WEST COAST.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, 1 August 1912, Page 12

WEST COAST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, Monday. Owners of hacks and hunters are reminded that nominations for the annual race meeting of the EgmontWanganui Hunt close next Saturday week with Mr Selby Morton, hon. sec., Wanganui. A report has been in circulation that Koran had broken down, but there is no truth in the rumour. Yesterday morning the son of Pilgrim’s Progress did good work at Waverley, and looked very fit. The general opinion here is that The Rover and Koran will set the field a very merry race in the early stages of the Grand National Hurdle race, and that it will take something particularly good to beat the better of this pair. Koran’s connections appeal’ to be very confident that he will run a great raceThe annual general meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club will be held in Foster’s Hotel on Wednesday evening, when the report and balancesheet will disclose a very satisfactory state of affairs. During the past season the sum of £2787 was paid in tax to the Government. A considerable increase in stakes has been decided upon for the coming

season, as under: —Spring Meeting, increase £B5; Autumn Meeting, £100; and Winter Meeting, £2l0 — a total of £405. All of the hack events will be worth £llO, and the Wanganui Steeplechase £6OO, instead of £5OO, while £lOO will go to the second horse. The club are having a lot of improvements effected to the grandstand, lawn, totalisator house, and a splendid new tea kiosk is to be erected. When this work is completed the club’s appointments will be equal to anything of the kind in the Dominion. As a result of the Marton Jockey Club being limited to three days’ racing in the year, the committee have decided to cut the spring fixture down to one day (September, 4), and have a two-day meeting on January 1 and 2. The club had issued a two-day programme for the spring meeting, but this has been revised, and a bill-of-fare for one day only drawn up. Eight events are set down for decision including two open races —the Marton Handicap of £ 1 7% and the Railway Handicap of £llO. Nominations close with Secretary Way on Friday, 16th August. Mr W. R. Tuck is very optimistic regarding the chances of Antarctic in the Grand National Steeplechase, but there are some good judges who consider that the Salvadan gelding cannot be got to the post in good enough form to give him any chance. He still shows signs of the rheumatism which makes him look very lame at times, but he throws off all trace of soreness after getting warmed up to his work. All going well, he willleave here at the end of the week for Riccarton, and it is safe to say that he will parry a lot of Wanganui money if he starts. Should he win it will be a very popular victory. Alex. Hall is keeping St. Bill, North East, and St. Gate at slow work. All three look to be fairly well, and by the time the Spring Meetings come round should be in good fettle. The trotters Albertorious and Uniform are at present being trained here, having been brought down from Hawera owing to the bad state of the going there. If they go on all right, and the handicaps are satisfactory, they will be sent on to Christchurch for the trotting meeting there on the 15th August. George Laing has got King Simon in work again. The Sweet Simon gelding is being got ready for the Marton meeting. Laing also has Sweet Breeze in steady work with a view to the Hunt meeting and Marton gathering. Kew looks all the better for the racing at Trentham, and is going along nicely on the local tracks. He will be raced at Marton, and probably at Rangitikei.