WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 907, 25 July 1907, Page 7

WANGANUI.

Regulation Well—Hawera Horses Training- at Wanganui—Maniapoto, King’s Birthday, and Idolatrous, Sylvan Yark, Colt by st. Cyr—Gavotte—Bay Billy by St. Clements—Nominations Bgmont-Wanganui H.C. Meeting—Mr. W. R. Tuck, Sportsman—An Appreciation. WANGANUI, July 23. Regulation was exceedingly well when she left here for Trentham, and it will be a big surprise to those who have seen the Regel mare galloping here if she does not place a win or two to her credit, either there or at Riccarton. Her jumping here has been a treat to see, and with her pace she must be very dangerous in the best of company. Owing, it is said, to the tracks at Hawera having been closed down for a month or two, a number of horses formerly trained there have been brought down to Wanganui to be prepared for their early spring engagements. Amongst the number are Maniapoto, King’s Birthday and Idolatorous. The former is doing steady work, and there appears every prospect of the son of Soult standing up to his work all right. The other day I had a look over R. Johnston’s stable, where Sylvan Park is located, together with a dark bay colt by Cyr out of Gavotte. This colt is a rising four-year-old and stands 16.3 hands high. Dick has had some trouble with him, but he is how going on all right. He is a nice one to look at, and though a little on the leggy side just at present, will no doubt grow out of that. It is to be hoped he will repay Johnston for the trouble he has taken with him. Another inmate of the stable is a bay filly by St. Clements out of Golden Eag e’s dam. She is a particularly well built filly, stand ng 16 hands, and nicely proportioned. To judge by her looks the daughter of St. Clements should be able to gallop. Sylvan Park has grown into a fine looking horse, being now the image of his sire, Sylvia Park. He has had a long spell, and should be all the better for it. The full brother to Volume ought to win a good race or two later on when Johnston gets him into form. Nominations for the Egmont-Wanga-nui Hunt Club Meeting, to be held on

the 29th August, close on the 16th of next month. Mr W. R. Tuck, the popular landlord of the Provincial Hotel, left for Wellington, en route for Sydney, on Friday. “Billy” had a great send-off. On the eve of his departure his fellow-hotelkeep-ers assembled at his hotel, and presented him with an unique token of their appreciation of him as a “sport,” vz., a horseshoe picked up in the street, surmounted by a silver fern-leaf, inscribed in gold with the words “Good Luck.” Mention was made of his long connection with sport, as a horseowner, a member of various athletic and cycling bodies, etc., and particularly of the pluck he had shown >in backing Webb jagainst Charlie Towns for the world’s sculling championship. The hope was expressed that his trip would be a successful and enjoyable one, and that he would accompany back to New Zealand the winner of the much-coveted championship. On the morning of his departure there was a large and representative gathering of citizens and sports at the Provincial, and Mr Tuck was presented by the Mayor with an illuminated address and solid silver cigar holder. Speeches appropriate to the occasion were made, and the health of the recipient was drunk in bumpers. OTAGO. Colonel in Work Again—Tahuna Park Track Widened — All Bed — Notus Sound Again—Tipi and St. Koringa have a Go—St. Koringa’s Form—Astrakhan and Grafton Loch—Halfbrother to St. Denis —Petrovna in Work—Victor 11. in Work—Zero and Somateria Have a Gallop — Santa Claus Sound Again—Magical Doing Slow Work—Grandstand Going Well.

DUNEDIN, July 24., A start has been made with the widening of the Tahuna Park trotting track. After an absence lasting several years from the track, the Vancleve gelding, Colonel, is in work again at the Forbury. All Red, the winner of the Trial Plate at Wellington, is the Stepniak— Madder colt that brought 430 guineas at the Elderslie yearling sale of 1905. He was purchased by Mr. J. Buckley, and after being handled and put through the rudiments of his business by H. Goodman, was sent up to Prosser’s stable to get the benefit of working on the Porirua beach. All Red is a raking big colt, and is a brother to Madrigal and Mungista, so that it would be astonishing if he does not show some aptitude for galloping. Whilst at Wingatui on Saturday the writer was one of a small party that gladly accepted an invitation from Mr. L. C. Hazlett to have a look at the pair of Australian colts he purchased at the Randwick yearling sale, held in the autumn. Both have thrived since they came to Wingatui, and the tasks allotted them by their mentor have apparently helped to bring them on as well as could be expected. Notus worked steadily over a twiceround task on Saturday, and is apparently quite sound again. “ Watching the work” is at present not too genial a task in the early morning, but nevertheless a few keen sports journeyed to Wingatui on Saturday, and were rewarded by seeing an interesting go between Pipi and

St. Koringa over “ country” that has been erected at headquarters. The pace was not rapid, but of the useful hunting order and solid enough for heavy going. What impressed the onlookers was the fact that a good steeplechase course could be laid out at Wingatui; the “country” would bear a natural appearance and could be made near to the spectators, and consequently popular. St. Koringa is in good steeplechase order at present, a bit on the big side, but apparently fit and well. He is a natural jumper, but the critics doubt his staying powers. However, he shaped • fairly well in a task with Pipi on Saturday, and in the event of accident it would be well to borrow a set of “ village bells” in case the National comes to Dunedin.

At Wingatui on Saturday morning our two New Zealand Cup candidates, Astrakhan and Grafton Loch, got through half-pace work over a couple 01 circuits. Ruttledge has both horses looking healthy and well. The former is looking big and round; a tendency to beef is characteristic of the Stepniaks, and Astrakhan has evidently done very well during the winter. Grafton Loch has improved and is slowly thickening out, perhaps more so than can be gleaned at a brief glance, as he is naturally on the wing, and a bit lathy in construction. A half-brother by Peerage to St. Denis is to join R. Ellis’ stable this week. He is owned and bred by Mr. J. R. Crossan, of Berwick, and is a chestnut with a good deal of white, as he sports four stockings and a blaze. If he can be converted into another St. Denis, he will not be long in paying his way. Petrovna, looking very big and lusty, was given slow work on Friday. She is at present so bulky in condition that one inclines to the opinion that the Stepniaks should be rarely treated to a “ stripped” gallop.

The Australian-bred Victor 11. continues in active commission at the Forbury, and on Friday morning strode over about three miles at fair half-pace. Zero and Somateria were galloped over five furlongs on Friday, and the latter, who had a good deal the best of the weights, finished in front, but neither of the pair were ridden out. Both horses shaped pleasingly, and the former is improving in his action, as he is losing a tendency to climb, which he formerly displayed. Santa Claus is again a visitor to Forbury, and is apparently quite sound again. The other members of Mr. H. Goodman’s team are all looking well and healthy.

The Grand National Hurdle candidate Magical continues to get through lenient tasks at the Forbury, and unless he can be got ready on a mild preparation, his chance in the “thou-sand-pounder” at Riccarton looks a bit remote. Grandstand has filled out and improved a good deal in appearance since coming to the Forbury, and is bowling along nicely in his work. Formerly the gelding bore a hidebound appearance, and if looks go for anything, he is a ton better horse than he was in the spring. The Peer and Strathfillan have also thickened out a lot since they raced at the Wanganui Winter Meeting. HAWKE’S BAY Death of Jack —A. Neale Seriously Injured—A. Adams and M. Scully Training at Dannevirke — Waikaraka’s Breeding—Fatupaerehe a Coining Huntress —Bechabite Going Well——Waipu and Waihuka —A Big Win with Waikaraka.

NAPIER, July 24. While schooling Jack on the course last Saturday, A. Neale had the misfortune to meet with a rather serious accident. He was jumping in company with Earmark, from Mr. Moses’ stables, and Ashplant, a hunter belonging to Mr. Watt, from T. Quinlivan’s stables, when his mount bungled at the last fence and turned a complete somersault. The horse broke his back, and had to be destroyed, and Neale suffered a concussion of the brain, besides spraining his wrist and ankle. He was unconscious for some hours, but an examination disclosed that no bones were broken. The latest accounts report him progressing favourably. Jack was an aged bay gelding by Orion’s Belt out of a Piscatorious mare, who was owned by Mr. S. F. Hardy, of Tikokino. Neale had a lease of the gelding at the end of last year. Jack won races at the Takapuna and Tikokino hack meetings, and gave promise of developing into a useful sort. J. S. O’Neill is putting Loiret and The Stripper through their facings on the Dannevirke track. Other mentors who are located in the district are Alf.

Adams, with Hutawai, who has his charge looking bright and hearty, and M. Scully, who is attending to the wants of Scenery. Although there is no rough training track at Dannevirke, trainers manage all right, as the committee of the club allow them to work their horses on the outside of the course proper. Waikaraka, who scored in the Miramar Hack event at Trentham on Saturday, was bred at Porangahau Station by the Messrs. Hunter Bros., and was sold last March to his present owner for 300 guineas. His dam Mistra is a full sister to Cynisca, a mare who in days gone by won a number of races in the chocolate and canary racing uniform of Mr. George Hunter. A two-year-old half-sister and a yearling halfbrother by Renown, are running on Porangahau Station. Patupaerehe (Strephon—Swindle), who at one time carried the Campbell of Argyle tartan for Mr. H. M. Campbell, of Poukaua, in chasing events, has qualified with the Hawke’s Bay hounds, and the mare will shortly be handed over to R. Gooseman for a course of studies to enable her to fill engagements at the Grand National Meeting in hunter events. Mr. J. Allen, a local gentleman rider, has been engaged to pilot Patupaerehe in her contracts. Rechabite is moving along in good style, and should shortly get himself in the winners’ lists. Waihuka and Waipu, who both got into second berths at Trentham on Saturday, are half brothers, the former being by San Fran —Waipu, being a son of Torpedo. The pair first saw daylight at Te Mahanga Station, and Waipu is still the property of one of the proprietors of the estate of Mr. A. F. Douglas. The party behind Waikaraka went for a good win in the Miramar Hack Race, and the success of Waiuku’s son meant a big increase to the banking account of his owner.

WELLINGTON. Le Beau versus Lull —Prospector and Merriwai—Aeolus’ Chance in Winter Cup—The Otaki Maori Racing' Club— A Bonus of Twenty Guineas to Mr. Follock—Rumours re Kiatere and Auckland ’Chasers—Haydn — Waitarere a Doubtful Starter of G.N. Steeples—Phaetontis and Belair Inquired for. WELLINGTON, July 21. The racing at Trentham on Saturday has not thrown much light on the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting. Lull, winner of the Winter Hurdles, incurs a 101 b penalty, bringing Mr. Hall’s gelding up to 9st 111 b, or 71b more than he won with. Asteroid having been allotted 31b more for the G.N. Hurdles than she carried at Trentham should, on only 41b better terms, be again defeated by Lull. Le Beau was a strong fancy with good judges for the Winter Hurdles. A rumour is current that his prospects at Riccarton look so bright that his connections did not court a penalty, and all going well he should, on Wanganui running, easily hold Lull. The withdrawal of Paritutu came as a surprise to backers. No reason has been vouchsafed, but it may be assumed that Mr. George’s gelding will take part in the Grand National Hurdle Race, as he has 91b more to carry and meets Le Beau on 181 b worse terms, his party must be of a fairly optimistic temperament. Several runners at Trentham ran befow their best form, and should be benefited by the galloping they are receiving. Prospector and Merriwai are a pair that should show improvement ere long. The result of the Parliamentary Handicap demonstrates that Aeolus should easily beat Ellerton (who will have to carry lOst 71b) in the Winter Cup. Kurawaka and Shrapnel Shell are not engaged. Those that finished behind this pair at Trentham would seem to have but a remote prospect of proving victorious at Riccarton. That the sum invested on a horse in the totalisator is not on every occasion an indication of the opinion of those connected with that horse is borne out by the fact that Aeolus, who ran a capital second in the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham, only carried £BB on the totalisator. Had this horse finished in the rear, there would no doubt have been folks

found insinuating that his owner was only giving his horse a gallop in view of the Winter Cup. There are, unfortunately for the sport, followers of racing who pose as judges of form, and who reckon horses non-triers every time they are not heavily backed.

The Otaki Maori Racing Club are moving in the direction of becoming an up-to-date institution. A freehold property was secured some time ago at a cost of some £3OOO. Tenders have been received for the formation of the course; this will absorb some £800; a further sum of about £2OOO will be voted for the grandstand and other appointments. The club has in hand a fairly large sum, and the balance required has been offered at a moderate rate of interest. The executive hope to race on the new course bfore the end of next season.

The Otaki Maori Racing Club’s handicapper (Mr. J. H. Pollock) was, at a recent meeting of the club’s executive, voted a bonus of twenty guineas. The secretary was instructed to write to the club’s weight adjuster expressing the stewards’ appreciation of the manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past three years, and to point out that the club had made great progress during that period, and was now patronised by all leading racehorse owners. Wagering on the C.J.C. Grand National events is somewhat quiet preceding the acceptances. Rumours are current to the effect that Kiatere will not go South. Some who profess to know say that none of the Auckland ’chasers will be seen out at Riccarton. Haydn will have been, given a run ere these lines reach “ Review” readers, and if he wins the 141 b penalty should prove a bar to his going South, whilst if he cannot win with lOst 131 b, he can have but little chance of defeating Phaetontis with 41b extra on his back. Waitarere is said to be a doubtful starter for the G.N. Steeple. He is expected to run at Trentham. The local metallicians report that they have enquirers for nothing else bar Phaetontis and Eclair, but business may improve after the acceptances.