WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1245, 26 February 1914, Page 15

WELLINGTON.

Nelson J.C.’s Annual Meeting—Pair of Useful Youngsters—Notes on Woodville fixture. (Brom Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, February 23. Quite a number of North Island sporting enthusiasts are planning a trip to Nelson for the purpose of attending the annual meeting of the Nelson Jockey Club, which is set down for decision on March 11th and 12th. The presence of a number of horses from this side of Cook Strait also causes considerable interest to be taken in the Richmond Park gathering. Secretary J. Glen and his fellow officials are leaving no stone unturned with a view to making the meeting very enjoyable.

Immer, who was well supported by her owner, Mr. “Kirkdale,” failed to land the goods at Woodville, and the mare’s failures cost her connections a tidy sum. The daughter of Mar-tian-Everlasting appeared well to the eye, but she managed to meet something better than herself at the weights.

Mr. A. R. Durrant is shortly sending up to H. Fletcher, at Tauherenikau, the gelding Commotion (Sensation —Mrs. Shannon) and a two-year-old colt by Bezonian —Prologue, and therefore a half-brother to the brilliant Sinapis. With the three horses named Fletcher should assuredly fare well in his turf exploits. Mr. A. T. Stone Wigg, of Masterton, who is shortly removing to his sheep station in the Auckland district, has sent Manitau (San Fran — Queensborough) up to J. T. Jamieson at Awapuni to be prepared for future racing. The black gelding is a useful sort, and in “Sam’s” hands should fare well. Two trentham-trained horses in Lady Vladimir (a member of A. Crawford’s team) and Rene (owned and trained by A. Goodman) each won a race at the Woodville meeting. The mentors named have their charges very fit, and some further successes should come their way during the next few months.

S. W. Tatham, at Awapuni, has a pair of useful youngsters in preparation for future racing events. One is a three-ycar-old filly by Sir Laddo —Jeanne d’ Arc, and the other is a two-year-old filly by Gold Crest— Jeanne d’ Arc. Judging by the makeup of the youngsters they should do “old Bill” some useful service before their racing days are ended. Visitors from the Woodville meeting state that F. Meagher and W. D. Young, both of whom again entered the ranks of riders last week, were riding in quite their best form in the hurdle events. As both lads are fearless horsemen their services are sure to be in keen demand with owners of jumpers during the next few months.

The suspension of R. Hatch for twelve months by the Woodville District Jockey Club last week came at a very inopportune time, as “Roley,” who had only this season commenced training on his own account, was assured of a prosperous career in his new undertaking. For the next year Hatch will have to obtain some other means of occupation. Visitors from the Woodville meet-

ing state that chief stipendiary steward Mr. J. McMahon was on the qui vive for anything appertaining to a shady nature. He was kept busy on iiie two days, and report hath it that some people interested in racing had a “life.”

Altcar, who was purchased by Mr. A. Harris, of this city, for llOgns. out of a selling race at Trentham, last week won a race for his new owner at the Dunedin meeting. As the stake was worth £.130 to the winner, Mr. Harris appears to have got hold of a decided bargain. Altcar is by Birkenhead—Temaraire, and as he is only a five-year-old there should yet be some years of usefulness ahead of him. He is trained by J. W. Lowe at Trentham.

H. Carmont, who was associated with practically all Shrapnel Shell’s successes, and who has been laid aside as the result of an accident, again made his debut in the pigskin at the Woodville meeting, where his handling of Overheard in the Hack Hurdles gained him many admirers for the future. As “Tiny” can go to scale in the region of Bst. 71b. there should be ample scope for him to get a fair measure of riding during the .present season. Byron has a happy knack of bobbing up now and again, and thereby doing some useful turns to his owner, Mr. J. Harle, of Wellington. The son of Martian —Greek Maid’s recent success was at Woodville, when the gelding cleaned up the field in the Autumn Handicap. A. Shearsby has Byron at the top of his form, and some more successes should come his way in the near future.

The many friends throughout the country of ex-racecourse detective J. R. Walden wiil regret to learn that he is lying seriously ill at his residence at Miramar. There is still some hope for the future, and “Jim’s” many associates are looking forward to the day when his burly form will again be seen on the racecourses of this country.

With Los Angelos, Stepney, Belasco, Aratiatia, Hoopoe, Gipsy Belle and Pavlova the Porirua stable of Mr. J. H. Prosser is well represented at the Wanganui meeting this week, and it would occasion no surprise if the team met with some success in their approaching contests.

Boniface trainer J. Cress, of Trentham, is taking Otakura (Achilles— Volley) across to the Nelson meeting. As the opposition is not very formidable at Richmond Park, the chestnut colt should have an opportunity of gaining some distinction.

H. W. Clay, at Trentham, is keeping Lady Dalesford busy, and judging by the manner in which she is getting through her training work the chestnut daughter of Boris should soon be catching the judge’s eye.

The Achilles—Bellicent colt Chillies, in. N. Williams’ Otaki stable, is growing, into a fine type of the thoroughbred, and judging by his recent efforts with the colours up he should prove a useful horse to Mr. H. Hodge.

Mr. Mark Harrison, the well-known Waikato owner, is in a private hospital in Auckland, and underwent a serious operation on Sunday. His many friends will hear of this with regret. He is one of the best known and best liked of sportsmen.