THE TURF.

Dominion, Issue 1337, 15 January 1912, Page 7

THE TURF.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Wager.—Yes, totalisator is used. NOTES AND COMMENTS. SOM3 GALLOPS OF INTEREST. [Bv Glencoe.] Some exceptionally smart track work was registered on Saturday by the favourites for the Wellington Cup. At Hastings on the plough track, which 110 doubt is very fast just now, Midnight Sim, , carrying E. Lowe, equal to about Bst. 81b., I ran once round with Ariom in lmin. 'Itisec. The gallon was won in a west impressive style by the Clip favourite, who was under a strcng pull .over the final quarter-mile. Gold Circle, with about his Cup weight in sight, and assisted by Julian and another, ran ten furlongs in ?min. 15sec. Bli<s, who appeared quite sound before working, took a second longer over tho same course, with two of the lesser lights of R. Goosemah's team to take her along. Though, the Slcpnink mare has,been accepted for in both the Cup and Telegraph Handicaps, thcro is still some doubt about her starting. Her trainer feared that Saturday's gallop might have found out tha weak spot in her joints, and until he was sure that this was not the case, no certainty could be attached to her appearing at tho meeting. Hatters were also brisk at Awapuni, where Birkline electrified the track watchers by reeling off one mile and a quarter on the plough track in 2rain. 12sec. He had as a companion l'lingot, who, however, was never able to foot it with him. This is a record for tho Awapuni track, the previous best (2min. 13see.) having been registered by Perolina some two yoars ago. It is slated that in consequence of these gallops Midnight Sun and Birkline have shortened in price, and unless some un-looked-for change comes over the market, this pair arc likely to start first and second favourites on the day. There are no changes worth recording in connection with the second leg of the double, except that the decision to start Byron in that race, instead of in the Cup, has caused' backers to turn their attention to him, and he will no doubt shorten considerably during the week, and may on the day be found disputing favouritism with Ireland. Tho latter looks exceptionally well, after his Auckland campaign, and appnrently the racing which he had there has improved him. On Saturday morning he ran the last four of six furlongs in SOlscc. —a splendid gallop, and one which proves there is little wrong with the Kilcheran colt. So far no rider has .been secured for Birkline in the Wellington Cup. C. Emerson was offered the mount, and was de- j sirous of accepting it, but as W. Davies has two horses engaged, Emerson will have to ride one of them. J. Conquest, of Auckland, was suggested a.c a suitable horseman, but he is booked to fulfil engagements at Foxton on the fame date, and it is now stated that C. Brown will bo secured. Late last week 11. Gray was still at To Aroha, taking the baths, but no doubt with the arrival of 11. J. Mason's, team this week, Gray will also put in an appearance. A report was published in Masterton on Friday to the effect that Hie gelding Lord Palmer (a recent winner at Ctareville) had. died that morning. Subsequently it appeared that it was Lord "Palmer's staMe-niale that had died. H< Telford arrived from Palmcrston North on Saturday evening, and went ,on to Trentham, where he will ride tho Porirua horses in their track gallops. The recent meeting of the Westland Racing Club resulted in a, profit of J.iib2. At a meeting of the Egniont Racing Club, held on Thursday evening (says the Hawcra "Star"), E. West, acting caictoker at tho course during tho temporary absence of Mr. Morse, wrote reporting that two trainers had removed the roires stretched across the course proper and galloped horses thereon without permission prior to.his arrival on tho morning •on December 30. The 'trainers referred to having been heard in explanation, it was resolved, after discussion, to fine them £.3 each, to bo paid within a l'ort- . night' from date. FIXTURES. Jan; 17 and IS-Goro R.C. Summer. Jan. 2D and 22—Foxton R.C. Annual. Jan. 20, 22, and 21-Wellington R.C. SummtT. Ja.n. 2? and 20—Takapuna J.C. Summer. Feb. 1 and 2—Gisborno R.C. Summor. Feb. 1 and 3—Canterbury J.C. Summer. Feb. 7 and S—Egmont R.C. Summer. Feb. B—Te Kuiri E.G. Annual. Feb. S and 9-Poverty Bay T.C. Annual. Feb. U and 15—Tarauaki J.C. Autumn. Feb. 21, 22, and 2-I—Dunedin J.C. Autumn. Feb. 21 and 22-Woodrillc. District J.C. Autumn. Feb. 23 and 2i-Soulli Auckland R.C. Annual. _________ ■ j