WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 916, 26 September 1907, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

Bangitlkei B.C. President—N.Z. Cup Candidates’ Failures—Be Licensing of Owners-—All Bed and Gold CrestLocal Betting on C.J.C. Events. WELLINGTON, September 22. The Rangitikei R.C. had fine weather (for once in a way) for their Annual Spring fixture, and notwithstanding that the class of horses engaged was mediocre, those present enjoyed some fair sport; several of the club’s oldest patrons attended probably more with the view of countenancing the racing than taking an interest in the sport. It is very noticeable that the more influential the country settler the less the interest the totalisator has for him. The President of the Club, Mr D. Frazer, has probably enjoyed a longer career as a sportsman than any settler on the Coast, and he witnessed the first race meeting ever held on the Rangitikei (Bulls) racecourse; this was as far back at 1856, the first race on the course was won by Mr Halcombe’s (after whom Halcombe is named) Pahatahi, with Mr D. Frazer’s Nobby second. The club’s lease of the racecourse expires in a few weeks, and unless terms can be made with the present owners, Messrs Hammond Bros, (grandchildren of the original Mathew Hammond, who settled on the Killymoon estate ’ sixty years ago) the Rangitikei Racing Club will have to look around for a new race track. With a few exceptions, the racing was of local interest only, St. Joe, Mahuta, Waitapu, a trio of Cup candidates had to strike their colours to some moderate performers, and will have to display improved form ere they are seriously taken into consideration for the N.Z. Cup, engaged amongst horses of their own class their owners might secure a nice stake at some of the meetings which, are run off prior to November. The New Zealand Cup is an annual delusion, and a snare for many owners of useful handicap horses, and dozens of horses are ruined yearly whilst undergoing a preparation for a task that is utterly beyond animals other than of the highest class. The wisdom of the suggestion of the Chairman of the Racing Conference to license horse-owners has been amply exemplified thus early in the season, the unscrupulous owner has according to Dame Rumour, been very much in evidence recently; mention was made in my last week’s notes of a case where an enquiry might have been held. The Rangitikei R.C. had occasion to make some enquiries during their recent meeting; the licensing of owners and the appointment of stipendiary stewards would be a great factor towards satisfying the public that racing at country meetings is conducted honestly.

All Red and Gold Crest are the only Porirua trained horses engaged at the 'C.J.C. nominations for which have just been declared. The pair are included in the list nominated for the Stewards Handicap and Jubilee Cup, All Red . also figures amongst the nominations for the Jockey Club Handicap, but neither of the colts are seemingly considered class enough for their trainer to compete in the Canterbury Cup, although they obviously must at weight-for-age have had a pull over such as Lapland, Starina, Waitapu, Fandango, and a number of others whose sanguine owners deem them able to concede nearly two stone in weight to the best 3-year-olds of the season. One wonders how the handicappers would fare were they to allot horses in handicaps : the imposts that their owners are prepared to race,, them, under in the weight-for-age events. . . The . appearance of the nominations for the Stewards Handicap has infused life into local betting circles, backers of doubles are busily engaged supporting their fancies quite irrespective of the fact that the handicaps , haye not; yet appeared, Helen

Portland, All Red, Lord Soult, Fireiron, have been selected as likely runners in the Stewards, and have been coupled with the favourite for the N.Z. Cup at odds ranging from 100 to 200 to 1. Master Delaval and Elevation continue at the head of quotations for the Cup, local metallicians having laid full books, and are now not anxious to quote either. A report that the owner of Buccleuch and Fireiron had supported his pair for the Cup and Stewards for a good stake, has still further shortened Buccleuch’s price for the Cup.