WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1568, 13 May 1920, Page 11

WAIRARAPA.

Torfreda’s South Island Campaign— Masterton-trained Horses Engaged at Wanganui Meeting—W. Hawthorne’s Formidable Team — Proposal to Reduce Entrance Fee for Membership to Masterton R.C. MASTERTON, Saturday. Old Mungindi, a local candidate which is to race over steeplechase country this season, has got through some useful work at Opaki, though he has done very little jumping. Torfreda is the only Mastertontrained representative engaged at the Royal meeting at Riccarton. Mr. McDonald’s mare was successful at Ashburton, and ' will race at the Timaru and North Otago meetings before returning home. Tauherenikau trainers are keeping their charges up to the collar in view of the Otaki meeting next month. None of the horses have been entered for the meetings before this fixture. Masterton-trained horses have been well engaged at the Wanganui meeting, the following being likely competitors: Vasilkov, Lady General, Torfreda. Missgold, Negambo, Sir Solo, Gladful, Old Mungindi, Master Boris, Explorer, Rebuff, and Lord Nagar. Vitella was galloped on in the running of the Poukawa Hack Handicap at Hastings, and could not be started on the second day. This is hard luck for W. Garrett, and it is hoped that the injury is not serious, as the daughter of Hallowmas —Vite has been doing well lately. Vasilkov is to make his first appearance in open company at Wanganui, and is engaged in the sprint events each day. The caretaker of the Opaki racecourse made a complaint to the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club recently that certain trainers had used the course proper, despite a rule being in force to the contrary. Mr. Roberts said he customarily allowed the use of the course proper to horses entered for outside meetings, but recently a trainer galloped four horses on the course without that excuse, and said be had permission from Mr. Cooper to do so. This Mr. Cooper emphatically denied, and the stewards made it plain that the caretaker must have absolute authority as to how and when the course shall be used by trainers. W. Hawthorne returned to Masterton after the Hawke’s Bay meeting, and picked up several more of Mr. Kemball’s horses which are to compete at Egmont. Gladful, Old Mungindi. Lord Nagar, Missgold, Vasilkov and Martian Miss were taken up. and they will be joined by Rebuff and Negambo, which pair were taken from Hastings. After competing at Hawera the horses will go on to the Wanganui winter meeting, , and then some of them will be taken to Auckland for the June meeting. Hawthorne will probably keep his jumpers away until the end of the present season, as he is of opinion that they will have a much better chance of being well schooled while away. It is always the safest plan for a patron of the totalisator to examine his ticket before leaving the machine, and a case in question happened at the Masterton Club’s last meeting. An investor complained to a meeting of stewards that he had been given a wrong ticket on the last race, and had no opportunity of changing it as the window was closed immediately after purchasing it. Evidence was called from the totalisatoi* official who had issued the ticket, and the club decided that it could not recognise any liability, and the secretary was advised- to notify the applicant to that effect. It may be mentioned that the ticket was purchased at the £5 window. Considerable discussion took place at the meeting of stewards of the Masterton Racing Club on Saturday regarding the entrance fee for membership to the club. Mr. R. Cooper stated that the present fee was too high. Now it cost a new member £3 for the first year. It was too much, in the opinion of the speaker, and should be reduced to £1 Is. If such were done the club would not have any difficulty in obtaining an additional hundred members. Mr. Cooper’s remarks were supported by other members. He therefore gave formal notice of motion for the general meeting of members that the fee be reduced to £1 Is.