NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1931, 13 December 1913, Page 18

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

. [Bt Glixcoi.] < Acceptajices for tho Manawatu Racing Club's Sleeting, close on Tuesdaynext at 10 p.m. Filial payments for the Eighth Palmerston North Stakes are due at the same time. The Te ICuiti Racing Club's annual meeting takes place on February i). Nominations close on' January 9. " T. Pritchard has abandoned his intention of riding at Ellcrslie, and will be at Awapuni instead. His mount in tho Matiawatu Cup will bo Sir Knox. I'rinco Soult, who was'to have Wii ridden by Pritchard in the Railway Handicap, will now have W. Young in the saddle. The'withdrawal of Sir Moscley from tho Railway Handicap at .E'ilersiio was rendered necessary owing to a bruised heel. 'I his will leave J. U'Slwa without a mount in tho big sis furlongs race, so ho may be able to get on Soltano. F. Davies was -endeavouring to secure a. rider at Woodviile, but all tho "stars" wore booked up, and so ho left the question open in case any of the leading riders should bo available later on. L. Wilson, who rides for Mr, E. J. Watt, will, in future, also b® on Mr. W. Stoad's horses, which are now in T. Quinliyan's stables. Wilson will also ride Trainer V.' Collello's team when opportunity permits.

It is reported that Mr. H. Whifncv is arranging with S. Reid to take charge of Naumai and Tnrna for tho Groy-niout-h Meeting, and to do tho riding of tho pair.

After being in tho colours to ride. Black Lupin m tho concluding event at Woodville, .Jockey A. Oliver was asked to stand down and allow T. - Pritcjtard to rido ilie chestnut horse. • All appeal to Stipendiary Steward J'. M'Malion resulted in Oliver being paid a losing mount.

As was feared might- provo to ho the case, the Bezonian—Prologue filly Melpomene, who recently met'with an accident whilst galloping at l'orirua, died this week as a result of blood-poison-ing. Her loss is most unfortunato for her owners, as, apart from lior prospects on tho turf, she would have bec-n a very valuable brood mare. She was a hall-sister to Preludo (dam of Peroneal and I'eronilla) aud'Sinapis.

If tho owner of Byron decides to sendbis luirso to Taratalii on Boxing Day he wiH start a veuy pronounced favourite in the Cup. Last year Undecided saw a short prico in this event, but the veteran (Jpaki trainer R. Knox brought about his downfall with tho aid of Sir Knox. This year the same trainer has Manitau engaged in the Cup. "Will history repeat- itself? The handicap for the Alanawatu Cup is a flattering one. This is particularly noticeable, because usually Mr. J. Henrys does not make adjustments that can be called flattering. AJangaroa (7st. olb.) is looking and galloping well now, and Multiply (7st.) will assuredly do better on top of the ground. Both read nicely. Local pencillers report that the Woodvillo double (Birklino and Astor) was one of the best-supported combinations that has succeeded for sonso years. Itis estimated that £1500 was paid out by Wellington firms, and all in small amounts. Tho jumpers Agatha Green, and the unnamed Daunt mare have been sent homo from l'orirua. It is announced that their owner, Mr. N. Wilson, is retiring from racing. Royal Arms, who is said to have made great improvement since racing at Eiccarion, will be ridden in tiio Auckland Cup by R. Berry. - Mr. G. L. Stead has disposed of Somniform, by Boniform—Dreamer, and Prelusive, by Bezoiiian—Preludo, to Air. I. G. Duncan, who will probably retire them to tho "Waikanao stud,. Somniform is a full-sister to Bon Rove-, and Prelusive is a hall-sister to the Welcome Stakes winner Peionilla. Tho American trotting inaro Lovelock, whose match with the Australasian champion Emmeliuo will be one of the niaiu attractions at the New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting to-day, has quite recovered from the mishap which laid her up a few days ago, and it is confidently expected that she will register a smart performance in her first public appearance, in New Zealand.