NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1825, 11 August 1913, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

lEy Glenooe.] As a result of his great displays sinco arriving at Riccarton, The Native is now * irs ' : c ' lo ' ccs f°r the Grand National Steeples. On Saturday morning ho schooled with Bercola, and gave a quite clean exhibition, outjumping his companion at ever}* fence. The Spaniard is very well, and so is Dorando, but tho latter is not galloping so well on tho tracks as could be desired, l'aritutu has done littlo or work, and a victory for him would not indicate that, the opposition was first-clas3. Nedra is very veil, and can l>s depended upon to give a good account of herself.

On all sides the issue in the Grand National Hurdlos is voted very open. On Saturday Loch Maben was too good for Princo i.ddio in a round over fences, and ho gained many friends by his display. He has not been accepted for in tho Trial Hurdles, and may fool tho want of a raco next Thursday. Botli Coronetted and North East havo "big knee?," caused through hitting fences, but Beacon and Marlon havo both done their work well, and havo a host of admirers.

Bullawarra's- performance in tho Australian Steeplechaso was, from a weightcarrying point of view, among the - best on record.

Our special all Eiccarbon tele«rapWs that tho weather is cold. Misty ram fell on Saturday, but so far there has not been enough to deaden tho tracks, Of tlio Winter Cup candidates Crown Pearl and Royal Arms both went very well on Saturday, and put up the best gallop of the morning. Each carried a good weight, and appeared t.o havo a lot in hand at tho finish. Awahou went well in his flutter with Gnonie, but the geneial opinion is that tlio weight is too much for him. P. M'C'abe, who rode tlie winner of tho Australian Steeplechase on Saturday, had tho mount 011 Obi when tho latter won tlio Grand National Hurdles at Plomington last month.

lic-w and liilrain galloped together at Riccarton on Saturday, and finished up their task together. Pilgrim's Way also wont well, and promises to have a lot to say at tho finish of tho big 'milo tomorrow. St. Aidan also moved well, but tlio paco in tho first part is l'ikely to prove the_ undoing of tho Birkenhead gelding.. Vanguard, who finished second to Bullawarra in tho Australian Steeplechaso .'at Caulfield, won ever tho big country at Onkaparinga in 1912, and is supposed to bo tlio best cross-comilry p3rformer for his size in Australia,

Mr. R. E. Ilarle.v has been reappointed starter /or tho Nelson Jockey Club. lioports from Christchurch state that P. Plynn, who was on Hautere when tho latter fell at Riccarton last week, is suffering from injuries which may prevent him from fulfilling his engagements at tlio Grand National meeting.

M'Cabe and M'Gregor, who rode the winner and runner-up in tlio big steeplechase aF Caulfield on. Saturday, are both ex-New Zealanders. M'Cabe wrote to his friends at Now Plymouth two months ago, and expressed himself as confident of wining ono of tlio big jumping events in Melbourne this - year. He won two of tliem. It is understood (says our Marton correspondent) (hat the Rangitikei Racing Club will apply to the president of the New Zealand Racing Conferenco for March 25 and March 26, 1914, as dates for their race meeting.