WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1093, 23 March 1911, Page 7

WANGANUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, March 19. During its inspection of the Taranaki racecourse, the Racing Commission did not visit the Opunake Club’s course, a fact which is taken by some to indicate that this club’s fixture will be abolished. On the other hand, it may be said to be open to argument whether any of the racing days in the Taranaki district should be cut

out, as in comparison with many other portions of the Island that province nas less racing than its size and population warrant.

Mr J. Harle, who formerly raced Valiina, is the new owner of Makara, the lull-brother to St. Toney. There is every probability of the Hawera Trotting Club holding a meeting on the Egmont Club s course in May or June. The Racing Club have granted the use of its ground tor that purpose at a fee of £l5.

The Egmont Racing Club’s winter meeting will be held about the middle of May. An increase in stakes has been decided upon, the value of the Mcßae Memorial Stakes having been raised from £llO to £l5O, and that event has been set down for the second day instead of the first day, when the Manaia Handicap will be run. The latter event will be worch £l2O, instead of £lOO, and the distance has been altered from one mile to seven furlongs. In making such substantial increases in prize-money the club is only giving further evidence of its progressiveness, and its liberality should be rewarded by increased patronage by owners. As Mr C. O’Connor will be unable to attend the Wanganui J.C.’s winter meeting, the club will have to appoint another starter. Mr R. Webb, who assisted Mr O’Connor at the Cup meeting, will probably be in the running, as will also Mr Alf. Morse, of Hawera, whose starting was so very successful at Opunake last year, and again last week. He is quite one of the best of the young starters. The Wanganui Trotting Club have been favoured with such excellent acceptances for the first day of their meeting to be held on Thursday and Friday, that the success of the gathering is ensured, providing the weather is fine. The two last meetings of the club were completely spoilt by the bad weather experienced, so that it is up to the club to have better luck in that respect this week, in which case some interesting sport should be served up for patrons. It will be interesting to see how Meroze shapes in the Waipipi Cup at the Masterton meeting, in which she has 6.10. On her Wanganui running the daughter of St. Clements should cut out a very fast mile and a-quarter. Kauroa, 7.0, is also amongst those left in the Cup on Thursday, and he should run a bigrace.

Fred Tilley is taking Gaby, Attention, Midian, and Meseal to the Masterton meeting. The Opunake Racing Club was favoured with almost perfect weather for its annual meeting on Friday, St. Patrick’s Day, and the atendance was remarkably large. The totalisator receipts showed a pronounced increase, the amount handled being £5 451, as against £4163 last year. The Hon. Jas. Carroll was amongst those present. The racing was most interesting, the fields being good, and the finishes very close. Mr A. Morse, who officiated as starter, did capital work. There were six starters in the Hurdles), Clemency winning by a nose after a great struggle up the straight from Zante. In the Flying Handicap, Bay Paul scored by two lengThs from Sandy Paul, and seven others. Mallet carried top weight to victory in the Opunake Handicap, winning by a head from Valentine. Time, 2.13 1-5. There were three other starters. Eight started in the Electric Stakes, Katua winning practically all the way. In the Handicap Trot, Erin’s Tracey, 20secs, got home by four lengths in 5.42 1-5, from six others. Dover Straits won the Welter easily by three lengths, paying a sensational dividend. There were eleven other starters. The winner was ridden by C. Monk, of Wanganui. Cornelian beat Joey by a head in the Final Stakes. There were four others starters. Avaunce was left at the post.