NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2430, 8 April 1915, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS

TBt GlEncoi.l

Owners should note that acceptances for the first day's handicaps at the Wellington Meeting close, to-morrow night. Mr. T. H. Lowry's horses which raced at Ellerslie have contracted influenza, and are not likely to be seen out at Trentham. If started in the Plunket Nursery Handicap at Trentham next week, Mr. G. L. Stead's filly Bonny Dream will be much in demand, but as she is engaged in the North Island Challenge Stakes and has no penalties so far, her owner may be desirous of reserving her for that event. ! Prior to the big handicap being run at Tauherinikau on Monday, the Martian mar# Immer bolted and fell. The crowd went over to see her and word was passed that she was dead. Honever, she took her place in the field, and led nearly the whole way, only succumbing in the last few strides to Mummer.

R. J. Mason has probably come to the conclusion now that Banksia is of little account as a racehorse, and this was probably tho reason of her eleventh hour withdrawal from the Great Autumn Handicap. • She was saddled up in the Pinal Haiwicap, but though favoured b(y a good run she could only finish a poor third to Chortle, who was giving her just under two stone, and Magdala. If it was any other timo of the year perhaps excuses could be made for the . chestnut mare, but in the autumn it is generally considered that mares are seen at their best.

Since he won the Railway Handicap with Sst. 31b. in the saddle, Downham has started six times and finished out of a place on each occasion. In tho Easter Handicap at Ellerslio he was the last to pass the post, and lie did very little better on Monday. On that form it is useless bringing him to Trentham, and perhaps his trainer will rely solely upon Red Book.

At the conclusion of tho blood s.tock salo at Christchurch ou Tuesday, P. 1). Jones, acting on behalf of one of his patrons (Mr. H. A. Knight), purchased the All I!cd—Grand K.'iin colt for '200 guineas.

Mr. Lan Duncan, owner of the Waikanae Stud, intended going to Hamlwick to be present at the sale of his yearlings, but lie has been confined to bis'room for the past couple of wcekr, and was unabls to make the trio,

_ It speaks volumes for the railway facilities in this country when two horses can win races at Waipukunvu on Easter Monday and the following day bo successful at a meeting eighty miles away. This was the case with Sir Alba and Golden Sky. They were railed to Paimerslon from Waipukurau on Monday evening, and were taken on to Feilcling the following morning.

The handicaps for the Wellington Meeting were the principal topic of conversation in local sporting circles yesterday. It is the general opinion that Mr. H. Coyle has done his work remarkably well, ami there is a very wide divergence of opinion as to the probable result of the big handicap.

FIXTURES. April 14—Eeefton J.C. Autumn. April 14 and 17-Weilington R.C. Autumn April 15 and 17—South Canterbury J.C. Autumn April 21 and 22—Manawatu B.C. Autumn April 30 and May I—Hawke's Bay J.C. Autumn. May 5 and 6—Marlborough R.C. Autumn. May 6 and. 7—Ash burton County R.C. Autumn. June 3 and s—Dunedin J.C. Winter.