WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1055, 26 May 1910, Page 9

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, May 23. The idea to form a trotting club in Wellington has been warmly taken up by leading sporting enthuiasts in the city, and there is every likelihood of the venture coming to a successful issue. With Mr. J. H. Pollock and several other admirers of the pastime at the head of affairs, very little time should elapse before the club will be on a safe footing. The proposed trotting club intends to acquire the property at Miramar, until lately. occupied by the Wellington Pony Club, and sporting enthusiasts who have inspected the site have expressed the opinion that a course second to none in New Zealand can be formed at a comparatively small outlay. The running at the Wanganui meeting should throw some light on the chances of some of the competitors, who also claim engagements at the big Ellerslie fixture, and a guide should be obtained as to the likely winners at the Auckland meeting.

Truganini and Magneto were well supported in town on Saturday for their Takapuna engagements, and the downfall of the pair was a severe setback to backers. It is confidently anticipated that “ Mr- Melrose” will win a race with some of his trio before they return home from their Takapuna and Auckland campaign.

Everything points to the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s winter meeting on June 3 and 4 proving an unqualified success- The decision of the stewards to race at Levin in preference to their own course has been well received in sporting circles, and a big financial success is expected. ’ The local owner who races as H. Whitney will have Whatakura to carry his heliotrope livery in hurdle events at the Oamaru meeting. The Lethe gelding is well forward on the score of condition, and he should do his connections a good turn at the meeting. .

F. Higgott, the Lower Hutt trainer, is handling a couple of promising . three-year-olds, for whom the names of Navarre and Grand Jewel have been claimed. A successful turf career is bespoken for these youngsters, both of whom have shown that they are possessed of sprinting ability.

The Martinborough trainer, H. Clay, has engaged the Knight Errant ' gelding Fighting Maid in events at the Otaki meeting. Local sporting ; ' critics have formed the opinion that Clay is in possession of something decidedly useful, and he should be doing his patron a good turn ere the autumn fixtures are much further advanced. Mr. J. Colvin, M.P., the well-known West Coast sportsman and owner of Investment and Merchantman, is in town for a few days. The genial member’s little team is looked after by W. Conkey at Awapuni. Mrs. H. Moore’s horse Sir Frisco is said to have shown some improvement since going into F. J. Garment’s stable at Levin, and there is a probability of San Francisco’s son being seen out at the Otaki meeting. In my last week’s notes I alluded to A. Shearsby being the trainer of Plantation. It appears that H. Eva, 1 the New Plymouth trainer, was preparing Plantation when he won at Hawera, but nevertheless all the credit for the Sylvia Park gelding’s good condition is due to Shearsby, who passed his charge over to Eva a week, or so before the Hawera gathering. The change of trainers was necessi- , tated through the owner of Plantation removing to New Plymouth to reside, and he wanted his horse where he could see him now and again. The absence of light-weight riders is beginning to be seriously felt, and it would be nothing short of a miracle to find a meeting where owners have not to put up overweight to secure efficient jockeys. As the question is such a vital one, it behoves the Racing Conference to take some steps to help owners out of a dilemma. Two things are probable, either a school for boys to learn the rudiments of horsemanship, or the minimum weight will have to be raised. There is no alternative, and this matter is one that should command some attention at the hands of the racing authorities.' Mahuta, who was fairly successful when racing on the flat, is expected to make his debut over the obstacles at the Otaki meeting. Mr- McManaway’s favourite is said to have shown adaptitude for the jumping business, and in that case he may make a valu-

able addition to the small army of hurdlers.

Himitangi has been responsible for some excellent schooling work on the Foxton course during the last week, and the gelding is expected to show up prominently in future hurdle events.

Mr. J. H. Pollock’s adjustments for the first day’s racing of the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s meeting are due to-morrow (Friday), and acceptances close on Monday night next at halfpast eight o’clock. A- Goodman, the Trentham trainer, has White Lie well forward in view of coming events, and he intends doing his utmost to pick up a stake before the season draws to a close with the aid of the black mare.

Mr. R. A. McDonald, the Levin owner-trainer, will have two promising performers in Hermia and Ascalon to represent him at the Otaki meeting- After the pair’s good showing at the Hawke’s Bay fixture they will have many friends in their coming engagements. The Opaki-trained colt First Consul, who so far this season has been a dismal failure, is to be given an opportunity to make some amends for his previous bad displays, and with a view to giving him a chance, he will be found amongst the runners at the Otaki meeting. A win for Mr. W. DWatson would be well received in Wairarapa sporting circlesLadv Medallist has been turned out for a spell, and after her excellent display this season she has well earned a respite from activity. Mr. J. Macara, one of the veteran sportsmen of the Wairarapa, is keeping his mare Skye moving along at Masterton with a view to competing at the Otaki Maori gathering. This old-time coach-driver and proprietor has been very fortunate in years gone by on the Otaki course, and the approaching meeting may be no exception to the general rule if Mr. Macara makes the trip. Mr. R. T. Turnbull, the local sportsman, received a tempting offer for Laius recently, but after consideration “ Bob” decided to hold on to the full brother to Tumut, with a view to finding out if he is as good as his illustrious brother.