THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1851, 10 September 1913, Page 5

THE TURF.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. [By Glencoe.] Sportsmen left Wellington in some numbers yesterday to be present at the DannevirKo spring meeting, which opens to-day. Big fields will be tho order in all the events. In' tho Trial Stakes no fewer than thirty-one horses are engaged, and tho majority of them are likely to see the post, for, at this time of tlie year, trainers are in tho dark as to the ability of thoir charges, and naturally they are anxious to give them a race in public to test them. Tho luck of the c(raw will play a prominent part in this' event, and the outside numbers can be written out. Last year, it is true, Moonbria got into second place from,the extremo outer, but there may not'be a "Moonbria in this field, though the Quinlivan stable has French Rose engaged. This filly is by Charlemagne 11. from Ma Mie Rosette, dam of Signor.

In the Hack Hurdles, .Merrie Valet and Daisy Paul should show the benefit derived from tho racing which they had at Marton. Tutchen, who rides the latter, is a very patient horseman, who goes over very littlo ground, and saves his mount at every turn. Toney, who is to make his first appearance in a hurdle, race, is stated to bo a good jumper.

With Park Hill just in after a spell, backers may prefer Yankee Doodle in the Hack Raco, the more especially as tho Menschikoff gelding ran two good races at Marton. A 101b. penalty for winning at Marton will raise the weight to be carried by Styrax to Bst. 31b., but this is hardly likely to prove an insurmountable burden to the Hawera gelding.

Had Mysteriarch (7st. 131b.) had a race recently the public would probably select Mr. G. Hunter's • horse for the Spring Handicap, but Otahu (Bst. 131b.), lloosevelt (Bst. 81b.), and Routine (7st. 41b.) may now be better backed on tho machine. Roosevelt was pulling very hard in the first part of the Marton Handicap, and that race may have done him a great deal of good.

AVindage will probably start a warm favourito in the big Steeplechase. If the country is the same as was the case 'last year, there will bo plenty of jumping, but the chestnut gelding is a bold fencer, and has more pace than any of tho other runners. Master Webb is another fine fencer, and he may again be found making a good fight of it with Windage.. \

They .are not a good lot in the Hack Steeples, and if Ranter is reserved for this race he may (for a change) go one. better than his usual position of run-ner-up. Tho Trentham-owned Silver Monarch was ono of the few hacks which got round safely at Marton last week.' •

L. Wilson has been engaged to ride Diavolo in the Otanga Handicap, one mile. The form of the Napier horse has been very good of late, and, under these 'circumstances, he is sure to start favourite. Smilax, 7st. 41b. (W. Bell) was running on well at the finish of tho Railway Handicap at Marton.

The day's sport will concludo with the Hack Welter, in which a big field is listed to compoto. Several of the runners have engagements earlier in the day, but, if Styrax is. reserved for this race, ho may prbvo very troublesome. Tho Diver (Bst. 31b.) won two races on this course twelvo months ago.

' B. Deeley arrived by tho Auckland express .yesterday ; and went south in tho ovening, to ride at the Ashburton meeting. Ho will be on Thrax in the Cup, and Oxenhopo in tho Spring Handicap. The.SteadrOwned horses—Sauci and Somniform—will also have his services at the meeting.

The .withdrawal of Masterpiece from tho New Zealand Cup field probably means a' recrudescence of the trouble in one of his logs, and that Sir Geo; Clifford. does not deem it advisable to have him prepared for the long journey. His defection will be a set-back to antepost bettors, as the son of Clanranald was one of the early favourites. L. Wilson has been engaged to ride Royal Arms in,the Avoudale Cup. In Auckland, Mr. F. Hall's three-ycar-okl filly, Merry. Roc, is favourite for this race. SCRATCHED. (By Telejrflph—l'rffia AsoootatTon.) Ghrlstchureh, September 9. Masterpiece was scratched for tho New Zealand Cup at 10.20 this morning.