WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1493, 5 December 1918, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Influenza Scourge Makes Big Inroads in Racing Ranks — Foalings at Moutoa Homestead —Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap Weights. WELLINGTON, Monday. There does not seem any probability of racing being resumed in the immediate future owing to the ravages of the scourge that is at present sweeping through New Zealand and carrying off in its train a very large number of well known and respected citizens, including many popular sporting enthusiast, who wih be greatly missed. From New Plymouth news was recently received of the death of Mr. J. McKean, a wellknown owner and mine host of the Criterion Hotel at that town. The late Mr. McKean, who was a popular personality, raced the horses Primato, Piano and Madam Ristori. His untimely death is much regretted. Tom Pine, of Hawera, who had a big string of racehorses, including Inah and Volo, died on the 23rd inst. He was a young man, and was much esteemed by everybody with whom he had business relations. Lower down the line Mr. H. Baker, of the Clarendon Hotel, Palmerston North, is among the respected citizens who have succumbed to this virulent scourge. The epidemic is beyond a doubt thinning the ranks of the sporting fraternity, and many familiar faces will be missing from the racecourses in the future. Moutoa Girl (Soult —Katarina) has foaled a colt to Treadmill. At the Moutoa Homestead the brood mare Kate Laddo, by Sir Laddo —Cecile, the latter being the dam of Lady Moutoa, has foaled to Sarto. As Mr. F. S. Easton only breeds every other year from his mares she will be unmated this season. ' Princess Moutoa (Martian — Assegai) has foaled a fine filly foal to Absurd. With the young stock he

has coming on Mr. Easton should be in a position later on to take a prominent part in the decision of many of the classic races to be decided in New Zealand. Mr. F. J. McManemin’s weights for the two principal handicap events at the A.R.C. summer meeting have been the leading topic in sporting circles during the past week. The general opinion is expressed that the handicapper has done his work remarkably well. The adjustments all through bear the impress of judicious care and expert judgment, and there should be a liberal response from owners when acceptances fall due. The writer favours the prospects of Red Ribbon (7.7) and Killard (6.10) in the two-mile race, while on paper the probability of Inah (8.0), Onslaught (7.13) and Wrestler (7.10) giving a good account of themselves in the six furlongs sprint is decidedly promising. It is a fairly far cry from now to the day of the meeting, and there should be some chopping and changing in the ruling favourites for the coveted double. Trentham stables are fairly well represented in the Auckland Cup, amongst the number claiming an engagement in the big Ellerslie event being Menelaus, Bonnie Maid, Rose Pink, Mascot, Active and Risingham. The horses named have all capital credentials to recommend them, and the majority of them are sure to see the post. Sir James Carroll has fully recovered from his influenza attack, and is once more in his accustomed seat in Parliament.