THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2470, 25 May 1915, Page 3

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS [By Glencoe.] Nominations for the Hawke's Bay •Tockcy Club's Winter Meeting close 011 Friday next. Acceptances for the Otaki lneetini oloso on May 27, at 8.30 p.m. Final payments for the Great Northern Hurdles are due oil Friday next. Nominations for the Epsom and Metropolitan Handicaps, to bo run at tho spring meeting ol' the Australian Jockey Club, are due 011 June I. The opinion is prevalent in local sporting circles that Ladoga has been well cared for in the Cornwall 'Handicap at Ellerslie, but it is understood that he will make the trip notth, as his owner ivill be spending a holiday in Auckiaud at that time, and will doubtless like to see his horse racing. Mr. W. E. Bidwill, who is at present visiting Rotorua for tho benefit of his health, will probably leave for Sydney in the spring with a view to seeing his colt Keputajtion compete at tho A.J.C. meetius. Jockeys-who can go to scale at the minimum are few and far between these days, and there is every probability of there being a scarcity of them in tho coming season. Considering the great financial possibilities for a good lad, it is a wonder parents do not put suitable lads in a good stable, where they could bo taught to ride. One can easily count a dczen jockeys in this country who are still young men, but are independent. Two well-known names are Bell, ami Emerson—both in their teens—but both possessors of considerable property, including a farm each. Deeley, Oliver, L. Wilson, J. Buchanan, J. E. Olsen, ami A. H. Wilson are all past the time when they need worry over the future. A good lad who looks after himself can earn considerably more than a Sinister of tho Crown. Several of them s'ai't the year with retainers which exceed tho sum paid to our Parliamentarians. A local sportsman has received an interesting letter from G. Price, who is in England in search of a few horses to carry the colours of "Mr. Highden." Price has seen a lot of racing in England, and according to him, if it was not for the prevailing colour of khaki and the crowds of wounded soldiers, one would not know England was at war, so large arc the attendances at the meetings. Pr'ce quickly found that good horses were not given away in England. There the prevailing impression is that the.war will bo over by December 1, and on this account owners prefer to hold 011 to any . horse that shows promise, wbilo there are always buyers ready to give good prices for horses sold out of Selling Plates. The Highden trainer met many New Zealandera in his travels, including the ex Yaldhurst horseman, Tod Hewitt. All going well, Price expects to leave England on Friday next, and will travel with the horses he has purchased. The North Otago Jockey Club donated its commission on the Oaniarn Cup to the Belgium Fnnd, and that good cause benefited to the extent of £120 as the result. Daylight Bill's victory in the Wanganui Steeplechase on Thursday gave Mr. Duncan Rutherford his second win in that event, as the Euroclydon gelding Eurus was successful in his colours in 1906. Two years later Eurus won the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton. The running of Commotion in the Pacific Hurdled at Oamaru was inquired into by the stewards, and the explanation of his rider, L. Hagerty, was accepted. The North Otago Jockey Club has decided to make extensive alterations to tho tracks 011 its course. The plough gallop will be sown down in grass, and a fourfurlong straight will bo laid out. A steeplechase conrso is also to be formed. On the publication of weights for the Raukawa Cup at Otaki, the chances of Lady Louisa were much discussed. 111 the original list (telegraphed from Palmerston North) the mare's weight was in-, correctly stated as Bst. 61b. in these columns, and as 9st. in other quarters. Her correct weight is Bst. Sib. The Manawatu Hunt Club will hold a race meeting during the present season if the necessary permit can be obtained. The proosed date of the fixture is the Wednesday following the winter meeting at Trentham. TROTTING CLUB REVIVED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Timaru, May 21. At a meeting: to-night it was resolved to revive the tiouth Canterbury Trotting Culb, a totalisator permit being available, and to hold a meeting on July S. Eighty-three members wore enrolled, and officers were appointed.