the nominations are 55 in excess of those received by the club for their last spring meeting. It would thus appear that the policy of placing open races on the programme has been appreciated by racing men.

Betting on the New Zealand Cup is paralysed owing to the Yaldhurst horses appearing to hold the key to the situation. Each of the trio has been solidly supported by the public, but no one seems to have the slightest inkling as to Mr. Stead’s intentions. Very probably he and his trainer will come to some decision after the horses are safely returned to their quarters. It would not «eem policy to decide thus early, as a mishap might happen during transit, and thus all calculations would be upset. Messrs. Ross and Bradshaw, who have recently amalgamated their businesses, supply the following quotations:—Nightfall, 7 to 1; Noctuiform, Achilles, and Mahutonga, 9 to 1; Quarvman. Scotty, Paritutu, Melodeon, and Sun god, 14 to 1; Bulawayo, 16 to 1; Ghoorka and Golden Knight, 20 to 1 : GoM Crown and Cal’.bre, 25 to 1; others from 40 to 300 to 1.

. It was common report that the question of starting and handicapping would engross the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club at their adjourned monthly meeting, which was held last Monday. Mr. J. O. Evett’s name was freely mentioned in connection with handicapping, and as he has some warm admirers amongst the stewards his appointment would have caused no surprise.. Owing, however, to the absence of four stewards, it was deemed to effect changes in the club’s stipendiary officials, and the matter was deferred for consideration until after the club’s spring meeting. Meantime last year’s stipendiary staff will carry out their duties at th- forthcoming meeting.