WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1514, 1 May 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

Feilding Jockey Club’s Successful Meeting—Notes, on the Racing—Mr. J. Hurley’s Useful Pair—Practice of Breaking Riding Engagements— Portraiture Taken in Hand by T. George. WELLINGTON, Monday. Returned visitors from the Feilding Jockey Club’s Easter meeting speak in glowing terms of the sport provided. The racing, taken all round, was excellent, and the gathering will long be remembered as one of the most successful yet held by this popular racing body. A large measure of the success achieved is attributed to the thoughtfulness of the secretary, Mr. E. Goodbehere, who left no stone unturned with a view to making the fixture thoroughly enjoyable to all concerned. By the way, Mr. Goodbehere has booked a passage to England, and expects to be back in New Zealand in time for the club’s November meeting. Sweet Tipperary, owned by Messrs. Dwan Bros., annexed the Kawa Kawa Hurdles at Feilding in a very convincing manner. The black mare broke down on the second day when holding a good position. Mr. J. Cameron, the erstwhile cross-country horseman and trainer, made a good impression on racegoers in his position as judge to the Feilding Jockey Club. Mr. Cameron gave his decisions with promptitude and accuracy, his placings on every occasion during the two days being highly satisfactory. The consensus of opinion among race followers is that he will make a worthy successor to the late Mr. Hartgill, who was without a doubt the most capable judge in the Dominion. Sir Fisher ran a couple of excellent races at Feilding, and, judging by his efforts, the Maniapoto gelding should be handy in some of the hurdling events during the next few months. By the way, Mr. J. Hurley purchased Demos for 600 guineas at the Ernest Short dispersal sale last week, and the son of Demosthenes should prove'a distinct success to his new owner. With Sir Fisher to do battle for him over the obstacles and Demos on the flat Mr. Hurley will have a useful • pair to carry his colours. Both horses are being trained by Mr. Hurley’s son, at Palmerston North. Royal Park made an auspicious start in the hurdling business by running second at Feilding. The chestnut descendant of Sylvia Park should earn some stake .money for his owners, Messrs. Jury * and Ogle, during the coming jumping season. The Hawera trainer, C. Jackson, has Royal Park in excellent form just now. The impunity with which jockeys break their engagements with owners was demonstrated at" Feilding, when M. McDonald was fined £5 and severely reprimanded for breaking his promise to ride Master Moutoa in the Cup. With a stronger rider up the latter horse would, in the writer’s opinon, have won, for on the second day Master Moutoa, with A. Reed up, fairly ran away with the Easter Handicap. This much-too-prevalent practice of riders not fulfilling their engagements is generally treated very leniently by the racing authorities, and the latter should, in the interests of owners and the sport generally, take a sterner view of the offence with a view of impressing upon jockeys that they must carry out their promises or otherwise they will be liable to suspension without the option of a monetary fine. Some rule of this description is urgently required, as it may act as a deterrent in cases of this particular kind, which are constantly cropping up. In addition to Demos, Mr. J. Hurley also purchased a two-year-old gelding by Hymettus from Enna at the Parorangi dispersal sale. This youngster looked a bit rough in the coat, but possessed some striking characteristics that should be handy when the time arrives for him to race. At 155 guineas, the two-year-old appeared a very reasonable proposition. J. Kelly, the former successful hurdle horseman, has settled down at Awapuni as a trainer, where he is assured of ample support. He has under his charge a shapely sort in Achillion, a three-year-old by Achilles from Splash," who ran second in the

Maiden at Feilding. The gelding is a promising one, and with ordinary luck should pay his way well. He is owned by Mr. L. H. Collinson, a popular Palmerston North sporting enthusiast. Mr. H. Coyle’s adjustments for the first day of the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting bear the impress of excellent work, and his efforts should be rewarded with a highly satisfactory acceptance list. The gathering promises to be a great success, judging by the accommodation that has been booked for visiting horses at Trentham and the vicinity, while the local contingent will help materially to swell the numbers. Trainer E. Watson, at Awapuni, has his team in fine racing trim just now, and of the horses under his charge, March On, Railand, and Samarang all got amongst the money at Woodville and Feilding, the dividend on the first-named running into substantial double figures. All three horses can be depended upon to run prominently at the Manawatu meeting. Idle Talk was unlucky to get caught in the tapes at Feilding, otherwise the Kilbroney mare may have credited owner “Dave” Barrett with a welldeserved win. The four-year-old should soon be seen under favourable circumstances, as trpiner H. Batten has her well forward just now. Portraiture (Papakura — Elusion), who is a full brother to Aberbrothock,

has been taken in hand by T. George, at Awapuni. The same trainer has Willys Knight under his care. Both horses should develop into useful hurdlers. A fine cut of a galloper in Festival, by Hallowmas from that good mare Crucinella, was seen out at Feilding. The three-year-old created a very favourable impression, and his name should soon be appearing amongst the winners. He is owned by “Wiri Tokena,” and trained by F. Tilley. R. A. McDonald has in training at Levin a likely sort in Multiplex, a six-year-old by Multifid —Simonia, who gives promise of turning out useful. Trainer R. Barlow, of New Plymouth, had Paraoa and Simonides trained to the hour at Feilding. The formex* won the Cup and paid a fine price, while the latter credited owner J. Harle, of Wellington, with a win and a second. It was up to Simonides to give his popular owner a turn up, and the success was well received among racing patrons, who strongly supported the son of Demosthenes.