THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2642, 13 December 1915, Page 3

THE TURF

| NOTES AND COMMENTS IB? CrLEKCOS.I Owners with horses ongaged at the Manawatu Meeting should, note that acceptances close to-morrow evening at 10 o'clock. ' Weights for the Taratahi, and Stratford Meetings are due to-day. Acceptances for the Auckland; Taratahi, Taranaki, and Hawke's Bay Meetings close on Friday next. A private telegram received in. Wellington on Saturday states that there, were only three starters in the Bay of Plenty Cup, and tho outsider, Jolie Fills, won from Svlf.. The Soult filly was a hot favourite -and carriod more than half the Inoney on tho machine.. ', It is thought tfiat Halina will carry Mr.. G. - L. Stead's colours in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie, and Mountain Dream will contest the Robinson Handicap. seven furlongs. Both events are run on the opening day and the brown, mare looks remarkably well handicapped with 7st. 71b. Both fillies are highly }>red. Mountain Dream comes from the 6ame : family as Wakeful, while Halina is from Varco, a eon of Marco, from Temba, who is by tho English Derby winner, Lanfoin, from a,daughter of Desmond. So far Mr. G. Nash has been unable to secure a suitable rider for Taringaxnutu in the Manawatu Chip. At Trentham the mare is receiving a special preparation for the raoe, and is doing her tasks well. . - So far' Mr. B. J. Wattf6 horse, Blackall, has not' oome in for as much early support for the Auckland Cup ' as he did for the New Zealand Cup. It -seems to be the general opinion that the Ellerslie event will be much more difficult to win than' waa the case at Riccarton, and in some quarters it is thought that the two miles at Ellerslie will be run at a clipping pace jvhloh will not suit Blackall. Tho Conqueror gliding Orleans has been performing most consistently of late, having been plaoed seoond on.no fewer than three occasions. He may get on the winding list. during some of the holiday gatherings. Considering his form at Riccarton, Weloome' Nugget, with 7st. 71b., is not badly treated in the Manawatu 'Cup. It will hi remembered that he scored in the Otaio Plate, one mile and a half, and was runner-up at level weights to Eligible in. the Fenoalton Handicap. A week pre-" viously, at Ellerslie, he scored in 'the . City Handicap. Behind the pair ,at Ricoarton was the New Zealand Cup winner,. Tangihou, and Welcome Nugget will now meet him on the same.terms. The other.day/ Mr. W. H.' E.- Wanklyn Teceived a oable message from Mr. George Palmer, to the effect that prioes'of blood#?Dck had much improved, and that the demand for horses exceeded tile supply. Many foreign commissions were unfulfilled at last week's sales. It would appear as if the trip to the Wost Coast with Hymettius, Immer, and Pall Mall has been abandoned a« the trio are entered for the Wairarana Racing Club's meeting- to be held at the " New ■ Year. George Price is keeping Expect going at Awapuni and the Advance horse will bo racing at-the Manawatu and Wairarapa Meetings. Multiply, who has developed shin soreness of-late, has been blistered and turned out for a spell. Latest news from Auokland states that Merry: Roe ■ will probably, start in the Railway Handicap. As Mr. F. Uall has both Merry Roe and Castalia engaged in the Auckland Cup,, he may rely on tho latter for the two mile race. In 1-o New Zealand St. Leger Stakes, one mile and three-quarters,' run at Trentham last April,'Castalia was only beaten by a length by 'Balboa,, so that the distance should not trouble her. The' Sir ; Laddo gelding Sir Knox is again in work at Opaki, but has not quite recovered from the injuries he sustained at the last Trentham Meeting: 'Under the circumstances-there'is little chance of his showing to advantage at the Manawatu Meeting, at which he.-claims-several engagements. W '■ It will T>e remembered -.that some months ogo the Duke of Portland was one of the leaders in an agitirtion'for .the stoppage of racing in ! England. His action and methods 011 that occasion did not help to build up his popularity. The Duke of Portland continues to run his horses, and an exchange recently 6aid: : "The niost popular win at Newmarket, (England) during the week ending October 16, was in the Royal Stakes, when Lord Derby's Hasta beat. the 'Duke of Portland's Bydand, for, although the filly was the outsider of the two in the betting, the moment the occupants of the stands saw Lord Derby's representative was winning they rose as one man, and gave her suoh an ovation as is very -rarely heard at Newmarket. They evidently recognised that although Lord Derby is much absorbed in the work of the country's greatest need, and has not been on a raceooui'se since the war commenced, he lias run his horses as usual, knowing that the supremacy of the British thoroughbred is one .of the greatest assets of the country."