SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 256, 8 March 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

WANGANUI NOTES. (By "iloturoa.-; The Wanganui Jockey Club's autumn meeting was concluded" on Saturday in dull, cold weather. There was just a ' suspicion of rain about, and the summer raiment which brightened the lawns on the opening day gave way to wintry and more sombre "garb. The Garrison Band supplied music which the "experts" said was "magnificent." I cheerfully admit that I am not up to "the points" of band music, and was probably the only person on the ground who wasn't an "expert," but I leave it to the Wanganui people—they know! Mr. C. O'Connor was, on the whole, very successful at the barrier, and Handicapper Morse's adjustments set punters several problems which the majority failed to solve.. Taking the meeting right through, winners were not easy to pick. Mr. W. H. Hartgill gave his decisions promptly, and they passed without dispute. The rain of the, previous; night improved the track, and times were fast throughout the day. All started in the Autumn Handicap. North-East, meeting St. Felix on 81bs better terms than on the first day, was again made favorite, but the Porirua horse was solidly supported. Lethean was making his first appearance at the meeting. All moved off in line, but North-East and Lethean carried the ! tapes with them, and were much inter? i fered with thereby. Humming Bird took the lead running out of the straight, and running past the pines at the back the big daughter of Birkenhead was well clear of Mulga Bill, with Bill, St. Felix, Mataari and North-East strung out. St. Felix and North-East "jumped" at the same time—just before entering the straight, and although they quickly cut down Mulga Bill, and Rill they had no chance with.the leader, who ran m a winner by . a length from St. Felix. North-East, Rjll and Mulga Bill finished close up. On the strength of her bold showing in the Petre Hack Handicap, the Tara-naki-owner Piriwai was entrusted with inost money in the Matarawa Hack Handicap. A lot of "new" money came for Jackpin, and Con : the Shaughran (H. Gray) and Winning Post (C. Jenkins) were well hacked. All moved off in line bar the favorite, who lost several lengths, and thereby threw in whatever chance she had of winning. The gaudv colors of Taft were.picked, out in the van, Winning Post and Jackpin following. At the turn, Taft retired and Con the Shaughraun dashed up on the outside. The Irish horse quickly settled Winning Post, and for the moment looked like beating Jackpin, but the weight beat him, and the Waverley horse just scrambled home a good half-length to the good. Winning Post was a good third, and the rest strung out.

I Gold Bond was withdrawn from the 4 Jackson Stakes, leaving five in. True i Shot led to the straight from the brackleted pair, Vice-Admiral and Peirene. The latter was in front at the distance and appeared to have the race in safe keepj ing, when Vicc-Admiral, hard ridden uy Grey, drew level in the last few yards' I and won by a nose. True Shot was a icoupk of lengths away, and Madam Madcap and Bronze well back. There were no withdrawals from the field for the Fordell Hurdles, and Maidi was again entrusted with most money. Waikaraka made- the pace for a mile closely followed by Hydrant. The latter had the services of Billy Young that day but was little backed on the machine. Maid! and Playmate moved up at the five-furlong post, and the field bunched along the back. Hydrant was the first to turn for home, and finished full of running, two ] ( . llg ths in front of Maidi Xavicr was close up third, and then followed Rosegrovc, Waikaraka and Chase. Mab Playmate, who was well forward it the home turn, slipped his fetlock at Uie last fence and limped in. Ribstone Pippin, the hot-stuff in the Hack Hurdles, wcnt to the f| . o „ t llftfi] . Astraea had been indulged with the lead tor half-a-imlc, and won with his mouth open by a couple of lengths from Manutt. Mmura finished last. The WAiiganui Stakes was a good betting ;ace, „nd there was plenty of money for .»i M Mischief, Goodwin Park, Kopu and Mendip. Lady Medallist was looking the picture of fitness, but manv nf°o IJT ilbi ! ity t0 can 'y the steadier or Jst IMb to victory in that field. But what a cake-walk it was for the brilliant daughter of St. Alwvne! She raced in front from barrier-rise to finish, and easily shook her off in the straight. M. ? s Miscluef, who was still very sore, finished gamely and was only a neck behind the Msond horse. Mendin, Roodwin Park-, Kopu and Parable finished in that order. All sportet silk in the Harrison Hack Handicap an-, the public went for Kanroa, Mallet, and Brown Trout. he back Mero« joined Ladrone in the lead Meroze etsily left her rival in the tt \"r !" S ' etl fast " Laius > Bro ™ H out and Ladroie followed Only three went to the post for the Farewell Handicap St. Bill m „,i e the pace a erackc. iio.n [lk- : ,.imr). and !■>.< lasted long enough to win Lv a i», s e from Lady Moutoa. Boanerges ran last all the way.

At n mating of the stewards of the Stratford Racing Club last week it was decided to make several important improvements to the course and appointments including an addition of thirtythree foot to the grandstand, a ne'iv stewards stand, new jockeys, and weighing rooms, to enlarge the saddling padJock, and to build a new totalisator