WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1416, 14 June 1917, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

The Otaki Racing Club’s Meeting—B. Deeley and H. Young to Visit Australia —Porirua Successes at Otaki.

WELLINGTON, Monday.

The winter meeting of the Otaki Maori Racing Club, that took place on Monday and Tuesday, passed off very successfully, there being no objections heard during the two days’ racing, everything connected with the gathering bearing a well-deserved tribute to those gentlemen associated with the affairs of the club. Mr. R. E. Harley, who was making his first appearance as a starter for the club, effected splendid despatches during both days, his send-offs being a theme for admiration by all concerned. Owing to the restricted tram arrange ments the attendance was not so large as last year, but, nevertheless, the club. will come out of it with a balance on the right side. The future of the club appears very bright.

Returned visitors from the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s gathering speak highly of the attention and kindness of the secretary, Mr. O. J. D’Ath, who has been identified with the club’s affairs for very many years To his tact and courtesy a large measure of enjoyment was due, and patrons came away well pleased with the courtesies extended to them.

Some substantial dividends were returned by several of the winner, at Otaki, that on Goldstream, who was successful on the concluding day, reaching to within a few shillings of half a century. Not since Swimming Belt paid such an excellent price at Trentbam some time back has a horse trained by Mr. J. H. Prosser returned its admirers such an excellent dividend.

Last week the writer paid a visii to the Bowen Street Private Hospital and had a conversation with Mr. V. Stratton, formerly of Hastings, but now secretary of the Egmont Racing Club and who has been operated upon in the institution. After removing some of the glands of the throat the surgeons found it necessary to remove a portion of the tongue to prevent the complaint from spread iiig further. The operations were a complete success, and Mr. Stratton’s many friends will be glad to know that there are some years of usefulness ahead of him yet. Mr. Stratton has made a wonderful recovery from a serious ordeal and after a holiday he will again take up his residence at Hawera.

One of the most pleasing wins ar the recent Dunedin meeting as far as Wellington Is concerned was that of Dionysius in the Pacific Hurdles at Wingatui. The horse is owner, jointly by F. E. Jones and a well known tea merchant of Wellington Dionysius was well supported locally, and as the dividend was a doublefigure one there was some rejoicing amongst backers of the outsider. Amongst the passengers that left Wellington by the last Sydney boat was Mr. R. G. Money, a former well known reporter and sporting writer on the Manawatu “Daily Times,” who is now on the staff of the Melbourne “Age.” Mr. Money spent a hurried holiday throughout New Zealand re newing acquaintanceship with his many friends.

W. O’Halloran will have the mounts on Montana, Splendidus and Multicipal at Poverty Bay next week. The lad named is riding well, and he should certainly fare well in his forthcoming engagements. Mr. L. S. Nicol, owner of Merry Poto, who won a race at Otaki, goes into camp this week. It was quite appropriate that his horse should win a race at last week’s gathering. A fine cut of a galloper in Whaka tina (Provocation — Torowai) was seen in action at Otaki. The three-year-old filly, who is a member of T. Pritchard’s team, will be heard of later on, as she is unquestionably a good sort. Lady General (General Latour — Romola) again proved what good p’ece of horseflesh she is by win ning the Rahui Handicap at Otaki. The three-year-old has been very remunerative to owner-trainer “Tom” Higgins, of Masterton, this season, and so far has won over £lOOO in stakes.

Murray Hobbs, with the members of Mr. J. B. Reid’s team, is due to leave Wellington for Sydney early in

July. Two of our foremost jockeys in B. Deeley and H. Young go across to do the riding. The former will be up when the weights are 7.10 and over, while the Fordell horseman will have the mount when the weights are lower.

H. Crawford, of Featherston, who has always been recognised as a very capable trainer, has accepted a pos ition with M. Hobbs and will accompany the latter to Australia with Kilboy, etc. Crawford should fare well in the future, for he is known for uprightness and honesty in all matters appertaining to the racing business. The Porirua stable of Mr. J. H. Prosser had a regular field day at the Otaki meeting. They started off by winning the Maiden Plate with Rajput (Rokeby—Ranee Nuna), own ed by the Otago sportsman, Mr. R. Acton Adams. This success was followed up by Precious Metal (The Rand —Etona), also the property of Mr. Adams, winning the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, while on the second day Goldstream (Gold Crest— The Shannon), owned by Mr. Prosser, won the Railway Handicap and Precious Metal acted as runner-up in the Te Roto Steeplechase. All three wins were very popularly received, as the Porirua trainer has been a patron of the club since its inception.