WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1066, 11 August 1910, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

(Ifrom Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, August 8.

Large numbers of prominent North Island sportsmen have been passing through Wellington during the past week on their way to assist at the Grand National meeting at Riccarton, which will be brought to a conclusion on Saturday next. They speak very hopeful of their prospects of finding the several winners and they anticipate returning home very much enriched by their visit to Christchurch. Wellington and its immediate vicinity is well represented by a useful team of equine performers at Riccarton, and trainers from these parts are sanguine of their horses’ ability to do some of their respective clients a good turn from a financial point of view at the gathering.

Sir Frisco is being kept going on the Levin track, and Mrs. Moore’s horse is in nice condition to commence his season's racing. W. Davies is keeping Xavier busy on the Trentham tracks, in view of coming events. The Tasman gelding is expected to play a prominent part in the decision of hurdle races during the ensuing season.

The three-year-old colt Sonite, by Field Battery-Wish, is developing into a fine type of the thoroughbred andhe is pleasing critics by his displays on the Trentham trysting grounds. This black fellow appears capable of doing his owner-trainer, w. Davies, some good ere the Spring meetings are much advanced.

Lady Kitcheran, the half-sister to Merrivonia, is pleasing J. Ayres by her. exertions at Trentham and judging by the way in which she is getting through her work, she should prove very useful to Mr. J. Ames, of totalisator fame, in the racing arena this season.

With the approach of several spring meetings, the tracks at Trentham present a busy appearance and this district promises to be well represented in future events, judging by the large number of aspirants for racing honours that are being hustled along on the W.R.C. tracks.

Ahuapai continues to get through some useful tasks on the old Hutt racecourse, and this San Fran colt should be in nice trim by the time the early spring meetings come on. The Conqueror gelding Rongomai is being kept up to the collar at the Hutt in view of the Horowhenua meeting at which gathering Mr. Parata’s favourite will be a competitor. Nothing has yet been definitely decided with regard to the horses who run in the nomination of the sportsman who races as “Middleton Melrose.” This gentleman contemplates leaving New Zealand short.y and it is probable that his lengthy team will be submitted to auction either here 'or in Sydney.

The three year old gelding Ebonite, by Kilcheran from Sequin, and consequently half-brother to Sea Queen is pleasing T. Allen by his exertions at Trentham; a successful turf career is anticipated for this coming turf performer.

Leahora is reported in nice condition at Carterton, and this Lethe mars is expected to occupy a good position in this season’s racing. J udging by his exertions on the Opaki tracks, Aberration should soon be earning something towards his upkeep, as his galloping ability is of a fairly high order. First Consul is in work at Otaki and the Conqueror colt appears capable of doing Mr. W. D. Watson some good service this season, judging by his displays on the tracks.

J. Matthews an old time Wairarapa trainer is busy at Tauherenikau with the Merriwee mare Longwood who, on present appearances, promises to turn out very useful.

Merry Frank is pleasing Higgott by his work on the Hutt tracks. This son of Merriwee from Valois is expected to worthily represent his owner, Mr. W. Smart in racing events this season.

Sporting critics are much impressed with Kilostere, a three year old colt by Kilcheran from Certificate, who is : having his racing education attended to by G. Price at Awapuni. This bearer of the blue and buff livery of’Mr. 1 “Highden,” promises to develop into a fine type of a racer. Turna, who is locally owned by the

sportsman who races as “H. Whitney,” is being bustled along on the Porirua beach in view of approaching events. This Stepniak colt gives one the impression that he should soon be seen under favourable auspices when the time comes for him to sport silk. D. Nyham, the Lower Hutt trainer, is handling a useful sort in Complexity,, a three year old filly by Conqueror from a Derringer mare and he is looked upon as one likely to pay his. way in early spring events. The Bpring Racing season proper, will be ushered in by the Horowhenua R. C., which will hold their meeting on September 2nd and 3rd. This gathering is always a popular one with racegoers and the coming meeting promises to be no exception to the general rule. Weights for the first day’s meeting of the Horowhenua Racing Club will be declared by Mr. G. Morse on the 19 th inst. The local solicitor, who races as ‘‘P. W. Sarsfield,” won £275 in stakes during the past season, through the aid of Royal Marine, but “Jack” anticipates holding a better winning position at the close of this season’s racing period. Mr. D. Buick’s pair, Gold Battery, and Aberbrothock, are putting in some good work at Awapuni and the pair should worthily represent their owner in approaching events. Paris, and Mountain Queen, two aspirants for racing honours are coming on nicely under T. Allen’s tuition at Trentham, and the pair may be expected to worthily represent the Endeavour Lodge stable in the racing arena this season. The appointment of Mr. C. O’Connor as starter to the Marton Jockey Club, has been well received in sporting quarters. It is refreshing to find that country clubs are determined to put this important branch of their business on a sound footing, as MrO'Connor has few or no equals at the

barrier. Mr. R. A. McDonald, the Levin train-er-owner has Hermia, and Ascalon, in nice condition to begin their season’s racing; the pair have wintered well and they should be doing Mr. McDonald a serviceable turn in the near future. Lady Moutoa, and Moutoa Girl, are being prepared on their owner’s estate at Foxton, and the pair are well forward. These two descendants of Souit promise to develop into something good as they have given proof of their galloping ability. The Foxton trainer H. C. McPhee, is busy with Epsom Downs and the Euroclydon gelding is expected to be seen under better circumstances this season than was the case with his last year’s performances when the chestnut, who is now six years old, only succeeded in breaking his maiden status. Rangikapua is in work at the Hutt, in view of his New Zealand Cup engagement. This San Fran colt has shown a partiality for long distance racing and his owner, Mr. T. Long, certainly deserves a win as he must have the bump of perseverance largely developed. Mr. J. E. Henry’s weights for the New Zealand Cup, which are due on the 20th inst., are being anxiously awaited by local sporting enthusiasts. Diabolo is in capital condition at Porirua. The black fellow is receiving a special preparation for the N.Z. Cup, in which event he is expected to carry the Cerise and black livery of the local sportsman who races as “J. Monk” with some distinction. Prelude, (Merrie England—Prologue), has foaled a capital brown filly to Achilles at Mr. lan Duncan’s stud at Waikanae.