WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1521, 19 June 1919, Page 10

WAIRARAPA.

Torfreda on the Easy List—Black Hill in Work Again — Proposed Trotting Meeting for Masterton— Tuticorn to be Tried Over Hurdles —Sir Solo in Steady Work—Snub Proves Sheet Anchor of Mr. Kemball’s Team in Australia

MASTERTON. Friday. Vascovia was suffering from a cold on her return from Otaki,‘but is now all right again. W. Garrett has her doing regular work on the track. Mr. W. R. Kemball, who has been held up in Australia for the past two months, is expected to arrive back in Masterton next week on a business visit. Had it not been for the restriction on shipping the Masterton owner’s other horses, would have been sent across bv now.

Torfreda is now on the easy list, and it will be the spring before she is asked to race again. Not being built on the heavy side, the welter weights do not suit the three-year-old mare.

Owner-trainer S. Pinkerton has Black Hill in regular work again, and is also handling a chestnut horse by Canada, which is destined for hurdle racing. Mr. A. McDonald has nominated several of his youngsters for Australian events in 1920. In the V.R.C. Derby he has three engaged (Martian — Vicella colt, Martian — Strathspey colt, and a filly by Kilbroney— Grey Linnet). The last-named is also entered for the Oaks Stakes.

It is many years since a trotting meeting was held in Masterton, but there is a likelihood of the sport being again taken up here. A number of enthusiasts are working hard to get matters on a definite basis. There are several trotters in works here at present. J. Gravestock has Tuticorn back in his stable and an attempt is being made to make a jumper of him. The son of Sarto has not been a profitable horse either to his owner (Mr. C. F. Vallance) or to those who have leased -him.

Some schooling was done at Opaki on Tuesday last. Torchy was sent over the steeplechase fences, and shaped pleasingly. Sturdee went over eight hurdles, being joined by Municipal over the last five. Sturdee was in front at the finish. Although Sir Solo has not been jumped as yet, he is being kept in steady work by W. Garrett, and is to be nominated for the Wellington meeting. Last season the old fellow went south to the National meeting without having a race in public, and ran second in the big hurdles. Timidity (Hymettus—Dreadable), a member of T. Higgins’ team, is having a spell. Although a race has not come her way this season she has not been hurried, and promises to turn out useful next season.

Sir Agnes is going along nicely in his work at Clareville, and with a few more gallops will be able to take his place with the better class company he will have to. meet at Wellington and Riccarton.

Dainty Step is back again at Featherston after her successful trip to Otaki and Horowhenua. Mr. Fenwick was offered a substantial figure for her while away, but decided not to part with the Lucullus—Adoption fi’ly. A meeting of stewards of the Masterton Racing Club was held this week, when it was decided to apply for the following racing dates for next season: Spring meeting, October 16 and 18; autumn meeting, March 18 and 20. Should the above ■ dates be granted it will be a new departure for the club to have a day in between the fixtures, previous gatherings having been held on successive days. It was decided to make a grant of five guineas to the local St. John Ambulance Brigade for services rendered on the course. The treasurer reported a credit balance in the bank of £474 4s. Id. Mr. E. V. West, of Palmerston North, was present and gave particulars regarding the new totalisator house which it is proposed to erect on the course.

Snub continues to pay expenses for Mr. Kemball in Australia, and seems to be the only member of the team able to make the Masterton owner hopeful that racing horses on the other side is a paying proposition. Of course, it was hard luck losing the services of Nanna. Hymestra and Scornful, while Wishful does not appear to be able to stand up to his work. Perhaps with the horses recently purchased by Mr. Kemball, for which he is said to have paid good prices, W. Hawthorne will soon be able to follow up the successes he has had in the Dominion since taking up the position of private trainer to the local owner. Snub has been

given top weight (11.8) in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles, but it is not likely that he will compete, as the son of Martian — Lady Disdain has not had much schooling, and will probably be given a spell before being got ready for the long-distance weight-for-age races in the spring.