WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1010, 15 July 1909, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

WELLINGTON, July 10. Training operations at Trentham and Hutt Park have been somewhat interfered with during tue past week. Owing to the inclement weather, the tracks have been heavy, and some difficulty has been experienced in giving horses the necessary work required to fit them for the strenuous tasks in front of them. No doubt tracks in other racing centres have been in a similar state, and this will in a manner equalise matters.

Capitol and Mr. Twohill’s new purchase, Commander, were amongst the first of the visiting horses to arrive at Trentham. The former appears fresher than when he raced at Hastings, and should put up a good performance over the Wellington Steeplechase course.

Prosser’s team of jumpers include Exmoor, Waitarere, and Tauira. The former pair claim an engagement in the Wellington Steeplechase, but as reports of Exmoor’s cross-country exhibitions are the reverse of favourable, Waitarere may .represent the Porirua stable in the Steeplechase. The latter, when last raced, gave pro-

mise of developing into a h ; gh-class ’chaser, and if sound enough to stand a thorough preparation might notch a good race ere tne season ends. Prosser’s team were removed from Pbrirua to Trentham yesterday. Pawa and Kuku, having again displayed signs of infirmity, did not accompany their stable mates, and may not be further trained. Exmoor is reported to be galloping in his usual free style, and being an adept at hurdling, should still hold- 1 is own with his younger rivals. Tauira claims an engagement in both the Peninsula and Winter Hurdle Handicaps, and in whichever event his owner elects to take on, the son of Mahaki will meet with strong opposition, and his merits should be severely tested. The Wellington Racing Club has been fittingly rewarded for their enterprise in increasing the added money to their principal jumping races, and record fields prom’se to face the starter for the Winter Hurdles and the Wellington Steeplechase. Eurus, Moccasin, and Capitol, winners of the C.J.C. Grand National, Wanganui and Great Nortnern Steeplechases respectively, will be competitors at Trentham. Jack Pot was also reported as under orders for Trentham until his owner saw the more pressing invitation issued by the C.J.C. Since then it is generally accepted that the C.J.C. Grand National will be Jack Pot’s mission, and he has been coupled in double wagers with every horse deemed to have a winning prospect in the G.N. Hurdle Race.

Last winter Eurus and Penates were respectively 81b and 111 b les h’ghly assessed by the C.J.C. handicapper in the G.N. Steeplechase and Winter Cup than they were by the Wellington weight adjuster for the Wellington Steeplechase and Parliamentary Handicap. The respective owners of both horses recognised their lenient treatment in the C.J.C. handicaps, and specially reserved them for tnose events, with the result that the pa : r captured the double. The flattering treatment meted out to the Hawke’s Bay ’chaser Jack Pot in the C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase, as compared with the impost he carried on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay Winter Meeting, has attracted the attention of backers, who declare that Jack Pot will repeat the performance of last year’s winner, Eurus. O’Connell, the jockey, who went to Melbourne to ride Kiatere in the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase, cabled last week to a Wellington friend that Kiatere was in the hospital, suffering from a poisoned leg, and would not be raced at the V.P Winter Meeting.