NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1135, 24 May 1911, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE WANGANUI MEETING. Following are tho probable starters and their riders in the principal events at the Wanganui meeting to-day:— CENTURY HURDLES.-Wimmera (C. Cress), list. 121b.; Gold Bird (Pritchard), lOst. 131b.; Auratus (F. Coleman), 10st. lib.; Maidi (H. Futcher),. lOst.; Marton (Adams), 9st. .101b.; Hydrant (A. Julian), 9st. 71b.; John (F. Lind),-9st, 71b.; Lethean (C. Cochrane), flst.; Torbello (H. Telford), 9st. ;■ Waiputere (W. Young), ,9st.j Appin (F. Hercock), 9st.

WANGANUI ' STEEPLECHASE.-Te Arai (W. Young), 12st.-121b.; El Dorado (Raugi Tfiompson), list. 31b.-; Loch Fyne (Howard), list, lib.; Mahara (H. Futcher), lOst. 31b.;- Lovcll (H.-Telford), lOst. 81b.; Eurus (Ilegarty),. lOst. 51b.; Corazon (F. Hercock), 9st. 121b.; Mvmit Cook (J. Morris), .9st. 91b.; Corona.(L. Hegarty), 9st. 71b.; Castout (E. MurtaghV 9s t 71b.; Winchester (IV Pritchard), 9st. 71b.

The weather .at' Wanganui last night was beautifully fine, and there is. every indication of it remaining 60 over' tho meeting (says our correspondent). Lovell and Wimmera still maintain their positions as favourites.though thero is a. disposition to field the last-named amongst certain fielders, and it •is underbtood that the son of Merriwee pulled up soro after galloping yesterday morning. This has caused Torbelle to l come into favour, and, while there is little chance of him deposing Wimmera as favourite, he is sure to. bo.second favourite."

•Of tho'flat horse's'engaged at Wanganui, Faunus and Gunboat have pleased the best. Tho former' never looked better than ho does now, and Gunboat's gallop yesterday morning shows that he has- not gone off since racing at Blenheim, where ho won the double.

Th'e race that will set backers tho hardest task to-day is the Electric Hack Handicap, in which some very speedy horses arc engaged, notablv 'Amaru, Gaby," Makara, in which, some very speedy horses are Gold Circle, Mortite, and Kina. The last-named is very well, and being such a smart beginner he will have'a lot in his favour round the Wanganui turns. Napper, who hails from Karamu, promises to start.a warm favourite in the Hack Hurdles, but'his gallop with Corazon yesterday morning .was not impressive. ' '

Silver Bullet, who - won a race, at Trenthain in the colours of Mr. W.'.H. Gray, has' been sold, and will to-day run at. Wanganui in the nomination-of the Taranaki . sportsma'v Mr.- M. Mills.

Lorelei, who twice won the Manawatu Cup, 'died at Mr. J. R.' M'Donald's station at Levin on Friday last.

Blfss, who showed good form at Hastings early this month, is in great demand for the Connolly, Handicap at Wanganui where it is considered that she will 1m better suited'in the good coing than at Hastings, where tho mud was heavy.

The North Otago Jockey Club's meeting opens to-day when the Oamarn Cup will bo decided. 'Among'the''horses, engaged is My Lawyer, who,won a mile race at Trehtham last'month.

Montigo (by Strowan—lmmenschikoff), who was so severely injured while schooling at Ellefslio last week, is now quartered at J. Rae's stable. Mr. C. D. Halstead found it necessary to put in over a dozen stitches in the horse's side. Montigo, who was scratched for all engagements, only escaped disembowelnicut by a "hair's breadth."

. F. Macmanemin's Ellerslie stable produced the runners-up of', three events at the Takapuna meeting on Saturday, viz., Haku, Delegate, and Sea. Elf.

The two Great Northern Hurdles candidates, Bully and Whakaweira, though scratched for the first day's hurdle race at.the Takapuna meeting, have both been accepted for in to-day's race. A victory for either to-day would not entail a penalty for the big event at Ellerslie.

Penates, who is'now owned in the South Island, is among the acceptors in three different races at'Oamaru to-day.

After winning the Hawke's Bay Cup Mr. C. F, Tarker's Fort William', with Erin, in charge of Trainer W. Smith, was over-carried from- Napier to Auckland by tho Haurot'o, and lauded in the north on Thursday night. During the trip, which was very rough, Fort William got down, but was placed in slips, and luckily escaped injury. Both horses were to be shipped back to Gisborne by the s.s. Mokoia.

FIXTURES. May J.C. Winter." May 21 and 2!>— Wauganui J.C. Winter. May 21 and 25-North'Otago.J:C. Winter. Juno 2 and 3—Dunc'din J.C. Winter June 3 and s—Olaki Maori R.C. Winter. Juno 3, 5, and 7—Auckland R.C. Groat Northern Steeplechase. Juno 21 and 22-Hawke's Bay J.C. Winter. Juno 28 and 29—Napier Park R.C. Winter. July 6 and 7—Gisborne R.C. Winter. METEOROLOGICAL. . WEATHER AT 4 P.M: YESTERDAY. Cape Maria van Dieinon.—N.E., fresh; barometer,' 50.25; thermometer, 65. Fine; sea moderate. ■ . ■ ' Russell.—E.S.E., fresh; • barometer, 50.35; thermometer, 64. Fine;.sea moderate. Manukau llcads.-E.N.E., light; barometer, 50.40; thermometer, 59. fair. Auckland-Calm; barometer, 30.42; thermometer, 63. Fine. Tauranga.—W., light; barometer. 30.39; thermometer, 65. Fine; sea smooth. East Cape.-S.E.. light; barometer, 30.43; thermometer, 65. Cloudy and showery; sea moderate.

Gisborne—Calm; barometer, 30.43; thermometer, 69. Overcast; sea heavy.

Port Ahuriri.—N.E., light; • barometer, 30.43: thermometer, 55. Fine; sea. smooth. Wellington.—N.N.ff., light; barometer, 30.43; thermometer, 52. Fine, hare. Castlcpoint.-jr.E., light; barometer, 30.40; thcrmonioter, 53. Cloudy; sea decreasing. New Plymouth.—W., light; barometer, 30.42; thermometer. 55. Fine; sea smooth. Capo Egraont—N.E., light; barometer, J0.42; thermometer, 57. Fine; sea smooth. Wanganui.-Calm; barometer, 30.43; thermometer, 59. Fiiic; tea smooth. Cape Farcwcll.-E., light; barometer, 30.43; thermometer, 52. Fine; sea moderate.

Cape. Fouhvind.-N.X.W., light; barometer, 30.44; thermometer, 57. Fair; sea moderate, Stephen Island.-S.E., light; barometer, 50.40;' thermometer. 50. Fine; sea smooth. Wcslport.-X.; liffht: barometer. 30.40; thermometer, 58. Fair; sea smooth.

Cape Campbell.—N., light; barometer, 30.37; thermometer, 59. Fine; rea moderate, Kaikoura.—NiN.E., breeze; barometer, 30.39; thermometer, 55.' Overcast; sea moderate.

'Alt'aroa Lighthouse.-X.E., lightj barometer, 30.34; thermometer, 48. Hazy; pea moderate. '

Port. Chalmers.—Calm; barometer. 30.3-1 hermomcter. 60. Fine; sea- smooth.'

KiiBBOtS—R.E., light,; barometer, 30.30; thcrniomctor, 45. Cloudy, misty; rca smooth. Muff.'—Calm: barometer, ■ 30.34; thermometer, 45. Fine;- sea smooth.

SUMMARY AND FORECAST. The weather has been (Ino everywhere, except about East .Gape,' whore showers have fallen to-day. The barometer has ricjn very high everywhere, and moderate easterly and northerly winds prevail. The night was very told, and the moraine misty in .miuiy parts. Present indications are for fair and hazy weather generally, with moderate to strong easterly and northerly winds prevailing. The barometer shows a tendency to fall slowly everywhere. .

■ : ■ , / ,• ' ■ „ „?. C BATES. Meteorological Office, Wellington. . ■ May' 23, 1911,