WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1074, 6 October 1910, Page 7

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, October 3. Local returned sportsmen from the recent Wanganui meeting speak in complimentary terms of the racing provided at the gathering There was one glaring instance of reversal of form in one of the principal events on the concluding day compared with the winner’s display on the first day. No action was, however, taken by the stewards, and the judge’s decision was allowed to standThe starting at the recent Wanganui meeting was not up to the usual high standard appertaining to country clubs. It behoves racing officials to put this important branch of their business on a sound footing, and thus - remove any cause for complaints under this heading. Mon Ami ran a couple of decent races at Wanganui, and a win for the local owner, Mr. R. W f Paterson, seems within measureable distance. Sonite appears to have 'run a very creditable race in the Wanganui Guineas, and only suffered defeat by a small margin. This black colt is owned by a well-known Wellington sportsman, and he gives promise of turning out very useful. Tribulation’s exertions at Wanganui should be the means of sharpening him up considerably in view of the colt’s approaching engagements. This fine type of a galloper should make his presence felt in the classical races this season. The Levin sportsman, Mr. J- R. McDonald, has a worthy jumper in Tauira, who won the Okehu Hurdles at '.Vanganui- The Mahaki gelding was turned out in capital trim by the Porirua trainer, Mr. J. H. Prosser. W. Davies, the Trentham ownertrainer, had the ill-luck to run into second place with his horses on three occasions on' the opening day at Wanganui. Sonite, First Battery and Xavier filled these positions. Rangikapua was supported by his connections in his Wanganui campaign, but once again the San Fran colt let his backers down very badly. Swimming Belt’s exertions at Wanganui should freshen the Captain Webb horse upr considerably. This bearer of Mr- J. Monk’s colours is ex-

pected to be in good trim by the time the. Wellington meeting comes on.' ran well on the second day at Wanganui but Mr- Pharazyn’s gelding found that the ancient Sardonyx carried, too many guns for him at the finishing end. Longner should do better later on in the season.

The many Wellington friends of the Hunterville sportsman, Mr. J. Bull, junr., were glad to see his colours being carried in a conspicuous manner by The Native at Wanganui. This black gelding is expected to make a worthy addition to the ranks of the jumping brigade. First Battery made some amends for his first day’s Wanganui display by winning the Moutoa Hack race on the concluding day. Needless to say, the win was well received in Wellington by Davies’ many associates, who were glad to see that dame fortune was smiling on him once more.

The Ruenalf horse Penates is in steady work at the Hutt, and all going well in the interim, the big fellow will be found amongst the runners at the WR.C. meeting this month. Wellington and its immediate vicinity is represented in the Auckland Cup with Diabolo and Rangikapua The stable that shelters the former has turned out the winner in the last two Auckland Cups, and Prosser has some hopes of performing the hat trick in the coming contest. Excellent acceptances are assured for the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s meeting, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday next. .From present appearances the gathering promises to rank as a most successful one. This meeting will mark the opening of the club’s new racecourse.

The Foxton trainer, A. M. Wright, is keeping Lord Soult pottering about. This speedy pony will, all going well in the meantime, be a competitor in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton next month.

Splendid nominations have been received for the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting, which takes place at Trentham on the 19th and 22nd inst The weights for the several events on the first day are due to-morrow (Friday). Acceptances close on Tuesday next. Xavier ran a creditable race at Wanganui, but once again the Tasman gelding filled second place. This hurdler put up something of a record in running into second place last season, for out of eleven starts, Davies’ jumper filled this unenviable ' position on five occasions. Dearest is reported in capital trim at Porirua. This full-sister to Master Soult is expected to keep her opponents busy in events that she competes in at the Otaki meeting.

The Merriwee colt Laius is said to have shown some marked improvement recently in his track work. Mr. R. T. Turnbull’s representative will be a competitor at the Otaki meeting-

F. Porter, the ex-Auckland trainer, is settled down at the Hutt in C. Pritchard’s old quarters. This mentor comes' from the Northern City with a good reputation, and the future of horses trained by him will be watched with interest-

Foxton is well-represented in events at the Otaki meeting by a useful team. Some of the stake money is expected to find its way to the flax town. The Renown gelding Notorious is moving along nicely on the Foxton tracks. The chestnut is expected to be capable of being seen under favourable circumstances at Otaki. Always a quick (beginner, Notorious must be reckoned with in events up to seven furlongs. M- Ambrose, who is attending to the Endeavour Lodge stable at Trentham during J. W. Lowe’s absence in Australia, has a useful team ini work. With Sea Queen, Iranui, Lord Kelvin, and Ebonite, Ambrose anticipates that some of his charges will soon be ready to give a' good account of themselves. The officials of the Otaki Maori Racing Club are leaving no stone unturned with a view to making the opening of the Club’s new racecourse next week rank as the most successful function yet held in the district. Large crowds are expected, and the natives should be on good terms with themselves. All that is wanted as a fitting climax to the gathering is fine Fred Carmont, one of the Levin trainers, has a strong team engaged at Otaki. With Thetis, Teotane, Sir Frisco, Torpoint, and one or two others, the genial Fred has a notion that some of hiS team will run with some success at the gathering.

Returned sporting critics from the Wanganui meeting speak in disparaging terms of the form displayed by some of the horses in their two days’ displays- The need of stipendiary officials to watch over racing is beginning to make itself more apparent at every race meeting.