SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9604, 25 September 1909, Page 6

SPORTING.

RACING.

TURF NOTES. (By "Zetland"). It is probable that Blue Ribbon's New Zealand Cup engagement will not be continued, the Bluejacket mare having gone sore after executing a very satisfactory gallop this week. It is understood that she will be spelled during the rest of the season. The Featherston and Tauherenikau horses are still being worked on the Grevtown course. It is expected that the tracks at Tauherenikau will be ready in the near future. Mr Speedy'a Gold Reef-Victorine two-year-old is being ridden about at Featherston. Ho has greatly im-

proved of late, and will be ready to race this season. Merry Messenger, lately trained by J. Maher,, at Palmerston North, is now in charge of W. Galbraith, at Featherston. The filly will be among the competitors at Martinborough next week. A. McConnon visited Tauherenikau on Thursday for the purpose of schooling Silken Rein over hurdles. Gold Bird, who was a bit light in condition when he joined H. Fletcher's team a few weeks ago, is improving considerably and will probably be raced at the Masterton meeting next month. Waimaria, by Mahaki—Melinite, who was affected in the wind last season, seems to have recovered from the ailment. He won a hurdle race at Horowhenua early this month, fol - i lowed this up by winning in both starts at Marton, and scored at Wanganui on Thursday with list 6!b up. Apparently the public are still in doubt as to his capability, for in three out ot the four wins really good dividends have been paid out to his ! supporters. • At Opaki yesterday morning a fair number of horses were out, but owing to the ploughed gallop being nn the damp side only half to threequarter pace work was done. Those out were—Merrie Rose, Lucretius, Rose Herald, Over Rate, Full Rate, Gaelic, San Julie, Kiltie Lass, Sealer. St. Brandon, Merrie Chimes, Sir Solo, Embrocation. Epsum Downs, Skye, Retinue, Matira. First Consul, Sunbonnet, Aberration Mernwee, filly, Gawain, Musketeer, Kuranui, Traylock, Night Light, Franzisca and Lethe—Waihora gelding. The Wanganui meeting will be concluded to-day. The track will be faster than on Thursday, and some of the contests keenly fought-out. Sir Lethe, who made a name for himself as a steeplechaser by winning at Taratahi and Marton, will be seen out at Martinborough on Thursday in the Two-mile Steeplechase. His weight, 12st 101b, ought to keep him back to his field, but he will have plenty of supporters for the event.