WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1504, 20 February 1919, Page 11

WANGANUI.

Desert Gold Enjoying a Short Spell From Activity—Her Next Appearance to be at Trentham —Kiilowen to Oppose Gloaming in Jackson Stakes—R. Barlow’s Team Arrives in Wanganui—Notes on the Forthcoming Local Meeting — Fancied Wanganui Cup Candidates —Croesus None the Worse for Mishap at Hawera —Latest Track Work.

WANGANUI, Monday.

Simon, the six-year-old gelding by Sweet Simon out of a Sylvia Park mare, which H. Rayner has in his stable, is a good-looking sort. He was expected to run a big race in the Farmers’ Plate at' Hawera on Friday, but failed to get a place. He should do better later on, and is just the cut for a hurdler. Vance was much fancied by her connections for the Maiden Scurry at Hawera, but though she got away well she had no chance with Jutland, the handsome-looking son of Advance —Brown Spec, which should hold his own in better company. Desert Gold was not brought back to Wanganui from Hawera, but taken through to - Woodville. She will not be seen out in the Jackson Stakes, but will be given a short spell in the hope that it will freshen her up for the Trentham Gold Cup and the Awapuni Cup, in both of which events she will compete, all going well. Although Desert Gold will not be a starter against Gloaming in the Jackson Stakes, Mr. T. H. Lowry will have a representative in Kiilowen, which should keep Mr. Greenwood’s champion very busy. Kiilowen will also be a starter in the Guineas on the second day. R. Barlow arrived in Wanganui on Saturday with Paraoa, Paddington Green, Depredation, Robur and Polthogue. Depredation looks in splendid fettle, and it is said that his connections expect him to run a big race in the Cup. Paraoa is in winning form, and will be hard to beat in whatever he starts, while Robur is also very fit, and should be handy in the Stewards.

Mr. B. T. Bennett, of Patea, has

got hold of a useful-looking gelding in Khartoum, a son of King Rufus — Lady Grafton, which was bought very cheap, and should more than pay his way.

The fifteen-months-old colt by Absurd which W. Rayner has just taken in hand for Mr. G. M. Currie is a handsome little fellow. He is out of a mare bred in Holland and looks a perfect gentleman. If he does not turn out a good one it will be surprising.

Mr. Alf. Morse, the custodian of the Egmont Racing Club’s grounds, had the track and appointments in capital order for the club’s meeting last week, and was complimented on his good work. Had Mr. C. O’Connor been unable to stay for the second day, Mr. Morse would have done the starting, which he would no doubt have carried out in a satisfactory manner, judging by the success which he achieved at the Taranaki meeting, where he officiated. Zola was sent a round over the hurdles the other morning, but he did not shape quite so well as usual. However, he is in good fettle, as he showed a lot of pace in a gallop on the flat with Zela on Saturday. He will be a starter in the hurdles on the second day of the Wanganui meeting.

Owners of jumpers would welcome an increase in the stake money for the hurdle events at the Wanganui Cup meeting. It has been pointed out that £lBO is a very small stake to ask horses to race two miles and a distance for, while on the second day the prize money is only £l4O and the distance 1% miles. It is believed that an increase in stakes and a decrease in distances would mean bigger fields. If Rewi Poto is started in the Stewards’ Handicap instead of the Cup at Wanganui he will probably be made favourite, as he is in good form. It is said his connections fancy his prospects in the Cup, and on his run in the Wellington Cup he should he hard to beat.

Client is said to be in excellent fettle, and as he always runs so well on this course and the distance seems to suit him, what beats him should just about win, though he has a big weight. It is hard to say what will start favourite in the Wanganui Cup, though Client is sure of very solid backing if he goes to the post. Dusky Eve and All. Over are two others sure to be greatly fancied, while Depredation is likely to find good backing, as he looks to be very fit and is pleasing the touts by his track work. Bezonian filly Cotillion should win a race soon. She appears to be steadily improving. She is engaged in the Petre Hack on Thursday. Waimatao, who won the Waimate Handicap at Hawera, with 9.1 on his back is engaged in the Flying at Wanganui. He is none too sounds otherwise he would look to have a very rosy chance. Simonides was galloping well at the end of the Flying at Hawera, and it would not be surprising if the Demosthenes gelding turned up a winner shortly. He is in the Flying at Wanganui. Croesus looks none the worse for his fall at Hawera, and was on the track this morning striding along freely. His trainer does not think the gelding broke a blood-vessel. It is probable his fall was due to his feet slipping from under him, as he had no plates on. Dusky Eve went nicely this morning in covering six furlongs at a solid pace. Yesterday morning he went five furlongs at a fast clip, and is evidently in excellent trim.

Karo will not be a starter in the Cup, a leg having filled, as a result it is thought of getting a thorn into her foot at Hawera. She has done little or no work the last few days. . Gloaming was sent round on the plough the- reverse way this morning. He looks nice and bright, and was anxious to go on with it. Depredation and Afterglow went a circuit together, the last half-mile being run at a fast clip, Afterglow apparently holding her companion at the end. Depredation was galloping very freely, however, and he looks like having a big chance in the Cup. Loyal Arch went round on the flat slowly, and then covered a round over the hurdles, jumping well. Pennon covered the last half-mile of a circuit at a fast pace, and she promises to strip as well as ever she has done on Thursday, which means that she will probably be very handy at the finish of the Flying. Robur covered a half-mile at a fast pace, and on her running in the Atkinson Memorial she must be hard to beat in the Stewards here. Simonides, another of R. Barlow’s

team, also strode along very freely,

and the son of Demosthenes looks ’ like being very handy in the Flying. Waimatao also ran along nicely over five furlongs, and appears to be none the worse for his race at Hawera.

Mr. Herbert’s team—Bo-Peep, Cotil-

lion, Active and Philomela —have arrived, and did useful work yesterday and again this morning. Philomela looks particularly well, and will be hard to beat in whatever she starts here.