RACING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9155, 31 July 1908, Page 6

RACING.

_ f . TURF NOTES. (By "Zetland.") "Glencoe," in yesterday's "Dominion." writes as follows relative to the hurdle racer " Whatakura" :-- Sometime ago "Zetland," a Wairarapa sporting writer, declared that I the statement made in these columns that Whatakura once occupied the menial position of drawing logs on the Ruamahanga Flats, was incorrect. There are few writers, who, in their time do not commit mistakes, but in thu case the burden is on "Zetland." Our Wairarapa correspondent has forwarded written testimony by Mr "Jack" Tilson, which proves "The Dominion" statement to be absolutely correct. Mr Tilson writes:-—"My brother 'Tui,' myself, and others saw Whatakura pulling logs on the flats. He was driven by 'Rangi' Jury who owned him at the time. Certainly, the logs were not very large, still they were too big for a man to carry. The date was November or ' December of 1905, or just about that time, and the logs were being shifted in order to clear a piece of ground for cultivation. Whatakura is aho broken into harness, nn.l I have saen him in a gig." To sporting readers tha above may appear to be very convincing, but I will prove that the burden is not on "Zetland" this rime, and that "The Dominion's" statement is not absolutely correct. In the place, "Glencoe" stated that previuus to his racing career Whatakura occupied the menial position of log hauler, etc. My statement was that previous to his racing carceer the Lethe gelding had not done any log hauling, and this lam prepared to prove. In the winter of 1903 Whatakura—then a two-year-old—was brought over from Jury's, near Greytown, to Tauherenikau by T. C. White. At this time he was absolutely unbroken, not having been even handled. After being broken in by T. C. White, he was put into work in view of the Taratahi-Carterton meeting in November. On the 9th of that month, ridden by A. Mc- . Fherson, he ran unplaced in the Maiden Hack Race, won by Jeanne d'Arc Now taking this fact into consideration, there was little need to go to any trouble to prove that in 1905, two years after he raced, Whatakura pulled some logs over a flat. I maintain that Whatakura commenced his racing career by running at Taratahi in November, 1903, and that whatever he did since was certainly not before he commenced racing. I personally saw Whatakura previously to being handled, also during the time he was being broken in; and occasionally during his training work, and in his first appearance under racing colours. On being thrown out of work he was returned to his owner, and in 1906, when owned by "Rangi" Jury was exchanged for a Somnus mare owned by T. C. White. The latter drove him in his gig for a time, and on shifting to Blenheim put the horse into work. His late performances are well-known by sportsmen generally, who will quickly judge whethei the burden relative to Whatakura is on "Glencoe" or the writer. J. Cooper, of Masterton, has ir work a four-year-old colt by Waiuku —Miss Dargon. He is a decidedly good shaped animal, rather low set, and with limbs of exceptional bone. He has a splendid fore-end, a rare middle piece, beautifully ribbed up, powerful loin, and well let down quarters. It is not, wise tc prophecy, but this colt may be expected to race worthy of his breeding, which ia on stout lines throughout.

J. Phillips is making considerable improvement on Golden Butterfly, who is looking very well just now. In company with Gaelic, he ran a nice gallop on Tuesday morning. The same trainer is just putting into woik a brown Gold Reef filly, which shows plenty of quality. R. Knox, the veteran trainer, returned this week from a two month's holiday in the Auckland and Rotorua districts. He will have most of his team in work again very soon, and wh'iii the racing season begins in earnest be ready to win a fair share of stake money for the stable. Letherin was brought back from Wellington on Wednesday. He was walking lame, and will have to be spelled for at least a few days. Should he not be right in time for the National meeting, his owner, Mr J. O'Meara may be counted unfortunate, as the Lethe gelding cer< tainly had a good chance in the National Hurdles. Mr J. Cress is working San Julie, Gaelic and the Kilcheran filly. The latter.is gifted with pace and gameness, and is improving fast. San Julie is looking really well, and will be ready for early spring racing if required. On Tuesday morning M. McGrath had, at the Opaki tracks, Moloch, Sunbonnet, Riflemaid and Osiris. The first-named three are looking really well, and Osiris has apparently recovered from the effects of the fall at Trentham three months ago.