WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIX, Issue 1101, 18 May 1911, Page 9

WANGANUI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI May 17. All going well, John will be a starter in the Great Northern Hurdles, in which event Frank Lind will have the mount on the Cuirassier gelding. John was off the track for a few days last w eek, and this led some to think

that he was amiss, but he put up a good mile gallop on Saturday, and pulled up all right. There are many who regard John as one of the most likely candidates in the Century Hurdles, as he is not only very fast, but a capital jumper, and undoubted stayer. Shuja, who was reckoned to have a real good chance in the Connolly Handicap, has gone wrong, which is bad luck for Fred Tilley, who had him very well. Defeat and Rosegrove are said to be pleasing the touts at Awapuni by the excellent displays they arei giving over the big country. Te Arai is also doing good work, and is regarded as a sure starter in the big Steeples, here next week. The St. Pajul gelding, Valentine, broke a small bone in a leg while schooling recently at Lepperton, but the bone has been set, and an attempt will be made to save the horse. Mr J. O’Driscoll intends taking his horses, Waitapu and Sinn Fein, with him when he leaves for his new home at Toowoomba, Queensland. W. H. McKay, who formerly did the riding for Mr G. F. Moore, and later on rode a number of winners for Mr Messena, of Foxton, is going to take on riding again, after a spell of farming. 'I. Pritchard has been engaged to ride Winchester in the Wanganui Steeplechase. F. Coleman will have the mount on Zante in the Hurdles at Hawera on Wednesday. Zante is a very fine jumper, and if started in the Wanganui Steeplechase, should give a good account of himself. Corazon is expected to arrive in Wanganui in the course of a few days. This gelding is well . treated in the Steeplechase, in which he is weighted at 9.12, and as V. Collelo has him very fit just now, he may succeed in scoring a win for Sir W. R. Russell. He will be ridden by Rangi Thompson, so should lack nothing on the score of horsemanship. Although the Wanganui Steeplechase Meeting is only some ten days off, no outside horses have arrived yet, and the work on the track so far has been confined to local horses, lime was when for two or three weeks before the winter meeting a number of visiting horses were working here, and the touts - used to see some very interesting jumping. However, most of the race clubs on the coast now have had schooling fences erected, and the horses are not bi ought here until a few days before the meeting. No doubt after the Egmont meeting on Wednesday and Thursday of this week, a large number of horses will be brought here, and then the tracks will be very busy. The aceptances for the first day of the meeting are not due until next Monday, so that it is hard to say what may or may not go out. However, there is every prospect of the acceptances being large in all the events, and really fine fields are anticipated in the chief events. Something like a record field is expected to face the starter in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and this should prove one of the most interesting races seen here for a long time. From all accounts Te Arai will be a starter, also Eldorado, Mahara, Lovell, Maku, Corazon, a,nd probably Xavier, Lull, Mount Cook, Sardonyx, Rangitoto, Winchester, and Zante. Whether the Aucklanders, Sol, Loch Fyne, and First Barrel will come down remains to be seen, but as the first named is reported to be in great fettle, he may make the trip. Eurus is said to be fencing in his best style at Riccarton, but nothing is known as to whether he will be a competitor here or not. In any case there is every likelihood of a splendid contest The Century Hurdles will also probably be contested by a big field, which may include Wimmera, Compass, The Native, Gold Bird, Xaviei(if not started in the Steeples.), Maggie Paul, Auratus, Maidi, Marton Hydrant, John, Sir Prize, Waterworks, Ribstone Pippin, Torbelle. Appin, Te Whetu, and Waiputere. Of this lot Wimmera, Marton, and John are the most fancied at.this stage. Marton, perhaps, being the favourite. In the Connolly Handicap, Cheddar, Equitas. Vibration, and Mulga Bill are most talked about, but Gunboat, Te Puia and Meroze will also have plenty of supporters if they accept, whilst there are several others which should run well, if started. It is conceded that the race wears a very open aspect. The course is at present looking at its best, and given fine weather, the gathering should be a great success in every way. With many the Steeplechase Meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club is looked upon as the most enjoyable of the season’s fix- ’ tures on this coast, and hence with such good sport promised the attendance is likely to be exceptionally large at the forthcoming meeting.