WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1482, 19 September 1918, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Splendid Prospects for Otaki Meeting —Form of Intending Starters —Mr. E. Short’s Valuable Gift to Patriotic Funds —Successful Riders at Dannevirke —Rose Pink’s Surprise Win — Fancied Candidates for Egmont Meeting.

WELLINGTON, Monday

The officials of the Otaki Maori Racing Club, with their popular president, Mr. Ben. Ling, at the head of affairs, are making every preparation for the comfort of visitors to their spring meeting, which takes place on Monday next. The fields engaged in each of the eight events are ample for all requirements, and, provided the climatic conditions are satisfactory, the club should experience a very successful time. The prospects of War Scot (Field Battery —Nukumai) bear a rosy hue in the Maiden Plate at Otaki. Trainer E. W. Watson at present has the five-year-old well nigh cherry ripe. . The well-bred Kipling (Demosthenes — Gossip), for whom Mr. J. G. Collins, of Palmerston North, is reported to have paid 1000 guineas, figures in the lists for Otaki. The three-year-old chestnut colt made his initial debut to the racing public in the Trial Hack Plate at Marton, but his showing was nothing to enthuse over. He may, however, do better later on. By the way, Mr. Collins will be remembered to old-time racing enthusiasts as the owner of Lorelei, a mare that carried nearly all before her a couple of decades ago. 80-Peep is expected to make some amends at Otaki for her defeat at Marton. The Bezonian mare is very well just now, and trainer H. Telford is straining every nerve with a view to landing the three-year-old at the post in the pink of condition. Quite a number of critics are waiting to see Quinn’s Post stepped out. There is every likelihood of the five-year-old son of Field Battery being seen out at Otaki, where, if started, he should carry Mr. G. E. Trevor’s colours in a creditable manner. After his meritorious display at Marton, where he won with his head on his chest and was subsequently disqualified for going inside a flag, Foeman will have many admirers m the Tatimi Steeplechase at Otaki, but most opposition may come from Waioture, who is fast getting accustomed to the obstacles. The latter ran very creditably in the Hack Hurdles at Marton, and a win for Mr. A. Symes’ chestnut mare is somewhat overdue. The Trentham-trained pair, Devotion and Mascot, are well fancied for the Memorial Stakes at Otaki. J. W. Lowe has the Messrs. V. and E. Riddiford’s galloper doing particularly well in her training, while H. Telford has Devotion fast coming up to concert pitch. Provided Persian Prince faces the starter at Otaki the six-year-old will be a fancied candidate for the Stewards’ Hack Handicap. In the brown gelding’s absence, the best of the others may prove to be Cotillion, who unconsciously missed the ’bus at Marton when expected by her connections to .be leading the field home in the Trial Plate. This three-year-old Bezonian filly is doing all that is asked of her in her training at Trentham.

Revocation and Sardinia, who are under orders for Otaki, are training on satisfactorily at Trentham. The pair should show up well at the native gathering. Willys Knight gave such a capital display last week that the prospects of the six-year-old son of Maniapoto are held in high esteem for Otaki.

Owner Dave Barrett makes no secret of the fact that he expects Idle Talk to show up well at Otaki. It will be remembered that at the previous native gathering this descendant of Kilbroney returned her few supporters a dividend in the vicinity of a third of a century. History may repeat itself next week.

Tuticorn is overdue for a win. This Wairarapa representative may be seen out at Otaki. Mr. E. Short, the well-known and popular “Parorangi” sportsman, with that kindness with regard to patriotic matters that has always been characteristic with him, has donated his racehorse Hastie to be raffled for the soldiers’ fund in aid of children and orphans of men who have laid down

their lives in fighting for their King and country. Mr. Short’s kindness will never be forgotten in Wellington, where he has on former occasions contributed liberally to anything having for its object the uplifting of humanity. Trainer E. W. Watson, at Awapuni, has a nice little team in preparation for the coming season, the list including War Scot and March On, who, by the way, ran very creditably at Dannevirke, Beno and Walker’s Ridge, a big upstanding five-year-old by Waitarere (who did yeoman service for the late Mr. J. R. McDonald, of Levin). As far as the writer remembers, Walker’s Ridge is the only horse sired by Waitarere that is racing. With the horses named, Watson should do well during the present racing year. H. Gray, with two wins to his credit, was the most successful rider at Dannevirke. Others to salute Mr. Hartgill on one occasion were: H. Robinson, W. McEwan, A. McDonald, H. Watson, W. H. McKinnon and A. Reed. W. McEwan, who has been apprenticed to Mr. W. H. Bowden, the Otaki owner-trainer, for some time, is being transferred to Mr. W. R. Kemball’s stable at Masterton, where he will obtain every opportunity for advancement. The lad rode Multaine at

Dannevirke for his new employer, and in his initial effort he landed his mount a comfortable winner. McEwan can ride with good judgment, and provided he does not develop a “swelled head” he should have a.very successful career.

Friends of the Wellington owner who races as “H. Whitney” were right pleased to see Rose Pink doing him some useful service at Dannevirke. Mr. Whitney’s horses have a habit of turning up when least expected, and this was the case last week when the brown descendant of Kilbroney won and returned her supporters a substantial two-figure dividend. Mr. Whitney is a generous supporter of racing, and it is always pleasing to see his colours being carried to victory. The Egmont Racing Club’s spring meeting to take place on Thursday of this week promises to be very successful. The prospects of Silver Tim in whatever he starts are held in some esteem, while Polthogue is expected to run well in the Tongahoe Hurdles. Others that should give a creditable showing are Royal Chef, Depredation, Hallow and Huzza. The New Plymouth trainer, W. F. Mantle, has the last-named very, fit just now.