WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1484, 3 October 1918, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Otaki Maori Racing Club’s Successful Meeting — Wellington Racing Club’s Splendid Nominations —Masterton Racing Club Also Receive Excellent Entries—N.Z. Cup Handicaps Reviewed — Rose Pink’s Series of Victories —Interesting Race in Palestine Between Two Well-known ex-New Zealand Horsemen—Porirua Stable to be Represented at Dunedin Meeting. WELLINGTON, Monday. The recent spring meeting of the Otaki Maori Racing Club can be described as the most successful oneclay fixture yet held by this progressive racing body. The leading officials of the club, viz., Mr. Ben. Ling (president), Mr. Peter H. Taipua (steward), and the energetic and courteous secretary, Mr. O. J. D’Ath, did all in their power for the comfort of visitors, all .of whom came away with high opinions regarding the excellent management of the fixture. The totalisator figures compared with last year disclosed a substantial increase, and after payment of all expenses there should be a tidy sum to carry forward to the credit account. Roy Reed, who is again riding with characteristic skill this season, was the most successful horseman at Otaki, piloting a brace of winners at the fixture. Others to salute the judge were A. J. McFlinn, F. Flynn, H. Young, C. Emerson, C. Price and W. McEwan. The death took place at Johnsonville on Thursday last of Mr. James J. Moore, who owned and raced that good little horse, Sir Frisco, winner of many capital races. Some ten years back the late Mr. Moore, who was well known as a successful buyer of fat stock for the Welling-

ton Meat Export Company, developed diabetes, a malady to which he eventually succumbed. The deceased, who was only 49 years of age, was very popular with all who knew him, and his passing away removes a keen sporting enthusiast, for he rarely missed a meeting. He is survived by his widow and a son and a daughter, who have received many messages of sympathy in their sad bereavement.

The Wellington Racing Club have received bumper nominations for their spring meeting, which takes place on October 26 and 28, all of the principal owners in the country being strongly represented. Mr. H. Coyle will declare the first day’s weights on or before October 11.

The nominations received for the Masterton Racing Club’s spring meeting, which takes place at Opaki on October 17 and 18, must surely constitute a record, stables from far and near having horses engaged. Weights are due on Friday next (October 4). Mr. J. E. Henrys adjustments for the New Zealand Cup, which made their appearance on Friday last, are a theme for conversation in sporting circles, and the general opinion expressed is that the veteran handicapper has done his work remarkably well, considering the mediocre quality of a certain percentage of the horses engaged in this important two-mile event. Client (9.1) has a nice handy weight to carry, and the Elevation gelding well deserves his position at the head of the handicap. Menelaus, last year’s winner, is well in at 8.11, while Sasanof, who accounted for the Melbourne Cup in 1916, is considered well treated in being allotted 8.9. The writer, however, is prepared to see the winner coming from the division weighted below 7.0, and in this connection the prospects of Mangamahoe (6.12), Padd’ngton Green (6.7) and Mazama

(6.7) constitute a trio that should give a good account of themselves, provided, of course, they train on the right way in the interim. Mazama, who is a five-year-old by King’s Guest from Eland, gave the writer the impression at Dannevirke that he would develop into a stayer. This horse carries Mr. G. Hunter’s (M.P.) colours of chocolate and canary sash, a livery that always has been held in high esteem on the racecourses of New Zealand. The veteran Hastings trainer, “Bob” Gooseman, is subjecting Mazama to a capital preparation. The local owner, Mr. H. Whitney, is having a proverbial run of luck with Rose Pink, who, although small for her inches, has won three important races in succession, viz., the principal handicap events at Dannevirke, Ashburton and Geraldine. Mr. Henrys evidently thinks very little of her credentials, for she figures in the New Zealand Cup with 6.11 opposite her name. She is nicely bred, being by Kilbroney from Madder, a half sister to the dual Auckland Cup winner, All Red. Trentham stables are well represented in the New Zealand Cup, the list including Menelaus, Mascot, Devotion, Rose Pink, Battle Song and Risingham. The horses named have something to recommend them, both from a galloping and breeding standpoint, and there is every indication of a majority of them seeing the post in the big Riccarton two miles race in November.

The writer is in receipt of a cheery letter from Private Leslie McDonald, second youngest son of the late Mr. J. R. McDonald, of Heatherlea, Levin, who is remembered by his active connection with racing matters. Private McDonald left New Zealand with the 30th Reinforcements, and, writing from Palestine, states that an interesting contest recently took place between two well-known exNew Zealand jockeys in “Bricky” O’Brien, formerly of Hawke’s Bay and latterly a successful rider in Western Australia and now attached to the Australian Forces, and W. Holmes, who served his time with R. J. Mason at Riccarton. The soldiers were mounted on a couple of the officers’ thoroughbreds, and enthusiasm in the contest ran high

in the New Zealand camp. Some heavy wagering on the race, was indulged in. As both horses had been specially trained for the race, which was run over a distance of seven furlongs. In a ding-dong finish Holmes won amidst the cheers of the New Zealanders, who carried their hero shoulder high off the racecourse. All Over must be considered very unlucky, as he has filled a minor place on three occasions recently, only suffering defeat by the narrowest of margins. The son of All Red, however, is a real good performer, whose consistency in his last three starts should bring its reward in the shape of a good stake before the season is much further advanced. His owner, Mr. J. Bull, junr., certainly deserves a “turn up” with his splen- • did galloper. Demos scored in convincing style at Otaki, and is undoubtedly on the up-grade. The son of Demosthenes —Jeanne d’Arc is a smart performer, with bright prospects, and should do Mr. E. Short, the Parorangi sportsman, some useful turns during the present season.

There is every probability of the Porirua establishment of Mr. J. H. Prosser being represented at the Dunedin meeting this month. The horses to make the trip will include Lisp, Talitha, Stirrup Cup and probably a couple of others. The firstnamed looked well to the eye at Otaki, and she may do better at Wingatui. Kipling, the thousand-guinea, purchase, romped home in front of the field in the Maiden Plate at Otaki. The chestnut colt had freshened up considerably since Marton, and the future should reveal the three-year-old as a useful stake earner. Trainer J. Coyle, of Bulls, will see to it that the chestnut will have every opportunity to prove his worth as a galloper.

A nice cut of a galloper in Bonny Briar, owned by Mr. A. J. Toxward, of “Lady Lucy Lodge,” Kairanga, was seen out at Otaki. The three-year-old filly is built on galloping lines, and should, with ordinary luck, soon be accounting for a race or two. The Otaki meeting was responsible for the rout of the favourite division, and consequently proved costly

to backers. In fact, the meeting was disastrous for the “heads,” who only picked one favourite, viz., Kipling, during the afternoon. The defeats of Devotion, 80-Peep and Form Up were severe blows to followers of the game at Otaki. The three horses named were thought susceptible of making bold displays in their respective races. H. Gray was on the two first-named, while Sid. Reid was up on Form Up. The trainers of the horses named are setting ready with a view to avenging their recent defeats at the Masterton meeting.

Harold Young rode a well - timed and patient race on Detroit at Otaki, and only secured the verdict after a stubborn set-to with Bronk Delaval and All Over, heads only separating the trio when the winning line was crossed.