NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1445, 21 May 1912, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bi Qlencoe.l The Wanganui Jockey Club's winter meeting will be held on Thursday and Friday. The Wanganui Steeplechase, the Century Hurdles, and the Connolly Haudicap are all run on the opening day.

It is evident that the two Bezonian youngsters in the Endeavour Lodge stables have impressed J. W. Lowe, as he has made arrangements to send his own mare Effort on a visit to the imported English horse. Those who have had experienco with the Bezonian youngsters state that there is a good future before (hem, as they all seem to have good constitutions, and can gaUop. The colt from Miss Phyllis, which wns purchased at tho Wnikanae sale, is losing the coarseness which featured him six months ago, and the ChainBtitcli filly is doing extremely well. This pair, and the Charlemagne II colt, which Mr. 0. S. Watkins purchased at Christchurch in November are regular workers at Trenthnni. The colt was very small when in the sale ring, but, since being taken in hand, he has grown a bit, and is now nearly 15 bands high.

The well-known Rnndwick trainers, J. Burton and P. M'Grnlh, both stated before the N.S.AV. Totalizator Co'mmissiun that they would like to fee bookmaker and totalisatov working together. Mr. Burton also said ho favoured moro lons races and less short ones. Tho public would get a belter chance then.

There seems to be a difference of opinion as to who will rido Tho Native and Whakaweira at Wnnganui. The latter is in 11. Hickey's stables, and the Hastings trainer has'secured" J l . Flynn to do his riding. A. Julian was offered the mount on The Native, but, as ho would not rido on the AYanganui course, P. Flynn was retained. Probably tho similarity between the sound of the names of Frank Flvnn and Frank Lind accounts for tho published report that the latter would ride the horses mentioned above. Lind is to ride Seaman in the Century Hurdles,

The Spaniard, who is engaged in tho AYanganui Steeplechase, is a. half-brother to Whakaweira, who is engaged in the Fame race. The Torpedo gelding was twice placed in hunters' races at tho Grand National meeting two years ago.

No previous winners of tho AYanganui Steeplechase are engaged in this year's race, nor aro any of the horses which competed in the event twelve months ago among the acceptors this year.

AYalloco was represented by a. winner in three capitals on Saturday, liny 11-— by Braw Scot in Adelaide, by Menteith in Holxirt, and by Perdita in Sydney.

Parifutu was schooled over tho big country at Ellerslie on Saturday, and gaye-, a slp.w, careful exhibition of jmup : ' ing—but not an impressive display.

One of tho most promising of the Auckland horses engaged at the. AA'anganui meeting is Sphinx. Tho daughter -of Bluejacket is an ideal type of jumper, and sliould prove a good performer overhurdles.

The Hawera horses Coronottcd., Mannwakalia, and Smilnx arrived at Ellcrslio on Saturday morning, as did tlio steeplechaser Appin.

Eeumac, Captain 8011, and Blakency havo been entered at the Roseliill (Sydney) meeting next Saturday.

"Writing to a Melbourne paper in reference to bookmakers' runners, Mr. H. Alan Ciirrie, chairman of the V.A.T.C, concluded his remarks as follows:—Generally, I think that you will find that transactions in betting at Caulfield are conducted in a proper and orderly manner, and will compare favourably with similar transactions in other parts of tho world. If sometimes undue rushinjr or jostling does tako place, I think that there is a good deal in what a member of the ring said, viz., that it was not done by employees of the. bookmakers, but by haiißtrs-on, -who rush in to follow the lead of an owner or punter. These, I understand, aro known as "the heads."

Tho chestnut gelding San Fernando died at Palmerston North on Thursday last. He was formerly raced by Mr. P. Martin, but was recently sold to a couple of sportsman for a low figure.

The two-year-old Bon Soir, who ran creditably at Trentham last month, is engaged in tho Trial Plate at Oamaru on Thursday.

Sea Queen has been kept up to the collar since the Blenheim meeting, and, if the weight is suitable; Hie mare will contest the Rankawa Cup at Otaki.

Daily, Whakawcira is receiving substantial support for the Great Northern Steeples and Wanganui Steeplechase— particularly for tho latter event. The supposition is that the old Pilgrim's Progress gelding is a good stayer, and, of course, lie has the Great Northern Hurdles to his credit. On the other hand, big fences and galloping ui) hills usually tires beginners at stccplechasing.

""ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. E.R. (Wellington).—Audax was killed at Riccarton in August, 1910. FIXTURES. May 23 »nd 24—Wanganui J.C. Winter. May 23 and 2i—North OUgo J.C. Winter. June 1 and 3-A.R.C. Winter. June 1 and 3—Dunedin J.C. Winter. June 3 and 4—Otaki Maori J.C. Winter. June 19 and 20—Hawke's May J.C. Winter.