THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3152, 2 August 1917, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

fBY GIiBNCOE.I

R. O'Donnell is eipected from tho sonth this morning to make arrangements lor his trip abroad. His team will number seven horses, and will include The ion, Koesiah, Plymouth, Ample, and three two-year-olds. 0. R. Emerson is to ride tho Yaldhurst team. Tho Duncdin Jockey- Club intends naming one of the races oil it's next season s prograinnio after the late Sir George M'Lcan. A start will bo mado ou Saturday next with the V.A.T.O. Steeplechase Meeting. Chief interest on the opening day will be centred in the/Australian Hurdle Race, which includes 'in its field tho New Zealandcrs Tcuacious and Gold Wave. The.Awapuni-traincd Sir Fisher, who has an engagement in the Grand National Hurdles, will be shipped south to-night. Tho Demosthenes—Savannah' filly/ in the Porirua stable, has been named Lisp. She is a half-sister to Limpet, that was sold to go to Sydney last year. The two-year-old is much bigger than was Limpet at the same age. Accommodation has been booked for three horses from Porirua oa the boat going south on Friday of next week. George will race in tho Winter Cup. Rajput Th the hack events, and Tauira in tho Enfield Steeplechase. At tho present time Parisian Diamond and Johnny Walker retain their positions as fancies for tho .Winter Cup. Neither of the pair aro good beginners, and as the field this year looks like being a record one thoso who cannot jump out smartly and hold their positions wily have none the best of matters. ,When Parisian Diamond won at Ellerslie ho was not, in the front rank at seven furlongs, but he scored easily enough at tho finish. At Hastings ho was also noticed finishing on in the Heretaunga Handicap, six furlongs and a half, but. as stated above tho field will be a big one at Biccarton, and though the distanco of the Winter Cup is eight furlongs a horse that has had to carvo his way through a big field;has nothing in hand-for the finißh. Numerous instances could be cited to prove that a lot bettor horses than Parisian Diamond have been beaten in this race solely on account of their inability to begin. smartly with a big weight up. Johnny Walker is better suited as regards weight, but his position in the market is certainly a false one lor his winning publio form consists of beating Rio and H'exton twice, neither of whom are in the top class, Of course, the Irentham-tramed horse may improve a lot, and is well enough bred for anything being by the successful sire Martian from bilkgown, but it is rather early, yet ito expect him to show his best. ■

The thoroughbred horse Tree Lucerne is advertised for sale as a stud horse. A Press Association message from Sydney last evening stated that Leslie Bragg, one of the jockeys who was injured in Saturday s accident, has succumbed. 0 • Harden is still unconscious. ■'' THE NEW DERBY. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association.. LONDON. Julv 31. The race for the New Derby resulted: Gay Crusader, 1; Dansellon, 2; Dark Legend, 3. Twelve started. Won by fourlengths.