WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1483, 26 September 1918, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Notes on the Egmont Meeting—Three Trainers Win Two Races Apiece— H. Gray Rides Winning Double — Amberine’s Promising Prospects — Masterton Racing Club’s Forthcoming Meeting. WELLINGTON, Monday. The spring meeting of the Otaki Maori Racing Clu-b is taking place to-day, and, judging by the number of motor cars and lorries laden with passengers that left the city this morning the club should experience a very successful gathering. The native club has always been held in high esteem, and the present fixture should prove no exception to the general rule. Visiting trainers to Otaki are loud in their praise of the excellent state of the tracks, which are under the care of Mr. W. Wooding, who has expended a considerable amount of time and labour in bringing the grounds up to state of perfection. The grass gallop, plough and enclosures are well nigh perfect, and Mr. Wooding is to be congratulated upon his efforts. H. Gray, the well-known jockey, had a “field” day •at Hawera last week through riding the winning combination in the coveted double, viz., Glenroy and Alteration. It is reported that the “woolbrokers” will not forget the dual success for some time to come.

Friends of Mr. J. Hawkins, the well-known New Plymouth sportsman, were right pleased to see him getting a “turn up” last week. As one well-known critic remarked: “If Flying Camp cannot land this race it will be a difficult problem to again place him where he can win a race.” As events turned out the son of Campfire returned a nice price in a weak field. Three trainers between them won six races at the Egmont meeting

last week. W. Rayner, of Wanganui, scored with Zola and Pennon; Percy Coffey, of New Plymouth, turned out a couple of winners in Flying Camp and Kurnalpi, while J. George, the veteran trainer of New Plymouth, was successful with Glenroy and Alteration.

H. Gray headed the list of winning horsemen at the Egmont meeting last week, with two wins to his credit. Others to win a race each were Mr. G. E. Clout, the gentleman rider of Taiparohenui, and E. Copestake, D. Burt, L. Morris, J. Roach, and F. Corlett.

Returned visitors from the Egmont meeting last week speak of the gathering as being very successful, the racing proving of a high standard, several interesting finishes being witnessed. Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, who returned a substantial two-figure dividend, the prices paid by the other winners were somewhat on the small side.

Mr. Harold Brown, of this city, who lately entered the racing ranks, is not dismayed at the showing of his hurdler, Paparess, at Hawera last week. “Paddy” Eva has the mare fast getting up to concert pitch, and her turn should come at no distant date.

J. Cameron, of Feilding, saddled up at Hawera a likely looking sort in Forum, a six-year-old by Formative from a Gold Reef mare, who, if looks count for anything, should develop into an ideal jumper. The gelding gave a promising display by running second in the Hunters’ Flat Race Handicap and returning a nice price. i

Mr. G. E. Clout, the well-known Taranaki gentleman rider, who is farming at Taiporohenui, near Hawera, rode a judicious race on Flying Camp on Thursday last. George, as he is familiarly called, is a popular identity, and it is always pleasing to chronicle a success credited to him.

Chatting with Mr. Matthews at New Plymouth last week he informed the writer that The Boyne, dam of Rewi Poto, had missed the last two seasons to Absurd and Demosthenes, which is very unfortunate for the breeder named, who is always anxious to breed from the best. Rajput, the five-year-old gelding trained by J. Coyle, at Bulls, was one of the fancied division that failed to fulfil expectations at Hawera. The galloper was thought unbeatable, but at the finish of the Telegraph Handicap he was well in the rear. Rajput should, however, do Mr. J. McDonell some tangible service before the season is far advanced. Polthogue was paying over aquarter of a centry to win when he ran second in the Tongahoe Hack Hurdles at Hawera. The gelding is very well just now, and must be kept in view for future events. Huzza, trained by a popular identity in W. Mantle at New Plymouth, gives every promise of developing into an ideal hurdler. The brown mare should soon be carrying Mr. A. Alexander’s colours in a creditable manner.

Two popular wins scored at Hawera last week were those of Zola and Pennon, trained by the erstwhile successful jockey, Walter Rayner, who, on occasions, gives evidence that he has the happy knack of landing his charges at the post in the pink of condition. W. Dwyer is now training for the popular Marton sportsman who races as “Mr. F. Preston” and who owned and raced Equitas, Apa, Frisco and latterly Oratress and Lingerie. The genial “Sam” is under the impression that he is in possession of a topnotcher in Amberine, the three-year-old by Kilbroney from Ambrosian. Time will tell whether “Sam’s” contention is correct.

Trainer M. Hurley, at Palmerston North, has in preparation for his “dad” a shapely sort in Miss Eileen, a five-year-old by Salvadan from Belle Napier, who is built on unmistakeable galloping lines. The future should find the mare occupying a prominent position amongst the racing ranks. March On (Martello —Glory), owned by “Charlie” Louisson, of Palmerston North, cont’nues. to show promising form under trainer E. Watson’s

guidance at Awapuni. The chestnut is overdue for a win,. but his. opportunity should not. be long delayecl., judging ,by his excellent work on the training tracks. Consequent upon going into camp, Mr. Robertson, ex-caretaker of the Wairarapa Racing Club’s course at Tauherenikau, has leased Occasion to Mr. L. T. Cobcrbft, of Featherston. The mare was taken to Hawera, where it was thought she would win the Telegraph Handicap. However, she failed to show up on the journey, and her failure was disastrous to many Wairarapa turf followers.

C. Pritchard, at Trentham, is handling a useful looking sort in Preparation, a three-year-old filly by Provocation from Torowai, who can go very fast for half a mile. Later on it is expected that she will . see out a race run over a longer distance. Her future prospects are very highly assessed by critics who profess to have a wide knowledge of racing affairs. Owners and trainers should not overlook the fact that nominations for all events, including entrance for the Trial Stakes, in connection with the spring meeting of the Masterton Racing Club close with Mr. A. Hathaway, at 5 p.m. on Friday next.