THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 190, 1 May 1918, Page 8

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS fBV GLEKCOE.I Weights for tho Mnrlboroiigh Meeting arc duo on Friday next, an<l acceptances closo on tho following- Wednesday. Entries for Iho Dunedin Jockey Oluli's Winter Mooting clobo on I'riday next. Tho Otago Steeplechase, threo miles, is worth 600 sovß. For Bonio years the Caulfield ownertrainer, E. A. Connolly, waa regarded as a very fortunate speculator on tho Turf and a very keen judgo. During tho_pa6t twelve months, however, ho had not won a raco until Wondcrgraph scored for him in the Jumpers' Flat Kaco at Epsom last month. Mr. E. H. Sliipwith, who used to net as starter for Boveral of the raciuc clubs in iho Korth Island, and who is at presont in Sling Camp with a, New Zealand reinforcement, writing to a, friend in Palmeretoii Nerth, reports that tho winter in Kn"land was a uovcre one, but that conditions at Sling- Camp were much better than he ojpected. The letter was dated January 7, and ut tho time of writing Mr. Sliipwith was well and expected shortly to loavo for Franco. 4 letter received from the front by a recent mail reports that tho well-known jockey, Arthur Oliver, had given up hie Dost as assistant riding-master, and had joined his comrades in tho Artillery in France.

The Otnki Olub will hold its Winter Mcetiuß on Monday and Tuesday. June .j nnd 4. As has hecn the case for several years past the Euukawa Cup, one mile and a- quarter, will bo worth £600. There is no race on the programme of less than 100 sovs. Nominations for nil events close with Secretary O. J. D'Ath on Monday next at 8.30 p.m.

This week's mail from Australia brought the papers which showod how the scratchins if Biplane for tho Awapum Gold Oiip was regarded on tho other side. Generalv speaking, tho stricture!- paused were moderate in tone, and doubtless tho regrettable incident will soon be forgotten. Tho death is recorded at Blenheim of tWwcll known trainer, H. Fletcher. The "eceaS was beat known hero as tho trataor of eiuapia, when the St. Ambrose niaro won the New Zealand Cup.

Coalition, who won his first hurdle race at Hasting last week will make his next wnearance in the Wanganui Steeplechase, after which ho will bo taken north to contest tho Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslic. Menelaus returned home from Has inge vestcrday, and he will now bo into winter nuarters Tho Messrs. Jiiddifordarc coneider ng sending somo of their horses to Sydney for early epring racing, and f the trip eventuates Menclaus will be the sheet-anchor of tho team. After winning at Aspendale last month Sauci was produced a week later, and supported for the bis Handicap at Epsom, bTtW. time the Futurity Stake, winner Wedeo reversed the form of tho week provfons, and starting favourite scored handily whilo Baud could only finish fourth.

Seadown, who haß failed to win a race this scison, is back at Trentham nftor £rr^o^^=!^^ ing, but his ideas and tho present owner s did' not coincide. A southern writer sayßi-'Tollownip on tho disappointment, caused hy «o wilidrawal of Biplane from thn Awapum Gold Op a sue,-estion was made that A meeting Bhouuf be arranged between Beset Gold and Biplane, to take place at tho Winter Mooting -of the Wonpa™> J>okcy Olub next month. ]l ,R .» ndcr .l°? d DP th S t Mr G D.. Greenwood and his trainer. K. ,T Mason, were quilo prepared to fall in with the proposal that Biplane should meet Desert Gold over a mile. Mr. r. >1.. I?owrv• probably influenced to some exen t by the news of the death of a relaive at the front has decided, however, not to race his horses any raoro this FenRon. so thai the proposed contest has fallen through." Though tho majority of the horses eneaged in tho Great Northern Hteeplechase havo yot to earn fame over bis country, thero is little dearth of eeasonod chafers in the lift. Collector. Mta. St. Elmn. Tiecord7 Braeburn, Coalition, Master Btrowan. GoMen Glow. Diavolo. Marton. Ranwi Jin- . Wainmi, Glucpot, Sandy Paul, and Idealism, are oil well experienced between t hr nags, and with tho addition of -.iwo ■promisinß novices, the prospects for «. successful croBS-coiMitry season look tiu.to as bright as in most former years.

Depredation, , who has not won a raco since he scored iu the Auckland Oup of 1916, and who has been off the scene for somo time, figures-amongst th& entrants for the Cornwall Handicap, to bo run at tho A.8.0. Winter Meeting. K. J Mason uow has a trio of yearlings in work at Iticcarlon in preparation for nest season. The Solferino-Anttea oot and the Martian-Grand Opera colt ha\e been regular visitors to the track tor epmo time plet, while tho Martian-Lovelorn filly, a sister to Nones and Itenelane, Is a recent addition to the team. The sainu trainer has also, made another start with tho two-year-old Molyneux, by DanubePerle A , Or, and the three-year.-old Vißtula, by DanuW-Vicella. The two-year-old eelding Bianor, by Demosthenea-Mistimo, is a recent addition to the same mentor b team. Procrastinate has been retired to the stud, and eho was mated this season with Sutala, by Elysian-Lady Hester. Sutala was a brilliant two-year-old, whose racing oireer was cut short by an accident at Tamthani. Bonheur, the dam of Client, winner of tho Hawke's Bay Cup, was sold for 100 guineas as a brood marc, bhe is fuUsistor to that great performer Nonette. Tho Waikanao-bred Bourlanu juet failed to win a sprint event at the Moonee Valley Meeting on April 22, the halfbrother to Balboa being beaten by half a hcadi At tho same meetinc Hopng was also, in the money, finishing third.

Tho Boniforra gelding Tho Toft has second top weight in the Adelaide Ouji, to be decided on Mouday next Wedge Holds pride of place with 9st. 61b. Scotch Artillery, who won tho Sydney Oup in 1915, is to be tried over the battens. The Australian horse Aleconner, who has been racing for seven yeare, has finished hie turf career. He wan a high-claes performer, and among hie successes were the VJLT.O. Orrong Two-year-old. V.11.0. Bourke Handicap, Ladies' Bracelet A J.O. Fnsom Handicap, V.A.T.0., Armadalo Oup, MeS Stakes, T.R.O. October Stakes, Williamstowu Oup, and V.E.O. Blandish Handicap. Benise Orme, who raced with fair success in A. Hall's colours in the Domjnlon, was sold in Sydney recently for 60 cuinca.. The maro was sold on behalf of Mr. G.-F. Moore, of Busliby Park. Shnonla. the dam of Denlse Ormo, with a foal at foot by Hallowmas, realised ICO guineas. Mooltan, a, good racehorse of ten years ago and twice winner of the Metropolitan, Bocond to Apologue in the Melbourno Oup and winner of tho A.J.C. Sprinß Stakes nSd Graven Plato,. was Bold in Sydney recently for 100 guineas., says The Bulletin." When at the height of his career Mooltan wae sold for 3000 guineas, and was Subsequently bought back by ll»onri«»l ownors for 2000 guineas to do et/ud duty, but he proved a failure at tho breeding business.