NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2135, 29 April 1914, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Br Glencoe.]

Excursion faros are to bo issued by the Railway Department in connection with the Manawatu Racing Club's Autumn Meeting, which takes placo at Awapuni, PalinersMn North, to-day and to-morroir. Both the New Plymouth and Napier expresses will stop at Awapiiui to set down passenger's, and tho down express will also stop at that station. Another train will lcavo tho racecourse at 5.30 p.m. each day for Wellington and intermediate 'stations, arriving at Thorndon. Station at 10 p.m. There has been a lot of heavy rain at Awapuni lately, and the going will bo on tho heavy side to-day. This will cause backers 'Lo look round for "mud larks," and they may show a decided leaning towards Sir Knox and Eniicngarde in the Longburn Handicap and Telegraph Handicap, for this pair showed good form in similar going at Trenthani on Saturday. Tho Hurdles is the opening event, and with the withdrawal of Tho Rover seven runners will be left. Jackiuau has been showing good form lately. A very big field is carded for tho Maiden Plate, but there will, no doubt, be many withdrawals. Monologue may find tho distance a tritlo too far in the Taikorca Welter, and Paoli and Kilosteri may run on better under their light weights. Tho Mauatvatu Sires' Produce Stakes will see most of the leading two-year-olds in action, and probably, some ton runners will faco tho barrier. Intelligible can go very fast, and so can Football, but neither has had a raco for some time. Ringform and Pariform will be prominent absentees, as their fiire, Bouiform, was' not entered. There will ho■ lnoing at Timaru today: Con the-Shiuigh rami (10st. 101b.) is'due to make his tirsfc appearance in a jumping event, and will contest the hurdles, in which ho is opposed by a very weak field. Goldi-reker (!)st. 51b.) went very last for a mile at RiccarUm, and as there is no Kilmony at Washdyke, the Cliokoboro enst-ofi may see out the journey. Forest lMlo is engaged in both tho Rosewell Handicap, five furlongs, and tho Gladstone Hack Welter, six fnrImigs. In the Tiiuaiu Cup, First Glanc-o, a really smart sprinter, is engaged, and apparently is to run, for

lier trainer liiis been working her over a liiilo course at Micciirloii. 1(. .1. .Mason has Canute, engaged in tho Mine race, and the jiair should Ijd 100 good for the opposition. Canute was unlucky not to defeat IJcrt radii in the concluding event at Ricenrton. Carolus, who 1 showed a lot of pace in the -Yaldhurst Welter at Uiccarton. will he a starter in the Flying Handicap. "Jlr. Higluicn" lias secured two .subscriptions to Uro.izino, and will send I'erolina and probably fas rfeul over to Australia, to bo mated with tho ilarco "-Flitters horse. The Two Thousand will be run at Nowmarlcot to-day. As it is tho first run of tho season for the Derby horses the result will bo awaited with interest. Tho Tetrarch, who is already a hot favourite for the Itliie Riband, will probably be a starter. The judgments delivered by the Racing Conference judges on Monday were much discussed in sporting circles. In regard to Tho Hover , case it seemed extraordinary that anyone could have thought it possible that any other ending could come of it, but tho Parawai case, was very different, and both sides lihd an equal number of followers. Tho judgment will do a lot of good, as it will eauso clerks of tho,scales to be more careful in carrying. out -heir duties. . . The owner of Sleacombo lias refused several tempting offers i'or tho Birkonhe'ad gelding, but ho has decided 1 to put him up lor auction. As there aro not many good steeplechasers in sight at tho present time, a good price will no doubt be forthcoming for Mr. E. liimbrick's horse. Special arrangements have been made by tho Union Company for tho convenienco of those desiring to attend, the Marlborough races next '"week. Tlic Mapourika will leave Wellington for Pieton as usual on Monday, and will return on Tuesday. She will sail at. midnight on Tuesday, instead of on Wednesday, for Westport and Groymoutli, but will make calls at Pieton and Nelson en route. In order to copo with tho returning traffic tho Pateeua will mako a special trip to on Friday, May 8, returning hero the same night and sailing for Nelson direct. The Arahura will make tho usual trip to Pieton on Thursday, May 7. Nominations for principal events at tlie Auckland Racing Club's Winter Meeting close on Friday next. Acceptances for tho first day's events at tho Jlarlborougli races closo on Friday; with tho,club's secretary, Mr. L. Griffiths, Blenheim.

FIXTURES. April 29 and 30-Soutli Canterbury J.C, Autumn. April 29 and 30—Manawafu E.C. Autumn. May 6 and 7—Marlboruugh R.C. Autumn. May 6 and 7—Hawke's Bay J.C. Autumn. May 7 and B—Ashburton County K.C, Autumn. May 13 and 14—Egmont R.C. Winter. May 21 and 22—North Otago .T.C. Winter, May 21 and 23—Wanganui J.C. Winter. June 3 and I—Otaki Maori E.G. Winter. June 3 and 4—Dunedin J.C. Winter,