NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1769, 6 June 1913, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

tßr Glekcoe.l Though the New Zealand Cup' nominations closed on Tuesday last they have not so far been published. Nomiuations for the Napier Park meeting close at 8 o'clock to-night. Of tho nine horses in work under tho guidance of J. W. Scott at Trentham. no fewer than, seven of them are boing schooled over fences. When Bercola won tho Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie, lie was making his first appearanco in a oross-country event. It is not often that a horso wins a steeplechase at the first time of asking, but the Hawera-owned gelding is a good stayer, and there is not much to jump on the Ellerslie course. As a,matter of fact, more horses fall in hurdle races there than in steeplechases. ■ Bercola is by The Officer, an Australian-bred horse by Robinson Crusoe—Marie Louise, his dam, Noon, being by Medallion —Dunoon, by Bund-oora—Kosene.lth, dam Of Culverin, who won the Great Easter Handicap at Riccarton in 1896.

Tho two displays of Gny Lawless at Otaki proved extremely disappointing to her owner, Mr. C. Pritchard, On tho tracks at Trentham, the black mare shows form good enough to win any 'hack hurdlo race, but she did not run up to that form at Otaki. Her owner is of the opinion that the going did not suit her.

Secret Link, who has been, on the tu* tired list through getting into wiie fence, has again joined tho working brigade at Trentham. Tho filly looks well, and will be a runner in the Trial Plate at Trentham next month. The Bezonian —Miss Phyllis colt in J. W. Lowe's stables at Trentham seems to be on tho upward grade, and the decision not to race him until lie was a three-ycar-old was'a wise one. He works regularly on the tracks, with 'Mira, ami gets ! through his tasks just as well as the grey | horse. Multiply was in- a bad way at Ellorslio last week, and the services of a veterinary surgeon had' to be obtained for Mm. This may, to some extent, have accounted for the horse's bad showing at Wanganui. Nyland will make his next appearance over hurdles at the Hawke's Bay winter meeting, when he will prohablv bo saddled up in the Open Hurdles, and will bo ridden by A. J, M'Flynn. Sportsman, who won the Otflgo Steeplechase, hails from Southland, where ho has dono a fair amount of racing over country without success. He started in the Kiverton Steeplechase at Easter; but failed to show up prominently, so that he must have improved much sinco then, as the field he beat included nearly all the best cross-country performers from Southland. Black and Red. the siro of Sportsman, was bred by the, late Mr. G. G. Stead, being by Maxim -Iqualate, by July—Teredo, by Apre- ] mo'nt—Nautilus. In the old betting books of tho Jockey Club and 'White's are to l>e found many curious records, says Ralph Xevill m "The Man of Pleasure." There was onco a young man who made money on spiderracing. He wagered that a spider which he would produce would cross a plate quicker than a spider to bo produced b.v a friend. Each spider was to liavo its own plate. His opponent's spider, however, on being started, would not stir, while his own ran with immense speed. The bet was consequently lost, and tho loser soon found out the reason why. His young friend had a hot plate. Watehchain and Flingot, winner and runner.-up in tho Campbell Hurdles, occupied similar positions in the Jumpers Flat Rncc on Tuesday. Glenmore is having a great innings In steeplechases, and the Winter Steeples jit EHerslie has fallen to his bid. At Wanganui he rather easily defeated Dornndo. to whom he was conceding 81b. This was the •difference between them yesterday, so that it did not come as a surprise to find Glcnnioro atjain finishing in front of the San Fran gelding. Hasbavne, winner of the York Welter at Ellerslio yesterday, got a very bad run in the Cornv.-nll Handicap on Saturday, and, going along tho top stretch., lie was nearly down once. The Ivarmnu stable, which shelters Haskayno, won the samo race last year with Miscount.

Fort William, runner-up to Haskoyno in the York Welter, can be "expected any day now. Tlie Sonlt horse is much above himsslf yet. but racing is improving him, ami if he'trains on he will not be'lons in getting oil the winning list. Aberbiotliock was very backward when he rticed at Ohiki. but he pulled up qmto sound, and if E. Watson e«n keep him so his new owner will not be long in getting a return of his purchase money. Onurtlev was the unlucky hor W 'of the Telceranh Hack Handicap field at Owki on Wednesday. The Sir Laddo gelding was _\"3. 1 on the rails, but when li© jumped out lie was cannoned into by another horse, and sent to tho rear. Subsequently. lie put. in a great run and finished rlo'so up fourth. During the holiday meetings some big dividends were paid. notably at Ellerslie, where, in the. big fields prevailing, some rank outsiders turned np. Marton and Glenmoro were withdrawn from their Hnwke's Buy. engagements be. fore tho weights appeared. •