WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1045, 17 March 1910, Page 8

WANGANUI.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, March 14. The one per cent, additional tax on race clubs which came into operation on March Ist, meant that the Government benefited to the extent of £3OO over the Wanganui J.C. meeting, the first to feel the effect of the added burden. While the larger clubs twill not be greatly troubled, perhaps, by the latest imposition, the effect on the smaller, and particularly the one day gatherings, will probably be serious, in some cases at least. Mr. Gt F. Moore has sent a couple of welLbred youngsters to Australia with a view to trying the market there. They are two colts both by Birkenhead, one from St. Evangeline, and the other from Miss Penelope. The son of St. Evangeline is one of the finest looking colts ever seen here, and if appearances go for anything should make a champion. He has been named Ronald. George Price is at present engaged in breaking a filly by Field Battery— Our Lady. She is a very shapely youngster and gives every promise of developing into a real good one. By many sportsmen on this coast, the Patea Racing Club’s Easter meeting is always looked forward to as providing the chief Easter Monday attraction. Judging from the list of nominations received for the coming meeting a most interesting day’s sport appears to be assured. Mr. George Morse, the newly appointed handicapper, may be depended upon to frame the handicaps in a way which will prove acceptable to the majority of the owners. The club has recently spent a lot of money on its track, which is now in capital order, in fact one of the best on the coast, so that some splendid racing should be witnessed on Blaster Monday. Though some profess to think that Waitapu has seen his best day, Mr. J. O’Driscoll appears to be of opinion that he has a good chance of getting

his money (£300) back, as he has hopes that the gelding will win a hurdle race or two during the coming season. Even if Waitapu has lost some of his dash he is a good jumper, and he ought to prove quite fast enough for most of the hurdlers of to-day. Sincere regret was expressed on all s’des at the death of Mr. J. B. WilI'amson, the well-known Auckland sportsman, who passed away so suddenly at a private hospital here last Wednesday morning. Full particulars of the sad occurrence have already been published, and it only remains to life said that the deceased was one of the most popular of the many racing men who have visited Wanganui. The funeral, a private one, took place on Thursday afternoon. Wreaths from the Takapuna, Avondale and Wanganui Jockey Clubs were placed on the grave.

The well-known jumper Prospector is in work again, and all going well will be a starter at the Wellington and C.J.C. steeplechase meetings. The tracks have been very busy during the last week or so, as trainers have been sending their charges along in view of the Patea, Opunake, Warrengate and Feilding meetings. The Warrengate Jockey Club will hold its annual race meeting on Thursday, the 24th inst. This fixture is one of the most enjoyable of the many small gatherings held on this coast. It is one of those meetings whereat farmers and others make a point of assembling and talking over matters of common interest, and where the racing is really regarded in the light of sport instead of business. It is good sport, too, which the club provides, and those who attend always have a splendid day’s fun. The club have made all arrangements for the success of next Thursday’s meting, and as good fields are fairly sure to face the starter, the racing should be of a most interesting description.

Crucinella and Koran have both b een allowed to drop out of their C.J.C. engagements, but may be started at the Feilding meeting. Amongst the entrants for the Patea Hurdles is Claremont. The gelding has not raced since his fall in the last New Zealand Grand National meeting. • It was due to having contracted influenza that Tiptoe did not fulfil his Wanganui engagements.