NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2643, 14 December 1915, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS

IBr , GtESCos.l Those concerned should note that acceptances for the first day's races at the Manawatu' Meeting and final payments for the 10th Palmerston North Stakes close to-night at 10 o'clock with the Secretary, Box 52, Palmerston North. A peculiar occurrence happened at the recent Ballarat Meeting, when the starter dispatched the field for tte Railway Handicap 18 minutes before time. No objection was made by thb owner of the second horse, so the stewards allowed the win to stand, but fined the starter .£5. North East, the New Zealand hurdle racer, is to- lie given a holiday, at BaccSnus' Marshy It transpires he hit one of the hurdles very hard at Saudown Park, and hurt his legs. Since Reputation returned to Randwick from Melbourne he lias had an idle time, and the spell is likely to be. extended indefinitely. His trainer, F. M'Grath, says that, as far as he knows, it is unlikely tat he will return to the Dominion for some time. When Reputation went to Sydney it was Mr. Bidwill's intention to let him remain until the autumn of next year, and there is nothing to show that that programme has been altered. At the Rosehill Meeting on December 4 the New Zealand-bred Puaka (St. Ambrose—Neroli) won tihe Jumpers' ' Flat Race. Puaka was formerly raced in Victoria by the New Zealander, M, T. M'Grath. i At tlio Queensland Turf Club's Meeting on December 4, the Waikanae-bred Bradbury (Bezonian—Mallaig) won the Champagne Stakes, six furlongs, defeating a hot favourite in Call to Arms. So far ' Bradbury lias started threo times, and been placed on eadli. occasion. Bradbury cost 300 guineas at tlie Sydney salos last Easter. A Melbourne writer states that ' the New Zealand jockey, Joe O'C'onnell, lias been seriously ill of late with, influenza and a strained heart. He is returning to the Dominion to take a long rest. The ancient Merriwee gelding Tumut is still rating in Victoria. Ho was a starter in the Mentone Steeples, which lie. won ast year, but this time lie could do no better than finish fourth. 'Another veteran in Ataali'ua was also unplaced in the 6ame Tace. Some consternation was caused at'the Mentone Meeting in Victoria by a report gaining currency that the military authorities intended commandeering all field glasses owing to the shortage of these articles. The New Zealand jockey E. Lowe, who recently went to Perth to ride for Mr. S. P. Mackay, won a race at the first meeting ho attended, and downed a hot favourite. Mr. E. J. Watt is right out of luck in Australia at the present , time. This season Maori 'Mat credited liim witiln the Debutante Stakes at Caulfield, but his other horses raced badly. Hecentlv in Brisbane he lost the three-year-old colt Soldjer's Man (Royal Artillery—Rylstone Maid), who died after being operated on."' ; The Australian-bred colt Two Lights was recently added to the list of geldings, and got through the operation satisfactorily. It looks as if R-ewi Poto will be allowed to forego Ms Auckland engagements, as the black horse is fr.eely nominated at the Manawatu, Marton, and Stratford Meetings. ~ There is every, indication that the Stratford Meeting, which is', to be held on January 1 and 3, will be the most successful yet iheld by the club. Big fields are engaged, in all tlio events, and there are several horses down to compete which are not engaged at other meetings.