WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1473, 18 July 1918, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Paddington Green Likely Starter in New Zealand Cup—Missing Turf Registers Recovered — Winter Cup Fancies —A Promising Hallowmas —Culmination Filly—Mr. F. Armstrong’s Worthy Trio of Jumpers. WELLINGTON, Monday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference took place in Wellington last week, when many proposals having for their object the improvements and better government of racing matters in the Dominion were carried. Owner W. G. Emeny, an esteemed New Plymouth sportsman, makes no secret of the fact that he expects his horse, Paddington Green, to see the post for the New Zealand Cup in November next. The chestnut son of Flagfall—Polly Perkins is wintering well, and under the care of the astute Bob Barlow he should be landed at Riccarton in fine condition. The heavy impost allotted Volo in the Parliamentary Handicap was no doubt the cause of that horse not being found on hand to fulfil his engagements at Trentham. In view of the gelding’s past performances it would have been an impossibility for Mr. Coyle to have let him in with a lighter poundage. It will be interesting to see how Mr. J. E. Henrys treats Volo in the Winter Cup, a race, by the way, that the Haweratrained horse is thought capable of winning. An interesting incident of the recovery of a couple of stolen turf registers in Wellington has to be recorded. Some five years ago the writer purchased two Australasian Turf Registers, which he fastened on to the carrier attached to his bicycle. He had occasion to leave the bicycle outside some business premises for a few minutes, when, on returning, he found to his dismay that the books, which had been purchased at

a sovereign apiece, had disappeared. Enquiries were made in all parts of the city, but without any trace of the missing books being found. Last week, the writer received a message from Mr. A. L. Wilson, the well-known auctioneer of this town, and on going to this gentleman’s office the two registers were found to be in Mr. Wilson’s possession. Further enquiries elicited the fact that amongst a sale of unclaimed luggage from the New Zealand Government Railways, conducted by Mr. Wilson recently the missing books, which bore your correspondent’s name in large letters, were found. The thief evidently received his just deserts, as he appears to have lost all his personal belongings, so that the stolen books could not have proved a payable proposition. Mr. Wilson generously handed the registers over without any charge whatever. Only quite recently the writer had the misfortune to have his bicycle stolen and on enquiring at the police station he was informed that thefts of bicycles were of common occurrence in Wellington, and there was very little prospect of recovery as the thieves took the machines to pieces, which made identification well nigh impossible. Volo is the ruling local favourite for the Winter Cup, while All Over, Form Up, and Ibex come next in public estimation. The “wool brokers” are taking no risks, as the prices on offer are ridiculous. From the figures one would opine that the business was very lucrative, and if one succeeded in picking the double he would hardly have sufficient money to pay for a week’s sojourn at Lyall Bay. J. Coyle, at Bulls, has All Over looking in rare buckle just now. The son of All Red should be cherry ripe by the time the C.J.C. meeting comes up for decision next month. The withdrawal of Sir George Clifford’s horses from their Wellington

engagements did not come as a surprise as their preparation had been hindered through the bad weather recently experienced at Riccarton. By the way, the Messrs. 11. and A. Cutts are a considerable time in getting into the stride set by their worthy dad, who always invariably . provided a winner at Trentham in the winter. They may. however, do better later on. Mr. W. E. Bidwill, of Rototawai. who has temporarily retired from racing, has. a fine stamp of the thoroughbred in a bay filly by Hallowmas from Culmination running out on his place who later on will assuredly be heard of on the turf of this country. The youngster, who will race as Quotation, is a splendidly set up sort, and on looking her over recently the writer was much struck by her muscular appearance. That she is gifted with galloping ability is beyond question, and the future should reveal her as a useful stake earner. There is a prospect of Lady Louisa being a competitor in the Winter Cup. After her recent meritorious performances the mare is assured of many admirers provided the trip is undertaken. The same stable shelters another useful candidate in Utuwai, who can gallop to some purpose. Momac, who figures in the Winter Cup, is doing nicely in her training at Featherston under P. E. Hazleman’s guidance. The five-year-old mare is furnishing into an ideal galloper, and should, with ordinary luck, carry her popular owner’s (Mr. H. E. Card) colours with some success next season. Hawera will be strongly represented at the Grand National meet'ng next month, and with gallopers of the calibre of Volo, Styrax, Iceberg and Harbour Light engaged followers of the game in the district named should fare well over the fixture. In Sleight of Hand, Yellow and Black and Nita Mr. F. Armstrong will be worthily represented in steeplechasing and hurdling events at Riccarton next month. The trio named and Reformation should certainly prove a payable proposition to followers over the two days’ meeting. It is hoped by the t ; me the races come on that Mr. Armstrong will have recovered from his present indisposition.

C. Millen, or “Plain Bill” as he is familiarly called, has a nice little team in preparation at Normanby (Taranaki). With Coropet, Gloam (Husbandman — Gleam) and several young racers coming on the trainer named should fare well in racing events next season.

At Hawera, R. Brough has Army Service, the well-bred five-year-old gelding by Signor from Helen Portland, owned by *Mr. Andrew Laing, of the Inglewood Hotel, fast getting up to concert pitch. The gelding is a shapely sort, and will assuredly do well next season.

H. Nodder, at Hawera, has a shapely sort in Mangatua, a three-year-old by Husbandman from a Sir Agnes mare fast getting into racing trim. The filly is a perfect mover, and should be heard of early in the spring. R. J. Horne, at Palmerston North, has Mr. Alf. Havill’s two horses, Namur and Rora, looking very well just now. Both horses are wintering well, and should be on hand early in the new season to give a good account of themselves. The North Island is well represented in the Grand National Hurdles, Grand National Steeplechase and Winter Cup, to be run at Riccarton next month. With the class of galloper engaged it is safe to prophesy that the plums of the meeting will be carried off by horses trained on this side of Cook Strait.