WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1077, 27 October 1910, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, October 24.

Wellington, during the last week, has been the rendezvous for a large number of sportsmen from various parts of the Dominion. Their presence in the city was due to a conference of various clubs, having for its object the considering of the new Gaming Bill, which will shortly be considered by Parliament. As an outcome of the deliberations a committee was appointed to give evidence before the Committe in the House of Representatives. It is hoped that some good will eventuate as a result of the conference. The meeting was held in the Town Hall, which place admirably lends itself to proceedings of this description. Another conference that views with alarm the reducing of permits to trotting clubs held a meeting in the Empire Hotel, on Friday morning last. This gathering was largely attended, and the proceedings did not lack enthusiasism- The result of the deliberations will be placed before the Government in due course. News from Foxton states that S. Messena’s team is oeing given half pace work in view of coming events. Some members of the string will be seen out at the Feilding meeting, at which gathering Waiouru will make his first appearance this season. Dearest ran two very creditable races at Trentham. m this full sister to Master Soult the Southern sportsman, Mr. J. Buckley, appears to be in possession of a useful sort. Very satisfactory acceptances have been received for the spring meeting of the Masterton Racing Club, which takes place on Friuay and Saturday next. Mr. Pollock appears to have pleased all shades of owners and the gathering, provided the weather is fine, promises to rank as a very successful one-

Your correspondent was on the Trentham tracks on Wednesday morning and saw Bootle run three furlongs in 37sec. In a conversation with F. D. Jones after the trial he informed me that this Birkenhead colt was the nicest horse in action that ever he had ridden. This bearer of the all cerise of the Hon. j. D. Ormond will keep his opponents ousy in the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes at Riccarton next week.

The Canterbury sportsman, Mr. G. D. Greenwood, was tne recipient of many congratulations on the easy manner in which Danube won the Champion Plate at rrentham on Saturday last. The event was duly celebrated in champagne in the Stewards’ and Press rooms at the conclusion of the race.

Diabolo made many friends by his fine appearance on the opening day at Trentham. The black horse looked a veritable picture and he should be cherry ripe by the time the New Zealand Cup comes up for decision. Mr. Monk’s horse rules as one of the favourites for the big event. Sir Antrim was voted unlucky in not winning the Wellington handicap. Usually a quick beginner, the Soult horse dwelt on the mark and lost considerable ground- He eventually put in a good run and finished second, beating all but Lady Medallist. His supporters for the New Zealand Cup are looking forward to this Foxtontrained and Pahiatua-owned animal to give a good account of himself in the big Riccarton event next month. Mrs. Moore’s horse Sir Frisco has gone slightly amiss and in consequence will 'be treated to a slight spell from activity. Wellington and it immediate vicinity is represented in the New Zealand Cup with Diabolo and Merrivonia. Both of these competitors are in excellent racing condition and they should worthily represent the “windy” city in events at the C.J.C. meeting. The Hon. J. D. Ormond’s team, consisting of probably ten horses, are under orders to leave Wellington for Lyttelton to-night. In Miscount, Bootle and Birkdale, the Karamu stable shelters a trio that should run with some considerable success in their C.J.C. engagements.

The many friends of the Waikanae sportsman Mr. H- W. Parata were glad to see St. Amelia and Rongomai running well forward for him at Trentham. Mr. Parata is a game patron, of the turf, and he has stuck to the sport when other folk would have parted company with it years since. Mr. T. H. Lowry’s three horses Kohinoor, Mesriwa and Cullinan were shipped to Lyttelton on Friday night. The trio went in charge of Fred Davis, who wi’l prepare them at Riccarton for their approaching engagements. Kopu, in charge of J. Munn, left here, for Lyttelton by Friday night’s steameri The chestnut was not seen at his best at Trentham, but Munn is under the impression that he will give a better display in the New Zealand Cup.

The Birkenhead colt Tribulation, with J. Farmer, his trainer, will leave for Lyttelton this evening. This bearer of Mr. W. E. Bidwill’s colours is a. typical galloper and his exertions at the November carnival will be watched with interest-

Lawn Rose is reported to be galloping in an attractive style at Riverlands, and Blenheim sporting critics are quite prepared to hear of Mr. Septor’s favourite running prominently in her Cup engagement. In Polymorphous and Boanerges the “Highden” stable, wnlch is presided over by G. Price, will have a couple of worthy representatives to carry the blue and buff livery at the C.J.C. meeting. With A. Oliver in the saddle these two runners will command considerable respect. Ebonite was paying a dividend of over a century when it ran into third place in the Final ocurry Handicap on the opening day at Trentham. T. O’Brien had the mount and he nearly brought off a coup.

The fact of Mr. W. E. Bidwill withdrawing Provocation from the Stewards’ Handicap will cause his c nominee Tribulation to be a greatly admired and supported horse in that event. That this son of Birkenhead can gallop is beyond all question. Shrewd sporting folk are selecting Sandstream to run well in the New Zealand Cup. It will be remembered that this San Fran gelding met with some interference in last year’s event and he may, or is expected to, make a better showing this yearGipsy Belle stopped very suddenly in the Nai Nai Handicap at Trentham

on Saturday. The mare looked a winner two hundred yards from the post but for some unaccountable reason she faded out of the contest. The placing of Hack and Hunters’

Steeplechasing events on the W-R.C. spring programme has met with such a cordial response from owners that the innovation will be retained by the club. It is more than probable that the added money for next year’s events of this kind will be considerably increased. A tribute to the work of the W.R.C. handicapper (Mr. J. H. Pollock) was exemplified in the Nai Nai Handicap at Trentham on Saturday. Gipsy Belle, Hohungatahi, Theodore and Bally Shannon were all backed on the totalisator in such a manner as to denote that the speculating public thought the race all over. But a surprise was in store, for after Gipsy Belle and Theodore had flattered theii' supporters, M. McDonald, who put up 51b overweight,' brought Penza along and the Royal Artillery mare won decisively, paying the biggest dividend during the two day’s racing, whilst Sea Queen, who was cue rankest outsider of the field, returned her supporters a substantial dividend for second place.