WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 998, 22 April 1909, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, April 18. Local owners and trainers were well distributed, lending their assistance to the various racing clubs who race during Easter-time, consequently training operations at Trentham, Hutt Park, and Porirua have been uninteresting. A. Goodman, who has charge of J. Lowe’s team during the latter’s absence at Sydney, took Effort, Sea Queen, and Advantage to the Wairarapa Easter fixture, with the result that he annexed a couple of races. F. Higgot had San Fernando at the same meeting, and the chestnut son of San Francisco gave evidence that he was not altogether a back number by winning a Welter Handicap in a most decisive manner.

The Wairarapa sportsman, Mr. Bidwill, made no secret of his opinion that Provocation would defeat all opposition in the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes. Provocation’s owner is reported to have said that his colt was the very best he had yet bred. Considering the good deeds of Elevation and Gravitation, this is saying a good deal for the two-year-old. The decisive way in which he smothered the Welcome Stakes winner, Nautiform, bears out to some extent Mr. Bidwill’s high opinion of Provocation. J. Prosser returned from his trip to Auckland on Friday last with All Red and his pair of two-year-olds, Lady Medallist and Masterful. The stable’s sheet anchor, All Red, appears all the better for the two races he ran at Ellerslie, and his engagement in the Thompson Handicap was continued, and ere this issue reaches “ Review ” readers the Stepniak—Madder horse will have given battle to Master Soult and others over a mile course. Regret has been expressed that Boniform and Bobrikoff were not also left in the Thompson Handicap. A meeting of four such undoubted champions would have proved one of the racing events of the year. Both Bobrikoff and Boniform are in the best of condition, and the poundage allotted them was anything but prohibitive when their past deeds are taken into consideration. The New Zealand St. Leger, which will be decided at Trentham on Saturday, is creating some interest. Husbandman has twice defeated Master Soult over a mile and a half course, and on paper it looks only a matter of health for Sir Geo. Clifford’s colt to beat Master Soult over one and threequarter miles. A good deal, however, depends on how the race is run. A slow pace during the early stages might upset all calculations. Sir Geo. Clifford, however, has left Whistlecraft in the race, and he should be handy as pacemaker, provided, of course, the riders of the others follow him. Diabolo has been left in, but his prospects are not seriously considered. The black son of Tortulla has so far disappointed his trainer.

Wellington backers received a rude shock when the news came to hand that the Chokebore filly Flitaway had not even gained a place in the Great Easter Handicap. Armlet was not seriously taken into consideration, it being held that seven furlongs was beyond her powers. The victory of Mr. Greenwood’s filly was, however, hailed with delight by the metallicians, who managed to quite escape laying the Easter and Autumn Handicap double. Those New Zealanders who forestalled the owner of the New Zealand filly Artillerie and snapped up the long odds about her for the Doncaster Handicap were somewhat disconcerted when they found her name missing from the list of final acceptances for the big A.J.C. Mile Handicap. A few followed Artillerie’s fortunes and backed her for the Sydney Cup, under the impression that she might win the two mile event. The Royal Artillery filly is apparently nothing out of the ordinary, and not class enough for the three-year-olds seen out in Australia this season.