WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1071, 15 September 1910, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, September 12.

Wellington was well represented at the Marton meeting with a number of sporting enthusiasts. They speak well of the sport provided in the several events, but they complain of the conundrum set them by Mr. G. Morse in finding the several winners. Out of the sixteen events on the programme only two first favourites scored, so, needless to say, backers fared very badly. Returned sportsmen from the Marton meeting speak in high terms of the kindness extended to them by the club’s popular secretary, Mr. A. Way, to whose efforts the lot of the visitor was made very happy. Advantage, who is owned by Mr. Middleton Melrose, won a double at Marton, viz., the Telegraph Handicap, on the first day and the Shorts Handicap on the second day. The Auckland jockey, B. Deeley, who is in good form, piloted the Advance mare in her engagements. Mr. H. W. Parata, the Waikanae sportsman, secured a win at Marton with St. Amelia, who won the Hunt Club Cup. As the St. Hippo mare is trained by her owner, it makes the win all the more popular. The many friends of the Trentham trainer-owner, W. Davies, were glad to see Sonite winning a race for him at Marton. This Field Battery colt promises to run with some distinction in racing events this season, as he has demonstrated that he is possessed of galloping ability. The Porirua-trained pair Lady Medallist and Felix, were given a run in tne Marton Handicap, but failed to run prominently. Their exertions in this event should sharpen them up considerably, and they should be seen under favourable circumstances in the near future.

Albert Goodman, one of the Trentham trainers, took White Lie to Marton, but this black mare again let her connections down badly. She had been responsible for some good track work before leaving home, and it is difficult to account for her inferior displays. Mediterranean, who is locally owned by the sportsman who races as H. Whitney, ran two creditable races at' Marton, and it is quite evident that this San Fran gelding will soon be getting on the winning list. Pakau gave a better display at Marton over the obstacles, and it is evident that this Conqueror mare, who runs in Mr. J. H. Prosser’s, the Porirua trainer’s name, will soon be accounting for a stake. Excellent acceptances appear assured for the Lower Valley Jockey Club’s Meeting which takes place at Martinborough on Thursday and Friday next. This gathering is always a popular one with racegoers, and the approaching fixture promises to be as good as its predecessors. C. Pritchard has Naumai in splendid trim, and this speedy Conqueror gelding will in all probability make the Avondale trip. Always a splendid beginner, Naumai is dangerous in short events.

The death is reported from Mr. J. G. Duncan’s Waikanae stud of the brood mare Moreze (St. Leger—Lady Wellington), who will be best remembered as the dam of Raupare and William I.

At Waikanae, Stepina (by Stepniak —Glauvina), has foaled a fine chestnut colt to Achilles.

The s.s. Athenic, which arrived from London on Saturday last, brought two English thoroughbred horses consigned to Mr. J. B. Reid, of Ellerslie, and Mr. J. G. Duncan, of the Waikanae Stud One is Downshire, a bay horse bred in England in 1904, by Ayrshire from Seadown, by Orvieto from New Zealand, by Insonomy from Australia, by Hermit. The other is the chestnut

horse Varco, bred in England in 1907, by Marco from Vara,-by St. Angelo from Cheap Loaf, by Insonomy. The pair are splendid types of the thoroughbreds, and Messrs. Reid and Duncan deserve the thanks of breeders for their diligence in importing two such fine horses. It has not up to the present been decided where tney will be located.

Merrivonia is doing nicely at Trentham, and this N.Z. Cup candidate may be given a run at the Lower Valley Meeting next week. Frank Higgott, of the Hutt, has Merry Frank and Grand Jewel in good trim. This pair are expected to worthily represent their local owner, Mr. W. Smart, in events at the Lower Valley meeting.

H. W. Clay, the Martinborough trainer, has Fighting Maid in excellent trim, and this grey mare should keep her opponents busy in short events at the Lower Valley meeting next week.

A. Crawford is busy at Greytown with the St. Clements gelding Clem, and two untried ones. The trio are owned by Mr. P. Rogers, of Hotel fame, and are said to be of the useful type. Some of Crawford’s team will sport silk at the Lower Valley meeting.

N. Williams, Clareville, has Leahora and Full Rate in good racing condition, and this pair are expected to worthily represent their Wairarapa owners at the approaching meeting at Martinborough.

H. Fletcher, at Tauherenikau, has Longner and Purakau in excellent trim. The former is destined for the Wanganui meeting, whilst Purakau will be seen out at next week’s meeting. C. Pritchard s new house and boxes at the Hutt are just verging on completion, and he will soon be removing his belongings to his new home. The buildings at present occupied by Pritchard will be tenanted by F. Porter, who will have the preparation of all Mr. H. Whitney’s horses, who are at present domiciled at the Hutt and at Porirua.

News from Opaki states that Afterthought is in fine racing condition, and this Merriwee mare should be seen under favourable circumstances in ..er approaching engagements. Mr. F. O. Weine, a local trotting enthusiast, has just imported from Sydney a promising trotter in a two-year-old gelding by Tuxhedo from Trilby. Tnis Australian-bred arrival is said to be a typical trotter, and its future achievements will be watched with interest. He has been handed over to D. Nynan, of Havoc fame, to prepare for his trotting career.

Lord Soult has been taken in hand again, and all going well in the meantime, this Soult pony will be a competitoi' in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton in November next.

G. Price, private trainer to •“ Mr. Highden,” is handling a promising turf aspirant in a two-year-old colt named Pimpnel, by St. Ambrose from Marsellaise. This youngster is expected to develop into a fine type of a racehorse.

A. Neale, private trainer to Mr. D. Buick, M.P., has a useful sort in a three-year-old filly by Papakura from Fawn. The name Phaume has been claimed for this turf aspirant, who at present promises to turn out a real top-notcher. T. Clark is still persevering at Awapuni with Bourrasque and Belle Arnie. The pair are looking in perfect health, and they are expected to carry Mr. Pascal’s colours with some distinction ere the spring meetings are much further advanced.

Diabolo continues to train on satisfactorily at Porirua, and it is quite evident that this black colt will keep his opponents busily engaged during the running of the N.Z. Cup in November next.

In addition to the two thoroughbred stallions imported by Messrs Reid and Duncan, there was also on board the s.s. Athenic, consigned to Mr. J. B. Reid, a two-year-old brown filly by Marco from La Belle. She comes from one of the best racing families in England, and was bred by the Duke of Portland at Welbeck. She will be mated with Downshire this season. In addition to the above-mentioned animals on the Athenic, Mr. J. F Buchanan. of Little River, Canterbury, has also on board two nicely-bred fillies. One is by the Minting horse Ugly, and the other is closely related to that great racehorse, Galtee More. Your correspondent was personally shown over the horses on the Athenic by Mr. J. B. Reid, who stated that the consignment 'was the costliest shipment of thoroughbreds that had ever reached' the Dominion.