WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1491, 21 November 1918, Page 11

WANGANUI.

Ashhurst Meeting Postponed —W. Rayner’s Trio for Feilding —J. Peachey’s Team in Steady Work — Prospects of the Feilding Meeting —Nobleman Reported to be Doing Well.

WANGANUI, Monday

Owing to the influenza epidemic, the Ashhurst meeting, which was to have been held on Wednesday, has been postponed. The club have applied to the Minister for permission to hold the gathering on the 27th inst., but so far it is not known whether permission will be given. The 27th would be a very suitable day for owners and trainers, as it would be just three days before the Feilding meeting. The very many friends of W. Price, the well-known rider, will learn with deep regret of the death of his wife, which occurred on Friday as the result of influenza following on confinement. The late Mrs. Price was very well known to racegoers, as she accompanied her husband to most of the meetings at which he had en-

gagements, and was very popular with all who knew her. The bereaved husband will have the sincere sympathy of hosts of friends in his, great loss. W. Price himself had been in hospital for some time suffering from a relapse on an attack of the prevailing epidemic, but he is now able to get about again. Work on the tracks recently has been somewhat interfered, with on account of the “flu,” but most of the horses engaged at Ashhurst arid Feilding. have been kept going. W. Rayner intends taking Zola, Zela and Pennon to Feilding. The first-named is in the Hurdles at 11.3, top weight. The son of Sweet Simon is bowling along nicely on the tracks, and he should be hard to beat. Zela is also doing good track work, but she has been a disappointment so far in her races. However, she should do better in the future. Pennon continues to train on all right, and she is likely to be handy in whatever event she starts at Feilding. She claims an engagement in the Stakes.

J. Peachey has his team in steady work. Undecided appears to have livened up recently, and might show to more advantage in the Hurdles at Feilding than he did at Waverley. Hupana figures in the Flying Handicap at Feilding at the minimum. She has pace enough when in the humour, but she does not seem to be of the reliable kind.

The weights for the Feilding meeting have been framed in very careful manner by Mr. J. E. Henrys, and the club should receive capital acceptances. There is no more popular meetings held on the coast than those which take place under the auspices of the Feilding club, and with the excellent fields and splendid racing which are assured for the forthcoming gathering a record success should be scored, provided the epidemic does not interfere with the attendance.

Of those engaged in the Hurdles, the two top weights, Zola and Vucuum, together with Sir William, read as well as anything else. In the Flying Stakes there is every prospect of a great race. Demos (8.5) 80-Peep (8.3) and Starengo (7.5) are three which have recent winning form to recommend them. There is a very big field engaged in the Tpiti Hack, of seven furlongs. Paddington Green (9.2), Royal Park (8.13), ’Cello (8.11) and Signorella (7.12) read nicely. The 'Handicap should be a great race. Onslaught showed such fine form at Riccarton that even with 8.5 he is sure to be one of the most fancied if he starts. Of the others, Devotion (9.0), Detroit (8.1) and Rose Pink (8.1) will all command solid support. If Coolpan goes to the post dressed at his best he will take a lot of beating in the Cheltenham Hack, as he is reported to be doing good work. He has a big weight (9.8), but can gallop a fast six furlongs. Of the rest, Staccato (8.13) and Carmel Arch (8.6) read well. Nobleman is reported to be going along well at Bulls, and if so he will take beating in the Kiwitea Welter, in which he has 9.12. Maioha (9.6) Hydrus (9.3) and Rio (8.0) are a dangerous trio. Great interest will be taken in the Feilding Stakes, which is sure to be contested by a fine field. If Croesus, Surveyor, Bitholia, Royal Stag, Amythas and Ermine go to the post, together with the best of the others, a most exciting race should be witnessed.