WELLINGTON

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 819, 16 November 1905, Page 9

WELLINGTON

Wellington, November 14. The Taratahi-Carterton annual race meeting is usually a favourite outing for local followers of racing. The elements, however, are exceedingly unkind to the Wairarapa officials, and for the third year in succession the races have been conducted in inclement weather. This year was, if anything, worse than its predecessors, and the course and enclosures was ankle deep in slush. There was a goodly attendance, and speculation was brisk under the circumstances.

Several Wellington-owned horses took part in the events on the programme, but only one stake fell to a local owner, Hatley, by Saracen—Makura, annexing the Grandstand Welter Handicap from a moderate field. Hydrant made a good bid for the principal event, but he is only a “little ’un,” and his weight and the heavy going hampered him, the ex-hack Kuroki (a fine cut of a ge’ding) scoring an easy victory, while The Workman mare Fancywork ran a good third. Clanburn, a horse recently purchased by Mr W. Smart, owner, of Shrapnel Shell, ran in the Cup race, but was never prominent, and finished sixth. The Horowhenui gelding Rapids also ran badly.

Gawain, the property of a popular steward of the Masterton Racing Club, had no trouble in capturing a couple of sprint events. The same owner’s mare Dulcinea, by Bonnie Scotland—Minnie Palmer, also won a double. There was, however, not much merit in their wins, as class was but poorly represented at the meeting, Jeanne d’Arc and Jolly Friar being withdrawn owing to the heavy state of the course. Tekarawa, by Merrie England, was another double winner. This horse was laid aside 18 months ago owing to some ailment, but he is rapidly getting into form, and gave a couple of good displays at the Taratahi meeting. His owner, “ Mr. Seton,” is a plucky bettor, and no doubt the S.P. men would get a bit of a knock over Tikarawa’s victories.

The C. J.C. carnival has again come and gone, and one of the most remarkable features in connection with the meeting has been the success of horses from the stables of Mr. G. G. Stead and Sir Geo. Clifford. The former, in addition to winning the NeW Zealand Cup, Jubilee Cup, and Electric Plate, the last-named five events being classic and weight forage races. Sir Geo. Clifford’s victories were the Epsom Welter Handicap, Metropodtan Handicap, Spring Nursery Handicap, Jockey Club Handicap, Pioneer Handicap, and Juvenile P'ate, special weights. sportsman thus won half-a-dozen events, but where’s only one handicap (the New Zealand Cup) fell to Mr. S’ead, no less than five of the richest handicaps were won by Sir Geo. Clifford’s representatives. Representatives from the Porirua stable were singularly unfortuna+e, inasmuch as not a horse trained in the stable succeeded in running into a place during the iheeting. Followers of the stable were fairly sanguine that a race or two would come their way, as when the team were shipped South thev were said to be all in the very best of health. Prosser’s luck, however, seemed to be clean out. The Hon. J. D. Ormond gained a couple of well-deserved wins with Medallist and Sir Tristram, whom Stewart Waddell had in capital form. Zimmer-

< man, of whom-much 'was expected, failed to ruh u& 'to expectations..- • - Fred- Tilley had the mare '■ Solution in r perfect condition, and she • proved herseif to be one of the best ' springers in the colony. Her victory in 4 the Steward's’ Handicap was expected by students of form who, from the appearJ ‘ oPthe handicaps, declared her to be the-'best-treated animal in the race. Her ( - -victory in the Members’ Handicap on the -finding day of the meeting indy bore ‘ - btrt 1 thtf above opinions, and Mr. Paterson • k m£iy be congratulated on being fortunate to own such a sterling bit of horseflesh. ' -Frank tiiggott- was voted somewhat plucky to throw down the gauntlet to . the champions by taking his Multiform filly Petticoat to Riccaiuon. Luck, however, stood to him, and owing to his filly ' getting a break on in the early stages of ■ the \ Rice ar ton Welter Handicap, she secured a fluky victory over Clapchattan, who in his next essay had an win. . 7 Harry Goodman’s many Wellington - fiiends wei-e pleased to hear of his get- 1 .L ting .a win with Master Ajix. fhe latter ■ ran :the: race, of his life. :Thf* settling over the meeting will not be in favour of the metallicians, as the < ..Cup winner and Solution were heavily supported, both straight out and in, ■ doubles, one .backer alone coming out h. neariy £20.00 ahead of it over the meet- ; ing. An employee of the owner of Solu•.,±io.ii’lis .reported, to have won close on a thousand pounds, and there are. iiumer- . ous other fairly, large winners, including a hotel employee, > who picked Arthur , Laws’ treble^—Noctniform, Blue Spec, Solution, £4OO to ss. .