THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 209, 23 May 1918, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[BY GLUNCOE.I

Very heavy rain lin-s fallen at Wanganul during tho last couple of claye, and tho going cannot bo otherwise thsu heavy for to-morrow's racing. Tho fields are large in the various events, and the racing may bo productive of several surprise*!. Racing .-will oommence at 11.30 with tho Borough Handicap (six furlongs). The runners include the Stewards' Handicap winner, Form Up,,-who is top-weight with 9st 31b. Ho will havo 8. Keid in the saddle, and is oxpected to mn well. Yesterday ho moved freely in a. gallop over five furlongs, which waß the fastest of the morning, lady General will be ridden by Doeloy, and, dospita an arduous season, she is looking and working well. It is in her favour that'she regularly racea well at Wanganui and also'goes Well in heavy going. Siinonides (Gray) can hardly bo ready, and may be seen to more advantage later on. Lady Mack and Galore will be coupled, on tho machine. Tho former races well in heavy going, but »ho'is not too reliable,, and is inclined to turn it up in her races. ■ , Hyginas has como from Waverley with a great reputation, and tho going will also Buit the Karamu cast-off. ,

They are not a good lot in tho Hack Steeplechase, and tho three- top-weights appear to dwarf the-others. Kaupokouul has had two races, and so has.ldealism, and in this respect they have an advantage over Torchy, b\it the Opate horse is a capahlo performer, awl'he now looks bettor' than ever he did previously. Several of tho others aro ne%v to the gamo, and may tad it difficult to run two miles. Tho big steeplechase has the National winner • Master ;Strowan, at the head of tho handicap. Ho is very well, and before leaving Foxton galloped a record mile for the course. He is not likely to oxperienco any difficulty in negotiating the country, and such a proved stayer mast bo very hard to shake off at tho business end of the race.' Braeburn hac plenty of supporters, but he oannot be on the up grade. Gluepot is very well, but ho is rather close to Master Strowan, who on the flat has more pace than anything in the race. Coalition is a. big fancy for tho event, but it seems a stiff contract to expect him to beat Master Strowan. Boro is new to the game, and may be troubled by the distance. Marton and Nita both have their supporters, but the topweight ,is a better class. .

Tho Book Hurdles is the most difficult race for backers, as several smart horses on tho flat are making their flrat appcaranco as jumpers. The Aucklandor Gold Fran is a greatly-improved horse for Ms two efforts at Hastings, and ho and Paul Mooro may fight out the finish to-day.

The Century Hurdles may be fined down to four hornos; viz. Pursofiller, Sir Fisher, Colorado, and Colleotor. The two former both go -well in the mud, while Colorado has not so far shown up in it, while his staying powers have to be taken on wust. Collector will strip well, and aided by his light weight he should run on well over tho last two furlongs.

Tho, Connolly Handicap is a puzzle, and the weather has upset all calculations. The light-weights will set a fast pace, and one of them in Hydrus may be equal to seeing out the Journey.

Hexton, Lord Nelson, and Moutoa Camp may bo fancied for the concluding event, and the first named may bo favourite. Kudo was an entrant for the Connolly Handicap, but the Australian gelding wai withdrawn in favour of this race. Ho likes the sting out of tho ground and may be seen to advantage to-day.

At tho last Wanganui meeting horses from Hawke's Bay and further north did woll. Ozaronns won the Hack Steeplechase, Potentiality tho Winter Oats, Kohinahina the Eata Hack Hurdles, and Bon Koto tho 'May Hurdles. Braeburn ran Becond in tho big Steeplechase, and seconds wore seoured in the Century Hurdles, Connolly Handicap and Purua Handioap. Tho North Taranaki Hunt Club has been granted' a day by tho Metropolitan Co-n----miCCee, and will hold a meeting at New Plymouth racecourse on August 19. Final payments in connection with tho Great Northern Hurdles, Great Northern Steeplechase, and Cornwall Handicap oloso with Seoretary W. S. Spenco to-morrow night, at 5 o'clock. The North Otago Jockey Club will hold its fixture to-day. Tho American-bred l&o----hawk is top-weight in both' the Oup and Stewards' Handicap, but will probably Btart in the first race, in which lie may be favourite. Joannot has the best oredontials in the Hurdles. Australian writers consider that tho imported horse Magpio (Dark Bonald-Popin-jay) who won the Elder Stakes at the recent Adelaido Cup meeting, will bo the best- weight-for-age animal that 'Desert, Gold and Biplane will havd-to meet-should that pair be sent over to Australia for tho spring racing.' Magpie cost his present owners, Messrs. KoMnson and Olark, 4000 guinea*. Before • tho raoe for the Elder Stakes Dark Ronald's son oould have been secured for 3000 guineas, but afterwards he was "not for sale."' Tho total amount paid in betting taxes lor ton months by New South Waleß racing clubs and bookmakers amounts to £99,&56. For tho previous twelve months the sum of £58,455 was,paid. Mr. G. M. Ourrle has sold the stallion King Bufus to a .Sydiiey breeder. Tho William Rufus siro has- been shipped across tho Tasmau, and is to stand at Bathurst. Mr. Ourrle has now the stallion Absurd at his stud. There was recently killed in Franco D. Oallinan, a well-known New South Wales jookey. Oallinan had the mount •on Norcen when that horse won tho Sydney Oup. The New Zealand mare Gladsome was also a competitor, but a bit of bumping cost the Seaton Dclaval aaro the race, Australian writers stating that "Gladsome who. had just commenced that wonderful run of hers, was knocked clean out of her stride." < A critic in the latest "Referee" tq hand writes' interestingly of the great racing maros of Australia and New Zealand. Tho following maros are mentioned by the writer'.-Dosert Qold, Gladsome, Wakeful, Oarlita, Warstep, Cruciform, and Lady Wallace, It will be seen that, with one exception all tho mares mentioned were bred in tho Dominion.

Biplanes brother, Air King, was a competitor at tho llentone mooting early this month, and finished third in a handicap fun over six furlongs. Amongst the names of prominent Cliriatchurch sportsmen figuring in tho lateßt 'ballot aro thono. of Mesßrs. P. Y. Mason J: W. Jt'Ooinhe, R. Allan, B. J. Humphreys, .1. Olliver, IV 0. Porter, H. B. Sellers, and H. A. Boyle. The Auckland horsoman, B. Bceley, is amongst those called to tho colours.. W. U. Bowdsn, tho OtaW owner-trainer, etatos'that he has decided to scratch' Probity and Hushabyo for all engagements' at tho forthcoming Otalii Hooting as he has been unable to work tho horses on tho Otaki training tracks. Mr liowdcn states that he has taken this step aB a protest against r the action which prevented him training his horsos on tho local track when hearing race day.

FINAL CAUOPS AT WANCANUI.

By. Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganul, May 22. ; There waß showery weather for tho final gallops. Teka and Hydrus went six furlongs in lmin. ISsec., Irady Genera! five furlongs in lmin. ssee., and Kudu tho same distance in lmin. 4£bcc. Lady Black, assisted by Galore, did Ave furlongs in lmin. 4sec. Pursetlllor beat Cleft and HcxtOn over seven furlongs in lmin. 34sec. Motitoa Queen did six furlongs in lmin. 21s'-'c, and Gipsy >,Qem half a mile in 51Jsec. Awa' jumped the hurdles nicely. Lord Kelson and Styrax finished abreast over a. mile in lmin. Msec, and 'Warmth covered five furlongs in lmin. Sjeee.