WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1548, 24 December 1919, Page 13

WAIRARAPA.

M asterton-owned Horses Engaged in Taranaki Stakes —Loyal Arch Being Treated to Spell—Mr. W. Higins Purchases Blackhead and Island From Mr. T. H. Lowryßotanist to Race at Invercargill at New Year Time—Local Owners Well Represented in Auckland Cup —Kilrush’s Manawatu Cup Engagement— Chimera Responsible for Pleasing Work —Masterton Trotting Club Seeking Totalisator Permit.

MASTERTON, Monday. After the second forfeits, the following Masterton-owned horses remain in the Taranaki Stakes: Affectation, Torfreda, Murihiku, Hymestra, Missgold, and Misslass. The Absurd —Electrum colt in W. Garrett’s stable is coming along nicely, and he is to be given his first outing during the holiday meetings. Loyal Arch has been turned out, and is still suffering from the injuries she received while away at the New Zealand Cup meeting. Occasion has greatly benefited by the racing she had at Woodville, and is likely to add to her winnings during the holiday meetings. Mr. W. Higgins, owner of Parorangi, has purchased from Mr. T. H. Lowry Island (Finland — All’s Well) and Blackhead (Finland — Gossip). The pair are to be trained by A. McAulay at Tauherenikau. Mr. A. McDonald’s two-year-olds, Kildee, Strategy and the Martian— Vicella colt, are having an easy time at present. Strategy has been gelded. The tracks at Clareville present a busy appearance of a morning just now, and there are a number of

promising horses in work. The club intend making a straight six furlongs on the course.

Penury Rose has been feeling the effects of the hard going lately, and may not be seen at his best at Palmerston unless rain falls before the fixture. He is in the Manawatu Cup at the minimum.

Maurice McGrath, who, a few years back, was a prominent trainer in Masterton, intends paying a visit to his relatives here shortly. McGrath has a team of horses in training at present in Melbourne, and may bring a couple across to race in the Dominion.

Botanist left last week for Invercargill, where he is to race at New Year. Unless the son of Treadmill and Bonnie Brae improves greatly on his efforts at Opaki, the trip is not likely to be a profitable one. Messrs. W. R. Kemball, A. McDonald and Fred Dorset, three Masterton owners with a representative in the Auckland Cup, intend being present at Ellerslie to see their horses race. Mr. Dorset has previously won the race with Sir Solo, and Red Ribbon finished second to Fiery Cross in the same owner’s colours.

Kilrush has gone on the right way at Tauherenikau lately, and is “expected to play a prominent part in the settlement of the Manawatu Cup, in which he is now one of the fancied candidates. J. Olsen will, as usual .have the mount, and if the son of Kilbroney — Prank runs up to his Metropolitan Handicap form he should be hard to beat. Chimera has been doing pleasing work at Opaki during the past fewweeks, and is looked upon as having- a good chance in the Fitzherbert Handicap at the Manawatu meeting Mr. VaHance’s mare is well treated in the race in question with 8.6, as at the autumn meeting on the same course she carried 9.5 and beat a good field.

The tracks at both Opaki and Tauherenikau are very hard at present, and several horses are showing signs if shin soreness. Unless rain comes shortly it will take some trainers all their time to keep their charges on their.legs during the holidays. Speaking at a meeting of the Masterton Trotting Club on Saturday, December 13, the chairman said that the reason the committee appointed to interview the Minister of Internal Affairs re obtaining a totalisator permit had not gone to Wellington was that Mr. Sykes, M.P., had informed him that he had seen the Minister, who had told him plainly that there were no more permits available at the present, but that the matter would be brought up early in the next session. Mr. Sykes said he had seen Messrs. Wilford, Nash, G. Hunter and other members, who had promised to support his club’s claim when the subject for additional permits came before Parliament. There were several other clubs applying for permits, but he was assured that Masterton, being the first to apply, and having such a large membership, would be the first to be considered.