WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1430, 20 September 1917, Page 11

WANGANUI.

Leonta to be Given Lengthy Spell— W. Rayner’s Team Progressing Favourably—Local Horses Fail to Run Well at Dannevirke — Little Ann’s Bright Prospects—C. Jackson’s Juveniles. WANGANUI, Monday. W. Rayner intends firing Leonta, and the gelding will be given a long spell. The form shown last season by the son of Conqueror indicated that he had lost little of his old pace, and he might do well over the hurdles again next jumping season. Rayner is keeping old Marton on the active list, as it is intended to take the veteran up to Avondale for the steeplechase events. He looks very well just now, the race at Marton having apparently livened him up a bit. The same trainer also has Vladian, Zela and Pennon in work. The firstnamed went wrong at Christmas time and has only recently been taken up again. Rayner is doubtful as to

whether the gelding will stand a preparation. Zela is going along nicely, and will probably be taken to Wellington next month. The Englishbred filly Pennon shows symptoms of soreness every now and again, and it looks as if Rayner will have his work cut out to keep her going, though it is to be hoped she will train on all right, as she is a very promising sort of a filly. Rayner has just taken in hand a two-year-old gelding by Maniapoto— Zaida, which he is putting through his preliminary facings. Like the majority of the Maniapotos, the gelding is a very shapely youngster, and he should be able to gallop.

T. Long took Interlude to Dannevirke hoping that the track would be in good order, but rain made the going heavy, and thus spoilt any chance the mare might have had. Austin and Moulu, who were also taken to Dannevirke, both struck bad luck, as they both fell early in the Hack Hurdle Race, for which Moulu was much fancied in some quarters. Mr. Alfred Morse, custodian of the Egmont Racing Club’s course, has been appointed to act as starter for the Stratford Racing Club’s meeting at New Year. Mr. Morse has shown his ability to handle the lever well and he should justify his appointment. C. Gordon intends taking Little Ann and Petruchio to Waverley on Labour Day. The first-named ran well at Marton and is evidently going to be a useful sort. Petruchio is remarkably quick at gathering up pace, and can run half a mile very fast. It is probable he will be given a chance to see what he can do over a distance, and may figure amongst the starters in the Waverley Cup, a race which will be worth winning this year, as the stake has been raised to £3OO, of which £255 is to go to the winner. It is expected that the field will be a large one and will include some good horses.

Though there are no Wanganui horses engaged at Otaki a number of racing enthusiasts from this district intend attending the meeting. C. Jackson, the Hawera trainer, lias three two-year-old in his stable. One is a chestnut by Hallowmas from Rau Rau. He is a well grown youngster, but may not come to hand early, though he is shaping well. He is owned by Mr. A. Alexander. Another of the youngsters is a gelding by Guinafort from Clonpett (the dam of Astor). He is a big likely looking sort. The third youngster is also by Guinafort from Avaunce, and this gelding is a compact little chap. All three are engaged in various classics.