NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 145, 8 March 1918, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

' TBY GIEKCOE.I

The Napier Park Meeting, which opens to-day, looks like being held on a damp track, and the form may not work out so truly ae it should do. here are only five acceptors for tho Hack Hurdles, the top weight being Hendra, who is making his first appearance in a hurdle race. The opposition is not , strong, and the beet of them may be Sensitive, 9st. 111b. The bay gelding is to be ridden by S. Held, who has been successful at Ellcrslie, New Plymouth, Hawera, and Wangamu lately. Hendra will be ridden by E. Thompson, but a mile and three-quarters is a long way for a green jumper. The Eek Handicap, five furlong, has two useful hacks in King's Armour and Eawakore/at the top of the list, and both, are useful over a short couree. Kawakore will have an allowance, and it should Dβ pointed out that the apprentice, 'F. Johnston, lias won 'on him at New Plymouth and Hawera, which ib a better record than any of the other riders have on tho same lioree. Lilydale and Silver and Black, both on the 7st. mark, can eo fast. The former was only beaten by ( Galore at Dannevirke, and if the latter mare was in thin race with 7st. her chances would be highly assessed. They are a good 'avorage lot in the Napier Cup, but not a high-class field. Im-. pediment, Bst. 61b., may be troubled by the distance, as she was at Hawera, whero Tolo accounted for her over ten furlongs. Itultifual, Bst. ?.lb., is fast coming down in the weights, but his form lately has been so bad that no one seriously considere his chances. Vagabond, Bst.. may be one of the fancies, as it is the general opiniou that Cleft was very lucky to beat him at the Poverty Bay Meeting. Ladogeur does not get the distance well and Trials has been racing badly in his last. few .starts. Jrcßsida ie an improving mare, and can be looked for to take a hand in the finish. Municipal and . Henrv Clay have both • been racing, well enough lately to command attention. < . Otara, 9st. 61b., ifl at the top of the Wei- . ter Handicap, seven furlongs. II the going is soft it will be very suitable to the Gisbornc horse, who used to carry big weights successfully on this track in thi winter. Fit and we 1 Bon Beve with a concession of Zlb. would make the rest of the field out to be very common, but v the old fellow is not on the upward grade However, with the sting out of the ground he may show up. . . There is an axiom in racing which saye winner Demagogue and Pontoon. WeW weight, who is to have E. Hatch s services, may be "the favourite. -„,.,,„- At Dannevirke last week Betard, when Retard plenty of admirers in the Hack Welter Handicap to-day, i The Flying Handicap is the race that. £ifof«iw« ■ P— by theiv who «ill be. • mm PlymoutTi, and was formerly trained .by Ia AU Bed had a winning representative at $e&& at the Karamu sale i.J >fv if short died on the uiuk *• cd foe about four years.'