WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 827, 11 January 1906, Page 10

WANGANUI.

Wanganui, January 10. The well-known Wanganui rider, George Laing, rode Blessbok to victory in the first event at the Reef ton meeting, but unluckily came to grief In the Hurdles later on in the same day, when Flanagan came down and George got a very severe shaking and sustained a nasty cut on the face. His many friends will be pleased to hear that he is progressing favourably, and no doubt he will soon have some more winning mounts. I understand that Mr. Charlie Chavannes, who has so successfully officiated as starter in Wanganui and other places for some years past, intends giving up the game at the end of the present season. Though his starting at the last spring meeting here, was not quite up to his usual standard, Mr. Chavannes may be said to have proved himself one of the best in the land at this business, and has given every satisfaction at the various clubs for which he has acted. The Egmont Racing Clubs summer meeting is to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, February 14 and 15, and I would call the attention of owners to the fact that nominations are due with Mr. J. A. Turton, secretary, on Wednesday next, January 17. Auckland owners generally enter their horses freely for this gathering, which often enables them to pick up a stake or two while on their way to the Wanganui Cup meeting. It is expected that a number of Northern horses will be seen down this way this year. A well-known racing enthusiast declares that he has seen more crooked running this season already that he has ever witnessed before. Moreover,, he states that he is firmly convinced, after carefully watching the racing at the principal meetings in this part of the colony for some months past, that the reports as to the existence of a jockeys’ ring is too true. He is a man who is not given to talking without his book, and there is no more experienced or better judge of the game than the person referred to.

Dr. Paget purchased Inglewood on the morning of the second day’s races at Bulls, but the price paid for the Sylvia Park gelding has not transpired. The popular medico should win a stake or two with the gelding, who jumps well and has a lot of pace.