WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1085, 22 December 1910, Page 8

WELLINGTON.

(Krom Our Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, December 19.

Sporting folk in the vicinity of Wellington will be well provided with racing during the next fortnight. With the Manawatu, Ashurst, and Wairarapa race meetings and Trotting at Petone, those turfites who take a pleasure in the game will have plenty of material to select winners from. The Manawatu Summer Meeting opens the Christmas racing season at Awapuni to-morrow (Friday). Good fields are engaged in the several events, and a successful meeting is anticipated. The fixture will be continued on Monday next, and will be brought to a conclusion on Tuesday. Big Blast has made many friends by her exertions on the Awapuni tracks. This Quarryman filly is said to be exceptionally fast, and she should run prominently at the meeting. The Foxton owner, Mr F. S. Easton,, has leased Ambrosian from Mr F. Preston. If the chestnut shows decent form, she will be purchased by Mr Easton when her lease expires. iranui is galloping in a very attractive style at Trentham. Some sporting critics are selecting this mare to annex the Manawatu Cup. On her Woodville performance she can possess no chance. But racehorses are fickle customers. Victor Cotton will take Meditteranean and Ahuapai to Awapuni. The pair have been acquitting themselves well on the Lower Hutt tracks.

Mrs F. Higgott, wife of the wellknown trainer of that name, has purchased Aimwell (Soult — Gladys May). The gelding will make his first appearance in his new owner’s colours at the Ashurst meeting. Merry Frank is doing well under F. Higgott’s guidance at the Hutt. This Merriwee gelding should run with, some success in his approaching engagements. The Porirua team for the Auckland meeting are expected to get away today. The team snould more than pay expenses on the trip. Diabolo is in splendid fettle, and this fine colt will have many admirers when he appears in the bird-cage at Ellerslie on Monday next. That the black fellow will give a good account of himself is assured, as he has been ■doing well recently. C. Jenkins visited Porirua on Thursday last, and indulged some of the horses in a sprint. ‘ Charles” many friends will be glad to know that he has practically recovered from the mishap that befell him in the Otaio Plate at the C.J.C. meeting.

Trotting enthusiasts are well catered for by the Hutt Valley Trotting Club annual meeting, which takes place at Petone on Monday and Tuesday next. A very attractive programme will be presented, and as Mr J. H. Pollock has done his utmost to persuade owners of trotters to compete, the Club’s officials should be rewarded with a bumper attendance. Gladiole is galloping in good style at Awapuni. This chestnut must be kept in view for events at the Manawatu meeting.

P. Hanlon, at Ashurst, is busy “with Waicola in view of next week’s meeting. The genial “Pat” anticipates picking up a stake with the black mare in the near future. Waipaku has been leniently treated in the matter of poundage in the Rangitikei Cup. All going well in the meantime, the Conqueror mare will be a competitor in that event. Mon Arnie has been given a good chance to score in the Awapuni Handicap with 6st 131 b opposite her name. She has not earned any more poundage, as her recent displays have been disappointing, but, as she is very well at present, she should give a good account of herself at the meeting. In Merrivonia, and Iranui, both of whom are very fit, Wellington will have two worthy representatives in -the Manawatu Cup. It will be remembered that the former won this event last year, and history may repeat itself in the coming contest. Old Exmoor is in work again at Porirua, and the Grafton gelding may be seen out at the Rangitikei meeting at the end of the month. In Ascalon, and Hermia, the Levin •sportsman, Mr R. A. McDonald, will have a couple of capable performers to carry his colours at the Manawatu meeting. This pair are said to be in excellent racing condition, and ■they should do their owper some use-, ful service in their several engagements.

The Tupuhi horse, Brown Trout, ■will be a competitor at the Mana wa-

tu. This coming turf aspirant is said to have shown considerable improvement since his appearance at Woodville.

Thetis, Teotane, and Parewanui, are reported in nice racing fettle at Levin. Fred. Carmont has the trio very well, and if they fail to land a stake at the Christmas meetings the fault will not be attributed to their trainer, as he has them as fit as hands can make them.

The unlucky Rangikapua will fulfill his Manawatu engagements. This San Fran colt is a stable mate of Mon Ami, and between the pair they should pay for the expense of their attendance at the meeting. L. Traill, the Porirua light-weight, will ride Dearest in the Manawatu Stakes on Friday. At the conclusion of that race Traill will journey on to Auckland to assist in the riding of J. H. Prosser’s horses at that meeting.