WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1393, 4 January 1917, Page 14

WANGANUI.

Zola’s Taranaki Form —Mr. W. Duncan’s Success at Awa’puni—’Cello to be Given Lengthy Spell—Wanganui J.C.’s Cup Meeting—Vladian in Steady Work. : WANGANUI, Monday. There are many who consider that Zola would have won the big money at the Taranaki meeting but for a bit of bad luck.: Prior: to the start Zola got away with his boy, and went a

mile at a good three-quarter pace before he could be pulled up. In the race itself he was pre min ent in the early stages, and five furlongs from home went past the leaders as if they were anchored, gaining a lead of three or four lengths, but he shut up suddenly and finished last. After the race it was found that he was bleeding badly, and it v as this apparently which stopped him. It was decided not to race him i n the second day, but as he seems all right again now he will probably be given a run in the Welter at Marton Should the bleeding recur he will be thrown out of work. Mr. W. Duncan had considerable success at Awapuni, where Ararat and Client both won a race each for him, and each scored a second. Client won the big money the second day in a style which leaves little room for doubt that he would have been very hard to beat even by Square Deal had he been started in the Manawatu Cup. As it is he is likely to be one of the fancied candidates in the Wellington Cup. The 50.,1 of Elevation has only been out of a place once, and has five wins, four seconds md a third to his credit.

’Cello has had to be turned ° out, having broken down, and it is said to be doubtful if he will race again. The son of Achilles was very fast, and if he had kept sound would have won some good races for Mr. W. Duncan. Another of the latter’s string in Arrowfield (a two-year-old colt by Cardinal Beaufort) is suffering from a severe cold, and has had to be spelled. The shortage of boys is being felt by

F. Tilley in common with other trainers, and the Fordell mentor finds that he cannot keep all his team going. The intention of putting the other two Australian-bred two-year-olds into work for the autumn meetings has, it is understood, been abandoned, and they will not be seen out until next season.

The Wanganui Jockey Club should receive big nominations for its Cup meeting, as the prize money offered is good all round. The Cup is worth £lOOO and the Flying £4OO, so that both should attract big fields. Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations are due on the 26th inst. Client and Ararat .between them won £5OO for Mr. W. Duncan at Awapuni, and should add something to that total at the Marton meeting. Haupai manage! to get a third at New Plymouth. This rrare should do better, as she has the pace all right, but does not run kindly in the early part of her races, and consequently usually has too much to make up at the end.

W. Rayner has Vladian in steady work, but he will not be raced until the Egmont meeting. Mr. B. T. Bennett’s many friends were pleased to see him score a win with Bivouac at the Taranaki meeting. The popular Patea sportsman knows how to get a horse well, and he deserves all the luck that comes his way.