NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Br GtEScoE.l A correspondent, "Amateur Handicapper," writes pointinc; out what lie regards as an absurdity in tho weights apportioned Morossc and Brown Trout in the Mnstcrton Hack Handicap and the Opaki Welter—both mile races. In tho first-named race Meroze is required to give Brown Trout 1811)., while, in the open event, there is only a difference of 101b. between tlieni. Tiwnri, the Conqueror—Delamerecolt, belonging to Mr. H. M. Speed, of Wangantii, has joined F. Tillcy's stables at Kordcll. An o.veirt which created a good deal of interest in snorting circles in Auckland eventuated on Saturday morn-

ing, when Dogger Bank and Celtic were matched to racc over six furlongs. Cc'tio was ridden by his owner. Mr. fi. Hyde, of,tho Star Hotel, and Mr. T. Wyllie, owner of Dogger Bank, ha.l the mount on iiis pioperty. Celtic led till nearing home, when Dogger Hank ranged alongside, and, in a good finish, Iho last-named won by about a length. After competing in the hurdle race p;i the first day of the Xapior meeting, Dorando was sold to Mr. J. Chadwick, who, it'is understood, was acting for Mr. Johu Buckley, of Onmaru. The l'nce paid was 13.) guinejs. Doramlo has been a failure in these parts, but he may pay bis way in the south. Jockey L. "Wilson has left the employment of P. Davis, and will, in future, bo retained by the Hon. J. D. Orniond as second horseman to P. D. Jones. Kith ara has run her last racc, and will, next season, be mated with tho imported horse Hymetlms. The Birkenhead filly has all along boon more or loss unsound, and her trainer has decided not to persevere with her. Vi is at present on the easy list. Quite recently it was found that she was suffering from a fracture in two of her ribs, !)ut 'now this came about is not known. Influenza has been very prevalent amongst some of the jockeys of late, and, besides, E. Murtagh, who was unable to attend tho Napier meeting, A.Oliver and C. Emerson were also victims. Cheddar was priced by a Gisborne buyer during tho Napier'meeting, and Mr. E. J, Watt asked 1000 guineas for him. S. Reid went to Carterton yesterday, and will remain there over the Opaki meeting. His special mission was to school the gelding Merrie Fly at the barrier. Tho latter is a notoriously bad beginner.

Abercoed is the correct name of Mr. Lance Wood's colt by Sir Dove from Floradora, Abercocd being the chief character in Leslie Stewart's "Floradora." Hilarian is to make his reappearance at the Masteiton meeting, and will be ridden by C. Jenkins. The samu horseman has also been asked to taka the mount 011 Equitas in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie next month. eights for the principal events jit the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn meeting will be declared oil Monday next. AVairiki's full-brother, Soddon, was amongst the winners at the recent meet-, ing of the Solaiif;or Turf Club, in India, when he annexed the Mixed Handicap from Stagelight and Maori Girl. •AYheu next St. Tonev starts ho will carry the colours of his trainer, J. Fryer, who has now completed the purchase of tho St. Clements gelding. The majority of the horses which filled places in races at Wcstport yesterday were bred in the North Island. Judging by his double victory at Waimate on Thursday, ICohinoor must have been a class above the other sprinters competing at that fixture. Handicaps for tho first day's events at the Manawatu Racing Club's autumn meeting will be made known during the coming week. The committee of the AVanganui Trotting Club have completed all arrangements in connection with tho meeting, which takes place next Thursday and Friday, and, as good acceptances liavo been received for the first day's events, the fixturo should prove a very successful one if tho club is favoured with fine weather. . Mr. J, Harle, who used to race Valima, is the new owner of Makara, the full-brother to St. Toney. Over 600 yearlings arc catalogued for the coming sales at Randwick (says a Sydney vwriter),,-: and, no. doubt buyers will be forthcoming'for tlio' lot. Last year 353 yearlings were sold for an aggregate of nearly £73,500. At the rate at which we are progressing it is difficult to forecast tho dimensions which yearling sales in this Stato are likely to attain within tho next five years. It is thirty-fivo years since the late Mr. T. S. Clibborn held tho first yearling salo in Sydney, and the lot catalogued on that occasion totalled only 23.

A Hawera writer saya that a report is in circulation that the Racing Commission will recoinmcnd that the AVaitara Racing Club's fixturo he abolished, and that the Waverley and Patca meetings bo amalgamated with that at Hawera. It is considered, however, that oven had the Commission yet made up its mind what to recommcnd ib would hardly have given any official or unofficial publicity to its conclusions so soon. FIXTURES. March 18—Westport J. C. Autumn. March 23 and !M—Masterton 11.C. Autumn. ' April 8 and 6—Southland R.C. Autumn, April 5 and 6—Manawatu RC. Autumn, April 12 and 15—Greyiiioutli J.C. Autumn. ' April 15 and 17—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn. April 15, 17, and 18—Aucklaqd R.C. Autumn. April 17 and 18—Canterbury J.C. Autumn. April 17 and 18 —Feilding J.C. Easter. April 20 and 21—Westland R.C. Autumn. '