WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1598, 9 December 1920, Page 11

WELLINGTON.

Wairarapa R.C.’s Improvements to Course—Notes on the Feilding J.C.’s Meeting—Dannevirke R.C.’s Summer Fixture Arousing Keen Interest .—Red Ribbon’s Auckland Cup Engagement—Death of a Valuable Filly.

WELLINGTON, Monday,

Visitors to Tauherenikau for the summer meeting of the Wairarapa Racing Club, which takes place at the New Year, will appreciate the improvements that have been carried out since the last fixture. The lawn alongside the saddling paddock has been graded back on a gradual slope twenty-four feet to the lawn level. This will enable several rows of people to view the horses parade in the saddling paddock without craning their necks to see over the heads of those more fortunately placed on the fence. The innovation will prove a boon, and it will occasion no surprise to find other clubs adopting a similar plan. The course proper is in splendid racing condition, having been disced and rolled by Caretaker Blake, who for several years looked after the Trentham racecourse, where he gained much valuable experience.

A. Jackson, who some years back was in the forefront of trainers and owners through his association with Roosevelt, Coromandel, John, and other horses thati he trained and raced, has set up in business again at Normanby. Among ' the horses which Jackson has in training are Valdina (St. Paul —Vivacity), who, by the way, returned her few supporters a substantial two : figure dividend for running second in the Kowhai Hack Handicap at the Feilding meeting last week; Otanga, Lady Paula, Country Air, and Riki. Several additions to the team are expected in the near future. Jackson has some excellent material to work' on, and he should certainly be doing several of his clients some useful service during the holiday racing campaign at New Plymouth and Stratford.

H. McSweeney, the Trentham hurdle horseman, who is riding in fine form this season, was responsible for a good display of horsemanship on Bombala, a useful sort of a hurdler, at Feilding. This mare gave an excellent showing, and later on should assuredly fare well in her efforts over the obstacles. Manhattan gave two curious displays at Feilding. The gelding was always amongst the leaders on the opening day and ran a creditable second, returning a good price, whereas on the concluding day the horse was never prominent and finished a long way behind the placed division. Goldstream ran a surprisingly good race in the Waituna Hurdles at Feilding, in which he finished fourth, The gelding still retains his robust constitution, and there appears every probability of this hurdler doing his veteran Porirua owner-trainer, Mr. J. H. Prosser, some useful service in the near future.

Owners and trainers should not overlook the fact' that acceptances for the Dannevirke Racing Club’s summer meeting, to be held on Wednesday of next week, close with the secretary, Mr. Walter Dobson, at Dannevirke, at 8 p.m. oil Friday next (December 10). The club are making ■every effort to ensure the success of their one-day fixture, and there is every indication of their efforts meeting with every appreciation by racegoers, who always roll up in big numbers at Tamaki.

The Foxton Racing Club have drawn up a splendid programme for their annual meeting, which takes place on January 22 and 24. The Foxton Cup is endowed with 500sovs., while the President’s Handicap, on the second day, carries with it £350. There is no race worth less than IbOsovs. The go-ahead policy adopted by the club is sure to meet with approval from owners and trainers, who always patronise the Foxton meetings on a liberal scale. Manhattan (10.4) is not badly treated in the Glengarry Hurdles at Dannevirke, while Powder King (9.6) has a good private reputation as a hurdler.

Hymarty and Handy read a likely pair to run with some prominence in the Otanga Handicap at Dannevirke.

Both horses have something to recommend them in the galloping line. Dissertation is fast coming up to concert pitch at Woodville. This two-year-old claims an engagement in the Tiratu Juvenile Stakes at Dannevirke, as does another promising sort in an unnamed filly by Demosthenes —Rose Shield. The latter is owned by Messrs. Dwan Bros., of Wellington.

The distance of the Dannevirke Handicap (1% miles) should suit Ben Bolt to a nicety. The gelding was seen finishing very fast in the Fendalton Handicap at Riccarton, and he may be seen to better advantage next week. Another useful candidate that can go the distance is Warrawee, who is credited with being capable of picking up a decent handicap in the near future. Mumble is coming on with every gallop, and it would occasion no surprise to find this grey galloper well. at Dannevirke. The gelding claims an engagement in the Tamaki Hack Handicap, while another useful one is Probate, who is very fit at present.

In Vasilkov, Missmaid and Explorer Mr. W. R. Kemball is well represented in the Oringi Welter at Dannevirke. The “elect” on the day should come in for spirited support. Stylish Lady is engaged in two events at Dannevirke. This Demosthenes —Iney mare can gallop to some purpose. Mr. F. Dorset informed the writer at Feilding that Red Ribbon would take her place in the field for the Auckland Cup. Mr. Dorset has already won an Auckland Cup with the aid of Sir Solo, and history may repeat itself in this year’s race.

Attached to A. D. Webster’s stable at Otaki is a promising lightweight rider in H. E. Ryder, a son of wellknown residents of Petone, who gives decided promise of becoming an ac complished horseman. Ryder, who is 20 years of age, was responsible for a particularly well-timed race on Namur when that mare won on the opening day at Feilding and returned her supporters the largest dividend at the meeting. Mr. F. S. Easton, the well-known Foxton sportsman, suffered a severe loss last week when his three-year-old filly by All Red from Lady Moutoa succumbed from internal inflammation. The youngster was a particularly promising sort and gave indications of developing into a typical racer.