WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1558, 4 March 1920, Page 10

WELLINGTON.

The Wanganui J.C.’s Autumn Fixture —Form of Contestants Reviewed— Mr. W. R. Kemball’s Horses to Race at Thames and Ohinemuri Meetings —Dannevirke and Rangitikei Clubs Receive Splendid Nominations — Damien and Rawakore to Race at Nelson Meeting—Russet’s Extensive Racing Campaign in the South Island.

WELLINGTON, Monday.

Local turf enthusiasts who attended the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting were much impressed with the high standard of the racing witnessed on both days, and with the winners well concealed the events, particularly on the opening day, were in quite a number of instances productive of surprise victories. Some substantial dividends were consequently received •by fortunate supporters of the successful candidates, the work of the handicapper, Mr. H. Coyle, being the subject of much favourable comment.

The 1919 Avondale Guineas winner, Esthonia, owned and trained by “Pat” Scally at New Plymouth, scored a well-deserved win in the Stewards’ Handicap at Wanganui, The three-year-old won his race in convincing style, and more should be heard of the son of Elysian in the near future. Borealis was considered unbeatable in the Stewards’ Handicap on the opening day at Wanganui, but finished out of a place. The four-year-old, however, is very fit, and should soon be accounting for a decent handicap. # . • Active is a long time getting amongst the winners. The four-year-old is well bred, being by Boniform from that good, mare s .Effort. In his recent’ efforts*/ at Hamilton and Wanganui respectively he has failed to show winning form, and does not appear to possess the staying power over distances extending beyond a mile.

Falstaff, who was purchased during the progress of the recent Wellington meeting by Messrs. V. and E. Riddiford from Mr. G'. D. Greenwood, was produced at Wanganui, but failed to run up to expectations. The Comedy King gelding looked very well, and when he becomes accustomed to his. new training methods he should carry his popular owners’ some success. Mr. W. R. Kemball-will be represented, at the Thames ahd .Ohinemuri. meetings with Missgold, Wishful and Rebuff. The gallops at these fixtures should be the means of sharpening the trio up in view of their engagements at the A.R.C. Easter meeting. By the way, Mr. Kemball will have a usefuL team to carry his colours at Ellerslie. For the Masterton meeting that takes place on March 20, Mr. Kemball enjoys the rare distinction of having nominated a horse for every race on the day’s programme. Missgold (Lucullus —Recoup) ran very creditably at Wanganui. The three-year-old gives every promise of being returned a winner in the near future.

Student, who only carried £1 on his number on the totalisator in his engagement on the concluding day .at Woodville, was entrusted with £B4 in the Petre Hack at Wanganui, but failed to strike the front. The black gelding is improving, however, and should be right by the time the Rangitikei meeting comes up for decision. Quite a number of local sporting enthusiasts are planning a trip to Nelson for the annual meeting of the Nelson Jockey Club, which takes place on Thursday and Saturday next, while followers of the light harness horse will be well catered for by the Trotting Club, whose gathering is to be held on Friday. The majority of the horses competing are owned in the North Island, and many successes should be secured by trainers hailing from this side of Cook Strait.

Coldstream again got amongst the winners at Wanganui, and critics who once, were heard to declaim the gelding are now proclaiming him a good sort and one that is sure to fare well in hurdling events during the next few months. This descendant of Gold Crest won the Westmere Hurdles (two miles) on the first day in such a manner as to denote that there is much usefulness ahead of

him, while on the second day he accounted for the Fordell Hurdles (1% miles). Goldstream was ridden a patient race In both instances by H. Burt, who regularly pilots him in his work on the Porirua beach.

Fisher again ran a splendid race at Wanganui, being only just beaten by Haversack- in the Victory Welter Handicap on the opening day. This aged gelding, . who is far removed from a back number, appears to be doing well since going into “Dug” Webster’s stable at Otaki.

Splendid nominations have been received for the Dannevirke and Rangitikei Racing Club meetings, which take place this month. The former gathering is to be held on the 13th and 15th inst., and the Rangitikei meeting on the 24th and 25th inst. It is confidently anticipated that Jhighly successful meetings will be /experienced in both instances, the excellent response made by owners being a criterion of the high esteem

in which these fixtures are held by supporters of racing. The distance of the Wanganui Cup was a trifle too far for Moutoa Ivanova. As it was, the full-sister to Sasanof ran a clinking race and was responsible for the pace up to within half a mile from the winning post. She finished up her task well, finishing just behind the placed division. Rieuse, the full-sister to Chimera, scored her initial success at Wanganui by winning the Juvenile Handicap after a strenuous set-to with Canyon. This pair showed excellent form and should be well worth keeping an eye on in the future. .

The New Plymouth trainer R. (“Dick”) Johnson is taking Damien and Rawakore to the Nelson meeting. It is not beyond the realm of probability that the pair will show up well in their respective engagements at Richmond Park.

A. Rore, the Spring Creek (Blenheim) trainer, will have a couple of useful horses in Rebekah and Imaribbon to carry his patron’s (Mr. J. J. Corry, Mayor of Blenheim) colours at Nelson. Both are- assured of solid support in their this week’s contests. Russet (Autumnus —Rene), owned by the Wellington sportsman who races as “H. Whitney,” has been shipped to Nelson to compete at Richmond this week. “Mr. Whitney” has a fondness for racing his horses in all parte of both Islands, and it is interesting to relate that during the 1918-1919 season Russet was amongst the runners at Kurow (annual), Dunedin (spring), Methven (annual), Dunedin (autumn), North Otago (autumn), Wairarapa (autumn), Marlborough (autumn), and Wellington

(winter). In only one instance did the descendant of Autumnus catch the judge’s eye, and that was at the Marlborough spring meeting last May, when the now three-year-old won the Trial Hack Race (six furlongs). At the C.J.C. metropolitan meeting in November last Russet ran second and returned a substantial two-figure dividend.