THE WANGANUI WEIGHTS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 14 May 1908, Page 5

THE WANGANUI WEIGHTS.

(By Our Wanganui Correspondent.)

The weights for the principal events on the first day of the Wanganui J.C. Winter Meeting have made their appearance, and the handicapping may be considered comparable with Mr. George Morse’s usual high standard of excellence. There should be good acceptances for the various events' Though the entries for the two big jumping contests are not so large as last year, there is good reason to anticipate that the fields in each will be very satisfactory. Several of the horses engaged in the Wanganui Steeplechase are also in the Great Northern, and the weights, therefore, bear a very close resemblance. Nadador has been given pride of place in the Wanganui event, and this really good mare cannot be considered overburdened with 11.3. She has already won this event once, and has scored in the Hawke’s Bay Steeples twice, so that if she is in her best form here she must have an undeniable chance. Eurus has 41b less, and as the Euroclydon gelding is reported to be doing very good work at Riccarton he cannot be written out of the race, as he is a fine jumper. Lady Hune (10.8) is also engaged in the Great Northern, and it may be that she will not’ be taken down to •Wanganui, but should run well if started. Rangitoto (10.6) showed capital form last season, and must be accounted as dangerbus. Kaipetipeti (10.3) cannot complain of the weight, but I prefer the prospects of Pawa (10.3) to the former, and also to Romany King on the same mark. The latter is a capital jumper, but it seems problematical whether he can be got thoroughly fit. Lull (10.2) has been doing excellent work, and it would be no surprise to see the Handsome Jack gelding prove a top notcher over the country. Of those lower down, Fretwork (9.13), Playmate (9.9) and Canton (9.8) are the most likely to run prominently. The May Hurdles, which will be decided on the opening day, should throw some light on the Century Hurdles, in which Paritutu heads the list with 11.12. Though he is a good hurdler, I doubt his ability to concede the weight he is asked to, to some of those lower down, the best of whom may possibly prove to be Mahoe (10.6), Showman (10.1), Aeolus and Pawa (9.12), Prospector (9.8), Playmate (9.6), and Defeat (9.2). There is every prospect of a splendid contest being witnessed. Both races, however, are very open, and the actual winners will take some finding. Dusky Morn is such a brilliant customer over six furlongs that he cannot be considered overburdened at 9.6, and he looks to be the best of the top weights. Martello (8.4) is galloping well, and if the handsome son of Hotchkiss is back to anything like his best form he will take a power of beating. White Lie (7.8), Woodhey (7.7), Kurawaka (7.5), and Little Mary (6.12) go to make up the most likely half-dozen. To pick the win-

ner will try the skill of punters to the utmost. There is a big crowd in the Connolly Handicap, which promises to be a splendid race. Marguerite heads the list at 9.0, and she appears to hold Maniapoto (8.11) and Bourrasque (8.9) safe. Waitapu (8.9) is very fast, and must have a chance. Grand Slam (8.7) should be held safe by Dusky Morn (8.5), who reads very well, but Mr. G. F. Morse has Signor (7.10) and Carissima (6.13) also engaged in this event, and he may not start Dusky Morn. Uhlando (8.4) is fairly treated, and should run well, whilst Kairoma (7.10), Swimming Belt (7.5), Ikon (7.2), and Maharanui (6.11) are each nicely treated. Those who saw Somali galloping in the Feilding Cup, will probably mark the Sylvia Park filly down as very dangerous over a mile and a distance with 6.11 on her back, but she will perhaps find the pace made a deal hotter in the early stages of the forthcoming race than was tUe case at Feilding.