WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1364, 15 June 1916, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

Otaki Maori R.C.’s Successful Meeting—Kirkby’s Cross-country Prospects—Matters Quiet at Trentham —Preparations for Wellington Winter Meeting.

WELLINGTON, Monday. The winter meeting of the Otaki Maori Racing Club, which was brought to a conclusion at the beginning of last week, proved a very successful gathering indeed. Visitors who were present from all parts of the country came well provided with the sinews of war, for at the conclusion of the two days’ reunion it was discovered that the increase in the totalisator figures amounted to £6708, compared with last year’s figures for the similar fixture. This result reflects excellent credit upon the club’s genial and progressive secretary, Mr. O. J. D’Ath, whose connection with business matters dates back many years. With the progress it continues to make, the Otaki M.R.C. must be classed as one of the most enterprising and flourishing racing institutions in New Zealand.

The totalisator arrangements at the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s recent meeting were in the capable hands of Mr. Joseph Ames, the veteran machine proprietor of Wellington. Needless to say, everything passed of splendidly, and Mr. Ames was deservedly complimented on the arrangements he had made for dealing with an increased turnover on both days. In Merry Andrew and Lady Louisa, who both won at Otaki, the Levin trainer F. J. Carmont has a couple of horses that should bring his stable into prominence during the winter months. The former, who is owned by a popular identity of Shannon, is a very promising galloper indeed. The success of George in the Ruakawa Cup at Otaki was quite one of the most pieasing wins of the meeting. This Porirua-trained galloper, who is owned by a popular Wellingtonian who races as Mr. Arthur Wellesley, won m good style, and some more successes should come his way during the next few months. El Gado was wed supported locally for the two principal Auckland crosscountry events, and consequently much coin of the realm was disgorged by the “woolbrokers,” who, however, have been faring well up to the present, and they withstood the rebuff with beaming countenances. Mr. S. Anderson, a well-known sporting enthusiast of Murchison, on the West Coast Road, has his galloper, Master Gailahad, a five-year-old gelding by Sir Galahad from a Saracen mate, last getting up to concert pitch. Mr. Anderson is under the impression that his equine will give a good account of himself at the West Coast

meetings. Kirkoy, by Birkenhead from Giadisla, and consequently a full-brotner to the once brilliant Formby, won the Te Roto Hack and Hunters’ Steeples at Otaki in a very convincing manner. The geiding, who is owned by Mr. T. E. Welch, of Hawke’s Bay, gives promise of developing into an ideal crosscountry horse. Kirkby was ridden a capital race by H. Tricklebank, who usually rides in good form over the obstacles. Kukri, by Ghoorka from a Sou’wester mare, won nicely at Otaki on the concluding day. The gelding is improving with every gallop, and Mr. J. H. Prosser makes no secret of the fact that he expects this appropriateiy named galloper to gain considerable distinction on the turf.

Depredation (Campfire — Gosling) cleaned up the field in the Railway Handicap at Otaki in a very convincing style. This three-year-old colt, who runs in his owner-trainer’s (R. Barlow, of New Plymouth), is the makings of a real good sort, and will lie heard of in important handicap events later on. The evergreen Mount Victoria again faced the starter at Otaki. The Signalman gelding surprised most people by running second and paying a nice

price. Veto, trained by “Dick” Brough at Hawera, brought off a surprise by capturing the Rahui Handicap at Otaki. The chestnut mare ran unbacked by the crowd, and consequently her admirers from Taranaki were rewarded with a substantial two-figure dividend.

Business in the training world locally is practically at a standstill owing io so many horses being spelled during the winter months. A few juveniles are being pottered about at Trentham, and local mentors are under the impression that they will have some uselui gallopers in commission next season. Mr. McGlashan, the caretaker of the Wellington Racing Club’s course at Trentham, is fast getting the fences and obstacles ready for next month’s cross-country events. The club are sparing no pains to make the approaching gathering the most successful- on record.