MUNICIPAL STAKES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1822, 4 May 1918, Page 3

MUNICIPAL STAKES.

! EARLY MORNING TRIALS.. (By Early Bird.) It was a nippy morning, with a keen westerly wind blowing and “old hSol” just pushing his way through a dawning mist, as the municipal entrants appeared on the track, in company with their mentors, backers and touts. The track was in good order. The judge was ducking about to keep warm, having just returned from weight-reducing exercises at the gas works furnace in view of military fitness. “George the Growler" was discussing the merits of the .various candidates with “Codlin Moth” and ‘‘White Leghorn." His charges, “Sambo" and “Skim Milk,” looked a bit nervy; but objected to a stimulant. “Thq Plumber" loomed on to the track with “The Striker," accompanied by Pills, who is treating the candidate for an attack of “heaves." “Tom Thumb" was surrounded by a Labour coterie, and looked particularly fit, while his supporters reckoned they had a surprise in store for the public. “Engineer" showed signs of his recent slip. There was a buzz of excitement as “Tom Thumb” shot out for the distance. He cleared the standing orders cleanly, and made a dash at water and drainage, and took them in his stride, tarred footpaths and roads were passed, but he baulked badly at conscription, sit ■which obstacle he displayed stubborn conscientious objections, and ran wide. He made a vicious rush at the Capital barrier, but recoiled on his haunches. He could not bo reconciled to this obstacle, but put in a great rush at the finish, amidst the approval of Labour. “He’s away!" I be cry rang out as “The Striker" plunged from the grasp of “The Plumber" and “Pills." But the course was a strange one, and the pace was slackened. He pulled out his chart, and after a little consultation cantered gently over the working man's rights, shied at the Town Hall, scattered tar and paint about freely, and came into the straight looking tione the worse Tor his run. “Skim Milk” took thq course with easy confidence. The old obstacles .were again negotiated, and with “Codlin Moth’s” obstruction removed, the going was easier. Standing orders and by-laws were gracefully acknowledged, but Rating on the Unimproved tried his temper. However, his preliminary seemed to give his following extreme satisfaction.

“Sambo” quickly got into his stride, and one and all agreed that the aged animal had never looked in better fettle. This it is considered is due in large ineasure to “George the Growler’s” careful stabling. Biplane would have been useless as a pacer. He tackled obstacles in great heart, and those he could not fly he pushed through. When rubbed down, it was found he hadn’t turned a hair. “Engineer” was in good form, and his knowledge of the course and the obstacles to be negotiated and avoided satisfied his supporters. The chances of each candidate were freely discussed, and the public is assured of an exciting race in the final flutter. *•.,