WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1516, 15 May 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

War Star Joins A. Atwood’s String at Feilding— Mishap to Simonides Notes on Intending Starters at the Egmont Meeting — Form at the Manawatu Autumn Fixture — Vagabond and Chimera Win the Double on Both Days—Otaki Racing Club’s Excellent Nominations for Winter Meeting — Successful Horsemen at Awapuni. WELLINGTON, Monday. Quite a number of local sporting enthusiasts are planning a trip to the Marlborough and Egmont Racing Clubs’ meetings, which are set down for decision this week. Capital fields are engaged at both places, and patrons of each gathering are promised some excellent racing. Mr. A. J. Toxward, of “Lady Lucy Lodge,” Kairarga, has sent War Star (Maniapoto — Lady Lucy) to A. Atwood, at Feilding, to be trained for the future. The mare raced as a two-year-old, since when she has had a year’s spell, which has freshened her up considerably. She is in good trim to go into active training. F. Stevenson, who has for some years been associated with the training of F. Higgott’s horses at Otaki, is applying for a trainer’s license, it being his object to set up as a public trainer. Stevenson has been promised several horses, amongst the number being a colt by Demosthenes from Northern Rose, owned by Mr. E. Ivory, a popular Otaki boniface. Stevenson has a wide knowledge of the thoroughbred, and should soon have his boxes fully tenanted. The connections of Demagogue are puzzled over the sudden illness that overcame the three-year-old Demosthenes gelding on the eve of the second day of the Manawatu meeting. The gelding took very bad and exhibited all the outward signs of poisoning. The intestines were swollen, while the gelding was unable to move a muscle. The services of veterinary surgeon F. Crossley were requisitioned, and he expressed the opinion that there was strong suspicion for believing the horse was suffering from some poisoning, which had found its way into its food in a mysterious manner. Meanwhile some inquiries are being made into the untoward incident. While being galloped at Awapuni on the day previous to the Manawatu meeting Simonides got away with his youthful rider and bolted for over two miles, and in pulling up collided with a post, which injured his shoulder to such an extent that the gelding had to be withdrawn from his Manawatu engagements. The mishap was unfortunate for owner Mr. J. Harle, for the four-year-old was in rare buckle. As a result of the unfortunate circumstances some time must elapse before Simonides is again fit to race. Movement reads well in jumping events at the .Egmont meeting this week. The Advance mare is doing quite all right in her essays over the small sticks. Royal Park is fast coming up to concert pitch. Hawera critics anticipate a successful hurdle career for the chestnut. E. Penman, the Otaki trainer, is taking Some Girl over to the Marlborough meeting this week. The mare is credited with being a speedy customer. Play-off is expected to show up well at Hawera this week. The gelding is fast coming back to his form of a couple of seasons back, when he ran exceedingly well. There were only 58 tickets registered on Sleight of Hand in the Kaiere Hurdles at the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting. Quite a number of critics were under the impression that this capital jumper was not quite ready, and they received a shock when they saw the bay gelding stroll home and return his few admirers a dividend approaching a third of a century. Master Lupin is fast getting up to concert pitch. The brown gelding should be cherry ripe by the time the Wanganui meeting comes up for decision. Thrace, although fairly well fancied, failed to get amongst the money at Awapuni. The gelding, however, looked well to the eye, and his name should be hoisted in the near future. G. Corkhill, a promising young apprentice, was seen to advantage on Glentour in the Maiden Plate, a race for apprentices, at the Manawatu

Racing Club’s meeting. The lad handled his mount with judgment, and is evidently the makings of a first-class rider.

Vagabond and Chimera won the coveted double on each day of the Manawatu gathering. Both horses were ridden judicious races by H. Gray, whose horsemanship left nothing to be desired. Vagabond’s race on the second day was a stubborn one, and Gray had to ride a desperate finish to beat Nobleman by a head. The latter had bad luck to lose, for he was in a bad position in the final run to the post. Both horses crossed the line together, the judge declaring for Vagabond by a head. F. Robinson, at Foxton, is again entering the ranks of trainers. He has Willys Knight and a four-year-old colt by Campfire from Zelma in active work. Both horses show considerable promise in their training work.

Capital nominations have been received for the Otaki Maori Racing Club’s winter meeting, which takes place on June 3 and 4. All the coast stables are well represented, and with substantial stake money on offer there should be some splendid racing. Weights for the first day’s events are due on May 17, while acceptances close three days later. The executive of the club are working hard’ to make the gathering a distinct success.

H. Gray, with six wins to his credit, easily headed the list of winning riders at the Manawatu meeting last week. G. Corkhill, R. Bagby and R. Reed followed next with two wins each. Others to salute the judge (Mr. J. R. L. Stanford) on one occasion were: J. Kaan, B. Deeley, A. McDonald and A. Reed. Gray excelled himself with his horsemanship, his handling of his .mounts being an eye opener to the younger generation of jockeys.

Mr. J. Cameron, the erstwhile successful horseman and trainer, who forsook the training tracks for the judge’s box on the racecourse, is fast gaining many admirers as a judge. Mr. Cameron, who already acts as judge to the Rangitikei, Feilding and Egmont Racing Clubs, has received further appreciation of his ability by being appointed judge to the Otaki and Horowhenua Racing Clubs. With the wide patronage he is receiving, Mr. Cameron promises to soon become one of the busiest judges in New Zealand.