WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1371, 3 August 1916, Page 12

WELLINGTON.

Waimai Firm Favourite for G.N. Steeplechase —Sir Solo’s Promising Hurdle Prospects—A Trio of Nice Yearlings —Some Promising Youngsters —Harbour Light Expected to Show Up Well in Grand National — Immer to Be Given Lengthy Spell. WELLINGTON, Monday. Waimai still holds his position locally of favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase, and there are quite a number of sporting enthusiasts who will not hear of the northerner being beaten. Coupled with Crown Pearl and Leonta, the horse named has been supported to some extent during the last few days. Leonta is being subjected to a capital preparation for bis Riccarton engagements next month. The big upstanding descendant of Comjueror can jump and gallon to seme purpose, and quite a number of sportsmen are pinning their faith to Tom Bristol s horse to make a bold display in events that he competes in at Riccarton. Sir So'.o continues to show some excellent form in his essays over the small sticks at Opaki. The Auckland Cup winner is thought susceptible of developing into an ideal hurdler. In all probability the gelding will fulfil his G.N. engagements.

Naupata, who will be ridden by the Porirua stable jockey, H. McSweeney, is thought capable of putting up a good fight in the G.N. Steeplechase. J. H. Prosser is leaving no stone unturned with a view to landing the Mahaki gelding at the post in the pink of condition. With a view to gaining further distinction, Mount Victoria has been schooled at Trentham, and his display over the small sticks was certainly something for his owner to enthuse over, as his jumpi ig was of a very high order. The Signalman gelding will be seen competing in jumping events at Riccarton. Gold Soult, who is one of the ruling favourites for the Winter- Cup, is pleasing owner-trainer J. H. Prosser by his galloping displays on the Porirua beach. If money talks the son of Gold Crest—The Shannon should assuredly be a well-fancied candidate on the day.

Mr. A. .1. Toxward, of Palmerston North, has a shapely filly by Maniapoto from that excellent mare Lady Lucy, who won the New Zealand Cup of 1909. The youngster, who is assured of a successful career, will be seen in action next season. Sedd-el-Bahr is hitting out in right good style on the Awapuni tracks, and there are quite a number of Palmerston North sports who are under the impression that the chestnut will br.ng some prestige to the Wapping Lodge establishment of trainer G. R. Price at Riccarton next month. Trainer J. (“Paddy”) McLaughlin, formerly well-known at Greenmeadows, who gained considerable notoriety by riding a horse that paid over a £lOO dividend at the Napier Park races some years ago, has decided to again enter the training business. McLaughlin has purchased a suitable property at Trentham, in close proximity to the W.R.C. racecourse, which contains all the requisites necessary for the carrying on of his calling. Being careful, painstaking and reliable, McLaughlin should soon attain to a prominent position amongst the trainers of this country. The local owner who races as Mr. H. Whitney also goes in for breeding to some extent. At present he has three nice yearlings, who give promise of developing into something useful. They are all fillies, and comprise Trentham Rose, by All Red Northern Rose, another by Bezonian from Lady Principal while the other is by Cyrus from Aema. The youngsters all carry some substance, and their entry into the racing business next season should piove them to be smart gallopers. The somewhat appriepriate name of Pinafore has been claimed for the “Highden” yearling filly by Vasco from Overall, who is being put thiougfi her facings by trail er G. R. Price at Awapuni. The youngster is a stylish sort, and should assuredly turn out useful.

Insidious germs of Influenza rapidly entrench themselves in the hurnan system if not checked by the use of Fluenzol (1/6 and 2/6) at the outset.

One of our local sports, who races as P. Soames, has claimed the name of Battle Array for his filly l y Signor from Carissima, who later on will join J. Ayers’ stable at Trentham. The juvenile is nicely bred, and on present appearances should turn out as capable as was Ladoga to Mr. Soames. The Messrs. V. and E. Riddiford, whose contributions to the various patriotic funds have been exceptionally liberal, have a ccuple of fillies by Rokeby—Crimson Rose and Boniform —Ringdove respectively, who are destined to make “good” in the racing world in this country. The latter of the pair, who will race as Cooing, is nicely put together, and in looking her over last week the writer was much struck by her muscular appearance.

The “Highden” brown filly by Kilbroney from Rumour shows considerable promise, and there is no denying the fact that the future has something good in store for her. A nice action, with undoubted galloping powers, the youngster should be heard of early in the spring.

At Rototawai, Mr. W. E. Bidwill has a shape y sort in a yearling by Elevation from Black Scotia, who gives promise of developing into a topnotcher. The youngster, who will race as Association, is expected to prove a worthy addition to the racing ranks in New Zealand.

Mr. E. Short, of “Parorangi,” Feilding, has claimed the name of Placid Lake for his rising three-year-old filly by Signor —Lake Placid. Last week the writer, in looking the youngster over, could not help but congratulate Mr. Short on possessing such a wellbred and muscular looking galloper, and one who should assuredly bring its owner’s name into prominence next season.

In chatting with Mr. E. Short last week he informed the writer that his Advance—Lake Placid colt would race as Record Breaker. On present appearances there is every likelihood of the youngster living up to its cognomen, and proving his worth as a galloper of exceptional merit. C. Millen took Darby Paul South last week. In a conversation, the Normanby trainer expressed the opinion that his charge would give a good account of himself in cross-country events at Riccarton next month. Some critics are selecting Styrax

to gain some success at the Grand National meeting. The gelding is a safe conveyance, and should pay his way during the progress of the gathering.

With Crown Pearl and Glenroy, the New Plymouth owner-trainer Mr. J. George will have a couple of wellseasoned gallopers to carry his black jacket and magenta sash at the Grand National meeting. Both horses can be depended upon to make bold displays in whatever events they compete in during the progress of the fixture. A. Shearsby, whose luck has been very indifferent for some time past, is still pegging away with Mr. F. Armstrong’s horses at Awapuni. There is every probability of The Hound, Sleight-of-Hand, and Cherry Blossom continuing their Grand National engagements. A win for any of the Dannevirke sportsman’s horses at Riccarton would be very popularly received indeed. Harbour Light, who was considered unlucky to lose last year’s Grand National Hurdles, will again be a competitor in the approaching hig hurdle

event. The gelding has come through and is undergoing a careful preparation at the hands of C. Jackson, of Hawera. The latter, who is generally noted for his “quietness,” makes no secret of the fact that he expects the chestnut to gain some of the spoils to the victors before returning North. Seadown continues to hit out very attractively on the Trentham tracks, and should be cherry ripe by the time the Winter Cup comes up for decision. Trainer J. W. Lowe has the gelding fast getting into racing trim. Immer, who broke down at the W.R.C. meeting, is to be treated to a lengthy spell. This mare and her fullsister Pall Mall have proved keen disappointments to their Wellington provision merchant, who races as Mr. Kirkdale. The sportsman named certainly deserves better luck, as ne is always known for his honesty of purpose in all matters appertaining to horse racing. There was an occasion when both horses gave great promise, which only ended in dismal failures.

When sore throat, cough or cold assails, You'll find one treatment never fails; 'Tis fragrant, certain, soothing, sure, World-famous Woods’ Peppermint Cure, In every home it comes to stay, Its patrons multiply each day; Once used all other thej r abjure, Preferring Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.