WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1075, 13 October 1910, Page 6

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, "October 10.

The principal topic in sporting circles is the adjustments for the principal events at the W.R.C. spring meeting, which made their appearance on Friday last- The general concensus of opinion is that Mr. Pollock has framed the handicaps on very equitable lines, and there should be a liberal response from owners and trainers when acceptances fall due.

The new Gaming Bill has been freely discussed in.ppprtijig circles,

and, judging by all one hears, there seems a probability of the measure being considerably modified during its progress through the committee stages. Its final appearance on be•coming law will be awaited with considerable interest.

One of our local owners, Mr. W. Smart, had a regular day out at the Marlborough meeting. With Merry Frank and Grand Jewel Mr. Smart captured four races. .The wins were very popular, as “ Walter” is universally respected amongst sporting folkReturned sportsmen from the Marlborough meeting state that notwithstanding the smallness of the fields in the several events, some very interesting racing took place. The return from the totalisator showed a considerable increase as compared with the similar gathering last year. As a result the club will show a handsome profit, which they intend to devote to increasing the stakes at their autumn meeting. Mr. C. O’Connor was in good form at the Marlborough meeting, , his send-offs being marked with precision and accuracy. One of our local sportsmen who races as “ H. Whitney” won the principal hurdle race on the opening day at Hastings with Whatakura. F. Porter, who lately took charge of Mr. Whitney’s hands lost no time in turning out a winner. The Lethe gelding returned his supporters a dividend well into two figures.

The many friends of the Blenheim sport who races as “T. Septor” were glad to see Lawn Rose run with success at the local meeting. This mare claims an engagement in this year s N.Z. Cup, and is almost sure to be a starter in the event.

Oakley, who was purchased recently for £3O by Mr. C- F. Vallance, president of the Masterton Racing Club, will make his first appearance in his new owner’s colours at the W.R.Cmeeting next week. The Explosion gelding is a safe conveyance, but is not blessed with an over-abundance of speed.

The St. Hippo mare St. Amelia is in steady work at Waikanae. Mr. H. W- Parata’s favourite is engaged in the hunters’ steeplechasing events at Trentham.

It goes without saying that Waiohika, if he sees the post in steeplechasing events at Trentham, will have many admirers. This Gisborne-own-ed jumper gave a splendid display in similar events at the Lower Valley meeting. The Champion Plate event, to be run at Trentham next week, is causing considerable interest in sporting circles. The meeting of some of our best horses in this event promises to provide a stirring contest. W. Davies is hard at work at Trentham with Sonite, First Battery, and Deploy. The trio are all in excellent racing trim, and should run well in events to be decided on their home training grounds-

Inspection is in capital trim at Rototawai. This bearer of Mr. W. EBidwiTs colours is expected to run prominently in this season’s racing events.

Merrie Time, who performed so consistently at the recent Lower Valley meeting, will be a competitor at Trentham. Always a quick beginner the gelding will prove dangerous in short-distance events.

Epsom Downs is doing so well at Foxton that the chestnut’s trainer, H. McPhee, is contemplating bringing the gelding to Trentham. This descendant of Euroclydon has shown his trainer some excellent track work recently. The Hon- J. D- Ormond is well represented in events at the W.R.C. spring, meeting, where invariably bearers of the all cerise run with some considerable success. Penza failed to be seen in a favourable light at the Marlborough meeting. It is reported that the chestnut will make some amends in the immediate future for her disparaging display at Blenheim. The Masterton Racing Club have received a very liberal response from owners for their spring meeting, which takes place. at Opaki on the 28th and 29th inst. Mr. J. H. Pollock’s weights are due on. Friday of this week, while acceptances close on the 21st inst.

The Stepniak colt Turna, who gave such a good display at the HoroWhenua meeting, is reported in excellent racing trim, at Porirua. This bearer of Mr. Whitney’s colours will be a competitor in short events at the Trentham gathering. In a conversation with Mr- Whitney, he informed me that Turna would remain under Mr. Prosser’s care at Porirua for the present, whilst

Porter will attend to the preparation of all his other horses.

Wellington and its immediate vicinity is strongly represented in events at the W.R-C. meeting. The local trainers intend doing their utmost to repel the attack of outside trainers, with a view to retaining the hulk cf the prize money in the district. On present appearances they appear to have a very hard row to hoe.

Merrlvonia continues to please JAyres by her exertions on the Trentham tracks. The mare’s N.Z. Cup engagement will be decided after her running at Trentham next week.

Mr. F- S. Easton, the Foxton sportsman, is still keeping Stevens working on his private track. This Euroclydon gelding has been a rank disappointment, but Mr. Easton is sanguine that he will win a race with him one of these daysC. Pritchard, the Hutt trainer, won the Maiden Handicap at the Marlborough with Lares, the half-brother to Penates by Clytie from Housewife. This black colt is said to be the makings of a real good sort. He was acquired cheaply for £lOO when Mr. P. F- Tancred decided to retire from the racing business. The Hutt trainer, F. Higgott, has been the recipient of many congratulations on the way in which he turned out Grand Jewel and Merry Frank, who were successful at Blenheim. The genial Frank combines hotelkeeping with training, and is very popular amongst sporting folk. Mr. M. McGrath, the Masterton owner-trainer, has sold the San Fran gelding Osiris to an Australian buyer. The chestnut was shipped to the N.S-W. capital by the s.s. Moana on Fridav last.

The many Wellington friends of the Messrs. Whitworths, who were formerly in business in this city as butchers and lately as hotelkeepers, were glad to see Artillerie winning the Caulfield Stakes at Flemington for them on Saturday last. This success of the Royal Artillery mare , should go a long way towards compensating them for their bad luck of the last few months. It mav be mentioned that Artillerie won this same event last year.