WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1371, 3 August 1916, Page 13

WANGANUI.

Mr. J. Bull’s Trio for Grrnd National Meeting—Golden March’s Grand National Hurdles Engagement —Wanganui Track Notes —Fordell’s Sole Representative — Wanganui J.C.’s Annual Meeting. WANGANUI, Monday. Mr. Jas. Bull’s horses, New York, Awahou and Golden March, have been in Wanganui for a few days in order to have a gallop or two on the good tracks here. The three look very a<, indeed, and it is safe to say that I?etween them they will gather in some of the stake money to be distributed at the C.J.C. Grand National meeting. New York has run consistently well in all his races this season, but it is probable that he will register his best performance at Riccarton. He only needs a bit of luck to do so, as he is perhaps fitter than ever. His owner is very sanguine that this gelding will yet prove himself quite a top-notcher, and is hopeful that he will place the big cross-country event to his credit. So far as appearances go Awahou is in great form, and he must be given a second-to-none chance in the Winter Cup. He had a couple of fast gallops here over si: furlongs, and there is no doubt he made many fr>ends amongst these who saw him moving here. Golden March has not dene much to justify the belief that he can win a race like the Grand National Hurdles, but for some time past he has been receiving solid support from a number of punters who are usually fairly shrewd. He is in splendid fettle, and Mr. Bull makes no secret of the fact that he expects the son of Advance to be very hard to beat. The double—New York and Golden March —is much fancied, and it is quite evident that the Taihape sportsman is hopeful of landing at least one, if not the whole three, of the big events at Riccarton. Marton and New York were to have jumped the big fences together on Thursday, but the former went lame and New York had to go round by himself, which he did in a very attractive manner, jumping cleanly and well, though he was not at top pace. Golden March shaped well in a spin over the hurdles with Vladian, the pair jumping well throughout, though they were not under high pressure. F. Tilley has abandoned the idea of sending anything South in com-

pany with Leonta, and the Conqueror gelding will be the only representative of the Fordell stable at Riccarton. The Grand National candidate is in splendid fettle, and it is more than likely that he will put up his best effort to date over the small sticks at the meeting, but whether he will prove equal to landing the big event remains to be seen. It would be a popular win if he did succeed in his third attempt, seeing that in his previous essays he finished third and then second.

The spring meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club will be held on Thursday, the 21st, and Saturday, the 23rd September. The programme has been drawn up on the same lines as that for last year’s meeting, the stake money being identical. The annual meeting of members of the Wanganui Jockey Club was held last Friday evening, when there was a good attendance, the president (Mr. E. A. Campbell) occupying the chair. The report submitted showed that the club had had a most satisfactory season, the net profits on the three meetings totalling £2576 10s., the whole of which amount has been donated to patriotic purposes. During the year considerable improvements have been made to the course proper and training tracks, and to the lawn entrances and drives. The retiring committeemen —Messrs. H. M. Speed, R. Russell, C. G. Russell, and H. E. Good—were re-elected. Mr. H V. Harrison was elected patron, Mr. E. A. Campbell reelected president, and Mr. A. Cameron was elected vice-president, the other officials being appointed as heretofore. Three members of the committee of the Wanganui Jockey Club —Messrs.

H. M. Speed, J. C. Paterson, and Russell Grace —have enlisted, while the following active members of the club are either at the front or have enlisted for service abroad: Messrs. A. M. Campbell, A. H. Coe, P. M. Edgar, H. H. Enderby, R. C. Earle, M . S. Glenn, J. Harrison, D. Kennedy, A. H. Lewis, G‘. F. Moore, J. D. W. McBeth, A. E. T. Dixon, and E. H. Whiteman. Of the above lot Messrs. Speed and Enderby have both been wounded, and Mr. Glenn, whe is r.cw a lieutenant, has been granted the Military Cross. It will thus be seen that Wanganui racing men are playing their part well in the great war.