THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2959, 23 December 1916, Page 3

THE TURF

» NOTES AND COMMENTS. IBy Glkncoe.l Thoso who intend being present at the Manawatu Meeting next week should note the train arrangements which have been made i'or the conveyance of sportsmen to Awapuni. On the opening day a special train will leave Thorndon Station at 7.10 a.m., and thore will also be the relief mail, which' leaves at 7.15 a.m., aud the Now Plymouth and Napier expresses, which depart at 8.20 a.m. and 9.10 a.m. respectively. A fast train will leave Awapuni after the races, and will reach Thorndon at 10 p.m. Excursion fares are available on ail trains.

Whilst having her teeth attended to recently, Tango played uj> and fell over. It was found necessary to givo her a few days' spell, but she is again working, and will be a runner at the Trentham Meeting. '

The Porirua mentor, J. H. Prossev, will be unable to attend any race meetings during the holidays. He took ill this week, and has been ordered to enter a private hospital and take a complete rest. His team will, race at Awapuni next week, and if the form shown warrants it they will then be taken on to the Marton Meeting. 'The horses racing will consist of Crowhurst, who is to contest the Palmerston North Stakes, Sabana, Gold Soult, Goldstream, Rockbound, and Portland Lady.. W. Young will ride the. various members of the team with the exception of Crowhurst, on whom It. Rood will have the mount.

The three-year-old Australian-bred filly Tressida has been galloping well in private lately, and her owner, Mr. 'J. S. H'Leod, is hopeful of her showing good form at Awapuni. The filly is an acceptor in tlio Juvenile Handicap and Fitzherbert Handicap, both' of which ara run on fiie opening day.

Carlatour has been olf the tracks at Hastings .Jately, and is an unlikely starter during the holidays.

The Manawatu Cup candidate Indigo is reported to havo done well In lis training essays at Hastings, and his trainer, R. Gooseman, is confident he will give a good account of himself at Awapuni 011 Boxing Day.

One of tho most attractive items at the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting should be the Waterloo Stakes. Included in its list of entrants aro such high-class performers as Desert Gold, Egypt, Hyttus, The Toff, Wishful, Bee, Chortle, and Panmure.

Tho, Australian-bred gelding Sir Malt recently changed hands, and will in future bo traiued by C. C. Giesler, at Wingatui.

The Shortland Plate,' which is the opening race at the Auckland Meeting, is. a very popular event with owners, and it usually'requires a good hack to win it. The runners last year included Wishful and Red Ribbon. This year the field includes several fairly smart hacks, including tho English fillies Chelonia and Shrill, Bon d'Or, Tobasco, a place-getter in the Members' Handicap at Itandwick, Beltaue, runner-up to Depredation at Wanganui, and the very useful Ayah. The last-named and Beltane have a big pull in the weights, andmay be the favourites on the machine.

The Great Northern Foal Stakes has drawn a field qui to in keeping with tho importance of the race. The contest between Biplane, Simonides, Estland, Hymestra, and Vagabond should bo a 'good one. R. J. Mason's representative may start favourite, as it was generally conceded that Siinonidea was fortunate to beat him in tho C.J.C. Welcome Stakes. Hymestra is a greatly improved horse, and tho extra two furlongs is. expected to tell in favour of Vagabond. '

The big field in tho Robinson Handicap includes the Riccarton-trained Fabriquette, who showed winning form at the C.J.C. Spring Meeting.

There is very little fresli news concerning, the Cup field. Blackall and John Barleycorn, who aro nicely placed as regards weight, aro still the choice, and tho pair can bo depended upon to run good races.

In tlio Grafton Hurillcs Fislier, wlio is in at the minimum, may have a large enough following to send him out favourite. Ho is reported to bd a greatly' 'improved...liorso.. ' The Australian-bred Plymouth is to make his first appearance in the Dominion iii this race, but as ;he llas;,'ndt ..h'ad.~S£ outing with, tho • colours up for over two j-ears backers are likely to let him run against them until lie shows some form. Tcte-a-Teto and Bimeter are at the head of the handicap in tho open sprint. Both 'have been working very freely, and a win for either of them, despite their weight, will not come as a surprise. Of tho others King Lupin, Bisogne, and Chakwana will all have a large following. ELLERSUE TRAINING NOTES. By. Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, December 22. The i weather was fine for training operations at Ellerslie this morning. All the work was done ou the sand. San Sebastian and Good Hope did seven furlong 3 in lmin. 33sec., Ben d'Or and Plymouth six furlongs in lmln. 20sec., Ample and Redrock four furlongs, tho last in 38 3-ssec.; Downham and Carlysian- three furlongs in 35 3-ssec.; Tete-a-Tete four furlong 3 in 52scc.; Pourparler and Beltane a similar distance In 51sec.; Bjorneborg five furlongs in 51sec.; Koesian, five furlongs, the last three in 39 4-ssec. Wishful and The Toff did showy work, spurting home over four "furlongs in 51 3-ssec. Estland and Noir did four furlongs in 50 3-ssec. A lot of others' also worked.