NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2346, 31 December 1914, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

TBi Glßncoe.l . For local followers of racing the Wairarapa Racing Club's Summer Meeting at Taulierenikau will liavo most attraction to-morrow and on Saturday.. The fixture promises to.provide capital sport, and for the convenience of Wellington visitors a special train service lias boon arranged. To-morrow raco ' trains will 'leave Lainbton Station for Feathcrston at 6.35 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., and there will be three trains by .which. the return trip may be made. On Saturday, tho special trains depart from Lambton Station at 6.40 a.m. and 8.30 a.m., and two trains will be available for the return, journey. . - . In connection with, tho Foston Racing Club's Annual Meeting, ownors are reminded that nominations for all events. closo on Wednesday next with-tho club's secretary, Mr. EndellWanklyn. . . , The annual meeting of the Stratford Bacing Club-is to be held to-morrow and on Saturday, and should attract a large attendance of sportsmen from along tho west coast of this island./ ■; N; Campbell, the well-known hurdle horseman,, suffered a bereavement during the week by the death of his only son. . :.'.';..' :■•'..-;■ in consequence of the war the Racing Stables Instittue at'Maisons ■ Laffitte had -to ■ close ite doors lor some time, but is now reopened (says a Home exchange); and- is ;being, found particularly, useful,as a : meeting-place for the •trainers, jockeys, and others connected with racing who still remain in the district. Many of .them arc on active service, and among the jockeys now at the front are K. Sauval, Doumen, T. Williams,' Barre, M.. Barat, Berteaus, Moreau, and Bourdale, while the trainers include Barbier, Kabier. Coblentz, Raoul, d'Okhuysen, and W t ; Heslop, the latter acting as an .interpreter. Those remaining in the town are the trainers Adele, 11. Mayer, Burch, J. Davis, W. Davis, Gildon, Lawrence, Leigh, Jean Lieux,' Snyder, and Shields. All tho trains of wounded soldiers and prisoners stop^at: fclie'Ked Cross' depot, Acheres, asmall station, about a mile and a half from' Maisons, and those remaining at the latter place supply the needs of the unfortunates, with bread, fruit; tobacco, wine.'eto. . W; Ryan, who recently resigned the post-of ,first-horseman for. the Karamu stable,, may shortly, take regular service in -tho colours of a well-known Wellington, owner. As was the case in 1871 (says the Paris correspondent of a London paper), all the classic events of .the spring and summer at Paris and Chantillv will fall out, and sport will .be resumed much, in the same locality as it was ended either at Deauville/or Caen. There will be no Oaks, Derby, and Grand Prix de Pans, and our two-year-olds have perforce been turned cut of training. Crosscountry sport will suffer the same fate, while the ranks of tho6e .who are .'.'poor men, ;poor labouring' men, and have no work to do," will be increased by the influx of those who depended on racing.,

The Auckland' Summer Meeting will be advanced 'a further stage to-morrow when the A.R.C. Great Northern Derby will come up for decision. At present Reputation-overshadows the others, but it will be interesting to ■ "see how he will fare, with Balboa; who defeated bim so unexpectedly at Riccartoh. Mullingar, who/was to have been i-idden /is 'an unlikely, starter.

' During the raoing at Awapuhi on Monday W. Bell was alleged to have called out to another rider, to pull in a .third horseman. Stipendiary ;M?Mahon brought him before the stewards who promptly fined him £25, while H., Batten; who denied that Bell called, out to him, was suspended for ,12 months for'giving unsatisfactory evidence/ Both penalties are. open to revision by. the Wanganui District Committee; which .' meets on Weidnesday next -.'■;.;■ " ' , : .-.,':

" A feature of the Manawatu Chip Meeting • was the great success . scored by Handicappers J.- Henrys :• and H. Coyle. The former did the first day, and the latter, the two subsequent days. The splendid finishes seen throughout > the meeting were a glowing testimony to th'o work of the handicappers Inamcd.

It is understood that Bertrada will contest'the Wairarapa; Cup on New dear's Day. This means that the. High;den team will forfeit thoir Marton engagements.' '.•:,,. '.'

■'■ A. Oliver,? who has been on a holiday trip, to Sydney, is returning by the Ulimaroa, : which' sails to-day. He will arrive in 'Wellington on Monday next; '■: \

The fact that the Farewell Handicap at Awapuni only brought out three runners may cause the Manawatu Club ..to-revise its programme somewhat..' -Most of the horses who would take part in the Farewell Handicap are also engaged in the big handicap the Bame day. "Perhaps a\ Juvenile Handicap for 2 and 3-year-olds would be appreciated by owners; for at the present time 2-year-olds, not good enough to race in the Palmefston North Stakes, can only start once_ at the meeting, and in consequence visitors think twioe about, bringing youngsters'; .

The people who frequent the lawn are not by, any means the' only ones who see the funny.side of racing. When Koo'ya was performing in the bird-cage prior to the Manawatu Chip, a wag on the - "outer" remarked xo the lad who ivas waiting .to mount the mare: !|I say, son, I guess she; ain't no relation, to Mary's Ettle lamb'."

..■;■. FIXTURES. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1— Greymouth J.C. Midsummer. Jan. I.—Cheviot E.C'Annual.. Jan.J. and 2—Marton J.C. Summer.' Jan. 1 and 2.—Stratford &.C. Summer. . Jan. 1 and 2.-rHawke's Bay J.C: Summer. Jail. 1 and 2.—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. Jan. 2 and 4.—Southland E.C. Summer. Jan. 2 ami i.— North Otago J.C. Summer. Jan.'2o, 22, and 23.—"Wellington E.C. Summer. '■,-"■..'.''' Jan. 22 and 23—Foxton E.C. Annual. .. Fob.'3 and £—Egmont R.C. Summer. Feb. 4 and 6.—Gisborne E.C. Summer. Feb. 6—Canterbury J.C. Summer. Feb. 10 and f l.l—Taranaki J.C. Autumn. Feb.. 11 and 13,-Poverty Bay T.C. Summer, Feb. 17, 18, and 20.-Dunedin J.C. Au- .- tumn. Fob r 19 and 20.—South Auckland E.C. An- ' nual. ■ > '„„'■.- March 12 and 13.—Napier Park E.C. Au- .-. tumn. :