WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1365, 22 June 1916, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

Training of Kirkby Questioned—Sir Solo’s Jumping Abilities— F. J. Garment’s Team in Preparation for Events Ahead—Amber and White to Make Debut Over Hurdles — Precious Metal’s Promising Prospects.

WELLINGTON, Monday.

An important question nearing upon the training of the racehorse Kirkby, who won the Te Roto Hack Steeplechase at the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s recent meeting, came before the metropolitan stewards of the Wellington Racing Club last week. Kirkby appeared in the official race book as being trained by his owner, Mr. T. E. Whelch, but it is claimed that the horse is being trained by some person other than the owner, hence a protest was entered against Kirkby securing the stake. The matter is to be further considered by the local committee, and with this end in view Mr. Whelch is being asked to appear before them to give his version of the affair. The inquiry opens up a very important question as regards training, for it is known in many cases that horses whose owner's names appear as trainers in the “ ’krect” cards are entirely contrary to fact, and in many instances the owners see their horses only on rare, occasions. The inquiry by the Wellington stewards will, it is hoped, be the means of bringing to light some of the methods adopted by people who race horses and allow men who are not licensed by the Racing Conference to train for them. The whole question is to receive a thorough sifting, for it is one affecting racing matters to a considerable extent. Nominations for all events in connection with the Wellington Racing Ciub’s winter meeting, with the exception of the Trial and Selling Plate, close with Mr. A. E. Whyte on Friday next at 9 p.m. Trainer W. Gairett, at Opaki, has Sir Solo fast gaining praise for his capital jumping displays over the small sticks. The gelding is credited with being a born jumper, and his appearance at the Napier Park meeting this week is being awaited with interest by quite a number of Wairarapa sporting enthusiasts. Bransfield (Renown —Tanks), owned by Mr. C. F. Vallance, president of the Masterton Racing Club, is a horse that is certain to gain some distinction in hurdling events during the next few months. A splendid jumper, with some pace between the Hags, the gelding appears assured of some successes before the present season draws to a close.

Improve and Winning Number, owned by Mr. E. Bell, of Nelson, join J. Carter’s (the Spring Creek trainer) team at the beginning of August. Both horses are enjoying a spell at present. Prince Delaware, a four-year-old by Delaware—Polly Prim, owned by Mr. W. Smart, the well-known local sportsman, is doing well in his training under H. Kingan’s guidance at Trentham. All going well in the interim the gelding will be seen in action at the W.R.C. gathering next month. Mr. H. McManaway, the popular Bulls (Rangitikei) sportsman, has a fine cut of a galloper in Rio (Signor

—Spring), who should win races before the present season draws to a close. This black galloper gained many admirers through his forward running at the Otaki meeting. Westella, the Field Battery—Wish filly, owned by Mr. R. A. McKenzie, of Palmerston North, is fast developing into a useful sort, and will with ordinary luck be heard of in the near future.

Mr. R. A. McDonald, of Levin, who formerly raced Hermia and Ascalon, and who has not Lad a representative to carry his colours for a couple of years, was represented at Otaki with Delecto, a four-year old mare by

Papakura—Apres, who appears to be gifted with galloping ability. “Rod’s” many friends welcome his reappearance amongst the racing fraternity. Kenepuru, a three-year-old gelding by Gold Crest —Moreen, is showing up well on the Porirua beach, and on present appearances the horse named should bring some prestige to Mr. J. H. Prosser’s establishment. J. Hathaway has Camp Kettle (Campfire—Kateland) looking very well at present. The five-year-old mare’s prospects lor the future are held in some esteem by those interested in her welfare. C. Pritchard is slipping some solid work into his team in view of the approaching W.R.C. meeting next month. Some of the horses, including Humorist and several of Mr. Whitney’s gallopers, are daily responsible for some pleasing gallops. Trainer G. Reed, at Trentham, has Trickery (Charlemagne 11. — Cute) doing very well on the local tracks. The three-year-old gelding’s prospects for the future are decidedly encouraging.

Ashlv Reed, the well-known jockey, has not taken kindly to compulsory drilling, for at the S.M. Court at the Upper Hutt last week he was described as a persistent offender and was fined £5.

Soporific and his half-brother Wirokino, owned by an esteemed Levin sportsman, are doing well in their training work under F. Higgott’s guidance at Otaki. The two horses named are expected to gain some prominence in jumping events during the ensuing winter months.

C. Millen, at Hawera, has Darby Paul getting into readiness for the winter campaign. The brown gelding

should, with ordinary luck, credit his owner (Mr. G. Larcom) with some successes during the next few months. N. Williams, at Otaki, has Waimatao (Bezonian —Punawai) fast getting up to concert pitch on the Otaki Maori R.C.’s tracks. The three-year-old gelding gives promise of turning out useful.

Mr. G. Penfold, of Manakau, anticipates bringing Want to the W.R.C. meeting next month, and with this end in view the brown son of Penury— Lady Flora is being subjected to a capital preparation. F. J. Carmont, at Levin, has a nice little team in preparation for the remainder of this season’s racing, and with gallopers of the calibre of Lady Louisa, Ladify, Merry Andrew and a few lesser lights there seems a reasonable likelihood of some of the horses accounting for some stake money before the end of next month, when the present season’s racing will be brought to a conclusion. A new aspirant for hurdle honours in Amber and White (St. Ambrose — Blue and White) will be seen out in

the near future. If all one hears is true then this bearer of Mr. C. F. Vallance’s colours is a very creditable jumper indeed.

A jumper that is expected to gain some prominence in the near future is Precious Metal, a six-year-old gelding by The Rand from Etona, owned by Mr. R. Acton Adams, of Christchurch, and trained by Mr. J. H. Prosser, at Porirua. The chestnut’s displays on the beach are very promising, and his future prospects are held in high esteem. J. Howe, formerly well-known in Auckland, is getting a nice little team together at Marton Junction. At present Howe has in training. Foul Lupin (Lupin—Foulshot mare), Coral King (King Rufus —Coralie), and a couple of others. Being careful and painstaking Howe should soon have plenty of patronage from those owners who desire to place their horses in excellent hands.

Trainer A. Shearsby, of Awapuni, left for a holiday jaunt to Australia last week. “Alf.” expects to be away for a couple of months. Owner-trainer R. A. McDonald, at Levin, has a typical galloper in Sir Wallace, a five-year-old gelding by Sir Laddo from Vision, showing some promising form on the local tracks. The horse named is expected to develop into a useful sort. Trainer G'. R. Price, at Awapuni, is busy preparing several of the “Highden” two-year-olds. Some of the youngsters give great promise, and with luck on their side they should certainly carry the dark blue jacket and buff sleeves and cap with considerable success during next season’s ra ci ng.

Nystad was recently added to the list, and when he next races it will be as a gelding. It is anticipated that the operation will improve the “Highden” representative’s galloping powers.

Waimahaki has improved out of all knowledge, and must be kept in view for hurdling events to be decided in the near future. The galloper named may be seen out at the Napier Park meeting. Provided Silenus makes the trip, this bearer of Mr. E. Short’s colours should keep its opponent’s busy in events at the Napier Park meeting. Trainer H. Batten has this galloper in capital racing condition. T. Lloyd, at Marton Junction, has Glenmore and Lord Nelson, both of whom carry Mr. H. J. Cameron’s colours, fast getting into racing condition. The pair are expected to run with some success in jumping events during the ensuing few months. Both horses will be seen out at the Hawke’s Bay meetings. The “bobtail” galloper, Sam Pan, continues to perform satisfactorily under Percy Johnson’s tuition at New Plymouth, and it is quite on the cards that the chestnut will account for a decent steeplechasing event in the near future. The gelding will in all probability be seen out at the Hawke’s Bay gatherings, where he should run well.

The bride was gowned in nattier blue, With shoes and toque of “tango” hue; The bridegroom, in a suit of brown, Looked quite the smartest “sport” in town. And while confetti filled the air, A tearful mater kissed the pair, And sobbed “My love! be always sure To take your Woods’ Peppermint Cure.”