THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2412, 18 March 1915, Page 3

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS rßx GIINCOI.I Acceptances for the Rangitikei Meeting close to-morrow evening. Mr. L. C. Hazlett's horses Sister Radius and Palisade were due to race at Moonee Valley yesterday. To-morrow is general entTy day for tlie . C.J.C. Easter Meeting. Acceptances for the Great Easter and Autumn Handicaps are due at the same time. The chestnut gelding Kilts was sold in Cliristchurch on Saturday last for .30 guineas. His new owner is a Eangiora sportsman. The aged steeplechaser Captain Jingle, who won tlie National. Steeplechase and several other cross-country events in J. ' Hennah'6 colours, was on board the Moeraki, which arrived from Sydney on Tuesday. The old fellow is to be pensioned off, and will be used as a lady's hack. There is a likelihood of Di Gnma figuring amongst the entrants for the Thompson Handicap and Trentham Gold Cup, to be run at. the Wellington Racing Club's Autumn .Meeting. " The Wanganui trainer, A. Hall, is leaving for a trip to Sydney fco-morrow, and will be present at the big ' Randwick Meeting and also at the Easter sales. During his absence Denise Orme will bo spelling in the paddock. ■ In being awarded 9st. 111b. in the Great Autumn Handicap; Warstep has been set a task that has never been accomplished in the history of the race. Of the fortyone contests, only six have been won by horses-carrying more than 9st„ viz.: Merrie England 9st.' lib.. Merganser Sst. Blb., North Atlantic 9st. lib., Zimmerman 9st. fllb.,' Boniform 9st. lib., and Los Angeles 9st. olb. .It is reported that a well-known Wanganui. owner has commissioned A. Hall to try and purchase for him while in Sydney a couple of handicap horses. Visitors to the Masterton-'Meeting today "should note that the train leaves Lambton Station at '7.50 a.m., and the return train leaves the Opaki course at 5.15 p.m. A glance at the card will show that big fields aro. engaged in most of the events, and a goo<l day's sport seems assured. In the .Maiden Handicap field there are several two-year-olds that will be carrying under Tst., and, as in past years, one of the number may be expected to irin, for with such a big pull .in the weights youngsters are well iiigh unbeatable over a 'short course. The open sprint event will see Blue lake, Sst. "lb., oarrying the No. 1 saddle cloth. There are six other starters, and the race looks oDen, but if the top-weight is anything like" her best.she will carry most support. Doori, who showed fair form at Riccar--ton in Februarv, and who is in at the minimum, may be the best liked in the mile hack Tace, 'while 'Nightshade,- with Deeley in the. saddle,, can count on a lot of support. Leonta, who is coming back -to form, and Immer,- who, in the -light' of her Nelson form, reads well in with 7st. 51b., may be the.best.fancied in the Masterton Cup. Mummer is' an unlikely starter. On his running behind Husheen at Woodville Ladogeur may be the choice in the Ruamahanga Hack Handicap. The Por.irua filly Martyre-ss can gallop fast, but she is most erratic. General Webb will be ridden by Mr. G. D. :Beatson in the Ladies' Bracelet, and he and Melodist are likely to get the bulk of the - support. '. Multikoff haTing earned a penalty may be withdrawn from the. Opaki Welter, and if so Austin will probably be much in demand. There are some smart sprinters in tho Dash Handicap, but as the'field-is a very bi» ono the luck .of the draw will play a big part in the decision,of the race. SCRATCHINGS. (By Telegraph—Prest Association.) Christchurch, March 17. Sauci and Dinner Gong have been scratched for the Great Easter Handicap and Sauci for the Great Autumn Handicap. >• r _ Warstep, top-weight in the Great Easter Handicap, -was scratched for that event at 10.40 a.m. yesterday. FIXTURES. March 18 and 19—Masterton R.C. Autumn. March 24 and 25—Rangitikei R.C. Annual March 24 and 25-Southland R.C. Autumn. April 3 and s—Auckland R.C. Autumn. April 3. and s—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn. April s—Waipukurau J.C. Autumn' April 5 and 6—Canterbury J.C. Autumn. April .5 and 6—Feilding J.C. Autumn, April 7—Westland R.C. Autumn April 14—Reefton J.C. Autumn. April 14 and 17—Wellington R.C. Autumn April Id and 17—South Canterbury J.C. Autumn -. A nri! vi an< !, 2 , 2 r M ? a s at l Autumn. April -30 and May I—Hawke s' Bav J C Autumn, May 5 and fr-Marlborough R.C. Autumn. May 6 and i—Ashburton County RC. Autumn. June 3 and s—Dunedin'J.C. Winter.