WANGANUI.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1550, 8 January 1920, Page 35

WANGANUI.

Form of Local Horses at Holiday Fixtures—Wanganui J.C.’s Forthcoming Meeting—Stakes Substantially Increased—Wanganui Trotting Club’s Annual Race Meeting. WANGANUI, Monday. The Marton meeting, held last week, was a record success from every point of view, and it is pleasing to know that there will be a substantial credit balance over the gathering. Rose Queen ran well all through the holidays, but was unlucky enough not to pay a dividend, the nearest she could get being third. She will be given a short respite and then got ready for the Wanganui J.C. autumn meeting.

Zela was responsible for a good trial gallop over six furlongs before going north for the Taranaki meetings, but the best she could do while away was to run a second. Percy Coffey had bad luck in losing the big money at New Plymouth with Pretty Bobby, as the son of Maniapoto fell when leading, but at Stratford he ran very disappointingly. However, Khartoum managed to win a hurdle race at Stratford for Coffey. The Wanganui-owned gelding Mannish, which is now trained at Waverley by. M. Gardner, was only just beaten out of first honours in a race at Stratford. Evidently the son of Maniapoto is improving, and he should win a race or two in the autumn for his owner, who is a good sport and deserves a turn of luck. Five winners at Marton on Friday returned their supporters dividends of under evens. Now that the Christmas holiday meetings are over, owners and trainers will be able to study the autumn programmes, and in this connection the excellent bill-of-fare prepared, by the Wanganui Jockey Club will command attention. The stake money shows a substantial increase on- last year’s, and it is pleasing to note that the minor events have been, raised very considerably in value. The Victory Hack Welter, which takes the place of the Guineas, which has reverted back to . the reinstated spring meeting, should fill well, as it will be worth. £320 to the winner. Such a stake should draw most of the best hacks in the. island, and provide a most interesting race. The Wanganui Cup will be worth £ll5O in cash and a silver cup of the value of £llO will also go to the winner. The Flying will be worth £6OO, and as the other events also, carry valuable prize money the club should receive, very large nominations on the 30th inst. ... The Wanganui Trotting Club is also out with a fine programme for its annual race meeting,. to be . held on the Friday between the Jockey Club’s gathering and . the Monday following. • This meeting will be. held. on the club’s new track, which it is confidently predicted will prove one of the finest in the Dominion, and with the excellent prize money and the up-to-date track, it is safe to say that the club will receive record entries and score a big success with the meeting.