WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1528, 7 August 1919, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

C.J.C. Grand National Meeting—J. Ayres’ Trio of Winter Cup Candidates —Foxton-owned Amythas to be Trained by F. D. Jones —Death of Coronet Gelding, Crown Head —R. A. McDonald’s Team at Levin—A. Jackson Now Training Horses at Feilding—F. Watson’s Trio at Ashhurst.

WELLINGTON, Monday. Matters in connection with the C.J.C. Grand National meeting are exciting considerable attention in sporting circles. A number of horses, including Bon Reve, Waimai and Master Strowan for the Steeplechase, and Omahu and Rewi Poto for the Hurdles, have been well supported in doubles, while Rebekah’s prospects in the Winter Cup are highly assessed. The horses named have some excellent credentials to their credit, and the future should find them getting amongst the winners. It appears that Gang Awa’ slipped and fell on the flat after safely negotiating an obstacle during the running of the steeplechase at the recent Canterbury Hunt Club’s meeting. Luckily the horse escaped injury, but unfortunately jockey H. Lorrigaii got one of his feet twisted, the mishap preventing him riding at the Manawatu Hunt Club’s meeting last week. His injuries are not serious, and he will pilot Master Strowan and Multive in the Grand National Steeplechase and Hurdles respectively. The Trentham stable of J. Ayres shelters three useful Winter Cup candidates in Battle Array (10.4), Asti nome (9.9), and Sonnino (9.0). All three horses are very forward, and it would occasion no surprise to find them getting amongst the winners at next week’s meeting at Riccarton. All. going well in the interim, C. Emerson wiH probably ride Battle Array in the Winter Cup. J. Deerey will pilot Bon Reve and Rewi Poto respectively in the Grand National Steeplechase and Grand National Hurdles. Mr. F. S. Easton, the well-known Foxton sportsman, has sent Amythas (Demosthenes —Gold Treasure) down to F. D. Jones at Riccarton to be trained for the future. The horse should fare well in his contests in the South Island, for his galloping powers are of a high order. Moutoa ’ Ivanova, the full-sister to Sasanof, has been entrusted to Dug Webster, of Otaki, to be prepared for her future racing career. Mr. “Sam” Brewer, of Takapau and formerly of Waverley, lost a valuable horse in Crown Head (Coronet — Mirthful) a few days ago. The gelding was being qualified for hunting races, and while following the hounds struck a fence, which he safely cleared, but after going on a few yards suddenly broke a blood vessel and dropped dead. A vet. was called in, and after an internal examination it was found that the horse’s heart was practically broken in two. Crown Head gave promise of developing into a good sort, and his loss is a severe one to Mr. Brewer, who had intended starting him at the Manawatu Hunt meeting last week. Utuwai credited his owner, Mr. W. McKegg, of Shannon, with a popular win at the Manawatu Hunt gathering last week. The Gienapp gelding was turned out in fine fettle by Trainer F. J. Garment, who was complimented on the horse’s smart showing. R. A. McDonald, at Levin, has a nice little team in work, the list including Sir Wallace, a two-year-old filly by Birkenhead from Matiri (Mahaki —Waitiri), and a five-year-old mare by Gold Crest from Matiri. In addition to these he has a splendid type of a juvenile in a yearling filly bf All Black from Hermia, who is built on unmistakable galloping lines. With the horses he has in hand “Rod,” as he is familiarly called, will be a busy trainer during the coming season. Albert Jackson, who will be remembered as the trainer of such wellknown performers as Roosevelt, John, and Coromandel, is now settled down at Feilding, where he has a few useful horses in work. Jackson’s list comprises Metallum, a four-year-old gelding by Guianforte from Tarina — consequently a half-brother to Tirana, who paid his way well last season — and a three-year-old filly by Cali-

fornia. The trainer named is known for his honesty of purpose in racing affairs, and as be has the happy knack of landing his horses at the post fit and well, some successes should come his way during the 1919-20 racing year. The Ashhurst Racing Club’s racecourse is in fine condition for training purposes, and with the increased volume of racing that is looming on the horizon the tracks should be largely availed of by trainers in the future. At present F. Watson is the only mentor conducting training operations at Ashhurst, and he speaks highly of the excellent state of the tracks, which are thoroughly firstclass. Watson has in training Square Deal, Diamond Nap (Gienapp—Raumai), and a four-year-old gelding by Projectile from Coralie who will race as Hamaki. The three horses mentioned are fast coming up to concert pitch, and should be ready for several of the early spring fixtures. Amongst the visitors at the Manawatu Hunt meeting last week was Mr. Arthur Way, the popular secretary of the Marton Jockey Club, whose "many friends will regret to hear that he has to enter a private hospital shortly for the purpose of undergoing an operation for an internal compla’nt. Fortunately, no serious complications are expected, and sportsmen generally will wish Mr.

Way a speedy return to good health. Mr. Walter Dobson, the genial secretary of the Dannevirke Racing Club, was a visitor to the Manawatu Hunt meeting last week. Mr. Dobson recently suffered a severe illness, but has now regained his customary good health. Arthur Oliver signalised his return to New Zealand after a strenuous time at the war by riding Sir Fanciful to victory in the Waikanae Handicap at the Manawatu Hunt meeting last Wednesday. Owner-trainer Mr. G. West, of Palmerston, had bad luck with his horse Glentour at the Manawatu Hunt meeting last week. It is alleged that the gelding was badly interfered with during the running of the Te Maitai Handicap. Glentour was hardly able to keep on his feet on returning to the enclosure, and the services of Veterinary Surgeon Crossley were requisitioned in consequence. Mr. Angus Keith was in splendid form at the Manawatu Hunt meeting last week, his starting being exceptionally good and gaining for him high praise from those present. Mr. Keith’s services are much sought after, and he has been reappointed starter for the Dannevirke Racing Club for the present season.