NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1374, 27 February 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bt Glincoe.]

The news that Sea Dog had won the Stanley Steeplechase at Caullield will be interesting to New Zealanders, as showing how easy it is to win such events in Melbourne at this time of the year. When Sea Dog raced about tho South Island, lie was not equal to hack hurdle form. Allowing for a little improvement,, the. result still shows how weak the opposition is in Melbourne. It is slated that Domino has been well backed; for .:.thc*W.ljnganui Cup arid is coupled with Byroh'for- tho Flying Handicap. Both horses will be rirldeu by ]),. Gray, and this, no doubt,i accounts •ill a mcasuro for the support accorded the pair. The backing, of Domino is justified in a degrca by the good showing which King's horse made in tho 'Auckland Cup in which he took i charge nearly a mile from homo and was only caught in ' the last half furlong. The Wanganui Cup candidate, Merrivonia, along with her Btablo companion, Lady Kilcheran, and the hurdle horse Xavicr, were railed to Wanganui yesterday. The last-named will be the 6010 representative of W. Davies's stables. Mr. W. Nidd, owner of Peroneal and Emma was unable to attend the Woodville meeting owing to indisposition. His friends will be pleased lo hear that he is making satisfactory recovery. Mr. F. J. Barton, of circus fame, was unsuccessfully represented at the Woodvillo meeting by Kohinoor and Sapience. The latter was very sore, and would benefit by a spell. Kohinoor and Flipflap (an Australian bred gelding) have been engaged at Opunake on March 20, and also tho trotter Mvrtio Palm. The trotting race lias filled well, no fewer than 23 mounts being engaged. Tumut was submitted at auction in Melbourne recently, but failed to reach the owner's reserve. Mr. George Cudby did not journey down to Dunedin to see Gold Bird race. Had he been there he would n6t liavo started the horse on tho third day on account of the burden which he had to carry. Frank Higgott left Otaki yesterday for Wanganui with Undecided and his stable mates who are engaged at the West Coast meeting. The Mensehikoff gelding has done well since he raced at Trentham and his trainer expects him,to rim well in the Wanganui Cup. A telegram from Wanganui states that the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club's annual steeplechase meeting will bo held on August 2il. The club will hold its opening meeting on Saturday, April 20, at Mr. O. Symes's, Waverley. Jockeys H. Gray, Pu Hatch, T. Pritchard, a.ud C. Emerson are returning from Dunedin this morning, and will go straight on to Wanganui. The steeplechaser lovell is again in his old quarters r.'. Forirna in preparation for the jumping season. He has not been operated upon as was expected. The Auckland-bred Chauvelin, bySoult —Inamorata, won a race cncli day at the recent Tasmanian Kaeing Club's meeting at Hobart. Chauvelin is a full-brother to the Highden colt Blakeney, who scored twice at the last Wellington races. Bonny Joau, v;ho won the hurdle race at the' South Auckland mooting on Friday, is a full-sifter to those two grand steeplechasers, Capitol and Red M'Grcgor. At latest advices Queen o' Scots (list. 51b.. including lUlb. penalty) was favourite for the Newmarket Handicap, to be run on Saturday next. She has to meet Captain White, who ran second to her in the Oakleigli Plate on 131b. worse terms. Tluit should bring the speedy marc back to hini. Comedv King goes to the stud next season. Gladsome is one of the mares which is to be mated with bini. Mr. J. .Buckley has reconsidered Ills intention to retire Dearest to the stud, e,ud the Soult maro will be raced for some time yet. 'Mr. Buckley purchased four mares'at tho Eldcrslie snle, all of whom are to be mated with All lied. ■Vcccptanccs received tor tho Wanganui meeting arc satisfactory in every way, and a good meeting is assured. Tho Cup presents a decidedly open appoaraiice, and five of the runners have been well backed. The other events have filled well, and "class" is well represented in all tho handicaps except tin; hurdle raecs. Weights for the Napier meeting will be declared oa Friday, and acceptances must be made by the following Tuesday. On the opening day of the South Auckland meeting. A. Whittaker rode three winners, while Det'lev, who had left Wooilville after the first day of (hat meeting, was successful once.