WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1573, 17 June 1920, Page 13

WAIRARAPA.

Red Ribbon on Easy List —J. T. Jamieson’s Team Still Held up at Riccarton—Sir Walter to be Put Into Work Shortly—Slight Mishap to Master Boris—Death of Wairarapa Sportsman.

MASTERTON, Saturday. Red Ribbon lias been having an easy time since returning from Otaki, and it will probably be the spring before she is asked to race again. Mr. H. A. Blake, of Trentham, has been appointed caretaker of the Wairarapa Racing Club’s course at Tauherenikau. The Woodville District Jockey Club has decided to support the Dunedin Club in regard to their endeavour to have the minimum for flat races increased to 7.0.

The Opaki trainer J. T. Jamieson, who took Mr. McDonald’s horses to the South Island six weeks ago, has returned to Masterton, but the team is still held up at Riccarton on account of shipping troubles T. Higgins is working Destiny, a half-brother to Sir Knox by Conqueror. The other active members in the stable are Timidity, Lady Witchet, and Scornful. The latter has recovered from the severe cold which laid him aside some time back.

It is not likely that Wishful will be persevered with, and at present he is being used as a hack. The gelding has been more or less unsound for a long time. The two-year-old Sir Walter, a member . of W. • Garrett’s team, is to be brought in shortly and put into work. The youngster was not over-raced this season, and should turn out a useful three-year-old. Sir Walter is by Absurd from Electrum, and races in the colours of Mr. Fred Dorset, owner of Red Ribbon and Vitella.

. The veteran Opaki trainer R. Knox had Penury Rose and Sir Wai racing at Otaki, and nearly brought off a surprise with the former in the Huia Handicap on the second day, being beaten by another Opaki-trained animal in Red Ribbon.

-The course improvements at Opaki have been delayed on account of the continued wet weather, but it is hoped to have the new inside track completed early in the spring. Things are quiet at Tauherenikau just now, and the removal of Mr. H. W. Brown’s horses (Kilrush, Arrowsmith, and Loyal Arch) to Riccarton takes away a lot of interest in morning work. Most of the trainers are only giving their charges light work, but they will be sent along shortly in view of the Wellington and Grand National meetings. It would appear as if Mr. Kemball has an eye on this year’s Grand National Hurdle Race, as at the Auckland sales he paid 1500 guineas for the two hurdlers Mill o’ Gowrie and Rekanui. The local sportsman has now eight jumpers to carry his colours. Negambo has not been a success since coming to New Zealand, and the grey son of Positano and Paradenzia has so far failed to win a race. He has shown a IcA of pace in the early stages of his races, but does not see a journey out over hurdles. W. Hawthorne has the gelding back in flat races at Napier. Master Boris was to have gone to Auckland with Sir Solo and Ohiti, but ho struck himself on the second day at Wanganui, and has been under the veterinary surgeon since his return to Masterton. By the death of Mr. I. Freeth. which occurred recently, one of the bestknown trainers of the Wairarapa in earlier years has been removed. Among the horses trained by the late sportsman were Greyhound. Revolt. Rebellion, Revolution, Rebel, and Waituru. Most of these were owned by Mr. Freeth. He also owned the fine sire Treason. Twenty years ago there was not a more popular trainer in the Wairarapa than Mr. Freeth. and his colours were successfully carried in many races throughout the province. Until about three years ago the deceased resided at. Tauherenikau. when he removed to Wanganui. The late sportsman was looked upon as a fine judge of the thoroughbred, and was always willing to impart his knowledge to the younger trainers, and many of the latter have in a large measure to thank the late Mr. Freeth for friendly advice given earlier in their careers. Of the Masterton-trained horses taken up to Auckland for the winter meeting none were successful in winning a race, although place money was earned by Trespass and Old Mungindi. However, Mr. Kemball purchased Mill o’ Gowrie and Rekanui during the progress of the meeting, and the former accounted for the Campbell Hurdles on the concluding

day. Sir Solo was only started once and failed to show any form, but the gelding will probably do better later on, as it was his first race this season. Ohiti, another member of W. Garrett’s team, was heavily supported by local sports in his two starts, but he failed to get into the money. In all £BOO was won at the meeting by Masterton-owned horses, which is not a large amount considering that seven horses were competing. It will, however, cover racing expenses. At the monthly meeting of the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club on Saturday the treasurer reported a debit balance of £383 Is. sd. The Rangitikei Racing Club wrote forwarding dates applied for by them for their autumn meeting. The New Zealand Racing Conference wrote acknowledging receipt of objection by the Masterton Club against the dates applied for by the Rangitikei Club. Mr. A. T. Fauvel wrote stating that tlie Wellington Racing Club would not sell any old racks. The Conference forwarded a list of racing dates applied for by the different clubs for the season 1920-21. The Dunedin Jockey Club wrote asking the club to support its notice of motion, to be moved at the next Racing Conference, that the minimum weight be altered from 6.7 to 7.0. After some discussion the meeting decided to comply with the request, the majority present being in favour of the proposed change.