NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3010, 22 February 1917, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

I IBi (Jlencoe.l

The Wanganui Cup meeting opens today. The principal oveiit, which is run over a mile and three-quarter course and is worth 1000 "eovs., lias drawn an acceptance of thirteen; all of whom are expected to go to the post. Bunting, who has top weight, with gst. 101b., is set to concede a proved performer in Colonel Soult a pound. Though tbo public form of, the top weight 13 not as good'as , that of tho Ellerslie candidate, still Mr. Watts's representative may be favourite. Publio form is usually the best guide for those who patronise the machine, and they should also remember that Bunting .is asked to carry 151b. morp than he was successful with at Trentham. Lower down the list nothing reads better than Client, 7st. 91b. As stated previously, ho was finishing like a etayer at Trentham, and always races well at Wanganui, while the weight should not trouble him.

Next in importance to tho Clip is the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, in which a very smart field is engaged. Tete-n-Tete, lOst. 211>., soems to have enough weight to prevent her beginning quiekly enoiigh to get a position in tho first paa't of tho race, but Chakwana, Set. 31b., is very nicely in, and further is a particularly brilliant beginner. In point of ■favouritism the Messrs. Riddiford's maro may have to givo way to Form Up a horse who is now in everybody's mouth as he keeps on winning. The battle between this pair, and Nystad should be a stirring one, but the brilliancy of the marc over the first part, and the circular course, should fine her /a pull over the other pair.

The Stewards' Handicap \is the first event on tho card. Fresh from his victories at Ellerslio and Gisborne.CJleft is remarkably well handicapped, ami on some courses would eee a. very short price on the machine, but to-day may pay a faee price, for the presence of lady Middleton and Ararat, two Wanga-nui-owned animals, will , cause them te receive strong support, while Devotion, in Deeley's hands, will also bo well hacked. ' '

The runners' in the Juvenile Handicap are to be ridden by apprentices. Birkenvale seems to bo coming on, and may go out first choice on the machine, with the Hastings-trained Silver Tongue, an animal with a big reputation, next in demand. ■ Moutoa Queen, who has gone back into the hack class, reads the best of those .engneeel in tho Petre Handicap, 'while Munition has a big following in Hawera, and is reported as greatly improved for the racing at Hawera and New, Plymouth. I Spain, who scored so well at Marfan, will bo well suited by the distance in the Wiritoa Hack Handicap, and in_ay be the public elect, while Poheho is another horse whoso form lately pressagee an early success. , There are ohlv.foiir runners in tho Hurdles, and of these Glenorchv, 9st. Mb.,'"reads well, and so docs Record, lOst. 91b. The first-named won well at Fpilding over -two miles. . That pood back Sir Wallace heads tho list in the Tayforth Welter Hnndicap, with lflst. lib.,, which is a big burden, but the Levin horso has earned every ounce of it. Thames, who is now on the upward grade, is a likely one. Nomination for nil events for the Masterton Racine Club's Autumn Meeting will close at 10 o'clock to-morrow evening.