WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1254, 30 April 1914, Page 16

WANGANUI.

F. Tilley’s Active Brigade —The Wanganui Steeplechase—Formby's Schooling Lessons —J. Peachey’s Team. cr’iom Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, Monday. Formby has been nominated for the six-furlong events at the Wanganui Winter Meeting. He has been' in steady work for some time now, and is beginning to look really well, but whether he will get back to his old brilliancy remains to be seen. If he keeps sound he ought to do well over the hurdles later on, as he has shown that he can jump.

Tilley has a big team in work at Fordell, including Postillion, Kaniki, Bonny Helen, Austin, Princess Moutoa, Goodwin Park, Leonta, Mescal and others. Bonny Helen and Kaniki will be racing at Awapuni bn Wednesday and if pr!esen£ intentiofis are adhered to Postillion will be taken across for the Hawke’s Bay meeting, at which he will be a starter in the Porangahau Handicap, six and a-half furlongs, in which he has 9.1, which is 11b. less than Ermengarde and lib. more than Merry Roe. If these three cracks meet a great race should be witnessed.

It came as a surprise to find that Dorando had not been nominated for the Wanganui Winter Meeting. It was fully expected that the gelding would be in the big steeplechase, but his name is missing. He appears to have got over the effects of the knock he sustained a couple of months ago, and is now being worked on the track again with a view to the Egmont meeting, whereat he is engaged in the hurdles. The nominations received for the Wanganui Steeplechase meeting are very large, all of the events having filled really well, particularly the chief events. There are 23 engaged in the big Steeples, 35 in the Grandstand Steeples, and 22 in the hack crosscountry race. The entries for the big race include a number new at the ’ steeplechasing game, but there are a few which have proved their ability to win in good company, including The Spaniard, Glenmore, Bercola, Kauroa, Sir Lethe, and one or two others, so that class will be fairly well represented. Much interest will be taken in the doings of these and the young brigade in view of the Great Northern and Grand National later on. Ruffy has been ticked off as one likely to make a name for himself over fences this season, and Jackman is also spoken of as one giving great promise at this game. There are 24 in the Century Hurdles as against 22 fast year, including Goodwin Park, Darby Paul, Cornelian, The Rover, Bollin, Merrimax, and other well-tried ones. Of the young brigade Aruake, Papalitz, Huia and Jackman are a likely lot to earn distinction, the two former in particular being sure to prove a bit above the ordinary. The flat events are sure to provide capital racing, the class of horses engaged in the Connolly, Borough, Empire and Winter Oats being well up to the average seen out here. The hack events, as usual, have filled splendidly, and altogether the entries total 384, as against 367 last year. Mescal is being schooled over the hurdles at Fordell, and will probably be seen out in the Hack Hurdles at the Wanganui meeting. He can jump well, and with his pace ought to be a success over the small sticks. His stable mate, Goodwin Park, is looking really well, and from the way he is shaping on the track he promises to be a good stake winner this season over hurdles.

Formby and Lady Forager were given a spin over the schooling hurdles on Saturday, when both jumped well, Lady Forager appear-

ing to have slightly the better of the argument. Formby cleared his obstacles well for a beginner. Lady Forager is one which should do her trainer-owner, Mr. J. Lambess, good service, as she not only jumps beautifully, but has pace. On Saturday Otahu, Square Deal and Aruake had a gallop over a mile together, the two former finishing in front of the hurdler, though the latter was not ridden out. All three are very fit, and should run well in their engagements at Awapuni. J. Peachey is keeping his string going. Kurapai looks all the better for his racing at Feilding, and the strong work which he is doing appears to be bringing him on well. St. Gate is also looking very fit, and is moving perhaps better than ever. Gondolier was schooled over the big fences this morning, and jumped beautifully. His stable mate, Bonnie, is to be sent home, as he has not shown sufficient pace, although a splendid jumper. Aruake was sent over the hurdles this morning, but his display was not too good.