WAIRARAPA.

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

WAIRARAPA.

Chimera and Otara Progressing Well —Two Yearling Colts Latest Additions to J. Jamieson’s String-—ln-fluenza Causes Dislocation of Training Work—Death of Mr. Rupert Morrison — Masterton-trained Representatives in Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap — The Weights . Reviewed. MASTERTON, Friday. Owing to the postponement of several of the race meetings, and the delay in transport, it has been decided to keep the Wairarapa-trained horses at present in Auckland (Form Up, Cyrisian, Gladful and Misslove) there until after the summer fixture. Wishful is still running out in the paddock, and it is not likely that the son of Boniform and Drought will be taken in hand again until the autumn. Chimera and Otara are showing signs of coming back to form shortly, and their recent track efforts have been pleasing their trainer, J. J. Gravestock. J. T. Jamieson arrived back from Riccarton during the week with the horses that had been competing at the Cup meeting, and also brought the two yearling colts purchased by Mr. A. McDonald. Both are by Martian, one being from Strathspey and the other from the imported mare Vicella. They are both in good condition. It was intended to give Hymestra and Nanna a race at the Wairarapa Racing Club’s summer meeting, but as the fixture has been postponed, it is not likely that the pair will have another gallop in public before going north for the Auckland fixture, at which gathering they were successful last season. The yearling colt which Mr. Kemball purchased recently at Christchurch lacks nothing on the score of breeding. He is by Martian from Rose Red (sister to Madrigal, Rose Madder, Munjeet, Mungista, Rubia, All Red, Ukraine (dam of Sasanof) and Cronstadt (by Stepniak — Madder). He arrived in Masterton in good condition, along with Scornful and Rebuff. The death occurred at one of the temporary hospitals in Masterton on Tuesday last of a lad named C. Whale, an apprentice in the employ

of T. Pritchard, the Opaki trainer. The cause of death was pneumonia, supervening on influenza. The lad was 15 years of age, and had a bright and cheerful disposition. He had his first ride at the local meeting last month. Several severe cases of influenza have occurred among Masterton trainers and their assistants during the past week or two. While at Christchurch, W. Hawthorne and two of his stable lads were laid up, one having to be left behind until well enough to come north. T. Higgins and both of his assistants have been down, and J. J. Gravestock was in a serious condition for several days. Some of the local trainers have not been able to work their horses for over a week owing to the shortage of stable hands. Very few have escaped, though fortunately most of the cases were in a mild form, and are now well on towards complete recovery. After a short illness, the death occurred this morning (Friday) of Mr. Rupert Morrison, of Blairlogie, Masterton. The deceased was very well known among sportsmen in the Wairarapa and Wellington districts, and was a keen follower of all kinds of sport. He was a liberal patron of hunting and show ring events, and successfully competed in jumping competitions at the different shows. About 12 months ago the late Mr. Morrison established a stud farm on his station, and among other animals purchased were Hymettus and Straga, sire and dam of Hymestra, Torfreda and Hyades. There are several yearlings at present on the property, and some have been entered for future classic events. The late sportsman was a liberal donor to patriotic funds. He was 35 years of age. The weights allotted the Master-ton-trained horses engaged in the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap seem to be on a fairly lenient scale, with the exception, perhaps, of Snub, in which case Mr. Kemball’s gelding seems to have his full share in being asked to carry 9.2 over the two-mile course. Despite the fact that the son of Martian and Lady Disdain won the Canterbury Cup under weight-for-age conditions, it must be remembered he failed under his handicap weights at the same gathering. In the New Zealand Cup

Snub had 7.11, and in the Metropolitan Handicap 9.2, but failed to gain a situation in either race. Last year in the Auckland Cup he was weighted at 8.5 and finished outside a place, and in the 12 months following his only successes have been in the Pahiatua and Canterbury Cups. Weight-for-age form does not always work out true, and it may be said to apply in this case. In the Auckland Cup Snub will have to carry 111 b. more than he failed under last year, and 191 b. more than he had to carry in the New Zealand Cup. The stable have also Scornful engaged at the minimum. The other local candidate, Red Ribbon (7.7), appears to have been well treated, as last year she finished within a length of the winner with 7.2, afterwards running second in the Wellington Cup with 7.11, and later on winning the Wairarapa Cup under 8.5. In the Railway Handicap, Hymestra (9.4) and Nanna (7.10) were both in places in the event last year, the former dead-heating with King Lupin for first place, and Nanna was th;rd. Hymestra will carry 121 b. more this year and Nanna 71b. Torfreda has yet to win over a six-furlong course, but she is very, fast over short distances, and is not harshly treated with 7.10. The other Opaki-trained candidates, Damien and Belle Noir, are on the 6.7 mark.