NOTES AND COMMENTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 187, 17 July 1940, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

For Hurdle Racing. The Dozer, a leading member of Hector Gray's Takanini team, who struck winning form towards the end of the present season, is again in work. He.is likely to be seen out in hurdle contests in the early spring. Matamata Juveniles. Among the juveniles at Matamata. is a filly by Foxbridge—Fantastic and a filly by Foxbridge—Exaggeration. The latter is a full sister *o Greek Queen, and is owned by Mr N. Graf as, of Te Puke. Both ajve members of R. Martin's stable. Willie Win. One of the regular visitors to the Riccarton course is the Cup horse.. Willie Win, but in the meantime merely as a hack for his trainer, Mrs J. Campbell. Next month he will join thoSe in active commission in view of undergoing a preparation for the New Zealand Cup. The A.J.C. Epsom. Canterbury's brilliant sprinter, Density, is nominated for the A..J.C. Epsom Handicap. New Zealand horses have in recent years had quite a goodly share of success in this particular race, for among the winners are Nightmarch, Autopay. Silver Ring, Synagogue and .Gold Rod. The Vulture Scores. The Vulture, owned by the terbury sportsman, Mr G. H. Gr : gg; won the Novice Stakes at Ashburton in splendid style, and a bright success is anticipated for this three-year-old filly, which in the recent lines has a North Island pedigree, for she i.s by Valkyrian from Silent Flight, by Day Comet—-Owlscombs, by Autumnus —Glcnowlet. Destined for India. Two yearlfmgs, a colt by-Bambury —Marchette and a gelding by PhaIcron Bay from La Souvenir, which have lately ben handled at Trentham are to be shipped this month for India. The3 r are likely to loom large in the land of their adoption. |as even three and four year olds bred in this Dominion have won aces there.

A Real Training Centre. At present there are 70 horses in training at Takanini, and it. is confidently anticipated that the number Avill be increased to 100 early in the spring. In the. meantime opinions faA'our Proud Fox being. tji3 outstanding performer in the coming season from the Takanini are(a. No mention is made of a second} string, probably on account of the. merits of a large number 7>eing much on a par. Imported Stock. Bert Gillett, the A\ r ell known Ric-. carton mentor, has just put into light Avorlc the colt Espionage, by Solicitor-General from the Spion Kop mare Spionetta. Much interest will be eA'inced in the turf career of this thoroaighbred as Solicitor General is one of the highest class horses imported from England in recent years, AA'hile Spion Kop is by Spearmint, by illustrious Carbine. He is owned by Mr Nigel Smith of Christchureh. who is a firm belieA'er in | racing horses onJ|y of unmistakably high grade pedigrees. H Transferring to Trentham. For the past two seasons H, Rama the AA r ell known sportsman of New Plymouth ;and Auckland, has had Ills, horses- in training located at Trentham. It is noA\ r reported that he intends transferring his several brood mares and young stock from Auckland to tJie Hutt Valley. It is a well known fact that thoroughbreds from the Ilutt area of the Wellington province thrive splendidly when sent to Auckland's broad acres, but it has not yet been proved'that this pertains when the transfer takes place from north to south. Nevertheless it Avould appear that Harry is quite Avilling to take the risk, for better or Avorse.