WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1291, 21 January 1915, Page 12

WANGANUI.

Son to be Tried Over Hurdles—Wanganui J.C’s. Improvements —W. Rayner’s Pair for Foxton Meeting —Horses in Training at Fordeff — Probable Entrants for Wanganui— Aruake Going Along Nicely—Wanganui Trotting Club's Meeting.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

WANGANUI, Monday. Son, which won a race at the Marton meeting, will be put to hurdling later on. The gelding is by Stepson—Wangaehu, and was bred and is owned by Mr. Sam. Woodill, a well-known Wanganui sportsman. If looks go for anything, Son ought to make a good jumper. Denise Orme was physicked after the Marton meeting and given a short spell, but is now in work again. She is engaged at the Egmont meeting and also at the Taranaki autumn gathering. St. Gate figures amongst the entrants for the Egmont hurdle events. The St. Clements gelding has freshened up as a result of his enforced spell consequent of knocking his knee recently, and there is every prospect of him being at the top of his form by the time he is again called upon to race. The Wanganui Jockey Club is having its weighing room enlarged, which is a move in the right direction, as the room is at present too small for its requirements. The club is also going in for one of Gray’s improved starting machines, which should enable Mr. R. H. Skipwith to do even better work than he has done in the past. Another innovation which will be very popular with the public is the installation of the ten shilling tote. It is proposed to make all the outside windows ten shillings and five ten shilling windows are being put in on the lawn. Many people have urged that the public should be given the opportunity of getting 10s. tickets, and surprise has been expressed that the club had not seen the wisdom of this long ere this. Euroco figures amongst the entrants for a couple of hack flat events at the Egmont meeting. The gelding has been in steady work for some time past, and is now galloping in good style. Seaplane appears to have got over his lameness, which was eaused by a bruised heel, and is engaged at the Egmont and Taranaki meetings. W. Rayner intends taking Sweet Van and Vladian to the Foxton meeting. The former has been doing good work lately, and is likely to be well backed in the Cup on Friday. Vladian is an improved sort of gelding, and should place a win to his credit soon. Fred. Tilley is taking Austin, Interlude and Ararat to Wellington. The first-named did not accept for

the Cup, but will start in the Anniversary Welter, in which event he has 8.7. He has been doing good work on the tracks since returning from Auckland, and may run prominently. Ararat figures in the Trial Plate, in which the daughter of Advance —Ballarat will., have to meet some speedy ones, but should give a good account of herself. Tilley has a strong team in train ing at Fordell, including Goodwin Park, Kew, Leonta, Austin, Sunbird, Princess Mcutoa, Ardent, Bonny Helen, Ararat, Record, Interlude and Mia Cara. Postillion has been having an easy time of it since returning from Auckland, but will probably be put into work again shortly with a view to the Wanganui meeting, where he will be seen out in the Flying Ilan dicap and the Jackson Stakes all going well. Judging from the entries received for the Taranaki Cup, there is a likelihood of Merry Roe, Jack Delaval, Royal Irish, Goldsize and one or two other Auckland horses being seen out in the Wanganui Cup, nominations for which are due on Monday next, the 25th inst. Other probable entrants include Emperador. Bertrada, Chaminade, Kooya, Square Deal, Sea Pink, Football, Bonny Hel en, Austin, Court Martial, Kilrain. Sinapis, Indigo and others, so that a fine field should face the starter.

Aruake is going along nicely again, and will probably be given a run in the welter events at Egmont. W. Rayner has his other hurdler, Tirohanga, engaged in the hack hurdles at Hawera and at New Plymouth, while Sweet Van figures in the Taranaki Cup.

Indications are not wanting that that Wanganui Trotting Club will receive record nominations for its annual meeting, to be held on February 26 and March 1. The fact that the club has increased the total stake money from £6OO to £lOOO has been favourably commented upon by trotting enthusiasts in all parts, and word has been received as to the likelihood of a number of South Island horses being brought up for the meeting, which promises to be a big success. Nominations are due on February 5. It will be interesting to see how White Plume shapes over the hurdles at Foxton. Her dam, The Hempie, was a good performer over the small sticks, and White Plume has shown that she can jump well in her schooling lessons. She is in at the

minimum, and is expected to run a good race. Mr. George Morse has been appointed handicapper for the Masterton Club, vice Mr. J. H. Pollock, who has resigned from the position owing to ill-health. The Birkenhead —Epilogue filly in W. Rayner’s stable is making good progress. She is a shapely looking youngster, and should prove able to gallop when properly fit. Byron is said to have done a good trial at Awapuni on Saturday, and his connections are said to be very confident that he will win the Wellington Cup. Square Deal is also reported to be in splendid form, and is regarded as a “moral” to pick up a race or two at Trentham.