THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

fBY GLENCOB.I

Tho Hawkc'a Bay horses Diavolo and Burgess will bo shipped from Napier toI morrow. They are to raco at Iticcarton next week Few peoplo were prepared for the heavy weeding out which took place in tho big ovents at the National' Meeting. No fewer than twonty-nino failed to pay up in the Hurdles, twenty-two in tho Steeplechase, and twenty-four in tho Cup. There are now elevon horses left iu the Steeplechase, but two of these In Orib and Bt. Elaiu also figuro in the Hurdles, It is stated that on account of .representations .from several leading trainers, the Avondalo Jockey Club may reconsider the dates of its spring meeting, so as not to olash.with.the New Zealand Cup fixture. None of the place-getters in the Flemmgton Grand National Hurdles engaged tho attention of tho judge in the Australian Hurdles, though the winner and runner-up', Merunqua and Bundong, both appear to have run good race?. " Pqlydamon's Hew owner in Auckland was awaiting advice which did not como to hand when the horso arrived, owing, it was believed, to tho sinking of one of the mail boats, but from papers to hand it transpires that he won tho Two Thousand Guineas Trial Selling Plato over a milo course, Captain Tanner being tho purchaser at 250 guineas, which makes him a very choap horse. Evoa with tho cost. of. hiß importation, which is fairly heavy now in freight, attendant and iuauranco risks, it is very Qucstio'naolo whether a nicer-looking 'horse has boon imported to tho Dominion, and it shows how the war has affected prioes when such a four-year-old as he is could be secured in England at a price so much below tho service fee charged for his sire. The well-known Riccarton mentor, J. Bridges, has acoeptcd a position under F. Davis, and will shortly leave for Hawko's Bay. v During the past week tho caretaker and nis stafl at Iticcarton have been engaged in getting the stceplechaso jumps into order lor tho coming meeting Cherry Blossom's withdrawal from the Winter Cup did not como altogether as a surprise, for she pulled up lamo after galloping one morning last week. Sho was on the tracks on Thursday last, but nothing serious was attempted with her. Tho members of tho Hawko's Bay Jockey Club havo paid the retiring committee the compliment of declining to oppose their re-election to office. At tho annual meeting held on Friday last, there were no new nominations for tho offices of president, vice-president, or committeemen. Mr. M. F. Baird resigned tho office of treasurer, which ho has held for many years, and Mr. J. 11. Oolcbournc was elected to fill tho position.

Weights for tho minor events at the Grand National Meeting are due on Wednesday.

The failure, of Fisher to make the acceptance for tho Grand National Hurdles was quite unexpected, as the Maniopoto gelding was given out as a sure starter. It may be that he. went wrong on the eve of the payment. Somo surpriso was expressed locally when flcwi l'oto did not go through here last weok on his way to Biccarton. It was thought that tho black gelding would have started on thp trip at tho samo time as Flying Camp, and when this turned out not to bo tho easo rumours commenced to fly round that he would not sec the post in the Grand National Hurdles. AUSTRALIAN HURDLES WON BY POLYGAMIST. By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (ftec. August 5, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOUIiNE. August 5. The following is the result of the race for the AUSTRALIAN HORDMS, of 1500 sovs. . Threo miles and a, half, less ninetyeight yards. 'i'olyganiist, 9st. lllh 1 lost.- 131b z Van lloiurcigli. list. 41b 3 Wondcrgraph and Truo Wliitu were scratched. Going to the front in tho early stages, King ifostyn acted as nacouinker. I'olyganiist led into tho straight from Merunnua and Bundgong. At' tho last hurdle, Mcrunqua and Fastolf fell. Polygamic won Comfortably by three, lengths. Tho New Zealand horse Tenacious finished last. Time. 6miiw!4scc.