NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2216, 31 July 1914, Page 10

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

ri?T Gr.ENCOE.I Jockey A.: Oliver will leave for the south on Monday next. His mount in the Winter Cup will be ICimlxinitil. Ho will also ride H. Hickoy's horses in tlie hack races. , The annual' meeting of tlie Masterlon Racing' Club was held on Thursday afternoon, when the report and balancesheet wero adopted, and the retiring officers were re-elected. Mr: Jaf. We'.den, for ninny years racecourse detective in different parts of New Zealand, die! at his home at:Miraninr vesterdar after ft long and very painful i'llneta. Dec«4»e<l van tlie terror of Hii racejourM tuvwr, but had & .very kiad-_

ly' nature and was popular with . all classes of sportsmen. ■

Valhalla has not started so far in Sydney, but tho Press give- him plenty of 110-1 tice, and he is quoted : about fifth favourJte for the Epsom Handicap, a couple of points; longer than Bon Reve. Recently ho was weighted in a six-furlongs race at Rosclnll and given Sst. 9lb„ but his trainor cancelled his engagement. C. Pritchard is going south on Thursday next, and will tako with him Cyra, who is engaged in the hack races, Pimpernel, Exotic, and the Winter Cup candidate, Mount Victoria. . . In the south, Slogan is much fancied for the Winter Cup. So far no rider has been engaged for the Sir Laddo gelding, who has so far not distinguished himself in open company. ' R. Knox took Kakawai. to tho Woodlands Meeting, and fche Bezonian- mare started twioe, but failed to win a race; Seemingly she is not as good as was thought, but as she is very erratic at the barrier ; she may have had to give away * lot at tho start. ■ .1

Jockey F. Meagher was seen in the saddle at the Woodlands Hunt Club Meeting on Wednesday. This meaps that he will be able to take the mount on Grey King in the National Hurdles.-

Most of t'iic visiting horses have already arrived at Riccarton, and the only' "North Islanders still to make the journey are the Porirua, Fordell and Trentham horses. ■ '

iTop Note, winner of,,the Hunters' Hurdles at the Woodlands Hunt Club Meeting, had not previously" started in a jumping event. She is a qualified hunter,' and will be a runner, at Riccarton. The San Fran mare is trained, by-T. Higgins at Opaki, and was ridden by A. Watson. ■ The. ancient Officer , geldjng 'Medallist, who Has won no end of races, including several Selling Plates.iis.doing good work 1 at Riccarton,. and will he a runner in-' the Selling Race at the forthcoming meeting. He won this', event last year, but this year he is likely to'eniiounter 'strong opposition from, Sea^lving..

At Cantaing Park (W.A.) races on July IS the ex-Southland jumper N'gawera (9st.) Tan "second to Snuthnort'(list. 61b.) in the Maddington. Brush" Steeplechase; (about two miles). Th,ere was' a field of seven, arid Ngawera, who started at an outside, price, was well ahead at the la6t fence. but unseated 1115 rider, leaving Southport- to win easily.'.

As Wisebird is again on'fclie easy list' the probabilities are that the Treadmill filly will not stand a preparation, and mar be retired to the stud verv early. This is a great pity, ■ for the filly had a lot of pace, and nrbmised, to develop into a very: useful three-year-old.

Julian has gone right' 0111"of the market for the National Hurdles, 'and.;is\regarded as a noii-starter; - ' -' ■ ; ! ■.

The withdrawal of Sir Lethe'from the National Steeplechase occasioned no surprise here, as -under a Ulb: penalty-.,J. M. Cameron's, old gelding , could, have little prospects of success. ■ '"

From -England conies, word that Major Nelson . George, whose . colours are well known in the Dominion, and Australia, has not been enjoying the best'of . health for'some,time past. When in New Zealand Major George raced ; Nelson, Seahorse, TVapiti, and- other performers.

The thoroughbred stallion San Fran is to do stad duty in the JVanganui district during the coming season. San Fran, who is by Gozo (im-p.), from Pro-, cella •by . Grand Flaneur, Jrom Auk' by The Marquis,' was a gdotl 'petformer, and won the Metropolitan Handicap and Sydney Cup, besides acting: as;ninnfer-up to Revenue in the Melbourne; Gup. : At the annual meeting : :of. the Masterton Racing' Club yesterday;- 'he stewards were empowered to allocate.£3ooo : in stakes for. the coming season, which is an increase; of .MUD on last season. Mr.-J. H.. Pol-' lock was re-elected handicapper, and Mr. T. Capieron starter. The president, Mr. Vallance, congratulated the club ' upon being in. a sounder position than: ever before, though, regret' was expressed,'by. niotnberrs that the rßacing Commission had deprived the club!of one day's racing in'the year.