NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3091, 23 May 1917, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

£Br Glbncok.l

The North Otago Jockey Club's Winter Meeting will be a Vino day gatherine this year, ft will be held on Thursday", and if the size of.tho fields count for anything the racing should bo interesting. In the Hurdles Crib is tho best, class engaged, but over such a short course as twelve furlongs bo may find it hard to concede 3st. 81b. to a good galloper like Galhipin, who is reported to bo a tine jumper in private. ,

„¥■ Hobbs has engaged the two-year-old 1 Xilnieedy « the Trial Plate, four furlongs, and the Eilbrone./ filly being a. smart beginner may carry most support. bhe will be ridden by C. Emerson, who will also atcer. the other members of M. Hobbs's team. In the Oamaru Cup, Oxcnhope heads the handicap with 9st. 91b. Ho is such », good horse that if at his best ho could beat tho lot opposed to him. There are somo speedy ones engaged in tho Electric. Handicap, five furlongs. Speedometer (Bsf. 81b.) scored well at Timaru, and such a good beginner will be at an advantage on this course. No fewer than twont.y-nine owners hare paid up for their horses in the Railway Handicap, fivo furlongs, and unless there is a big weeding out there will be a difficulty in getting the field lined up at the barrier. Most people are agreed that a field of this size constitutes a danger and it is time the conference went into the . matter of dividing large fields, as is done in Australia. Included in Thursday's runners is Killard (list. lib.). This gelding is a maiden performer, tut he has a placed performance to his credit. So far he has proved a had horse at the barrier; and twice at Trentham he stood on the mark. One of these raoes was an open welter, and judging by the support accorded him the Kilbroney gelding is some good. Rumour says he is tho superior of Cheloma on the tracks, and there may be something in this. Hobls has been, giving him a. lot of barrier work at liiccarton lately, and if this has quietened him we may expoct 1.0 find him making a bold showing on Thursday. Jackman, who is one of 'the fancied candidates for tho Wanganui Steeplechase, has been entered for the principal jumping ovonts at the Dunedin Meeting on June 2 and 4. With four meetings to go prior to the closing of 'the light harness racing season, tho invading Scottish roinsman, ,1. Bryco, and tho nativo article, A. x'-ringle, are on equal.forms as regards tho winning list with M victories apiece. Tho clever driver from the Old World has the larger team of homo 'trained- horses at command, but- ho does not compote in. tho saddle and thus tho versatile Maorilander possesses an excellent chance of topping tho list for 3916-17. Croesus is proving a disappointment since ho resumed racing. He showed plenty of pace at the Munawatu Racing Club's Meeting last week, but faded out at the business end of the journey. It is nnderslood that Mr. C. O'Connor has been appointed startor to the Wanganui Jockey Club, in place of Mr. R, H. Skipworfh, Who is going into camp.