WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1056, 2 June 1910, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, May 30.

Excellent acceptances are assured in connection with the approaching winter meeting of the Otaki Maori Racing Club, to be held on Friday and Saturday of this week on the .Horowhenua racecourse at Levin. This institution is always a popular one with sporting enthusiasts., and the coming gathering is expected to eclipse all its predecessors. Trotting has many adherents amongst the Wairarapa turf enthusiasts, and the South Wairarapa Trotting Club, which holds its annual ; meeting at Greytown to-morrow, pro-; raises to provide some excellent sport. Mr. J. H. Pollock has done his work well in the handicapping line, and, taken all round, the fixture promises to be very successful. Wellington was strongly represented at last week’s winter meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club, and returned sports speak very highly of the kindness and attention that was bestowed on them by Mr. W- Hall and the various officials associated with him in the management of the meeting.

The approaching winter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club has not drawn many horses from these parts, the only locally-trained animals from this vicinity being Lovell, Truganini, Advantage, Magneto, and Waiata. The quintette are all very well on the score of condition, and they should worthily represent this district in events at the meeting. The Soult —Tauhei colt, which injured himself whilst exercising at Trentham last year, and which was sent home to his owner, Mr. F- Hall, of Gisborne, has practically recovered from the mishap, and he will shortly be sent down from Gisborne to join the active brigade in J. WLowe’s stable.

The win of Advantage on the second day at Takapuna was well received in local sporting circles, and the hope was expressed that some more wins would soon be secured by Mr. “ Middleton Melrose.”

The Lethe gelding Whatakura, who is owned locally by the sportsman who races as H. Whitney will represent that sport at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting. This hurdler is in capital condition, and should run creditably at the meeting. The “ Highden” stable at Awapuni, which is presided over by G- Price, has a couple of useful ones in Aorangi and Nyland to run for them at the Auckland winter meeting. The pair are in splendid fettle, and they are expected to play a prominent part in events at the gatheringThe successful Porirua stable was represented in events at the Wanganui meeting with Lovell, St. Felix and Playmate. The trio ran fairly well; Lovell ran second in the steeplechase, whilst Playmate won rhe May Hurdles. St. Felix did not run too kindly, but the colt may be seen under better auspices at the Otaki meetingThe idea of a Wellington Trotting Club continues to gain in popularity, and there seems to be every reason to predict that the proposed institution will soon become an accomplished fact. Mr. J. V. Dyke, who is renowned for his perseverance and tact, is working hard to bring the project to a successful issue, and his efforts should be crowned with success. Foxton-trained horses competing at the Wanganui meeting, and which consisted of Lord Soult, Wajouru, Lady Moutoa, Sir Antrim, Waipaku, and Waitoto, all failed ingloriously in their several attempts, and the only one of the number to get placed was Wapaku, who ran third in the Connolly Handicap. The Foxton sporting fraternity are reported to have lost a considerable sum through the failure of some of Messena’s team to land a stake. It will be some time before thqy recover from the shockBallarat ran a splendid race in the Winter Oats at Wanganui, and the old black mare proved by her display that she must not be considered a back number. Had she won the event she would have returned her sunporters a sensational dividend, as she was sadly neglected on the totalisatorLady Moutoa, Moutoa Girl, and Stevens have gone into winter quarters on their owner’s estate at Moutoa,

near Foxton. The trio will not again sport silk until the spring racing season rolls round.

Waiata is reported in capital trim, and the Tupuhi gelding is expected to represent Mr. Peters with some distinction at the approaching Auckland meeting. It will be remembered that the Hutt trainer met with considerable success with Waiata on his last visit to Auckland-

Penates represented Mr. R. W- Paterson at Wanganui, and the Ruenalf horse, who carried the confidence of his connections on the second day, failed to land the money, and the best C. Jenkins could do was to get the big fellow into fourth place. Weight will stop the best of horses, as was exemplified in the case of Penates. The diminutive Soult pony Gloss, who was purchased recently by an Australian sportsman, was shipped to Sydney on Friday last. Wren’s thousand, to be run at Ascot in September, is no doubt to be Gloss’ mission.

Xavier ran well in the May Hurdles at Wanganui, and the Trentham own-er-trainer, W- Davies, should soon be picking up a stake with the Tasman gelding, who should soon be at the top of his form, judging by his latest display. Moloch was taken to Wanganui, but the Mauser gelding failed to reproduce any .of his one-time brilliancy, and the Trentham-trained animal finished a long way back from the leading divisionMerrivonia, who is owned by Mr. JAmes, of totalisator fame, did not run up to expectations at Wanganui, and the black mare must have gone off considerably, judging by her latest exertions.

Mr. T. F. Nolan’s gelding Leolanter ran very creditably at Wanganui, and this consistent runner should do his owner a good turn at the approaching Otaki meeting, as Hathaway has the chestnut in good racing trimThe local sportsman who races as P- W- Sarsfield was represented by Royal Marine at Wanganui, but the gelding failed to reproduce the good form that he showed his connections before leaving home. They were at a loss to account for the discrepancy, but the travelling may have had something to do with his poor display.

A copy of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s annual report and balancesheet is to hand from the secretary. Notwithstanding an increase of £2440 in stakes, and over £7500 spent in improvements, the cash balance is only about £650 less than last season. It is estimated that the increased taxation will add £2500 to the expenditure next season- The main items of revenue are £1785 from subscriptions, £6925 from nominations, £9973 from race receipts, £17,339 from totalisator account, and £6220 from bookmakers’ fees. The big sum of £30,240 was paid away in stakes, while £6312 went towards new stands, totalisator house, etc. The assets exceed the liabilities by £39,944. Altogether a very satisfactory state of affairs is disclosed-

The most successful sire at the recent Takapuna meeting was Soult, the gets of which won three racesAdvance was responsible for two winners, and Cardigan, Leolantis, Cyrenian, Menschikoff, St. Peter, Seaton Delaval, St. Hippo, Eton, and Cuirassier one each.

When Li. Robertson was in Auckland with Dan Patch, he expressed himself deeply grateful to the Auckland Trotting Club officials for the treatment accorded him. During the week Mr. C. F- Mark, secretary of the A-T-C., received the following letter from the Allendale Stud Farm: — “ Personally we feel very grateful to you for the very kind attention given to Mr. Robertson when in Auckland. It is nice to be made feel that one is amongst friends when away from home, and your careful attention to details certainly made Mr. Robertson feel he was among friends. In all probability, we will occasionally send a horse or two over to compete at some of your meetings. We would ask you to convey to the president

(Mr. Rowe) and your committee the sincere thanks of both Mr L. Robertson and the proprietors of the Allandale Stock Farm for the kindness shown Mr. Robertson during his visit.”