ABANDONMENT OF MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24896, 8 June 1946, Page 4

ABANDONMENT OF MEETING

PROBLEM FOR OWNERS AND TRAINERS Although the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club's winter meeting was not entirely unexpected, the club’s decision will compel trainers who had made long-range plans for the meeting to map out fresh programmes. The abandonment of a metropolitan meeting is a- blow for owners, trainers, and jockeys, and financially it involves a considerable loss to them. Last year the club distributed £12,250 in stakes, and this year the stakes on the programme advertised amounted to £16,900. Although other clubs are holding meetings on the dates now vacant, the stakes offered will be ccmsiderably less than the Wellington total, and the expenses for owners will not amount to a great deal less. For the owners of jumpers the meeting offered an opportunity to compete for really good stakes, and these opportunities are rare enough. There is little doubt that the work done on the track at Trentham will be«to the benefit of the owners, but it is unfortunate for them that unforeseen delays have compelled the club to take the action it did. The Grand National meeting at Riccarton will now assume even greater importance. Australian Trip Possible Hastings, reports say that Typhoon has never looked brighter or carried more condition than at present. No definite plans have been announced for his spring programme, but he has been nominated for the Melbourne, Caulfield, Moonee Valley, and Williamstown Cups, so iLis likely that a definite decision whether he will again visit Australia will soon be made. Other New Zealand entrants for the principal spring events in Victoria are: Financial, Caulfield Cup; Zahra, Melbourne and Caulfield Cups; and Sea Fury, Williamstown Cup, Caulfield Guineas, One Thousand Guineas, and Victorian Oaks. The One Thousand Guineas is a new classic race recently instituted by the Victorian Amateur Turf Club. After a Long Absence When he contested the Wingatui Steeplechase at Wingatui last Monday, the 1944 Grand National winner As Required was making his first appearance in a steeplechase since he achieved his major success. After jumping the first three fences slowly, As Required warmed up to his task, and for the next mile made quite a good showing; but he commenced to tire- with five furlongs to run, and finished well behind the placed horses. With the Wellington winter meeting abandoned. As Required may have to wait until the Grand National meeting before he races over country again. Form Not Impressive

After taking a long time to find his form in hack company. Sir Bernard finally won three hacks races in succession. However, his performances in the Birthday and the Provincial Handicaps at Wingatui, his first two starts in open company, were not impressive, and the Nightmarch horse will have to Improve on them to pay his way in open company In a Different Role -

Amorlad has accepted for the Greenfield Hurdles at Wingatui to-day. He was schooled over hurdles earlier in the season and started in a hurdle rape at Wingatui last March. On that occasion he jumped big and was never a likely winner, which probably accounts for the fact that he is considerably lower in the weights than horses with his performances on the flat usually are. Several of the progeny of Ms sire, Philamor, have made a success of jumping, and as Amorlad is also- out of a Balboa mare there is no reason why he should not do likewise, especially as he is partial to the softer going. Vacant Dates Used After the abandoning of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting on July 6 and 13, the Manawatu Racing Club applied for permission to use the vacant dates for a meeting at Awapuni. The club has been advised that its application has been approved, and a meeting catering for steeplechasers will now be held on those dates. Also because of the abandonment of the Wellington Racing Club’s winter meeting the South Canterbury Jockey Club applied for and received permission from the New Zealand Racing Conference to hold a meeting at Wash dyke on July 6. The club has drafted a programme for the meeting, and it has been submitted for approval and details will be announced early next week. Answer to Correspondent “Wager,” Christchurch.—Court Dress was not accepted for in the June Hurdle Handicap at Wingatui. Ashburton Racing Clnb Nominations for the winter meeting to be held on June 22. will close with the secretary, on Monday next. June 10, at 8 pjn. - ■ Advt.