WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1053, 12 May 1910, Page 8

WANGANUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, May 9. Compass has done a fair amount of work and may be said to be in capital order to commence racing. He will be given a race on the second day of the Egmont meeting, which should do him a lot of good. The Daystar gelding must be given a chance in the Century Hurdles, in which he has 11.2. Tiptoe is troubled with a slight enlargement on the near side knee. The Slyvia Park gelding has not, from one cause and another, been able to show his best form for a long time, but perhaps next season he will have better luck.

Crucinella got her leg tangled up in a wire fence recently, and as a result she will have to be given a spell, which will most likely mean that she will not be a starter here. In her efforts to extricate herself the mare injured herself rather badly, and is now suffering from a nasty bruise. However, it is nothing very serious, and after a spell she will be all right again. Crucinella’s trainer has also had to give Koran a spell, as he was showing signs of soreness after returning from Napier, where he did no good. Conflicting reports are being circulated as to Waitapu’s condition, but from what can be gathered here the gelding is improving and is jumping really well. If Mr. J. O’Driscoll could win the Century Hurdles wtth Waitapu, who has only 9.2 against his name, it would be a popular victory. It appears strange to see Exmoor let into the Century Hurdles at 9.11, and equally strange that Ballarat should have only 7.2 in a six furlong race —the Borough. However, on recent form neither of the pair are likely to be very strongly supported. How have the mighty fallen!

The Egmont meeting to be held on Wednesday and Thursday of this week is likely to throw some light on the Wanganui meeting. Considerable interest will centre in the doings of Paisano, Continuance, Waitapu and Kauroa, in the hurdles, since that quartette are engaged in the Century Hurdles and some idea of their form will be gathered from their racing at Hawera. Practically all those engaged in the Mcßae Memorial are in the Connolly Handicap, which fact will lend interest to the former event.

Amongst the probable starters at Hawera is John who is very well. He has 8.13 in the Mcßae Memorial Handicap. This gelding has been doing .some hurdling on the track lately and his jumping has been first-class. It has been stated that the son of Cuirassier is not nearly wen, but this is nonsense. He is in good fettle, but backers are puzzled as to whether he will be a starter in the Connolly Handicap or the Century Hurdles. If it were known he was going for the latter he would be one of the most popular picks. Mr. George Morse was well up to time with the weights for the chief events on the first day of the Wanganui Winter Meeting, and their appearance has drawn pointed attention to the fact that another steeplechase gathering is close upon us. The weights have been framed upon a low scale, with the result that most of the light weight division in all of the races do not appear to have very much chance with those at the top. However, this may be, there are many who will agree with Mr. Morse that there is no reason why good horses should be handicapped out of their engagements to give the moderates or duffers a chance. In any case it is safe to predict that the acceptances, which close on Monday, the 16th inst., will be very satisfactory, and some big fields and excellent racing may be looked forward to.

With Crucinella engaged, there was no occasion to look any further for the

top weight in the Connolly Handicap, and on performances she cannot be said to have been given any too much with 9.11. She is a very doubtful starter owing to an injury, and backers would be wise to wait until the acceptances appear before supporting her. Penates, 9.3, is nicely placed, and will beat more than will beat him if started in this in preference to the Borough. One of the picks of the handicap, on recent form, is certainly Lady Medallist,B.l3, while Bridge, 8.8, and Kbpu, 7.7, are a pair with form to recommend them. Kopu ran well at Hastings recently, and is said to be coining back to his best form. Mendip, 7.12, is under a cloud, but if well on the day would run well. Lady Menschikoff, 7.5, reads well, and Waikaraka and John, on the 7.0 mark, are a likely pair. Of the others Marton 6.8, and Mulga Bill 6.7 are both very speedy, and may have to be reckoned with.

In the Borough Handicap, six furlangs, Penates heads the list with 9.13, which he has well earned, but it is doubtful whether he can concede 101 b and a beating to Boanerges. The latter is in splendid fettle just now, and is sure to run a great race. Of the others St. Bill, 8.10, is one who may prove dangerous, while Nyland, 8.9, and True Shot, 7.10, are a speedy pair nicely weighted. True Shot usually runs well here. Of those lower down the list Emblem, 7.6, Mulga Bill and Overtime, 6.11, are the pick, and of the trio the latter will, perhaps, have most friends. He is very well, and should cut out a fast six furlongs. That old battler, Kiatere, with 12.5, headed the list in the Wanganui Steeplechase, but he has been scratched, leaving El Dorado at tne head of affairs with 11.7. An idea prevails that he may be reserved for the Great Northern, but if started here should have a rare chance if at his best. Audax, 11.9, is a good horse, but there seems to be a doubt as to whether he will go to the post. Jack Pot, 10.12, was heralded as a second Moifaa last season, when he showed decent form, but hardly up to what some expected. That he would have won the big race here had he not turned turtle threequarters of a mile from home there is little doubt, and if he is as well this year it will take a real good one to beat him. Waione, Mocassin and Sir Lethe are on the same mark, 10.5. Mocassin won last year when he carried 9.13, but he was lucky then, but he must be given a jumper’s chance. Tilson has 10.4, or 21b more than he carried into second place last year. If he is in his old form he will be very handy. Bullworth, 10.4, recently won at Randwick, but he will have stronger opposition here. Lingerer, 10.0, is a wonderfully fine jumper, and if he keeps sound should give a good account of himself. Lovell, 9.13, is a proved jumper, and can stay, so must be dangerous. The same remarks apply to Oryx, 9.9. Of the others Kauroa, 9.7, reads best. Paisano, 10.11, is looked upon as exceptionally well treated in the Century Hurdles, in which Compass, 11.2, holds pride of place. Others who may have to be reckoned with are Maku, 10.13, Prophet, 10.5, Gold Bird and Wimmera 10.3, Continuance, 9.13, Aorangi, 9.6, and John, 9.4. There is a lot of good ones in this event though and a great race should be witnessed.