WELLINGTON.

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

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, March 14. Liza, who I commented upon in this column, duly landed the Flying Handicap at Dannevirke and returned a substantial dividend. The half-sister to Ostiak was turned out in nice trim by the Trentham owner-trainer H. Goodman. J. Ayres, the Trentham trainer, has Merrivonia in nice trim in view of the Auckland Easter Handicap. Those critics who saw this mare’s good display in the last New Zealand Cup, when she led Bobrikoff for a mile, anticipate that she will play a prominent part in the decision of the big Auckland event. An effort is being made to secure E. Lowe’s services to pilot Merrivonia in her coming engagements. The local owner, Mr. J. Whitworth, left here for Sydney on Friday last, taking with him Wharekura, and his recently acquired purchase Chauvelin. Both of these contestants should worthily represent the Dominion in racing events on the other side. It was extremely hard luck for W. Davies’, the Trentham trainer, to lose the services of Chauvelin just as he was getting into a winning vein. Davies has spent considerable time on the colt to bring him to a state of perfection, and just as his work is being crowned with success the astute Mr. Whitworth appeared on the scene and purchased the promising son of Soult for 400 guineas. Mr. S. H. Wilson, manager for Mr. G. F. Moore at Bushy Park, left here by the Moan a en route to Sydney on Friday last, taking with him two promising colts, one by Birkenhead from St. Evangeline, who is named Ronald, and the other is Bassano, by Birkenhead from Miss Penelope. Both are fine types of the thoroughbred, and should excite keen competition when led into the sale ring at Sydney. Their career in Australia will be closely followed by admirers of the turf in the Dominion.

Mr. J. H. Price, formerly mine host of the New Zealander Hotel, in Man-ners-street, and also treasurer to the Wellington Pony and Galloway Racing has taken Oxley’s Hotel, at Picton, and enters into possession to-day. Mr. Price has always been identified with

the Sport of Kings, and will be missed from his usual haunts in this city. Lady Kilcheran, by Kilcheran from Livonia and consequently a half sister to Merrivonia, may accompany her relative to the Auckland meeting. This filly has not yet sported silk, but is reported to be very speedy. Waione continues to get through some satisfactory tasks at Porirua in view of the Brighton Hurdles at the Auckland fixture, and in which the Waiuku gelding is expected to give a creditable display. H. Telford will pilot Waione in his hurdle essays at the Northern gathering. Reports from Porirua point to Lady Medallist leading her opponents a merry dance in the Easter Handicap at Auckland. In the matter of poundage this St. Alwyne mare has been yery leniently treated in being asked to carry Bst, as she has proved her ability, to negotiate distances up to a mile in a very speedy manner. Wellington and its immediate vicinity is strongly represented in events at the C.J.C. meeting, the list comprising Penates; Sir Frisco, Effort, Gipsy Belle, Gold Lace, Diabolo, and some of the stake money should be secured by owners of the above formidable team. C. Pritchard, the Lower Hutt train- 1 er,- has purchased the half-brother to Penates by Clytie from Housewife, from the sportsman who races as Mr. “Barclay.” This black colt has all the qualifications necessary to make a successful racer and it is hoped that the Hutt mentor’s latest purchase will turn out satisfactory. An offer of 600 guineas was recently made for Penates, but Mr. Barclay decided to hold on to the colt for a little while longer in anticipation of securing a better figure. Diabolo is in good form at Porirua, and this promising black colt should give a good account of himself in the Great Autumn Handicap at the C.J.C. Easter meeting. There was a large crowd of sporting enthusiasts at Miramar on Saturday afternoon to witness a meeting of the Wellington Pony and Galloway Racing Club. Some interesting racing took place, but several of the events were spoilt through very bad starting. There was some trouble with the bookmakers, who declined to pay the fee of £7 10s for the privilege of .betting, and with one exception they refused to do any business. The one exception, a. well-known local metallician had the field all to himself and he is reported to have made a handsome profit on the. day’s transactions. With the exception of some bandiage the proceedings were of a very orderly character. Alf. Shearsby has Royal Maid in capital trim at Levin, and this roan mare should be picking up a stake ere the season is much further advanced. Mon Ami continues to bowl along in her track work on the Hutt course, and she /will be given an opportunity to retrieve her bad display in the Flying Handicap at Wanganui in the same event at the Feilding meeting. If the Soult mare would only reproduce her track form on the racecourse when the colours are up then she would be a severe proposition to her competitors. Hydrant has been responsible for some excellent work during the last week and the chestnut should show some of his brilliancy at the Easter meeting. Xavier, who gave such a creditable display in the Hurdle events at the Wanganui meeting has beeii pleasing Davies by his exertions at Trentham since that fixture. The Tasman gilding’s next appearance will be dt the Feilding meeting, in which he is expected to play a -prominent part in the decision of the hurdle events. Speaking to Mr. T. O’Neill, the wellknown Feilding owner, in town during the week he informed the writer that he had refused a tempting offer for the half-sister to Eclogue. The filly has given evidence of turning out decidedly useful and Mr. O’Neill may be justified in holding on to his promising turf entrant. J. W. Lowe is just putting through his preliminary facings, at Trentham, a promising two-year-old colt hy Sir Laddo from Orchestra, for which d successful turf edreer is unticipated.