WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1046, 24 March 1910, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) -- WELLINGTON, March 21. The Autumn Meeting of the Masterton Racing Club took place on Thursday and Friday last. Slight showers fell on the opening day, but the weather was glorious on the second day. There was only a moderate attendance of the sporting public present, the faulty train arrangements being blamed for the meagre crowd present, and in consequence the returns from the totalisator showed a shrinkage of about £BOO as compared with the corresponding fixture last year. The racing provided was really interesting, the finishes in several of the events being in doubt up to the time the judge’s box was reached. This satisfactory state of affairs 'was attributable to the club’s handicapper (Mr. J. H. Pollock), who had done his utmost to bring the fields together,

and he was complimented on the result of his labours.

Pakau and Millpond, who are both

trained by J. H. Prosser at Porirua, gave a creditable display over hurdles at the Masterton gathering, and the pair should make a worthy addition to the ranks of the jumping brigade. Ballarat, the heroine of many a battle, demonstrated that her galloping days are not yet over by dead heating with Sunbonnet in the March Handicap at Masterton. The old mare is in fine form and she is gifted with as clean a set of legs as there are about, and it is a wonder how this old battler retains her form as she must be at least twelve years old.

It is hard to account for Naumai’s poor display at Masterton, but the Conqueror gelding will be seen under happier auspices ere the season is much further advanced.

Penza, who is locally owned oy Mr. McWilliams, of cab fame, and D. Sullivan, well known in hotel quarters, had a runaway victory.in the Maiden Hack race at Masterton. This Finland mare was turned out in rare buckle by the Hutt trainer, C. Pritchard, and the issue was never in doubt from barrier rise.

Gold Top, the Soult filly who is owned by Mr. R. W. Paterson,. was given a run at the Masterton meeting, but she did not create a very good impression by her exertions. The opinion was expressed that she would be better suited in the pony ranks, as she is very much on the small side. First Battery won the Masterton Hack' Handicap very easily and the Trentham owner-trainer, W. Davies, received many congratulations on his colt’s success. First Battery, also ran second to Merrie Land on the concluding day. The Well-known Blenheim sportsman who races as “T. Septor” had Curator in splendid condition at Masterton.. The gelding ran first, second and third, in his three attempts, truly a good record. “Steve” was complimented on Curator’s excellent display; . .

Lawn Rose was given a run at Masterton, but she is very slow in getting off the mark and she appears to 1 be better suited over a distance as shewas putting in some good..work at the finish of the Waipipi Cup, in which event she was placed third. “Steve” anticipates picking up a stake with this Hillstone mare before the season closes.

C. Emmerson, the Riccarton lightweight, was in keen demand at the Masterton meeting, and his handling of his various mounts was a treat to witness, especially his efforts on Liza, when he landed the half-sister to Ostiak a winner by a neck after a keen set to with Waiata.

The defection of. the Porirua representatives from the Auckland meeting comes as a surprise, but the solution that faced Prosser was probably that he could not be in Auckland and Christchurch at the same time, and so perforce he had to cancel his Northern engagements. Waiata has left for Auckland to take part in the Northern carnival. The Tupuhi gelding is in fine form and is expected to pick up a stake before he returns home. C. Brown has been engaged to ride Waiata in the Tram-, way Handicap, to be decided on the first day of the A.R.C. meeting. There does not appear to be an over abundance of cash at Masterton, judging by the returns from the totalisator at the recent meeting. No-li-cense does not appear to have improved the place to any extent. The writer had no difficulty in satiating his thirst, and he was informed that, every second house was well provided with “spiritual” comforts. There was a moderate attendance of sporting enthusiasts at Miramar on Saturday last to witness the meeting of the Wellington Pony and Galloway Racing Club. The events were all well contested and some good racing took place. Nine bookmakers were licensed and they appeared to be doing a thriving business. Another meeting and probably the last will be held on Saturday next.

The success of the Foxton sportsman, Mr. F. S. Easton with his Soult filly Lady Moutoa in the Maiden Scurry at Napier Park was well received in the flax town? where Mr. Easton has accumulated a fortune in his dealings with fibre and cattle. Lady Kilcheran and Merrivonia are expected to worthily represent Mr. J. Ames, of totalisator fame, at the A.R.C. meeting. The pair are well forward and should give a creditable display. The Porirua stable was well represented at the Masterton gathering with the following ■ horses, Pakau, Millpond, Taitoko, Swimming Belt, Waione; Kina, Lace Collar: and Lauis, the only one to win a race was Walone,. pvho won the Ladies’ Bracelet and;

paid a very small dividend. All the others ran very indifferently and followers of the stable had a very bad time. ■S. Waddell left here for Lyttelton on Saturday night taking with him Formby, Parula, Sir Tristram and the two-year-old Seleni. The quartet are well forward and in a conversation with the Hon. J. D. Ormond’s trainer he informed the writer that the wellknown cerise colours of the squire of Karamu should occupy a prominent position at the finish of the events at the C.J.C. meeting. All the mebers of J. W. Lowe’s team for the C.J.C. Easter meeting are reported in splendid fettle. They left for the scene of action during the week and in Gold Lace, Sir Frisco, Effort and Iranui this astute trainer should make matters very warm at the Southern fixture. The weights for the Autumn meeting of the Wellington Racing Club are due on Monday next. The Levin trainer C. Carmont has Celebrity in splendid form and this turf aspirant will be given a run at the Feilding fixture. Lares, the half-brother to Penates, is pleasing Pritchard by his track work and the genial “Charles” anticipates getting back a portion of his purchase money at the Wellington fixture in which the black colt claims some engagements.