NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2960, 26 December 1916, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Br Glencoe;

In addition to ■ tho Auckland Cup fixture, local, sportsmen will be interested in' tho Manawatu- Meeting. Visitors to the course will havo thoir choice of throe trains to travel by, viz., the spe; cial leaving at 7.10 a.m., the VVanganui relief mail at 7.45 a.m., find tho New Plymouth express at 8.20 a.m. Theso \train6 all stop at Awapuui, aud excursion fares will bo available. On the rc- • turn journey a spocial fast train will leave the course, and Thorndon will be reached at 10 p.m. Tho track has been 011 the dry side lately, but during tho last couple of days it has been freely watered, and' the going much improved iu cousequence.

The day's racing will, commence at noou. with tho Trial Plato, seven furlongs. Up to last night tho Napior representative, Field Boy, was the only defection from the raco. At the top of tho list is the useful Multuin, who can gallop well, but is not always well. At Trentdiam Black Night has been shaping satisfactorily in her tasks, but tho distance will probably be beyond her capabilities. Manama, who carries Mr. G.Hunter's colours, and Ohoreka, who is by tho Caulfield and Melbourne Cup dinner, Poisedon, may be tho favourites. Tho consistent Kurapai, a winner at Feilding and Woodville, is No. 1 in tho Hurdles. He is mooting a better field than ho has yet vanquished, and ho may find it very hard to concede v 6lb. to Nicomar and 211b. to Arlington. Of the light-weights Portland Lady, 9st. 51b., is expected to givo a good account of herself. Tho Gillies Hack Handicap, six furlongs, has drawn an acceptanco of 20. Coropett has not had a race this season, and Black Lake does not seom to handle weight well. Teka has been a great disappointment lately, but Elation can be depended upon to run well in this class. Golden Glade has run into minor places on several occasions lately, and Poholio defeated a Scurry field at Feilding. None of the light-Trtighte read dangerous over a six-furlongs course. F. Tilley will start both ltinalilo and Client in the Cup, and with the pair he holds a very strong hand. Square Deal has been purchased by Mr. E. Short, anil will be ridden by W. Yoniig. Maniaroa will have A. Oliver in the saddle. Red Ribbon is regarded as a greatly improved mare, and may be the favourite to-day. At the bottom of the list is the dual Ijcrby winner, Bon Reve, who would only have to show a glimpse of his old fom to make an exhibition of tho, field with only 21b. above the minimum. Amongst the lot engaged in tho Hack Welter Handicap is the consistent Sir Wallace, who should bo well suited by the distance. Tressida is engaged in the Juvenile Handicap and the Fitzherbert Handicap, but if started in tho former event she should be dangerous with only 21b. more than she scored with last year. A. Oliver will have the mount on Riangitero in the Fitzherbert Handicap, and W. Young will bo up on Gold Soult. Astor is well fancied by his connections, and so is Ceasefire, who is reported to have gone on tho right way since the Feilding Meeting. Glorify is reported to be on the retired list, having contracted strangles, and a similar remark applies to Black Ada, who is engaged In the Grandstand Handicap. In this event tho top-weight, Ladogeur, who scored at Eiccarton, reads; woll with Bst. 101b. The Palmerston North Stakes will bo decided on the second day. Favouritism for this event may rest between Panmure, who is now. as well as over ho was, and the Porirua two-year-olil, Crowhurst. The latter galloped brilliantly yesterday, when ho ran five furlongs ill lmin. £}sec. Considering that he carried A. Oliver, tho gallop was a good one. At Ellerslio to-day tho Riddiford bracket, Chakwana and Menelaus, is certain of strong support for the Railway Handicap. Both horses have done well lately, aud their trainer is very confident they will show ujj in tho big sprint.

During the week-end The Toff was much discussed in connection with the Auckland Cup,' and wore the cveut. aweek off the three-year-old would cortainly rival John Barleycorn and Blnc'kall for favouritism. Those wlio Ihiuk Tho Toff will iviel should remember that Reputation failed with this weight, and most peoplo would regard him a« a better throe-year-old than the Yaldhurst gelding. At New Plymouth to-day Veto, who showed up well in first-class company at Woodville, is engaged amongst a moderate field in tho I'lying Handicap. FIXTURES. Dec. 2G and 27—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 26 and 27—Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. 2(i and 27—Reefton J.C. Midsummer. Dec. 26 and 20, Jan. 1 and 2—Auckland R.C. Summor. Dec. 26 and 27—Thames J.C. Summer./ Dec. 26, 27, and 29—Manawatu R.C. Summer. ■ Jan. 1 and 2—Hawke's Bay J.C. Summor, Jan. 1 and 2—Wairarapa B.C. Summer.