WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1446, 3 January 1918, Page 12

WANGANUI.

Promising Three-year-old Colt—Pennon a Probable Starter in Kelburn Plate at Trentham —War Loan Shows Improvement Over Hurdles Form of Local Horses at Awapuni Prospects of Marton J.C.’s New Year Meeting—'Cello Reported Very Fit.

WANGANUI, Thursday.

A writer in a southern paper has stated that Bay Berry, the three-year-old English-bred colt in Tilley’s stable, is likely to make a name for himself when he races. He is certainly a nice cut of a colt, but up to date has done nothing to cause his trainer to regard him as a coming champ bn. Bay Berry was purchased in Sydney last autumn for Mr. W. Duncan for 800 guineas, and is by Bayardo, so that he is bred well enough for anything. He will make his first appearance in his new owner’s colours in the New Year Hack Race at Marton. W. Rayner hopes to have Pennon fit enough to take to Trentham for the Kelburn' Plate. The Coriander filly is making a good recovery from the soreness wh'ch troubled her after racing at Feilding, and if her knees do not again go back on her she will visit Trentham.

Provided Zola gets through the racing at Awapuni and Marton without a recurrence of the bleeding, he, too, will be taken to Trentham, where he is engaged in the open welter events, in which he ought to play a prominent part if he goes on all right. F. Tilley has nothing engaged in the open handicap events at Trentham, and W. Rayner is the only trainer from these parts likely to be represented at the Wellington meeting.

War Loan was given a turn over the schooling hurdles by himself yesterday, and shaped much better than he did in his previous essay. He will be taken to Stratford on Monday, and might run a good race, though he has not had much experience at hurdling yet.

Endure did not run up to his best track form in the Gillies Hack Hand’cap at Awapuni, in which he failed to get a place. This gelding does not do well when away from home, and this probably accounts for his disappointing running, though he was not far behind the placed horses. Marton got into a bad position in the hurdles at Awapuni on the first day, and came down before a mile had been covered.

Although Client faded to win the Manawatu Cup he ran a fine race, and finished a good second behind Nobleman. It was pointed out in these columns more than once that the long-striding son of Sir Laddo could not do h's best on the Feilding track, as the corners were too sharp for him, and it was further stated that he would probably do much better at Awapuni, so that his win would come as no surprise to readers of

this journal. Though beaten, Client was not disgraced, as the race was run in record time, and he was in the ruck until the bend was reached. He put n a fine run down the; straight, but Nobleman was too good at the weights. Considering that Zola is not yet ready he ran a very good race in the Hack Welter at Awapuni on Boxing Day, finishing second. The son of Sweet Simon was in front until halfway up the straight, when the want of condition told, and enabled Quinn’s Post to get up and beat him. This race is sure to have done Zola good, and he should win before long.

Acre beat all but Lady General in the Fitzherbert Handicap, the defeated ones including lingerie. The lastnamed was much fancied by her connections, but Acre was made a hot favourite. This pair will meet in the Stakes to-day, and it will be interesting to see how they shape.

Client and Acre were backed for a lot of money for the Cup and Fitzherbert Handicap at Awapuni, but they each had to be content with second place.

Gang Awa’ failed to run up to expectations ’n the Grandstand Handicap at Awapuni, for which event he was made favourite. He is coming on, however, and will be seen to more advantage shortly.

A. Hall will take Turangapito and the San Fran —Polycaste gelding to

Marton. The first-named has been doing good work lately, and, if started in the Railway Handicap, will make thngs interesting for the best of them. He also figures in the Dash Hack event.

Client will be meeting Nobleman in the Marton Cup on a stone better terms than in the Manawatu Cup, and this should bring them together. In any case, the race at Awapuni would probably do Client more good than Nobleman, and if the son of Elevation is anywhere handy in the straight he will take a power of beat'ng. Colorado gave further evidence of what a good hurdler he is by winning at Awapuni on Wednesday. It certainly looks as if Mr. Jas. Bull has got hold of another gelding as good as The Native.

Calais was not taken to Awapuni, but is expected to race at Marton, where he should run well in the

hurdles. If he and Colorado meet again much interest will be taken in the result, as at Waverley many think Calais would have beaten Colorado had he got over the last hurdle safely, but Colorado’s connections are not of that opinion. ’Cello is reported to be very fit, and he should keep Turangapito and Hupana very busy in the Dash Handicap at Marton.

Neither Chimera or Astrophel are engaged in the Juvenile Handicap at Marton, wh’ch looks like providing a good race between Torfreda, Coolpan and Staccato. If Colorado starts in the Bracelet at Marton in place of the hurdles he will beat more than will beat him. The San Fran geldihg in Hall’s stable is I’kely to run well.