SPORT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 702, 28 December 1909, Page 3

SPORT.

BY “ EARLY-BIRD.”

Merry Lawn may do things at Ashurst.

The largest race crowd that ever left Foxton went by train to Awapuni yesterday. Wright’s team ‘missed the acceptances yesterday, but are at the business again to-day. Paisano got all the worst of the running in the Cup yesterday, but Merrivonia was always handy. Wairoto is said to be choice stuff to-morrow, and wherever Waipaku goes it would be well to follow.

Full Rate is almost back to his best form of a season or two back, and should be kept in mind. Foxton sports were in on Sir Antrim and Lord Soult, and all brought some Xmas spending bullion back with them. Thetis won the Welter on Thursday in good style, and will have lots of admirers in the Ashhurst Cup to-morrow. Jim Symons was over from Hasting to see his pony win the big Stakes at Awapuni, and came down as far as Foxton to renew friendly acquaintances. Windage was very washy looking in the hurdles last Thursday, but raced into second place like an old band at the game, and should win hurdle races shortly. If O’Neil does not take too many risks. Waiouru was not so rakey looking yesterday as at Feilding, and won his race yesterday handily from a weak crowd. Still, he will beat a better class of'cattle if be can only be built up. It is seldom Toney Messena troubles his head about attending races, but he was present first day of Manawatu, evidently viewing the performances of those horses he is likely to bump himself during the holidays.. The Governor and patty were at Awapuni yesterday, which may have been responsible for the great show of handsome gowns and head gear worn by the ladies present at the meet. The lawn and flower beds looked at their best. 1

Had the boy on Koran given the Waverley nag its head out in front instead of tugging at his nut as he did, there may have been a slight change in the places at the finish. Koran is improving, and will take some beating in the Rangitikei Cup with 7.1 over the mile and a quarter. ' Credit must be given to the Foxton cripple faker, Trainer Wright, for the improvement he worked in, the double Stakes winner since Feilding. The manner in which he raced away from a good one like Penates was a treat to witness, and suggested that he may have beaten the earth or the swallows.

District owners had a field day at Awapuni first day, and local sports beuefitted considerably as a result. F. Carmont won two races per medium of Teotane and Thetis, while Alf. Wright, the “cripple faker,” landed the big double with his “patched up” brace of lilyputians, Sir Antrim and EordSoult.

Alf. Wright expected to land the hurdle race last week with Himitangi, but, although he had improved a lot in his jumping since last seen out in public, third was the best he could do. Had he won, Foxton- pUitfers would have taken all the cash at Awapuni away with them. The acceptances for yesterday were missed, otherwise the well-con-ditioned Leolantis gelding may have registered a victory. Far removes from a good one, but still Hehir’s nag should catch a race when the company is not too flash. Did Toney Messena think Waitapu could win the Manawatu Cup ? If so, he must be a bad judge. Almost everybody from this way had their coin on him, and made him a good second favorite. Toney worked ,a lot. of beef off the gelding since Feilding, may be he brought|iti off too hurriedly. But the bay nag always runs his best races when much finer than yesterday, it should be remembered. It is Just possible Waitapu is losing his brilliancy with age. The-pun ter who does his stuff is always looking for a loophole to find an excuse. So that when Equitas got beat itr the Summer Handicap on Thursday, there were those whq said Olliver took hold of Tom Lloyd's charge. As a matter of fact, it was a mile race, and Olliver had some difficulty keeping the bay back tp her field the first part of it. This created a false impression among the eversuspidous sport, and his kin talked so much that the stewards were compelled to hold an enquiry, which so far has resulted fruitless. And this scribe is of the opinion that Equitas had no chance of defeating the brother of Lord Soult at the weights. It may be conclusively proved later on, but Sir Antrim is a lot better than most people think. Billy Young rode a love of a race on old Soult. The pony did not get away until about fifth, but “ Mag ” rushed hint to the front and got a good lead on the field. When half the- distance had been covered, he gave the bay pony a “breather,” which allowed.his fielci to get to him. But ip reaching him, their vim was spent, and once round the home turn, Young gave the “ flying , cripple y his head, and, though Penates hiade a determined effort at the distance, the pony marvel streaked away as if in rebuke at the thought of disputing his superiority. Lord Soult pulled up apparently sound, and -was tendered a great reception, but signs of soreness were again noticeable when he left the paddock. However, he may be expected to again return to the fray at any time full of galloping sting.