NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2415, 22 March 1915, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS

fßi GLBnooe.l The annual meeting of the Rangitikei liacing Club will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next. A recently returned visitor from Melbourne who witnessed the racing at Flemington says that prior to the meeting 3000 guineas were refused for Di Gama. The offer was made on behalf of the owner of Land of Song.

A Canterbury owner has purchased the Karamu jumpers Bollin and Idealism, and, subject to them passing a veterinary examination, they will be sent south this week.

The well-known New Zealand horseman L. Ilagerty has not done much good in Melbourne lately, and intends trying his luck in Sydney.

John Redmond, by Birkenhead from Montdred, five years old, was sold for 12J guineas at the Melbourne blood-stock sales the other day.

Mi. J. R. M'Donald sold Stjx at the recent Melbourne sales for 80 guineas. The son of Achilles and The Shannon gave great promise as a two-year-old, but after tliat ho lost all form. He had great paoe over a short course, but could not stay.

Chortle and Belasco figure amongst the acceptances at both Ellerslie and Riccarton at Easter. The former will, it is understood, start at the southern meeting, and will bo ridden by B. Deeley.

Banksia, Gold Soult, R-ewi Poto, Ladoga, Bertrada, First Glance, Nightwatch, and Ogier have been accepted for in the Great Easter and Autumn Handicaps, to be run at the C.J.C. Easter Meet-

On present appearances there will be a Mb field in the principal handicaps at both tile Auckland and Canterbury Easter meetings. Twenty-nine horses have been paid up for in the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie and twenty-six at Riccarton.

When Moonbria ran at Canterbury Park, Sydney, the other day, to obtain the 51b. allowance he carried an apprentice, his racing weigh t being Bst. 2fb. An inquiry, after the race, resulted in the stewards expressing the opinion that Moonbria would have done better with a stronger jockey on his back.

At the Waimate Meeting on Thursday Mr. J. E. Henrys officiated in the dual capacity of handicapper and judge. Tho Riccarton owner and trainer, Mr. M. Hobbs, has a good record in connection with the Waimate Cup. He won it some years ago with his own horse, CerlSe and Blue, while he trained Flambeau when she won more recently, so that Scotch. Melody's success last week marked his third winning effort.

A well-known judge, who had a look at the Waikanae yearlings, which were shipped to Sydney on Saturday, expressed the opinion that they were the finest lot of youngsters that over left the Dominion. He . was particularly enthusiastic as to .the merits of the Achilles—Stepina colt and the Martian-Portland Lass colt. The Hon. J. D. Ormond's team for the Auckland Easter Meeting will probably oomprise Hyettus, Centre, Hyginas, and Hoy. Tho last-named is in the Great Northern Oaks.