WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 889, 21 March 1907, Page 8

WANGANUI.

WANGANUI, March 20. The form shown by Gazeley at the Wanganui meeting did not by any means indicate that he was a likely winner of the Napier Park Cup, and his success in the latter event came as a big surprise to local backers. That his win was no fluke he proved by annexing the big money the second day. Strange to say, a number of people got on to the good thing, a considerable amount of money being invested with the local books by wire from Napier. Jimmy Peachey took Mahoe up to Stratford, and on the strength of his running here the son of Sou’-wester looked a good bet, but he could only get second, being beaten by Strayboy From all accounts the racing at Stratford was not too clean; at all events some who claim to be good judges reckon that there was more than one “ ready” at the meeting. Old Blazer is in work again, and is shaping well enough to warrant Harry Jackson entertaining hopes of winning another stake or two with the St. Clair gelding. It is stated that Donald Cameron has accepted a retainer from Mr. G. F. Moore to do the latter’s riding. The Musketry mare Yuelba, which Harry Alexander has had in hand for some time, scored a win in the Farmers’ Plate at Stratford, when ridden by her owner, Mr. G. Currie. The mare won comfortably, and the owner-rider was presented with Dr. Paget’s silver cup. Harry Alexander deserves success with Yuelba, who is a four-year-old, as he has been very patient with her. It is stated that £750 was offered and refused for Full Rate prior to the Wanganui meeting. The Officer gelding would have been cheap at the price named. Regulation showed good form at Stratford, and there are more unlikely things than that the Regel mare will be very dangerous in the Easter Handicap at Auckland with only 7st on her back. [Since ahe above was written I note that Regulation did not accept for the Auckland race.] I understand that W. H. McKay, the well-known jockey, who has been living in Wanganui for some time now, contemplates taking up his residence in the Wairarapa district. McKay gets a lot of riding in the Wairarapa, and it would probably pay him better to live there than here. He is one of the most popular and

best-respected riders about here, and is also a very fine horseman. The weights for the Feilding Easter Meeting have made their appearance, and Mr. J. E. Henrys, as usual, seems to have made a very equitable adjustment. In the Cup, one mile and a-half, I should at this stage be inclined to take Montigo and Aeolus (8.13), Apa (8.5), and Gazeley (7.13) as the most likely to supply the winner. Seal Rock (7.3) looks to have more than an outside show in the C.J.C. Great Autumn, judging by the way he shaped in the Cup race here. He should be a much better horse by Easter time. Mulga Bill, who won the Cardiff Stakes, four and a-half furlongs, at Stratford on Thursday, is a two-year-old brown colt by Merriwee —Gipsy Queen. He is one which should be heard of later on. Mr. F. Atkins has put the seven-year-old Stepniak—Britomart horse Stepson in work again. The chestnut, who has had three years at the stud, appears likely to stand up to his work all right. A two-year-old Malatua colt which Mr. Dan O’Brien had here training with Multifid during Cup week was greatly admired. He is a fine stamp of a colt, very like Malatua, and if appearances go for anything should make a name for himself on the turf. One of the leading trainers stated that he had never seen a better-look-ing two-year-old.