WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 8

WANGANUI.

Wanganui, June 13. Tonderghie, one of the Hon. J. G. Ormond’s castoffs, has been purchased by a well-known local butcher, in whose interests the horse ran at Otaki. The Daunt —Fleta gelding is being trained by J. Boyd. It is quite likely the big chestnut will be given a chance to distinguish himself over the small sticks, at which game he ought to be a success, as he is built like a jumper, and he has plenty of pace. Frank Lind left Wanganui on Thursday, taking with him Kuroki, en route for Sydney. It is understood that the Fiske gelding will be raced at some of the smaller meet-

ings in New South. 'Wales, and later on given a chance in the Grand Nationals to prove his worth. He is a very useful kind of a gelding, being able to jump well, and having a fair turn of pace, so he should pick up a stake or two. It is quite probable Lind will quit him on the other side. Alf. Smith, who has an interest in Kuroki, has a full sister to the latter which he intends to put into work shortly. She is said to be very promising looking, and should pay her way. Amongst the New Zealand Cup nominations are several horses from this district, including Apa, Martello, St. Joe, Auratus, and Armistice. The three former are in Fred. Tilley’s stable, and have each proved themselves to be fairly good. The two former have given signs of being on the improve lately, especially the high-priced son of Hotchkiss —Rose of Wellington, who may yet prove himself worthy of his high lineage. Auratus showed such excellent form in the early part of this season as to warrant his connections considering he may have a big chance in the New Zealand Cup. He was in retirement for some time, but has quite recovered from the rick from which he suffered, and all going well is a pretty sure starter in the big event. The son of Gold Reef will carry a lot of coin from up this way unless he is too highly assessed by the handicapper.

Armistice is in work again now, but the daughter of Mahaki is very big. However, it is a far cry to the date of the big race, and Harry Jackson will doubtless have the mare in tip-top condition by November. Writing of Jackson reminds me that Ben More is showing signs of retaining all his undoubted pace, and there are more unlikely things than that this rakish looking son of Casket will win another race or two. Fontenoy is showing signs of unsoundness, but it is sincerely to be hoped that Jackson will be able to get this fine-looking Haut Brion colt properly wound up, as he is . one of whom great hopes are entertained. From all accounts, the judging at Otaki did not give satisfaction to some owners and backers. Some declare that Prospector defeated Silver Lead, when a dead heat was declared, and that Landwern won by a head when he was placed second. Then in the Hack Hurdles, on the second day, it is contended that Hokio got home from Jack Pot by a head, but the latter was placed first. All this speaks volumes in favour of the handicapper. The form shown by Martello on the second day at Otaki came as a great surprise to many after the way he shaped the first day. Very little of note is being done on the local tracks, but Rangiwhenua is still being sent along. The grey will be taken over to the Hawke’s Bay meeting. Miss Dempster, of Alton, who foreerly owned and herself trained Gleam, has a full brother to that speedy mare in work now named Lantern, who Is reported to be showing much more pace than his sister did. If this is correct then Miss Dempster should win some good races with the horse. The young lady in question has shown herself to be. quite competent to turn a horse out in tiptop racing condition, and as she is passionately fond of horses the work is a labour of love to her. Judging from the success which has attended her efforts in the past, she has every reason to be well satisfied with the financial results of her own training operations. Miss Dempster is a firstclass horsewoman, and breaks the horses in herself, amongst those she broke in being Gleam, whom she afterwards trained for the first few races.