WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 956, 2 July 1908, Page 8

WANGANUI.

WANGANUI, July 1.

The Patea Racing Club intends to take steps to have its course put in first-class order for its next meeting. The 'Taranaki Metropolitan Club has intimated that unless some improve-

ment was made in the condition of the course the question of granting a permit for next meeting would have to be seriously considered. Fretwork’s dual win at the Napier Park Meeting was well received here, both on account of the owner and also the rider (W. Higgins). The son of The Workman —Variety was bred by Mr. G. M. Currie, who owns him. He was expected to run well forward in the big steeples here, but was brought down when Canton fell at the second fence, and thus lost any chance he may have had. He is likely to run well at Wellington, where another Wanganui candidate in Lull is also expected to show up well in the steeplechase. The Manawatu Racing Club has appointed Messrs. R. S. Abraham, C. A. Loughman and H. Cooper a sub-com-mittee to visit Wellington when the Racing Conference is sitting, with the view of placing their views fully before the Conference with regard to the club’s affiliation for the Metropolitan Stakes. The general opinion here is that the club’s request is not at all likely to be acceded to. Immolation and Lingerer are both engaged at the Wellington meeting next month. The aged son of Apremont showed very promising ability just prior to the Wanganui meeting, but over-reached himself and sustained a severe fetlock wound prior to the racing here, and has been spelling in consequence until quite recently. Immolation is engaged in both flat and hurdle races, and is having the work slipped into him in view of the coming engagements. I understand that Mr. Tom Quinlivan, sen., intends applying for a trainer’s license again shortly, and it is quite on the cards that he will start operations here if successful in getting his license, of which he is very confident.

It is probable that Helen Portland will be raced again during the approaching season. The daughter of Dorchester has been fired, and is progressing well now. It is to be hoped that she will stand a preparation again, as she is very fast when really well.

Ma Mie Rosette, the dam of Signor, has produced a colt foal to Lupin, and Melinite a brown colt by San Fran. Both of these youngsters are racylooking, and should win a race or two for their owner (Mr. G. F. Moore, of Bushy Park). There is some talk of Armistice being mated with the imported horse Charlemagne 11., a sire which the late Mr. G. G. Stead purchased at Home. Both Colleen and Polycaste are in foal to Sweet Simon, and Swift is in foal to Conqueror.

Maniapoto is shortly to be put into work again. The son of Soult has had a very long spell, and may possibly be got back to form again by the spring. Prior to the Wanganui Steeplechase Meeting, the opinion was expressed in these columns that Fretwork was likely to make a name for himself over country very shortly, and he has done so, as is proved by his performance in winning the double at Napier Park. He fenced splendidly each day, and was admirably ridden by Mr. W. Higgins, whose many friends were delighted to hear of his success. Harry Alexander had the gelding in tip-top form, and he fully deserves the success he has scored since he has taken so much trouble with the horse.

Fretwork is bred to jump, being by The Workman out of Variety, whose pedigree fairly bristles with jumping blood, she being by Natator —a sire of many fine jumpers—from the Painter mare Last Chance. Moifaa and Gobo could both boast a combination of Natator —Painter blood, and Painter’s progeny included Ahua, Chemist, Oddfellow, Denbigh, Artist, and others. Mr. G. M. Currie received a cheque for £295 as the result of Fretwork’s double win at Napier Park. Mahoe and Irish Rifle will both be taken to Trentham for the Wellington winter meeting. The former does

not figure in anything the first day, but Irish Rifle is in the Stewards’ and Parliamentary Handicaps. Jimmy Peachey has the Musketry gelding in good nick.