NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 18 December 1916, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

IBy Glencoe.l

A final reminder is given owners and trainers that nominations for the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting must be in the hands of Secretary A. E. Whyto by 9 o'clock to-night. Acceptances for the Stratford Meeting closo on Wednesday cveniiig. .

Acceptances for all first day ovonts at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Summer Meeting close on Friday next.

Tho Special Commissioner of the London "Sportsman," who purchased Otterden, then in foal to Martagon, for tho late Mr. G. G. Stead, states that he remembers no othor mare whoso sons wore bo successful at tho stud during tho lifetime of their dam. He alludes to Martian and Boniform; and, if Sungod had not met with a fatal , accident, ho also would havo added to the family fame.

The thoroughbred is slowly getting on to the right pedastalin England. The well-known English writer, Mr. Pomberton Billing, has a new paper entitled the "Imperialist," in which it is stated that "racing must be carried on, if only for tho reason that aftor tho end of tho titanic struggle wo shall more than over need blood stock as a foundation for horses for cavalry and Tapid, light, but long-ranged, artillery."

The well-known Ashburton trotting trainer, R. M'Donnell, has been called to . the colours.

Unless W. Bell can get a few days' leave ho will be unable to ride at the holiday meetings, as ho has been called up for Deoember 26.

It is rumoured that a certain racing club is to be prosecuted for an alleged infringement of the Gaming Aot in the working of the totalisator.

At Awapuni, Panmure is being worked over longer distances than usual, and it looks as if G. Price has designs on the Marton Cup with the imported horse. At tlie present' time the sou of Forfarshire is thoroughly sound.

San Sebastian and Marc Antony were the only- horses allowed to drop out of the Auckland Cup. The defection of the former was not "unexpected, but that of Marc Antqny came as a. surprise. As his trainer was travelling north on the date of tho payment, ho probably overlooked it.

Tho absence of Nones from the Palmerston North Stakes is to bo regretted. The field now looks like being weaker than has been the case for some years. The Highden stable has Panmure, Ceasefire, and Sunny Climes engaged, and G. Price will probably 6tart at least two of them. R. J. Mason passed through here on Saturday on his way north. Ho had with him Bimeter, Biplane, Thames, and Greenstreot, all of whom look well. Mason informed me that Nones would not be sent up for the Awapuni Meeting, as ono of her joints was giving a lot of trouble, and it. would bo only risking a breakdown to race her. .

With nine acceptors for the Great Northern Derby, the Auckland classic looks like providing ono of tho most interesting contests of the Ellerslie Meeting. Opinion is fairly equally divided as betweon the prospects of Sasanof and The Toff, but Hawke's Bay authorities pin their faith to Egypt, who is reported to havo improved greatly sinco racing at Eiccarton.

All the fancied candidates have lieon paid up for in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap. Bisognc, Bimeter, Tete-a-Teto, and ICoesian nro all sure of liberal support.

Though San Sebastian forfeited his engagement in the Auckland Cup, ho will be seen out in the Shortland Plate at the A.R.C. Meeting./

At tho present time there is a great dearth of applicants for positions in stables, and this fact, combined with the oporations of the Military Service Act, is having a serious effect. Several trainers have had to rofuse horses, and the big stables aro delaying taking up their yearlings. It seems extraordinary that more lads are not put to work in stables, where they can bo taught to ride, for if a youngster shows any aptitude in this department he is soon in a position to earn big money. There is a great opportunity for any boy with a level disposition.

When Janitor was purchased at Woodville last week. Mr. T. E. Whelch was acting on behalf of Mr. Barrett, ono of the owners of Marc Antony, who wanted a hurdle horse to carry his colours in the South Island.

P. W,oi'mald, tho well-known Riccarton jockey,■' has been called to tho colours ■under tho sccond ballot-

Burrinjuck (by Malster—Lady Treuton), who realised 1600 guineas as a yearling, was recently offered in Melbourne, tut bidding stopped at 170 guineas. Burrinjuck, who is six yours old and a gelding-, lias not teen a success as a racohorse, nor Ims Balranald (by Positano—Wakeful), who cost 1100 guineas ns a yearling at the same sale as Burrinjuck was first disposed of.