NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 88, 7 January 1918, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

THY GIiEHCOE.I

'i'ho Greymouth Meeting concludes to-day. Through an error in ihe I'ress Association's figures, Desert Gold's weight in the A.R.C. Handicap was Riven as lOst. lib., whereas it Bhould havo been 10st. 41b. This iiiakce her performance still more meritorious, especially when the time (2uiin. 35sec.) is considered. As a matter of fact, tho niftre weighed in at Wat. 61b., owing to the heavy ruin fulling. There arc many good judges who think that with 10st. lib. the champion mare would have won, or at least beaten Cynic for second place. Owners shauld noto that nominations for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup closo to-inorrow. The death 13 reported of the well-known Treutham trainer, G. A. Heed, father of the jockeys Aaliley, Eoy, and Don Heed. The deceased had been ailing for some time, but his end was not expected. In addition to the sons named abovo a willow and daughter are left to inourn him. During tho progress of tho meeting at Oamaru last week, Mr. 0. L. Stead added to his racing team by purchasing from Mr. J. B. Reid a two-year-old colt by Kilbroncy —St..Sophia. The colt has been in training at Elderelie for eoino time, under the caro of G. Matthews. i With on.o exception, the Wellington Trotting Club has received excellent entries for tho events at its annual meeting, and, as usual, ,mo6t of the best horses hail from Canterbury stables. A splendid lot figure in the Trotting Gold Oun, amongst their uumber being such well-performed horses as lied Heather, Jlorke's Drift, lteggie Hnon, Trix Pointer, Whispering Willie, Waiteranui.. Bird wood, and Lovelock. Many of the samo names figure in the Electric Handicap also, while the class represented in all the other events is distinctly above the average. Handicaps are due on Wednesday. K. Jl'Hoveney, tha well-known oross-couu-try horseman, who piloted Master Strowan to victory in the Qrand National Steeplechase last August, goes into camp to-day. Sir G. Clifford's team—Adjutant, Gamecock, Wrestler, and Long I'aiige—who were racing at Auckland, stop at Trentham to fulfil engagements at the forthcoming Wellington Meeting on tho 19th and Z2nd or this month.

At the .Wallsend Meeting on Boxing Day, the New Zcalund-bred Sonite, still racing in the interest of W. Dayice, won tho Highweight Handicap, starting at an outside price. At its recent meeting tho Byron Bay Club (N.S.W.) put up a totalisator record, not one investment being made during the aftcruoou. Tho Irish-bred Cynic, who finished fourth in tho Auckland Cup, and afterwards ran second in the Bating Olub Handicap, ia an out-and-out afayer, and in both races he contested at Ellersiio ho was finishing on better than anything in the races. Beforo beipg brought to New Zealand be won four races, two over a two-mile course and one over two miles and a quarter. I\ is on the cards that a trip may be takemto Flcniington with the son of Henry the First, the , race in view being the Australian Cuv. Mcnelaus, Johnny Walker, Seadown, and Ayah, in charge of J. Lowe, and Bo Peep and Philomel, in oharge of W. Telford, arrived at Trentham on Saturday. The well-known starter, Mr. C. O'Connor, h«l a narrow escape on tho final day at Ellerslie. Taking advantage of the field in. the Midsummer Handicap being in line he released tho barrier, but was not quite clear of the horses, and had M'Flynn, on Shining Light, not pulled his mount up quickly he would probably havo gone over the starter. The 'Frinco gelding Colorado, who up till Wednesday last had been successful six times on end, had his winning sequence stopped at Jfarton, when Sir Fisher comfortnbly defeated him in tho Bracelet, and Black Ada also performed similarly in the Welter. Eccent arrivals from Franco include Lieutenant Lindsj.y Bull, formerly a wellknown amateur rider, and the son of the popular Ilunterville sportsman of that name. Lieutenant Bull is shortly returning to France. T A peculiar feature of the Auckland Meeting was the number of horsee reported to have lost plates. It is on record that Chortle lost (wo and twisted one in the A.H.O. Handican. mid in the same race Desert Gold finished with three bare feet. Multiply, who won tin; raoo in question, ia aaid to have lost two plates during tho running of the Oun, in which he finished third.