THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2869, 6 September 1916, Page 7

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

IBr Gkncoe.l

. Tho Marton Jockey Club's Spring Meeting, which is taking place to-day, looks liko beincr la. success ns the fields aro large and the weather promises fine. The profits of the gathering are to be devoted to the Patriotic Funds. The first event on the card is the Hack Hurdles. In tho absenco of Patrnymic, who heided the list, Golden March, who raced well in the National Hurdles, comes prominently before the eye, but if, as is reported, ho has been given a "let up" since Riccarton, he may not bo seen at his best, and under such circumstances he may be unablo to concede a stone to the Porirua representative, Portland Lady, who acts well on top of tho ground. Of tho light-weights, Waimahaki, who comes from a good jumping strain, may be tho best. There will bo a field of about sixteen in the Trial Plate, five furlongs. Flying Spur, who is giving away a lot of weight, is smart over a short course, but unless lie draws a good marble he may not be able to .mako up tho leeway. BirfaSnetta is a very smart beginner, and has been placed several times, while reports from- Trentham credit Devotion with being a much improved fillj', and one likely to show up over a short 'course. In the Hack Steeples, Morton, who was unlucky at Dannevirke, may be givon most support, as he iB a good fencer, and luis several times been supported to win when opposed by much better class than ho is meeting to-day. The Marton Handicap, one mile and a quarter,' will puzzlo students of form, but Montana (A. Oliver) may be the fancy. . Harbour Light and Hyllus will also have plenty of supporters. In the Hunt- Cup, Chaban, a winner at Awapuni, and Cron Park, who has several placed poi-formances ,to his credit, may divide favouritism..The firstuomed is a good safe conveyance and Btays well. • .In tho Electric Handicap, six furlongs, tho New Plymouth mare, Golden Grafton,- is No. 1 on the card, with Sst. 101b. Were she at her best, she would -be. a good favourite, but she may be in want of a race. Perrier, who raced consistently at Trentham, should show up well, and of the others, Starecgo, 7st. 31b., reads well. Chortle, lOst. ill)., is top-wieghl in tho Railway Handicap. At his best he is a superior class to the others, but tho Multifid gelding l-.as not had a race for a long time, and tho circular course, . combined with the big weight, may find him out at tho finish. Miacara, last year's winner, is well handicapped, and she, Interlude, and Tyson are very smart beginners, A lot of tho runners in tho Tutaenui Welter Handicap will not bo ready, aud Bastie, a winner at Awapuni, may shoiv up, with Ruatangata and. Coral Kijip prominent of the others. The general entries for tho Australian Jockey Club's Spring Meeting (states a' Press Association message from Sydney) total 72(1, as compared with 871 for last year. • A Press Association message from Melbourne states that Bmradoon has. been scratched for the -Melbourne Cup.

' Forest Belle, tho Glonapp mare, formerly in R. Emerson's stableS at lticca I'ton, was shipped to Sydney last week. In future' sho will bo trained by J. Whitworth, at Eandiviclc, and it is safe to say that when the last-named gallops her half a railo she will set tho touts talking.

The hunter Wellwood only arrived from the south yesterday, and was railed on to Mmerston North by the afternoon train J Ho will/contest tlie Hunt Cup Steeples at Marten to-day. C. Emerson will rido tho Boniform gelding Moulu in the big handicap at Marton to-day. • Alecto was not taken to Marton' with the other members of D. Wobster's ■>'' Otaki sportsmen state that both Hyla-' tuS and Bradamante will lie better.for a raco or two. , FIXTURES. Bept. 6—Marton J. C. Spring. Sept. 13.—Pahiatua R.C. Annual. . Sept. 13 and 16— Avondalo J.C. Spring. Sept. U.—Woodlands Hunt Annual. Sept. 14 and 16.—Ashbuirton E.C. Spring. Sept. 21 and 23—Wanganui J.C. Spring. Sept. 25—Amberley R.C. Annual. Sept. 25 and 26.—Otaki Maori E.C. Spring. „ . Sept. 28 and 29— Geraldine E.C. Spring. Sept. SO-Napier Park R.C. Spring. Oot. 7—Hawke's Bay J.C. Spring. Oct. 12—Masterton R.C. Spring. Oct. 13—Dunedin J.C. Spring. Oot. 23—Waipawa County R.C. Annual. Oct. 26 and 27.—Poverty Bay I.C. Spring. , ' Nov. 4.—New Zealand Cup.