THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2749, 18 April 1916, Page 8

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Giencoe.]

Acceptances for the opening day of the Wairarapa Racing Clubs Easter meeting close to-night at 8.30 o'clock, with llr. E. A. Laery (secretary), Featlierston.

l'inal payments for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps close tomorrow night.

The only race meetings this week are the Ellerslie and Tauherenikau meetings, whiclr open on Saturday. At the former meeting the Easter Handicap, one mile, is the principal event, and tho Champagne Stakes and Oaks will also be docided. At the Kandwick yearling sales, next weok Charlemagne II will be represented by no fewer than 31 youngsters. Eoyal Artillery has ten less, Varco has thirteen figuring opposite his name, and Downshire ten.

In an' article dealing with Bichard Marsh's stables, a London writer says that no fewer than 30 of the biggest and most trusted men of the establishment enlisted and went to the war. One of these was the trainer's only son. As is generally known, Marsh trains for. King George.

According to the handicappers the New Zealand pony Margarita would seem to be in a class by herself amongst the lilliputians in. Sydney. At Ascot last week she .vas asked to concede welgiits varying from 2jst. to 4Jst. to the other competitors in the 14.2 handicap.

Word from Sydney states; that Mr. W. E. Bid will has instructed P. M'Grath 'to dispose of Reputation. Tl-.e Uc-ti'&wa. sportsman has not been in the best of .health for some time past, and rumour says he may give up racing.

, On February 23 a supplementary esti,mato issued in England by the Civil Service for the year ended last month, included the sum of .£50,100 for the Board of Agriculture in connection with' the establishment of a National Stud.

Mr; E. J. AVatt's All Black horse Football, who was,one of the early picks for the Sydney Cuj), but had to be scratched owing to his off foreleg going, is now out of work. He is to be blistered, says an Australian paper, but his leg is sufficiently bad to malte his trainer, H. Rayner, doubtful whether he will ever stand another preparation.

At the Mentone (Vic.) meeting on April 8, the New Zealand horseman (H. Thompson) had a very rough ride on Eudstone in the Brush Steeplechase. The horse fell at the fence opposite the stand, but waa J remounted and" . finished third. Thompson, _ who is shortly returning to the Dominion, was applauded for his plucky action.

Chief Secretary MXeod has used the pruning-knife very freely" in cutting down the number- of race meetings ill Victoria, and, starting on October 1 next, the number of racing days- on the proprietary courses will be -reduced from 110 to 50, Some of tho sporting writers aro up in arms, and they contend that to be equitable picture shows, theatres, etc., should comq under the knife.

Green Cap, who,won the big handicap at: Bawkesbury on Saturday, is an imported horse, and a 6table companion of Patrobas. He is one of the well-fancied division for the Sydney Cup, in which he has 7st. 71b.

At tho recent Eosehill meeting Watta (Achilles—Stepina) started equal favourite with' Mr.' E. J. Watt's Silk Tress in the Juvenile Handicap, but the former could only run second to. Poitrina, who is by Tho Welkin from Armigera (llotch-kiss-fArmilla). The progeny of the imported sire. seem to be -well nigh invincible over. short courses.

Reputation was a runner in: the Rawson Stakes, nine furlongs, at the Rosehill meeting- on April 8, hut with the exception of Toa Tere, who' was outclassed, tho black horse was the last to finish. The New Zealander stripped above himself; so, he may be expected to do better at - Randwick. . His first race at the big meeting will be in the Autumn Stakes, one mile and a half, in which ho will meet his old opponent St. Carwynne, who dead-licated.with him in the spring. Outside of. St. Carwynno tho field is not a-strong one as Cetinge w ; ll run in the Sydney Cup, and Patrobas will contest tho St.. Leger.

As was anticipated, the Feilding Jockey Club Has decided to postpone its second day's racing until .Wednesday, bo as not to clash with the, Anzac Day. celebrations. Starter E. H. Skipwith was to have officiated at Avondale on that day, but the change will necessitate him appointing a deputy.