NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1442, 17 May 1912, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[El Glkxcob.l Owners are finally reminded that ae> ecptanees for tlie first day s events at the Wangamii Jockey Uub'S winter meeting elo'o at M 0 to-night with the occi-e-Inrv, Mr. V\'m. Hall.

Mr. H. M'Mniiawny. late of Foilding, is leaving jo-dav for a trip to Sydney and Melbourne. He will be absent tor about two months.

.Mount Victoria was shipped jonHi oa Tuesdav evening, and will join the other members of C. Pritchard's team avid race at daman; next week.

The injured horseman, T. ,Pritohard. is not doing n» well (is was expected, and it is feared that his leg will again have to be broken, as at present i-l bears the appearance of being shorter than the other leg. In many quarters the opinion is held that The Native is very well handicapped, at Wnngnmii. His owner hardly subscribes to this view, and points to Koran 00-.-t. 41b.) as (ho best-treated horse, in the race. There is certainly something in this, and wore it a flat handicap, the son of Pilgrim's Progress would ec-rtailily be required to concede weight to The Native. H* has shown th.it he can jump well, and lias a. double, at Foilding to recommend him to the attention of backeri.

Ceylon and Mount Victoria, who have been several times first past the post lately, are very closely related. They are both by Signalman, and each traces back to Primrose, who was the dam of several winners. Tho two three-year-olds were picked ud for a mere song at tho clearing salo of the Mangatarata stud.

As Plantation has earned a penalty for tho Connolly Handicap at Wanganui, his owner may elect to allow tho black gelding to forfeit his engagement there, and wait for the Ellcrslie meeting early next month.

At the Warrnambool meeting on May 9 the Cup was won by Swagger—ridden by 11. Cairns. There was an unfortunate bungle at the start of the race, and only half of tho mechanism Hew up, with the result that one of the horses was left Tho starter declared it no start, and the raco had to bo rerun. Swagger, who was favourite, won nicely at the. second time. In the Grand Annual Steeplechaso (three miles), the New Zealand-bred Sea Dog was made favourite, but, in common with the majority of tho big field, ho failed to complete tho course.

: When,tho last mail left England Lomond and White Star were equal labourites for the Derby, bo run on June a. Ihe former, who was reported as doing as well as could be wished, is expected to 'crown R. Wootton's achievements as a ' trainer, , and the ex-Australian has certainly accomplished wonders. Ho probbably smiles to himself when he contrasts his present position with that of his early days at the game. His son Frank already has winning rides in an Oaks (Ferola) and a St. Leger (Swynford) to his credit, and as it is just possible the present seaeon will end-his career as a rider, he is probably more anxious even than his father concerning Lomond's success in the Derby. Ono of R. Wootton's team in Pnravid (owned by Mr. E. Hulton) just missed the Queen's Prize, a .£IOOO handicap, run at Kempton Park last month. However, if Lomond wins the Derby on the sth of next month Mr. Hulton will probably be satisfied; oven if his horses do not account for another race this season. Tho steeplechasers Hautere and Okaihau are due at Wanganui from Auckland to-day.

Antarctic was due at Wanganui on Wednesday to fulfil his engagement in the steeplechases next week.

The many friends of the Auckland sportsman. Mr. F. Mncmanemin, will regret to hear of the death of his wife, which occurred on Saturday last. The Into Mrs Macnianemin had been in failing health for some tjmo past.

FIXTURES. May 23 and 24—Wanganni J.C. Winter May 23 and 24—North Otago J.C. Winter Junol and 3-A.R.C. Winter. Juno l,and 3-Dunedin J.C. Winter June 3 and 4-Otaki Maori J.C. Winter June 19 and 20-Hawke*s May JX Winter.