SPORTING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 22 October 1907, Page 3

SPORTING.

Racing at Trentham. By Probable. For the first time this season the elements continued fine throughout a race meeting at Trentham last week, and, as a consequence, the fair sex attended in large numbers attired in their spring costumes, which lent considerable splendour and charm to the proceedings. Racing was good, though the public picked winners fairly easily, except in a few cases when hot favourites got beat, notably, when Aborigine failed in the Wellesley Stakes. The racing threw much light on the N.Z. Cup and Stewards’ candidates, and it may be safe to say that the chances of Seaman and Maniapoto of annexing the big Cup were not enhanced by their indifferent displays, while those of Apa, St Joe, and Paritutu, have little to be desired. Paritutu found a few friends by his display in the Wainui first day, for after being left badly, he finished a good third. Martello and Toatuhi proved themselves capable candidates to contest the big Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton, while Kairoma, vyinner of the Trial Plate last Saturday, may have to be reckoned with. Martello’s display last week Was certainly enticing, and he may prove the hardest horse Lord Soult and Co. will have tojdispose of. After being left badly first day he won the five furlongs easily, while he disposed of his field second da>' in the simplest manner possible. To name the Stewards’ winner, the four best I like are Lord Soult, Martello. Full Rate, Huascar, while Munjeet, if started, must be reckoned with. However, Rose Noble, a Dunedin sprinter, trained by J. McGuinness, is coming in for much support, though to name the winner in one I cannot go past Martello on his Wellington form. Sports may do well to take a few hundred of ElevationMartello for the big double.

The most notable defections from the N.Z. Cup are Seal Rock, Aoelus, and Downfall.

The first hundred pounds rung on the machine at Wellington last Saturday in Toatuhi’s event was on the Foxton owned nag. Nevertheless, he paid £ 1 7s for second place. The chestnut looked particular! y well in condition, and may pick up a race if taken down to Christchurch.

Ro5 7 al Blue has turned out a great hurdler, and should go on winning in the near future. Young Charlie Price is now in charge of Mr Laing’s horses at Woodville, and has three horses under his care. Some of them should win when ready to face the barrier.

I was shown Lord Soult’s full brother at Woodville last week. He is something like the speedy pony, with the exception of the white tace. Arthur Lord is in charge of the bay, though he has only had him in hand about six weeks. Mr Nicolls, the owner, intends to race him. By the wwar,} r , Arthur Lord has several others under his care, which I will refer to next week.

Harold Connop has also got a a string at Woodville, notably, a promising full sister to Full Rate, Rascal, and Rangitoto. I will pick Dawn, Ormond’s big bay, to defeat even Gold Crest, and all the other opposition in the Riccarton Derby. Dawn has so far beat nothing of note, bar Sir Frisco, but bis performances have, nevertheless, been full of merit, and stamp him as a good one. Foxton owners will be well represented at Masterton meeting this week. Some of them may win a race.

Gazeley won the Wellington Handicap in such an easy fashion that he may be counted as one likely* to bring off a surprise in the N.Z. Cup on Saturday week. Sir George Clifford’s Fleetfoot is well named, and should win again shortly, though Stead’s Armlet should defeat all opposition in the Welcome Stakes.

Final anticipations for the N.Z. Cup meeting will appear next week.