WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1507, 13 March 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Nelson J.C.’s Annual Meeting—Master Moutoa’s Cup Victory—Notes on the Racing—Mishap to Rene Rose Necessitates Spell—Pacific Slope’s Pleasing Form.

WELLINGTON. Monday

The Nelson Jockey Club’s meeting, which took place last week, was easily the most successful of any yet held at Richmond Park. The gathering was largely attended by North Island owners, who secured the lion’s share of the stake money. The principal event on both days was won by horses owned at Foxton and Wellington respectively. The starting of Mr. H. Rutland, who hails from the West Coast, was excellent, while the judging of Mr. Godfrey Pest, with one exception, was really first-class. Mr. John Glen, the club’s popular secretary, and Mr. F. W. (“Chum”) Fairey, a well-known Nelson business man, were on hand to welcome visitors, many of whom were paying their first visit to “Sleepy Hollow,” and carried away with them many happy recollections of their brief sojourn in sunny Nelson.

The totalisator turnover at Nelson was a record for the club, being considerably in excess of any amount that had previously been bandied at Richmond Park. Mr. H. D. James, of Greymouth, who had charge of this department, is to be congratulated on the thoroughness with which he handled everything, while the dividends were hoisted within three minutes from the moment the horses passed the winning post. Mr. F. S. Easton, one of the pillars of the turf in the North Island, and a vice-president of the Foxton Racing Club, won the Nelson Cup last week with ’ his horse Master Moutoa, wlio put up a fine performance in leaving the mile and a-quarter behind in 2min. 7sec. After the Cup was run Mr. Easton invited the press representatives to celebrate the success. Mr.

J. H. Finney, the proprietor of one of the local papers, in a neat speech congratulated Mr. Easton on the result. By the way, Master Moutoa is an improved horse, and after the Rangitikei meeting the Sarto gelding will be schooled with a view to winning some hurdling events. B. Morris, the Marton horseman, easily headed the list of winning riders at Nelson by steering 'five winners. C. Price and H. Gray followed next with a brace of winners apiece, while others to pass the winning post first were A. Reed, R. S. Bagby and J. Olsen. Two of the four trotting races on the programme were won by Mr. J. M. Robertson with his horse Robert Dillon, while J. Graham and Norman Emms accounted for the other two events.

Rebekah, owned by Mr. J. J. Corry, Mayor of Blenheim, was in a class by herself amongst the hacks at Nelson. The chestnut descendant of Bezonian —Snowstell won her two races in convincing style, and in her latter appearance she carried 10.2 as if it was only a feather. The mare was a strong odds-on favourite, and the dividends paid were of very small dimensions.

A fine cut of a galloper in Guinea Gold, by Husbandman from Marsuma, owned by Mr. J. J. Corry, was seen out at Nelson. This bay filly gives every promise of developing into a useful sort.

J. Carter, of Spring Creek, won the Trial Stakes at Nelson with Silk Ribbon, who scored nicely at the business end.

Rene Rose was a big disappointment, at Nelson, and it transpired afterwards that she had broken a blood-vessel, which accounted for her poor showing. The three-year-old was taken off the steamer at Picton. and sent to her owner’s place at Seddon, where she will be spelled for a few months.

The stable presided over by F. J. Carmont at Levin did well at Nelson. Gold Problem won a double, while Ahika and Utiwai each accounted for a race. The onlv member of the

quartette not to get amongst the winners was Ladify, who failed to reproduce the form she, displayed at Dannevirke. She appeared w’ell to the eye, however, and owner Mr. J. O’Regan of Shannon, should soon be securing some of the spoils to the victors.

Mr. W. Smart, the well-known Willis Street sportsman, secured a well-deserved win when his _ horse Pacific Slope (California —Helene) won the Redwood Memorial on the second day at Nelson. The son of California the previous week registered an attractive win in the Autumn Handicap on the concluding day of the Dannevirke meeting. “Walter” is a popular personality and a liberal supporter of racing, and it is always pleasing to chronicle a win for his horses.

Esperance (Martian —Mary of Argyle), owned by Mr. J. Fuller, of Seddon, displayed a rare turn of speed in the Tahuna Hack Welter at Nelson. The three-year-old filly, who is a fullsister to the Auckland Cup winner, Mascot, is a good sort, and can be depended upon to be heard of again in the near future.

War Tax ran a couple of excellent races at Nelson. The Strowan gelding is owned by Mr. J. D. Wingham. of the Albion Hotel, Greymouth, and there was much jubilation amongst West Coasters when the chestnut won the Stoke Handicap on the second day.

Amongst the visitors to Richmond Park last week was Mr. J. Noble, a well-known racing man of Reefton, who was present to watch the form of the horses in view’ of the fact that he is handicapper for several clubs on the West Coast.

A. Doran, who for some time past has been attached to Joe Ayer’s stable at Trentham, has thrown in his lot with J. McLaughlin, in the same locality. With his wide, knowledge of the thoroughbred, Doran should fare well in his new quarters.

Arch Lassie was not sent over to Nelson. The 'filly will be a runner at the Wairarapa. meeting this week. Trentham will be strongly represented at the Wairarapa meeting this week. With horses of the galloping powers of Guinea Gold, Trentham Rose, Red Signal, Rose Pink and Rebekah, there seems a, reasonable prospect of a goodly portion of the stake money being won by gallopers hailing from these parts.