WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 815, 19 October 1905, Page 9

WANGANUI.

Wanganui, October 18. Punters were kept fairly busy during the past week with the Napier Park and Otaki meetings, and taking all things into consideration, the pickers had all the best of the deal. Kuroki, Nova, Black Reynard, Flanagan, and Flotilla at Otaki, and Operetta, Douche, Romany Girl. Canton and Gazeley at the Park, proved a serious thorn in the sides of the various local metallicians. In fact, one of the latter remarked as the results came through: “I have never been in such a place as Wanganui for pickers of certainties.”

Frank Lind took Kuroki down to Otaki, and the big chestnut gelding scored a double. On the first day he paid £1 18s, which was expected, but the dividend on the second day came as a surprise to backers and layers alike. The fact of the son of Fiske giving weight to such good ones as Pretty Maid and Maui evidently had the effect of increasing the price of the winner. The son of Satellite is now out of hack company, but. being in at Masterton, he may race out his nomination, after which I believe his mentor intends putting him to the illegitimate game, at which his dam gave promise of being a huge success prior to breaking down badly. Great praise is due to Lind for the patience and perseverance he has displayed in the long and tedious preparation of the six-year-old gelding, and although for some considerable time Kuroki failed to return anything for their outlay, he has of late rewarded his connections handsomely. May he continue to do so is the earnest wish of all sports'who are acquainted with the popular and genial Frank. • The defeat of King Billy by Zimmerman at the Park came as a great surprise to the racing fraternity here, as the son of Merriwee was thought by many to be invincible. Excellent nominations have been received by the AVaverley-Waitotara Racing Club for their annual fixture, which eventuates on November 9. The quality of the contestants is fairly good, and the handicapper (Air. G. Morse) will have splendid material upon which to execute his arduous tasks. The. Vanguard mare Opaeae has been nominated for the hurdle race at AVaverley, but it is hardly probable she will be fit enough for the occasion. A couple of seasons back Opaeae demonstrated her hurdle abilities by winning several events of a mile and a-half, but beyond that distance she was a failure. Tilley journeyed to Otaki with Pretty Alaid, Bounce, and Nova, the latter securing a double in taking style. Pretty maid was looked upon by supporters of the stable as a moral the second day, but the daughter of The Officer was defeated by Kuroki. Nova is a three-year-old colt by Stepniak out of Faua, possessing a really creditable turn of speed. Asteroid and Midea were taken to Napier by W. Price, but the pair failed to earn a winning bracket for the Fordell mentor. Paritntu has been supported during the week for the New Zealand Cup, and also taken freely in doubles with Solution. Chivalry, Alachine Gun, and Kremlin. On the second day of the Napier Park meeting the names of Gazeley, Cantor, and Ballyneety were omitted from the printed cards here, and as is always the way on such 'occasions, the trio annexed their respective races. A private wire, however, received in town stated Gazeley

was an “ absolute moral” for the Second Hack, so punters came at him and, of course, scored a win. Tilley has Solution, Aiartello, and St. Joe engaged at the Wellington meeting, while lhe AVaverley-trained Auratus also claims an engagement. The Wellington Racing Club’s Spring Aleeting will be held on Friday and Saturday next, and given fine weather a successful gathering should be recorded. Several of the runners have recent form to recommend them, while several others have been doing good work on the track. Special interest will be lent to the meeting of the two sturdy chestnuts, Achilles and Alahutonga, in the handicap, and if started I look to the son of Medallion to prevail with Black Reynard in a place. Other dividend-payers may be:—Hack Hurdles: South Star and Black Squall. Shorts: Alarguerite and St. Claimer. Flying: Prelude and St. Iristram. Rimutaka Hack: Gazeley and Aorangi. . \A ainui: Regulation and Seagull. Spring Hack: Petticoat and Truce.