NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2244, 2 September 1914, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The flat racing season will commence I at Marton to-day. Very large fields are ; engaged in all the events, but as it is so early in the season it is obvious that there iv;ll_ be a let of "half readyhorses racing. • - ■ • / , Kew, who has something of a reputa- ; tion as a juniper, though making his ■ lirst appearance in a hurdle race, may ■ be the favourite in the Hack Hurdles, • for which Lcapukiis said to be a doubt- ) ful starter. Parewanui and St. Gate • are both certain' to go very fast over the . first few fences, which will cause the > field to string out very'early. ' ' Outside of the three-year-olds Mia Cara, Kaminohe, and Elevate,' the Maiden field is not a good one. Cara is by Boniform from Carissima, and soveral times as a two-year-old she showed pace in her races. Her best effort was running second to Daytimo at Trent-ham in January. Elovato is a member of N. Williams' Otaki team, j In his Taces last season the chestnut | gelding, was always running over the top of his field at the finish. Kaminobe is by Hymettus, He started three times last season, but failed to gain a place. Mount Victoria and Epworth will be more forward than most of the other contestants in the Railway Handicap, and the former in particular should see out the journey well. Pariform was regarded as tho equal of any of the two-year-olds seen out last 6eason,_ and this may cause him to start favourite. Several times last season Sunbird carried the confidence of; her connections in open sprint race's, and with only 6st. 101b. to-carry she looks-well in. Lady Bibbero, the top-weight in the Hunt Club Cup, is a very safe conveyance, and stays well. The distance, threo miles, will suit her better than the rest of the field. The .consistent form of Portraiture in the winter may make. Mr. D. Buick's horse favourite for the Marton Handicap, in'which he will have the services of A. Oliver. Passadena has been working well at Wanganui,' and Deeley's mount is certain to be well supported. ' ■ As Want has been > supported for the New Zealand Cup he should at this stage be equal to a Haok race. The Penury colt is a good beginner, and this will assist him in the big field likely to start in the Electric Hack Handicap, six furlongs. Ngarua (B. Deeley) won two races last season, and was sevoral times placed.

Several'useful horses are included in the Hack Steeplechase field, amongst them being Silver Monarch, To Whetu, and Waterworks. The lastnamed ran well at Ellerslie and Napier in the winter in open events, and the class he will meet to-day will not be_ so formidable, as he was Tacing against at those places. Fashion Plate and Awahou are the best of the Welter field. The former may be . moro .forward than the topweight. '■■....-■. H. Hickey's horses which competed at tho National meeting arrived in Wellington yesterday, and are facing railed to Hastings to-day. Player is very sore, but the remainder of the. team are well. .'.,_" ' Mr. G. L. Stead started four, horses at the Amberley Steeplechaso Club's meeting.on Saturday. His flat racers, Culross and Purseform, ea'eh ran into second place, but his jumpers, Tim Doolon and Tho Pole, fell, both of them subsequently showing . signs of. lameness. '. It camo as a surprise to many to see Tim Doolan, tho' winner of the Grand National Steeplechase a few weeks.ago, fall at tho .first, obstacle in a. hurdle race. FIXTURES. Sept. 2—Marton'J.C. Spring. '. Sept. 3—Rangitikei Hunt. Sept. 9—Dannevirke R.C. Steeplechase. Sept. 10 and 11—Ashburton County R.C. Spring. Sept. 16 and 19—Avondale Jockey Club. Sept. 24 and 25—Goraldrne R.C. Spring. Sept.' 24 and 26—Wanganui J.C. Spring Oct. 3—Napier Park R.C. Spring. Oct. 9 and 10—Dunedin J.C. Spring. Oct. 10—Hawko's Bay J.C. Spring. Oct. 15 and 17—South Canterbury J.C. Spring. Oct. 24 and 26—Wellington Racing Club Spring.