NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2334, 16 December 1914, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

HBt Glßncob.l Owing to an alteration in the timetable, .0. Emerson missed the boat at Lyttelton on Monday evening, and will not be able to reach Wellington until this morning. This will prevent him getting to Woodville in time for the opening event. ■■ Amongst the passengers from Sydney yesterday was Mr. F. O. Davis, owner of Di Gama. Mr. Davis will be in Auckland to see the Cup run, and will later on return to Melbourne. Di Gama is at present spelling. Big fields are the genoral rule at Wooaville to-day. The first event, the Maiden Plate, six'furlongs, is timed to start at 12.30 p.m. It is aweight-for-age ©vent, and the list includes (amongst others) the Gisborne two-year-old Pacific Slope, one' of Mr. H. Dβ Latour's string, and a speedy sort. Also Steinheil, a half-sister, by Martian, to that good performer Bon Ton. The latter has done some racing, and should hold her own in a weak field.

The Woodvillo Club always gets big fields in its hurdle races, and this year is no exception. Amongst the number are Rustic, a double winner at Gisborne, and the much-talked of Sir Donald, who scored at Feilding. Two place-getters behind the latter in Stagnant and Master Strowan, can be depended upon to run well.

Square Deal, who is now trained by J. Farmer at Awapuni, has been galloping well in private. He was taken to Feilding, but was not started on account of the mud. To-day may be his day, for he is an acceptor in tho Grandstand Hack Handicap, seven furlongs. Ladify, who finished well at Feilding, and Alces may be the best of the others. '

In Wie Woodville Handicap, one mile and a quarter, Rewi Poto, Bst. 101b. (0. Price), and Wild Lupin, 7st. 91b. (0. Bmereon), will perhaps be the favourite selections. Sir Knox, Kooya, St. Elmn, Marshall Macdonald, and Gazette, Auckland Cup candidates, have all paid up in this-race. Wild •Lupin won very decisively at Feilding, and a good line as to the merit of his form can be obtained through Guiding Way, who ran third to the Hawera horse, and the following day was placed second-in tho big handicap.

No fewer than 25 horses are carded for tho . Flying Hack Handicap, six furlongs. Some smart hacks are engaged, including Intelligible, Gold boult, and Miraculous.

They are not a good lot in tho Borough Handicap, seven furlongs, and Black Lupin, 9st. olb., may divide favouritism with Monologue, 9st. 21b. Lady Alicia, Bst. 121b., and Day Fly, o.i the same mark, are useful, bat the first-mentioned when iu the humour can gallop vory fast. Tho Welter Hack Handicap may see Fashion Plato occupying pride of place on the machine. The locally-trained mare is useful under big weights, and runs on well. The three-year-old Want, who failed.badly at Wanganui in tho Spring, will have a chance- to retrieve his lost laurels. Tho day's racing will conclude •with the Eleotric Handicap, five furlongs. The light-weights Daytime, Goldstream, and Suratura will go very fast, and may bring about the- downfall of the heavier-weighted onoa. It should not be- necessary to remind owners that nominations for the Wellington Cup meeting close to-niglit at 9 o'clock. The flood, according to a Press Association' telegram from Greymouth, did no damage t<) the Greymouth racecourse, or the railway connection therewith,. FIXTURES. Dec. 1G and 17—Woodrille District J.C. Summer. Dec. 2G-Taratahi-Carterton R.C. Annual. Dec. 2G and 28—Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. 2G and 28—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 2G and 28—Keefton J.C. Midsummer. Dec. 26 and 28—Thames J.C. Summer. Dec. 26 and 29, and Jan. 1 and 2—Auckland K.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 28, and 29-Manawatu B.C. Summer. ,Dee. 31 and Jan, I—Greymouth J.O. Midgummor a