WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1060, 30 June 1910, Page 7

WANGANUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WANGANUI,. June 27-

The many friends of Mr. R. (“ Dick”) Wheeler, who many years ago was one of the best-known trainers on this coast, will regret to learn that, he died on Saturday at the local hospital. In his. day .“ Dick” trained some very good horses, and was a very, familiar figure on the variousracecourses. He belonged to what may be termed “ the old school” of mentors, and had a fair amount of success. Amongst other horses which he had under his charge in the good old days may be mentioned. Man-o’-war, Sundial and OddfelloW. Dick had not done any training for some years past, but he had intended putting a couple of young colts into work had he survived the operation which tie underwent in ttie hospital.... Mahuta is the popular pick; here, for the Winter Hurdles at Trentham, in which the Mahaki gelding should run a great race with 9.12The well-known young rider Batten, who served his apprenticeship with Fred- Tilley,, is leaving the latter’s establishment and going to Carmont’s stable at Levin.

There is a disposition here to back Faunus for the Winter Cup. If Waxy keeps well he should have a say in the settlement of the Miramar Handicap at Trentham, where he is in at 9-0, but St. Lumsden (9-11) is one that will be very hard to beat if he is at the top. of his form. Tiptoe is reported to have been doing some really good work at Hawera recently, and his connections are hopeful of the Sylvia Park gelding making a bold bid in the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham. It will be interesting to see how the A.J.C- handicapper treats Crucinella in the Epsom and Metropolitan Handicaps. The daughter of San Francisco has some very fine performances to her credit, and is sure to be asked to carry a fair load, but it is to hoped she will not be so severely dealt with as some horses have been lately on the other side. Reports from Waverley show that she is iff good trim, but the trip over and change of climate may interfere with her. Should she be able to reproduce her very best form at Randwick, she is bound to be handy when the whips are cracking, providing she gets a decent run. She will be leaving New Zealand in about three weeks’ time-

At the annual meeting of the Rangitikei Racing Club, held on Wednesday last, the committee’s report congratulated the club on its financial position, which was eminently satisfactory. The receipts from the totalisator and bookmakers showed a substantial increase, but one of the most gratifying features was the fact that the nomination and acceptance fees showed a big improvement. The increased taxation meant that the club had paid away about £3OO more than it would have done under the 1% per cent. tax. Speaking on this matter, Mr. J. G. Wilson mentioned that the tax was in future to be collected not only on totalisator, gates, and privileges, but on all receipts, which meant that fully £6OO would be paid away yearly, instead of £402 as was the case last year. Various clubs had met to discuss the situation and to make recommendations with a view to getting some concessions. Another meeting of delegates from country clubs would be held with a view to considering some important proposals, and some useful suggestions would probably be made to the annual conference. Mr. D. Fraser was re-elected president, and Messrs. F. O- Bailey, R. W. Dalrymple, J. BJohnston, Lynn McKelvie, A. A. McDonnell, J. H- Perrett, W. J. Phillips, L. W. Richards, T. F- Richardson, and J. H- Whisker committeemen.

Quotations in Christchurch on the New Zealand Cup rule at 100 to s’s the field, and the short-priced brigade consist of Bridge, Diabolo, Danube, Formedon, Ingoda, Lady Lucy, Milan, Taskmaster, and Vice-admiral-The next division consists of Aberbrothock, Boanerges, Husbandman, Kopu, Master Soult, Osiris, Outlander, Polymorphus, Roosevelt, St. Aidan, Tikitere, and Wimmera. In another quotation the above lot rule the same, except that Master Soult is favourite.

Sharpshooter and Nithsdale are the only members of the Chokebore team in active work at present. According to present arrangements they may be given a run at the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting next month.