WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 9

WELLINGTON.

Wellington, June 13. Mr. W. Davies has most assuredly affronted Dame Fortune, for his horses, although looking real well and nicely handicapped, failed to earn a winning bracket of late. Black Reynard, Armamento, and Landwern were each expected to secure a race at the recent Otaki meeting, and were solidly supported by their trainer. Landwern got to within half a head of winning when he finished second for the Stewards’ Hack Handicap, but Armamento failed to run up to expectations, and Black Reynard, after making a bold bid for the Raukawa Cup, cut a most inglorious figure in the Huia Handicap, which was thought to be well within his reach. Mr. Davis has since

returned Black Reynard to his owner, Mr. D. Thompson, and A. Hall will put him to the jumping business. The management of the Otaki Maori R.C. Winter Meeting came in for much praise from numerous visiting officials of metropolitan and provincial racing clubs who assisted at the recent meeting. Mr. Hema R. Te Ao and the assistant secretary (Mr. O. D’Ath) were loyally supported by ,their executive officers who one and all stuck to their posts during the two days in a manner that might well be copied by stewards of some pakeha clubs. The judge, Mr. Rere Nikitini, had a number of close finishes to decide, and in every instance his decisions were prompt and gave satisfaction. This enterprising body are in treaty for a freehold on which they propose forming a racecourse and erecting up-to-date appointments. As their meetings are exceedingly popular, there is no doubt of their continued success.

The victory of Exmoor in the Great Northern Hurdle Race was the medium of many backers winning fair sums from the local ring. The double, Exmoor and Sol, had been well backed, and champagne was owing freely at a local social club subsequent to the news of Sol’s victory coming through. Exmoor was well supported in the flat races, for which he was saddled up, but, as might have been expected, did not even flatter his backers. Horses seldom race well on the flat immediately after racing over hurdles. Gold Crown, who accompanied Exmoor to Auckland, was none too leniently treated, and was probably inconvenienced by having to gallop the reverse way. Apparently Gold Crown is only a useful second rater. Hydrant was a great disappointment to his owner and supporters. The son of Jet d’Eau was considered at the weights equal to holding his own with the best of his opponents, and when the news of his having fallen at the first hurdle came through, many resolved to support him next time he ran. His later efforts were distinctly disappointing, and either he has gone off or was exceedingly lucky to win the Century Hurdles at Wanganui—probably the latter. Hydrant is a neat little horse and stays well, but his owner will probably have to select his horse’s company if he is to pay his way. The other pair brought North by F. Higgott, Moccasin and Shrapnel Shell, have been infirm for a long time, and only a sanguine trainer would have expected them to secure a race at Ellerslie. Both are reported to have finished a long way back in each of their efforts at the A.R.C. meeting. Nominations for the New Zealand Cup are considered in local sporting circles decidedly disappointing. Seventy-five per cent, of the entrants represent a very ordinary class of racehorse, and the absence of horses from the stables of Sir Geo. Clifford and G. G. Stead greatly detracts from the strength of Cup aspirants. Local metallicians are offering very cramped odds in consequence, and have intimated that their books will be of moderate dimensions. A few wagers were booked on the declaration of the nominations, amongst which were 300 to 17 Paritutu, 200 to 6 Zimmerman, and 300 to 18 Boomerang. From 100 to 500 to lis obtainable about quite a number of the horses nominated.