WANGANUI NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1918, Page 8

WANGANUI NOTES.

(By "Moturoa") Heavy rain fell on Monday evening, and a drizzle yesterday, making the course very "dead." The glass is low, and prospects of fine weather for Thursday's races are not too promising. A big number of sportsmen and horses arrived on Monday and Tuesday, and accommodation is at a premium. The state of the course on Tuesday morning prevented several visiting horses from going over the big fences, and this may tell against their chances on the day. The following horses arrived on Monday evening: Gipsy Gem, Styrax, Deeside, Purseflller, Braeburn, Cleft, Hexton, Tressida, Chimera, Torehy, Black Lake, Lady General, Lady Black, Hydrus, Brown Joe and Galore. The acceptances received on Monday evening are good in all cases except the Century Hurdle race, for which, only eight have been paid up. The absentees include Gladful, Bon Revo, Harbor Light, Iceberg, Fionnuala, Arlington and lesser lights. Of those paid up for, Pursefiller, Sir Fisher, Colorado and Collector have most friends, and. a good betting, race is assured. Golden Glade is engaged in | both the Century and the Kaitoke Hack [Hurdles. A nice field of a dozen is carded for the Wanganui Steeples, the only scratchings being Crib, Sir Fisher, St. Elmn, Bon Reve, Styrax, Diavolo and onip6to. None of these were considered dangerous, and with Master Strowan, Braeburn, Gluepot, Coalition, Golden Glow, Nita, etc., holding their ground, a fine race is certain. Multaine, Comely, Almo, Hythread and Rude were the only ones to drop out ot the Connolly Handicap, leaving fourteen in. Of these, Tcka, Volo, Iceberg and Zola are much discussed candidates, and in the mud Iceberg is likely to run a great race. Yolo does not strike one as a mudlark, and Teka may find 9st. a solid impost on a; heavy track. Nineteen figure in the Borough Handicap, which looks very open. Waimatao, Hymeona, Play Oif, Royal Chef, Tressida, Astor, Multaine, Hiero and Avon Park have had the pen put through their names, but the problem looks as formidable as ever. Lady Black, Coolpan, Starengo and Lady General can all "act" in the mud, and the winner nay come from that quartette. ' Plenty of excitement is promised bjr the sevcntPen acceptors in the Hack Steeples, who are a very ordinary crowd. Idealism, Dasher Boy, Onipoto and Gackwar have all been getting over the K '"noes capably, but it is not a raco i' ' '"'"J on. TI-p-.-p arc asret-r.l promising horses in the iUitcko Hurdles, und under good

weather conditions a keen race could be forecasted. Probably several will be withdrawn if the going is at all treacherous, and the public may do well to stick to proved jumpers like' Paul Moore, Golden Glade and Waioture. The Purua Hack Handicap has attracted, a nice field of eighteen, including Rude, Moutoa Camp, Winning Shot and Warinth. Tilley's elect will carry a lot of nioney, but Winning Post will keep them all busy. The North Taranaki Hunt Club has been granted a totalisator permit for its meeting to be held on August 29.