NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bγ Glencoe.] Several heavily-backed candidates were successful at Hastings yesterday, amongst them being Aphaea. the Maiden winner ; Blue Lake, the Nursery Handicap winner, and AA'hakaweira, in tho Hurdle Race. Backers, however, got a severe "facer" in the five-furlong hack race, when they made Soultiforni a hot favourite. Good money also went on Amaru. A r ietory, however, rested with an unknown quantity —Axis, a chestnut filly by Renown from Eland, trained by D. Munn. Perceler, who acted as runner-up, has several times filled this secondary position this sea'son. Tlio much-travelled Hoanga was_ again heavily supported by his owner in tho Open Hurdle Race at Hastings yesterday, but ho had to bo with second place behind the useful AVhakaweira. The whole of the six runners that ran in the race in question wore collectively not worth ono good horse, and the prospects for the winter season are far from bright. Fort William, winner of the Hawke's Bay Cup, of 1911, stood out by himself among tho moderate lot which composed tho Cup field this year. Mr. Parker's nuggety colt is just tho build to make a good "mud lark," but ho is also useful on top of tho ground. The runnor-up, Lady Mcnchikoff, verified her Feilding form, and should run well in to-day's race. The success of AYimincra in tho Autumn Handicap yesterday was fully anticipated by his supporters. Tho form of the Merriwco gelding at Trcntham showed him to be very well, and ho was a good favourite in yesterday's r*ce. It was stated, some time ago, that Crucinella was to bo returned home, but sho is still in Melbourne, and apparently is to remain there. Crosbie, who was successful at Ashburton yesterday, has now scored in his last'three starts. Recently the A r .R.C. committee upheld the appeal of the jockey AV. Smart against tho decision of the Williamstown'stewards, who disqualified him for three years,, on tho ground of foul riding at .Williainstown.. on,.February 11. Tho case has excited a largo amount , of interest, principally because it was thought by many racing men that Smart was innocent of tho offence with which he was charged. Mr. J. Foster, of AVanganui, returned home on AVednesday after a trip to Melbourne and Sydney, extending over ,i few weeks. Whilst in Sydney, the Wanganui sportsman saw meetings at Randwick, Kensington, and A T ictovia Park, and ho also visited the stables of F. M'Cirath.