THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1159, 21 June 1911, Page 9

THE TURF.

—-♦- — , NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By Glexcqe.] The Hawke's Bay Steeplechase will be run to-day, and tlic Hawke's Bay Hurdle* come,up tor decision to-morrow. When the last mail left England D. Mahor was still at the head ot the list ot winning jockeys with 27 victories to ",m& credit. Trigs was next,. and F. . Wootton occupied third position. Scratching? Nt Hastings yesterday included Lovell in the Steeplechase, Ariom in the Ladies' Bracelet, and Golden Clasp in the Hack Hurdles. The scratching of Lovell camo about through his getting cast in his box. The injury . is not supposed to bo serious, though tho gelding has a very big hock. J. H. I'rosser Ictt him beljiml when he returned home, with a viow to starting him at Napier next week if possible. 11. Gray will riot be riding at the Hawke's Bay meeting, but his rival, A. Whittaker, will be there, and has a mount in cadi flat race. W. Young'will not, after all have the ride on To Arn'i in the big steeples at Hastings to-day. There was some doubt about iiis going to the meeting, so " F. llynn was secured to ride the old Monaco gelding. The Grand National winner was on the track yesterday,, and his condition oxcited favourable comment, Hβ is on the big aide as yet, but a race •or two will sharpen him up considerably. Winiata, who promises to start favourite in the Hawke's Bay Steeples to-day, will bo ridden by H. Futcher. Other horsemen engaged in the race aro Flynn on Te Arai, A. M'Donald on Mount Cook, and J. Hercock on Sir Lethe. Leolanter has come into marked favour for the Hawke's Bay Hurdles consequent upon a good gallop at Awapuni last week. The jumping will probably find out the chestnut gelding, who, being practically a novice, is almost 6ure to tire at the end of the two miles. Tho steeplechase course at Hastings is not nearly so stiff this year as was the caso last season, when' Audax and Prospector were the only candidates to complete, the course. The biggest weight ever carried to victory in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase was liist. 21b. by Clarence in ISB4. Moifaa won ten years ago w ; th 13st. in the saddle, and on four other occasions horses have won with-over 12st. ,to carry. In the.list of nominations for the Wellington winter meeting, published yesterday, Merry Lad should be included in the Glasgow Handicap; Daisy Paul in the Vittoria Hurdle Handicap;' Delegate and Waiputere in the Junipers' Flat Handi'cap. Mr. A. E. Whyte also advises that the name of Daisy Paul should Iμ omitted from the Wellington Steeplechase nominations. ■• \ An English writer says that though Eomo reputed judses declare that Sunstar won the Newmarket Stakes in slovenly fashion, that was not the opinion of George Stern, who rode him. "I only touched him with my heels once," said he, "and then he at once took a twolength lead, having been a neck behind up to that point." Naturally, on such hard ground Sunstor was not asked for any unnecessary effort, and his performance was, in truth, a very smooth and convincing one.. On May 10, the horses in training, owned by the well-known English sportsman, Sir Win. Bass, were sold by auction. For the thirteen lots 23,460 guineas were obtained. Private breeders were strongly in evidence, also a number of well-known Continental sportsthen, and the result was observed in tho strong competition which took place for possession of the principal lots. Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, acting for Baron Alphonso do Rothschild, secured both Maid of Corinth ('lflOOgns ) and' Mary C'nnnichael (3700gns), who go to France. M. Blanc, the owner of Lord .Burgoyne and Shetland, was represented nt the sale by '>!• Baltazzi, his .Mcretary, who was beaten by Mr. Rothschild in the contest.for ■'■Moid of Corinth. Spires, the stud , gjupni. ■nft-lio Warren Haras at Chieveley, had to -go to 4800gns. in order to obtain the two-year-old Sceptre filly, by Carbine, for Mr. Hiilton. • It .was expected that Rosedrop,, the Oaks whirl: of last year, would havo made more .than .the 4500gn9. at which she was sold to Mr. Fairie, the owner of Bayardo and Lemborg. i SCRATCHINGS. (By Telegraph—Pres3 Association.! Hastings, June 20. Golden Clasp has been scratched for the Whaka'tu Hurdles, and Ariom for the Ladies' Bracelet. ■ FIXTURES. June 21 and 22—Hawke's Bay .T.C. Winter June 28 and 29-Napier Park R.C. Winter July 6 and 7—Gisborne R.C. Winter July 15, 19, and 22-We)lington R.C. Winter. . ' . , • August 8, 10, and 12—Canterbury J.C'a Grand National.