WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1083, 8 December 1910, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, December 5. A fairly large number of local sporting enthusiasts journeyed to the spring meeting of the Feilding Jockey Club, which took place on the club’s picturesque course on Wednesday and Thursday last. The racing provided was exceptionally good, the finishes in several of the events being of a very close character, testifying that Mr Henrys had used his best endeavours in the interests of owners. Taken all round the gathering was a distinct success. Mr E. Goodbehere, the club’s popular secretary, proved by his tact and courtesy that he had the confidence of everybody who were loud in their praises of

his excellent management of the meeting. The Taratahi trained and Wairarapa owned Full Rate, ran two clinking good races at Feilding, winning both six furlong events. Although burdened with 9.13 on the second day, Full Rate left the distance behind in 1.14 3-5, truly a very meritorious performance. The statement has appeared in print that Full Rate interfered with Equitas during the running of the York Stakes at Feilding. The assertion is all fudge, as Equitas was never on terms with Full Rate, and consequently there was no chance of any untoward incident occuring as regards the pair. Some pressmen endeavour to find some excuse for the downfall of the horse they support in a race, consequently they “see” things that nobody else sees. The writer saw the race from beginning to end, and is quite satisfied that there was no collision between Full Rate and Equitas. The St. Paul gelding Tanekaha, ran exceptionally well at Feilding in his two starts at the meeting. This nativeowned gee-gee should run with some success at the A.R.C. meeting, as he appears to be coming on nicely. The Soult mare Mon Arnie, did not run up to expectations at Feilding, and consequently her connections were left lamenting. She had been doing some good work prior to leaving the Hutt, and her form at the meeting caused some surprise, as she wag never in the hunt.

A quartette of the Porirua team for the Auckland meeting, consisting of Diabolo, Gipsy Belle, Tauira, and Dearest, are all reported in excellent racing condition. These representatives of the beach establishment should make their presence felt in their northern campaign. Irish Rifle has shown some adaptitude for the jumping business, and the Musketry gelding is expected in the near future to show some brilliancy between the flags. The chestnut is built on lines suggesting a typical hurdler. Handicappers present at the Feilding meeting were Messrs. J. E. Henrys, J. H. Pollock, G. Morse, and B. Coyle. These weight-adjusters were all on the qui vive in view of approaching events.

Now that Teotane has recovered from his bleeding at the nose propensities, the chestnut should soon be giving a good account of himself. The gelding’s two displays at Feilding stamped him as a horse likely to pick up a decent handicap event. Old Hydrant ran two good races at Feilding, but the chestnut was not equal to the task of footing it with his younger rivals, but he succeeded in running into second place on each occassion that he started at the meeting.

The Hunterville sportsman, who has adopted the racing non de plume of Tiemi Puru, has a fine cut of a hurdler in The Native, who won a double at Feilding. Providing he stands up to his work this Natator gelding should do well in jumping events during this aeuson. Canadian, who is owned by Mr W. Phillips, a steward of the Rangitikei Racing Club, won the Waituna Hack Hurdles at Feilding. The win did not come out of its turn, as it is the first success of The Officer gelding since coming into Mr Phillips’ possession. Canadian has started on thirteen occasions during the last two seasons, without getting amongst the winners, so who is there who will say that Mr Phillips has not got the bump of perseverance largely developed.

Mr W. E. Bidwill’s fine colt Provocation had no difficulty in winning the Fifth Feilding Stakes from Gipsy Belle, and Polymorphous. The Wairarapa sportsman must now regret allowing the colt to drop out of his A.R.C. Railway Handicap, which he must have possessed an undeniable chance of annexing. R. Hatch, who is fast putting on flesh, rode a splendid race on Provocation at Feilding. His handling of the colt gained him many admirers, who prophesy that Hatch’s services will be in keen demand when the weight to be carried is over 8 st. In a conversation with Mr W. E. Bidwill he informed me that Tribulation is still at Riccarton recovering from his attack of influenza. Mr Bidwill added that he very much regretted the circumstances under which the colt had to be withdrawn from his Auckland engagements. The credit of paying the largest dividend at Feilding goes down to the credit of First Mate, who paid over a quarter of a century by winning the Kiwitea Welter- The horse was well ridden by F. Coleman, to whose vigorous horsemanship the success was due.

Merry Frank continues in a winning vein, his latest success being gained at Feilding, where the Merriwee gelding won the Fitzroy Hack Flying. The win was made all the easier by F. Meagher, on Vibration, allowing Merry Frank up on the inside, the former losing the race by a head.

The starting of Mr T. Cameron, at Feilding, was really first-class, his send-offs being marked with accuracy and pecision. When in form, “Tom” is without an equal at the barrier.

Ngatiruanui, a three-year-old colt, by Maniapoto from Secrecy, and who had the services of H. Gray in the saddle, was given out as a good thing at Feilding. What galloping power the youngster possessed was not disclosed, but he should do better later on when he is more matured and conversant with racing methods.

Since his return from Riccarton, Ascalon has been doing well at Levin, under Mr R. A. McDonald’s guidance. The chestnut’s next appearance will be at the Manawatu meeting. Sea Queen is training on satisfactorily, and this typical sprinter should keep her opponents busy in events that she competes in at the Manawatu meeting. J. Ayres is busy at Trentham with Merrivonia, who is said to have considerably improved since her return from Christchurch. A win for the black mare, who is owned by Mr Ames, of totalisator fame, would be well received in sporting circles. All going well in the meantime Merrivonia will be a competitor in the Manawatu Cup, which event it will be remembered she won last year. History may repeat itself on the approaching occasion. Alf. Wright is busy at Foxton with Sir Antrim, who claims engagements at Manawatu. The Soult horse is expected to run with some distinction at Awapuni, where he invariably runs well.

The many friends of “Skipper” Ryan were glad to see by his excellent riding of Jackpin, at Feilding, that, his recent trip to Australia had not impaired his riding qualities. His handling of the Lupin gelding saw Ryan in a very favourable light, and it is safe to prophesy that he will soon occupy a prominent position amongst winning jockeys.