WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1322, 26 August 1915, Page 12

WANGANUI.

Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club— New Zealand Cup Fancies —EgmontWanganui Hunt Club’s Meeting— Notes on Intending Starters—Denise Orme in Solid Work —Martion J.C.’s Spring Meeting: Weights Discussed. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, Monday. The Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club held its annual meeting on Monday evening, when the report presented to members showed that the annual race meeting, held on Labour Day, 1914, was a record. Although the. stakes were increased by £305, the profit on the meeting totalled

£986. Reference was made to the fact that two members of the committee, Messrs. T. E. Wilson and D. B. McDonald, had offered their services in the defence of the Empire, and that the latter had died from wounds received. It was resolved to place on record the great loss the club had sustained in the death of such a fine sportsman and good soldier. The balance-sheet showed a handsome profit, and the sound position of the club was favourably commented upon by members. The appearance of the weights for the New Zealand Cup has not excised a gureat deal of interest, but has led co the prospects of Warstep (9.5), Paviova (8.9) and Bonny Helen (8.5) being favourably discussed. Warstep looks to be particularly well treated, despite the fact that she is top weight, and if she goes to the post dressed at her best she will probably be a warm favourite. Pavlova is a good mare, and should run well, while Bonny Helen will only require to be fit and well to take a power of beating, as she is a good ’un, the best of whom has not yet been seen. It is a pity she is none too sound, but she is reported to- be getting along well in her work at Fordell. Her stable mate, Rinaldo, is in at 8.3, and his chance will look very rosy if he is landed at the post well enough to do himself full justice, but he also is under a suspicion of unsoundness. Sunbird, another of the Fordell stable’s representatives, is nicely weighted at 7.2, and as she has wintered well the daughter of Martian may have to be reckoned with, as she is very fast and should stay all right. The Egmom-Wanganui Hunt meeting, to be held on Thursday next, the 26th inst., on the Waverley racecourse, giv es every indication of being a successful one. The totalisator will be in use, and as the fields will be fairly large no doubt speculation will be br.sk. In the Ladies’ Bracelet Steeples Captain Dick (11.5) is spoken of as one likely to run prominently, as he is a great jumper. Hydraulic (11.2) is another likely to be well supported. In the big event, the Hunt Cup, Consul (12.6), if saved for this race, will take a power of beating, while Expedition, despite his big load, 13.7, is expected to run well. W. Raynei- has Viadian in capital nick, and this gelding ought to have a good chance in the Maiden, and also in the Kakaramea Hack Race, in which he has 9.3. Calais, with 11.5 in the latter event, is sure to be handy, as he is said to be galloping well at Waverley under M. Gardner’s careful attention. With Glacier (10.8), Bivouac (10.0) and one or two other speedy ones engaged, this promises to be a fine race. It will be interesting to see how Cornelian shapes in the Patea Hack Steeplechase. He can jump the big sticks all right, and unless he has lost 11*, old dash he should be handy at the finish. Nita (9.13) is a good fencer and has a lot of pace, so that it will be no surprise to see her make a bold bid for victory.

Aruake is a regular attendant on the track, and looks very well indeed, but moves a bit scratchily. St. Gate looks better to the eye than he has ever done, being big and lusty, but he does not, move quite so freely as could be desired. His full-brother, the veteran St. Bill, has not been on the track recently, a fact which points, to him having gone amiss. A. Hall has Denise Orme in solid work, and the daughter of Sweet Simon gives every promise of still further demonstrating what a good mare she is. She will not be seen out until the. Wanganui spring meeting comes round. Hall has had to turn the Prudent King colt out owing to the three-year-old having contracted strangles, which is very bad luck, as the colt was moving along in very promising style. Hall has a very nice-looking two-year-old filly named Daisy Desmond, by Desmond, in work. She is an English-bred youngster, and is a splendid cut of a filly. The annual meeting of the Wanganui Trotting Club was held on Fridayevening, when the report and balancesheet submitted showed that the club had had a most successful season. Eulogistic references were made to the following office-bearers who have joined the Expeditionary Forces: — Messrs. H. M. Speed (judge), W. Glenn (assistant hon. judge), J. C. Paterson and E. H. Whiteman (stewards), and E. Maxwell Edgar (veterinary surgeon). The balance-sheet showed that although the; club gave away £lOOO in stake money last year a handsome profit was made, and the success attained is evidence that trot-

ting has firmly established itself in popular favour on this coast. The weights for the Marton J.C. spring meeting have been declared by Mr. Geo. Morse, who should have the satisfaction of seeing good acceptances as the result of the ability he has shown in framing the handicaps. Lady Louisa (8.9) looks as well as anything, in the Railway Handicap, though Peronilla (7.9) and Rangitiro (7.9) should run well. In the Hack Steeples Merry Lad (11.0), Captain McKay (11.0) and Agatha Green (10.0) are three which are not overweighted. In the Marton Handicap Haskayne (9.0), Awahou (8.6), Lady Louisa (8.6), and Master Lupin (7.13) are four good ones which are in racing fettle, while Rufus (11.12), Consul (11.6) and Baron (10.0) are a danger-ous-looking trio in the Hunt Cup Steeples. The hack flat races are sure to be contested by big fields, and a splendid day’s racing should bei witnessed by those who attend this popular club’s opening fixture for the 1915-16 season.