WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1297, 4 March 1915, Page 12

WANGANUI.

Fordell Stable’s Representatives for Forthcoming Hurdle Events—Notes on Wanganui Meeting—Postillion Again Unreliable—First of Crucinella’s Stock to Race. (From Our Own Correspondent.) MONDAY, March 1. Although Leonta has been up only some six weeks he is already in very good form, as proved by his displays on Thursday and Saturday. In the Autumn Handicap he was galloping very fast over the last furlong and ran into third place. Another race or two will improve him greatly, and he ought not to be long in winning a race for Mr. T. Bristol. Goodwin Park is said to be going on all right at Fordell, and with him, Kew and Leonta in his stable, F. Tilley promises to hold a particularly strong hand for the hurdle events during the winter. Kew won the Hack Hurdles on the opening day in great style though carrying the steadier of 11.13, and on the strength of that form was made a warm favourite for the big hurdles on the second day, but he had to be content with third place. It was one of the best finishes seen in hurdle races here for a long time, the three placed horses being abreast as they took the last hurdle, and in a ding-dong battle to the post Flingot and Styrax both stayed on better than Kew, while Glenorchy almost beat the latter out of third place. Mr. J. H. Prosser’s Naupata was made favourite for the Hack Hurdles each day, but had to be content with second place on both occasions. Tirohanga made a poor showing in the Hack Hurdles on the opening day, but on Saturday he ran a very different race, and instead of toiling hopelessly in the rear all the way came with a fine run over the last half-mile and landed the goods. This reversal of form was enquired into, the committee delivering the following finding: “After comparing the running of Tirohanga in the Tayforth Hack Hurdles with his running in the Okoia Hack Hurdles, the committee are of opinion that the circumstances point to suspicion, but consider there is nothing to connect the rider with any misconduct.” St. Gate did not run up to expectations on either day in the Hack Hurdles. He shaped well until a furlong from home on the first, when he got a bad bump and this settled his chance. On the second day he was well beaten half a mile from home and finished last. His owner, Mr. W. R. Tuck, had a good bet on him each day. Marshal McDonald won the Wanganui Stakes last year in 2.35. On Saturday the son of Soult stopped to kick half a mile from home, and came in a long way in the rear. The many friends of Mr. Wire Tokena were very pleased to see Ararat win the Harrison Hack, as that popular sportsman had had bad luck in both the Cup and the Wanganui Stakes, his game little horse Rinaldo being just beaten in each event. Ararat made no mistake about winning, getting home by fully three lengths. The Advance 'filly was sent to the post in capital fettle, and cut out the mile and a distance in 1.58.

Condition may be said to have won the ‘ Jackson Stakes for Emperador. Flying Start looked a winner at the half distance, where Emperador was three or four lengths away third. He showed great pace coming round the bend, and cut down the leaders in fine style, eventually winning in 1.14 4-5, the same time as he took to win the same race last year. There was some excuse for Postillion being beaten in the Flying Handicap, as he had a bad position at the barrier and did not get clear until a quarter of a mile from home. He then showed some of his old brilliancy and got up to Tree Lucerne, but the latter forged ahead in the last few strides and beat the black son of Advance. Postillion was again made favourite in the Farewell Handicap, but gave a very indifferent display. He appeared to have every chance, but apparently would not gallop, and finished well behind the placed horses. He must have cost his party a ton of money this season, and seems to be going from bad to worse. The most annoying part of it is that he can gallop with the best in the land when he cares to do his best. Mr. Jas. Bull, jun., secured Master Lupin for £3O, so that he certainly struck a bargain in the son of Lupin. Though he had such a light weight, it was a fine performance for the gelding to run the mile and three-quarters in 3.0 2-5, a record for the race and for New Zealand.

M. Gardner brought Zetes down from Waverley for the Autumn Handicap on the second day, but the Ngatarua gelding, alter leading for about half the distance faded out of the contest. The first of Crucinelia's stock to race was Canella, by Alawa. She started in the Juvenile Handicap, but failed to get a place, though she may do better later on. Her three-year-old half-brother Lift, by Elevation, was doing good work at Waverley until he went lame. It is probable he will not race until the spring. It wsa hard luck for B. T. Bennett to lose the services of Silver Flood just when the son of Wainui looked likely to win some good races. He was running well in the Wiritora Hack, in which he broke his leg, and might easily have won, as he was a great finisher and was well up with the leaders as they turned into the straight. The gelding was to have been put to the jumping game after the meeting, and he would probably have done well at hurdling, as he had shown that he could jump, while he had plenty of pace and was a stayer. His owners, Messrs. Shield and Thompson, recently refused £3OO tor the gelding. There are no Wanganui horses engaged in the chief events at either the C.J.C. or Aucland Easter meetings.

On his running at Hawera, New Plymouth and Wanganui Tree Lucerne is certainly entitled to rank as one of the finest sprinters in the Dominion, and it will be interesting to see how he shapes in the Great Easter. The son of Lupin looked a picture here, and he galloped splendidly in the Flying Handicap.