NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1492, 15 July 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bi Qlensok.l ■ Wednesday next sees tho commencement of what should bo tho most successful winter meeting yet held by the Wellington Kacinß Club. Certainly never previously have there been such large fields, and if only the weather will remain fine, and give tho course at Trentham a chanc> to dry up,a record crowd should Ire present by tho time the bell rings to go to the post for the Wellington Steeplechase. Most of the horses engaged in tho race in question are already on the scene, and tho others should arrive to-day. At tho present time it is expected that twelve of the fifteen acceptors will go to' the post. Continuance, ..list. 131b., leads the way. G. Jones has the bay gelding looking exceptionally well, but a trifle on tho big side. A race would do him the world of good, and so it would Captain Jingle, who is doing verv little on tho tracks. Antarctic is very lame, and seems unable to raise, a gallop. The trouble is said to be muscular rheumatism. Hautero is looking and going well,' and is not likely to bo displaced from his present position of favourite. He and Armagh aro to be schooled over the country this • morning. Parjtutu is on the scene, and looks well, as does Compass, but the latter, though a good mud horse, is not a proficient jumper. Master Paul arrived yesterday. His trainer is very pleased with the way ho has been schooling at li.iccarton, but to win at the first time of asking is a very big order. Of the remainder Zanto, who is under the care of E. Hannon, has a bad leg behind, and the others do not possess any special credentials. ■ Crown Pearl, as was generally anticipated, has arrived at Trentham to fulfil his engagement in the Stewards' Handicap. The New Plymouth - horso looks very well, but is a trifle on tho big side. This, of course, is the way he should be at this period of the season and if he can act in heavy going ho should be very hard to beat in the Stewards' Handicap. His form at Hawere, New Plymouth, and Avondalo last summer is sure to make him a solid order in the opening event on Wednesday. The Wnikato trainer; R. Haiuion, in , charge of Salute, who is now quite blind in one eye, Uranium and Zanto have also arrived at Trentham, and at the conclusion of the racing hero Hannon will, if the form of his horses warrants it, push on to Riccarton for the Grand National meeting. 1 S. Waddell, with Peary, Idealism, Bollin, Sir Tristram, and Outward, reached Trentham on Saturday evening. With the exception of tho last-named, who is sore, tho whole of the team are looking well and nvay bo taken on to Riccarton. Khamsin is once more in her own box at Trentham, bufc she has fallen away consfderably and it will bo a long- time before she can race agoin. P. Brady will as usual vide R. Hannon's team at Trontham awl he will also ride Patriotic in the opening event for Mr. 1\ Goddard. Mulgn, Bill, who is also owned by the latter, will be ridden by H. Telford. On the way to Wellington the wellknown horseman J. Deerey called in at Wango.nui to visit F. Howard. The injured horseman is still in a bad way end the chances are .that it will be a matter of many months before he can leave the hospital. ' Guncan, who won the. Y.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase- on Saturday, lias shown consistent form during the past six months. He won a steeplechase at Sandown Park in, Hajyaml has several rimes been placed at other meetings. United Kingdom and Scrutineer, who tilled tlia places behind Guncap, have also been performing well. S. Reid is fully engaged at Trenthnm on Wednesday. His mounts will include Jit. Victoria, Ceylon, and La Reina. I). Hatch will ride Undecided, Lcdrone, and other members of I , ". Higgott's' team at Trentham this week. On Saturday morning n good deal of useful work was accomplished by the horses already at Trentham. Capt. Jingle, Gold Bird, Soman, 'and Jumtsford weie sent out together to jump four cf tho big fences. Knutsford dislodged his rider at the fourth fence, but subsequently was remounted and r-ent over the obstacle. Capt. Jingle and Gold Dird both gave capital displays. R. Kelly will have the mount on Gaelic iu tho Winter Hurdles on Wednesday. A. Oliver arrived from I'almerston North on , Saturday to fulfil riding engagements at the-forthcoming Winter meeting at. Trentham. Glenowl and St. Kevin arrived from tile south by tho Mararou on Saturday morning, and were taken en to Ticnfliam. Countermine, White Cockade, and Jlii.-ter Paul reached here from Ilicjarlru yesterday. ■ , "