THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 987, 30 November 1910, Page 9

THE TURF.

'.■ .' .; ———»— — ■ . NOTES AND COMMENTS. ffiv- Glencoe.] Sportsmen will assemble in. numbers at Peilding to-day, the occasion being the local club's spring meeting, principal items of interest will bo tho St. Andrew's Handicap'and the l'eilciing Stakes. Tho former event is generally regarded as very open, and the horse which appears to bo most favoured is tne Derby colt Birkdalc. And thero is some reason for leaning towards the unlucky son of Birkenlicac, who has run so consistently this season. In the Canterbury Cup several private watches made Diabolo run _ tiw last twelve furlongs in '2min. ■ 3asec—tirao good enough to win any race over that distance, but-if this, time is correct (and it appears to be general y accepted as so) what time did Birkdale run the same distance in? When tlie horses passed tho judge's box the first time the bay colt was giving Diabolo a good twenty lengths' break, which he reduced to two lengths at tho finish, after having anything but a clear passage over-the final quarter. Assuming that Diabolo ran the time stated above it is clear that Birkdale ran 2mm. 33sec. or better. This will show that he is a colt of exceptional merit, in _ getting off with only 41b. above weight-for-ago, his chanco in -to-days race must be considered. A. Oliver is to ride him. ~.' • : The Stakes field will probably bo comprised of Provocation, Madam Madcap, Hormia, Formby,- Polymorphous, and Gipsy Belle. The first-named is one ot the 'fastest sprinters in New Zealand when at his.best, but can he be at.his best? He was laid aside with influenza last month, and in consequence had to forfeit his Trentham and Kiccarton engagements.. This, will ..make it some eighteen months since he had a rate in public, and with this handicap he will require to be really good to win. Of the others engaged Formby and Gipsy Belle appeal most as having the best chances. The latter is. galloping better now than ever, and being such a smart beginner she will have a lot in her favour by getting the rails,.which is a great advantage on a course that is all bend.. ■ ' '

F. D. Jones passed through Wellington j'esterday on his way to Feilding to ride Faunus and Formby in their races. Jones is practically quite well again, but is still stiff and soro in his injured shoulder. ■ . The New Zealand-bred Saltare (Stepniak—Reel) was aniong the winners at the Epsom (Victoria) meeting on. Novcmbor 19. •' At Auckland to-day the Takapuna Jockey Club's meeting will bo concluded. "The principal event to be decided is the Spring Handicap, one mile. ■ Weights for the Manawatu meeting are !not due until after the racing at Woodvilld next week. On Friday next nominations close for the Waikanae Hack Races, and also for the Rangitikei Racing Club's summer meeting. . On Saturday 'nominations close for the Ashhurst Racing Club's meeting, th 6 largest' one-day race fixture in the Dominion. Australian owners still continue tlie' importation of blood stock from tlie Old Country. Mr. John M'Donald, proprietor of Mungie ' Bundi stud, and member of the A.J.C. Committee, who went to England some 'mouths'..ago,: is bringing, back to Sydney several Eng-. lish-bred fillies.-- One is, the yearling by Fowling Piece (son of Carbine) froni Sunflower, for which 210gns. was paid at auction, and another-.. is-. ; Bomena, 3yrs., b.v Rocksand, from Mult'rue, who ■cpst 180gns. Mr. ;Js"jNy.Hart, who is returning to Sydney irf. aW eariyYd'atg, l has sent out the : four-year-old horso Sandbath,' 'by Black.Sand.'frdm' Tirndva, byßoseber-y..frbm Sar'dica, .by Camballo from Sophia, by Cacaroni from Zelle, by Stockwell.

- Late London files indicate pretty, clearly that it pays to be. a successful hi France. ■' So far as tho racing season had gone when the last mail left, Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt had won in stakes nearly £40,000, M. E. Blanc £24,000/. Madame Charemeteff £19,300, Baron M. de Rothschild £16,400, M. J.;de Bremond '£14,920, M. Ephrussi': £12:920, "Garten' Dreyfus £12,480; 0. Bbedrei £10,000, and' M. Aumont £10,000. The most successful of all the.winning sires was Simonian, with a little over £32,800. ■ ■ "

Mr. John Lynch, the breeder of Kapanga, had tho unwelcome statement to make yesterday that the Soult colt is .in_ a bad. way as' tho result of contact with.'a. barb-Wire fence at Avondale (says ,tho Auckland "Herald" of Monday): Mr. CD. Halstead was yesterday summoned to prescribe for Kapa'nga, and that the colt's injuries aro of .a very serious nature, may bo gathered from the fact that the veterinary surgeon has advised the placing of the colt in slings. Kapanga was one of the fancied candidates for the A.R.C. Railway Handicap, but it is quite certain that he will not contest that event if he ever races again. is'at present held under lease from Mr ' Lynch. RACING FIXTURES. Nov. 30-Takapuna J.C. 'Spring. Nov. 30 and Doc. I—Feilding J.C. Spring Dec. 7 and S~Woodville J.C. Summer. Dec. 8-Waitara K.C. 'Annual. Dec. 16 and 17—Ciiristcliurcli B.C. Summer. Dec. 23, 26, and 27-Manawatu EC Summer. Dec. 26, 29, and Jan. 2 and 3-Auckland K.C. Summer. - Dec. 20 and 27—Dnnedin J.C. Summer Dec. 26 and 27-Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 28-Ashhurst-Pohangina K.C. Annual Jan. 2 and 3-Eangitikei K.C. Summer.