THE WARRENGATE J.C. ANNUAL MEETING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 994, 25 March 1909, Page 6

THE WARRENGATE J.C. ANNUAL MEETING.

The Warrengate Jockey Club’s annual race meeting was held on Thursday, the 18th inst., and proved highly successful. The prospect of a fine day induced a record crowd to journey out from Wanganui for the gathering, but unfortunately rain set in shortly after two o’clock, and continued for the rest of the afternoon. Notwithstanding the adverse weather conditions, the club’s patrons enjoyed themselves muchly, thanks greatly to the fact that the management of the meeting was really excellent, and that large fields and very interesting racing were the order of the day. The conduct of the meeting was very favourably commented 'upon by visitors, who declared that it was absolutely the best managed of the “no tote ” gatherings, while the sport provided was of the most interesting nature and clean throughout. Twenty bookmakers were licensed, the fees amounting to £ll5 10s. Racing opened with the Handicap Hurdles, in which Rosegrove and Whimper were the popular picks, but the winner turned up in Finesseur, a six-year-old gelding by Gipsy King, trained by W. Kraft at Bulls- Finesseur is evidently a fairly good sort, but he was somewhat lucky to win, as Taupo was finishing well when he toppled over at the last hurdle. Newport, by Daystar—Porangi, was made favourite for the Flying Handicap, and backers were on good terms with themselves as the gelding looked to be romping home. A furlong from home, however, young Coleman let Quick March, a three-year-old daughter of Advance —Lady Spec, have her head, and a splendid effort resulted in Quick March getting up in the last stride, having made up the leeway wonderfully fast. The winner is trained by Jimmy Peachey, and is owned by Mr. Jas. McKelvie. She should be heard of again shortly. Ten started in the Maiden lat, which might have fallen to Marshall, the three-year-old son of . Soult —Princess Alice) had his rider not made a wide sweep at the bend, and allowed Maori Rifle to get up on the inside, with the result that though Mr. H. E. Good’s colt finished fast, he could not quite catch Maori Rifle again. The latter is a five-year-old gelding by Explosion —Keepsake, which appears to be improving under George Laing’s care. Six started in the big money, the Warrengate Cup, Anemone and Research being the most fancied, and the pair fought out a great finish, Frank Lund just landing Research home a winner by half a head by really fine horsemanship. Lind trains the Renown gelding, who has frequently done some good track work, but ran disappointingly in races. It looks as if he wanted a vigorous rider on him always.

Debonaire had no difficulty in winning the Ladies’ Bracelet from Castiglione and seven others. The two named were out by themselves all the way.

The last event on the programme, the St. Patrick’s Day Handicap, was contested by thirteen, of whom Flying Wind and Singer were the most fancied, and the latter got home after a good race. Singer is a three-year-old filly by Advance out of Sing Song, and is owned by Mr. Wiri Tokena. She has been trained by W. Price up to the present, but in future will be an inmate of the Fordell stable. Amongst the starters was an aged gelding rejoicing in the name of Dick Arnst, who did not shape like a champion. Mr. Jas. Coombes, who officiated at the barrier, got his fields away exceedingly well in every event. The club should have a very nice profit to show after all accounts are squared up.