NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2890, 30 September 1916, Page 12

NOTES AND COMMENTS

!Bl GtIiNCOE.I ' .1. O'Shea was on (he way to Napier yesterday when he received word that his brothel- had died suddenly, so he rcturn■ed lo Auckland at once The bi» spring carnival of the .Australian Jockey Club will open at .Randwick ,to-day. As usual, there is a big contingent of New Zealand horses engaged, ami amongst them are Kooya, who reads well in the Hurdles; Sasanoff, who is to contest the Spring Stakes, a weight-for-age event of one mile and a half; and Killjoy, whom the cables announce is favourite for the "Derby, and is the joint property of Messrs. \Y. G. Sleacl and E. S. Luttcrell. liegarding the position of the favourite, it seeins hardly likely that the Kilbroney colt has displaced the early favourite, though it is quite possible for he was noticed finishing very well at tlio end of the Chelmsford Stakes, and t-omo of the prominent Press writers then gave him a chance in tlio Derby. Still, \Yalarni has done everything so well that unless something unforeseen occurs it is hardly likely that Kilboy would defeat him. U. Gray's application for a licenso was to have been heard and if he was successful in obtaining it he was to have the mount 011 SasanolY and Kilboy to-day. In the Epsom Handicap lliero is a very big field, no less than 30 horses having stood their ground. This is nothing like a record field for tho big mile, but'even though there is a straight run for three furlongs, a quick beginner that draws near tho rails has a lot to bear. Despite his big impost of lOst. Jib., Woorak may bo favourite, and others to Teceivo support will be Polycrates and Blague. There is a still bigger field in tho Metropolitan Handicap, one inilo and a'half, to be run on Moill- - Thirty-nine horses have stood their ground, and when the last mail left tho New Zealand mare, Bee, who is to be ridden by L. H. Hewitt, was a good favourite. Tho Wellington Cup winner seems to bo a bit closo to Gagou, who has struck form again, and is to havo W. M'Lachlan's services 011 Monday. Good acceptances have been received

for the Napier Park meeting, which takes place to-day. In the Hack Hurdles. Bon Revo, ltet. 101b., is top weight, and out/ side Nicomar, who has a reputaion but lias yet to act up to it, they are not a strong lot. There is a big field in tho Trial Hack Handicap, five furlongs, but they are a pretty even lot, and the handicapper has only put a stone between the top and Iwttoni weights. Hytncnaeus will represent Karamu, and Pourparler will carry Mr. T. 11. Lowry's colours. Retard and Multaine are members of .1. F. Jcflord's Ngatarawa. team. These three stables may hold the key to the situation. The consistent and useful Teku is carded to appear in tlio Aliuriri Hack Handicap, six fui-lo'ngj, and so is Honey IJee, who created a favourable impression at Ellerslie at Easter, when she defeated a largo field. Sheila, Tst. 71b., showed pace for a whilo in tho Maiden Handicap at Danuevirke last month. Montana will be amongst the runners in the Park Stakes, and if Oliver is in tho saddle he may bo favourite. Others to command support are Beltane, Tunncruip to Depredation at Wanganui, and Atuatoro, a consistent winner of late, Beltane is engaged in tile New Zealand. Cup, and his form to-day will probably decide whether or not he is to continue his engagement. On his Wanganui form he looks to have a great chance, for he •was only beaten by Depredation, and the latter was equal to winning again on the second day. Emerson is to have the mount on Mr. Lowry's horso' to-day, so nothing will be lost on the score of horsemanship. v If the going is heavy, Gladful may be the best backed in the Open Hurdles, for the Birkenheads all race well in the mud. In addition to this, his form at the back end of the last season was good, and he is not at all badly treated with lOst. Gib. - The juveniles will hav-3 their first race of the season in a handicap of four (furlongs. Why the club made it a handicap is not certain, and were, the stake increased and the handicap clause deleted owners would be better pleased. The handicapper has made no attempt to weight them, but has put them all in at weight for age, with the usual allowances. Amongst those engaged who_ are well spoken of is Hymeona, from Karamu, and Lingerie, a daughter of Finery. The dam of the latter could begin very fast, and if she has left her daughter the same pace the field will soon be strung out. ' Toki looks well in the County Hack Handicap, one mile. The Multifid gelding will be ridden by the successful horseman, A. Reed. C. Emerson, who ,was riding at Geraldine on Thursday, passed through here yesterday on his way to Napier. He was successful on Samissn and Madam Butterfly at Geraldine. At the Horowhenua. meeting on Thursday, trainer W. G. Trask was lmled before the stewards and charged ivith administering a dope to the horse Keynote. Trask admitted giving the animal a little whisky and water .and stated that the horse "was cold, and was having his second race. The Judicial Committee considered the charge proved, and suspended his license for .two months . Tho Ashburton-YPohangina races will be held on November 22, when stakes amounting to .£B7B .will be offered. This represents an increase of £235 on last year. Tho programme shows that three open and five hack events'will be decided. The Ashhurst Cup is worth 200 sovs., .aud attached to same "is a trophy in silver plate, valued st.-' JE2S. _ The plate has been!, given by Mr. Nicol,. one of tho members of the club. As the track has been top-dressed, owners and trainers can depend oil having a good one to_ruu on. Mr. R. A. Armstrong and mr. W. Gaynor have been elected'stewards of the Wellington Trotting Club: The hon. surgeons are Dr. Ross and Dr. Shawl, whilo Mr. F. Crossley has been appointed hon. veterinary surgeon. The aunual meeting of tho Wellington Trotting Club will be. hel don the club track at Hutt Park on Friday, January 19, 1917, whon stakes amounting to ~looa, including gold cup, will bo> allotted.