WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 826, 4 January 1906, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Wellington, January 2. Local racegoers have not lacked the opportunity of indulging in their favourite sport during the past week. The metallicians report that there was much spirited wagering over the Manawatu, Ashhurst and Auckland meetings. The layers received some heavy reverses, but in the end had the best of the week’s transactions. Putty’s victory in the Auckland Cup upset a lot of doubles as Mahutonga, Quarryman and Paritutu were heavily supported with Mr Watt’s pair, and had either of the above mentioned Cup trio prevailed there would have been some big winners amongst the - Wellington punters. . Mahntonga s promiaent position at the Cfinish of the Cup yas a surprise to .his connections here.; their latest from Ellersde was not of a reassuring descrip- " t on, and a number of The Quilt horse s backed-Paritutv- whose chance was .wired down as. speohd to none. . ‘I . The treble win of the. ex-Wellmc-tonian. lfr f J. d’ilriscQni was well received here. / A number, of old Waiwera admirers sUp ; , wrq uaiqM. ptre ‘XppUntiis miq period stable companion Pharos was, selected to

!'?W • " " tU'VSC tn " " •odo battle on the second day by the astute owner of the pair he also received solid support. The liberal price Pharos paid fairly astonished the s.p. men. His victory in the Steeplechase came as something of a surprise. The Ashhurst meeting was spout through inclement weather. The Cup dwindled down tb ten starters,,; Martian. Black Reynard, Regulation, Auraeus and Chryseis being amongst those withdrawn. Mussel served by his lenient impost, which included 101 b penalty, and the heavy going scored easily from Nonette, whose return to something like form must be gratifying tb his plucky owner, Mr E. Stevenson. The Dunedin-owne h mare Ailsa scored her first win, the Pohingiua Handicap, since joining the Porirua team, and as she seems to thrive on the Porirua sea air she may do her owner, “Mr J. Brett” a good turn ere the end of th* racing season. The class opposing Ailsa were not first-class, Captain Shannon and Recoil filling the places. The Ashhurst Guineas was considered a good thing for the Porirua-trained colt Aorangi; the latter started a red-hot fa vourite and looked all over a winner at the distance post, but despite careful nurs’ng bv Jenkins he faded to stay the mile out, and was defeated by Mr D. B. Roberts’ Tangaroa. by Son of a Gun— S Mi* y A. Deanes’ useful hurdler Pushful gave Jenkins a winning ride in the Komako Welter, although Togos was going the faster of the pair at the finish, the meeting should pan out alright, although the totalisator turnover was £2226 less than last year. The training track at Trentham will be available for galloping on next week. Ah army of carpenters have been engaged building loose boxes and ac3omni.>t.ation for trainers and their assistants, while quite a number of Trentham settlers have erected loose boxes, and some fearing they will lack patronage are ad vertising in the local press. The club s secretary, Mr Whyte, has several tons of straw stacked on the course, and nothing necessary for the convenience of owners will be neglected. The erstwhile Auckland-owned Num was submitted to auction during the second day of the Manawatu meeting. His owner instructed the auctioneer to sell if he only received a bid of a fiver, and after some competition be was knocked down to Mr Stead, junr., of Christchurch, for the sum of £9O. The stewards of the Manawatu R.C. evidently considered the rider of Lull (in the Second Hack Hurdle Race! was not sufficiently vigorous. A. Hall, the trainer of Apiti was asked to interview the stewards at the conclusion of the day’s racing. No artinn was. however, taken. Hall’s explanation fh*t he staked on Lull being considered satisfactory.