THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 264, 27 July 1918, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS fBY GLEKCOJM First acceptances for the three chicj evouls at the 0.J.0. Grand National Meetr ing are due on August 'I, and at tho same lime entries fall iluo for the minor races. Kir Georgo Olifiord's winnings in stakes this season totalled £3706, tne smallest, amount credited to the. Cliokcboro Jjodgo team for over eight years, tho nearest, approacli to this amount being £3'/!)6 during tlio 1313-14 term. Tho Opaki trainer J. T. Janiieson lias been passed by the Military Jvlcdical Board, aud goes into camp in November. Tho Auckland-owned Ibex is now a well-,' fancied hot-so for tho Winter Cup. ilo far no rider lias been mentioned as having the mount on tho San l-'ran gelding, but it is probable I hat the Iticcarton hors;:mau, i\ Ellis, will be found in the taddlo on tho day. When Ibex was beaten by a narrow margin at Napier lio had lOst. 121b. iu tho saddle, and though ho was giving the leadei'6 it start entering tho straight he ilnishod very strongly and was only a head away. 'Tills form suggests that the exti-a two furlongs would not be against him in tho Winter Onp. Ho is iucliucd to "float" if hustled too much at tho start of hiß races, but with tho long straight at Iticcarton Micro is plenty of time to let him get thoroughly balanced before driving him at hiß beat speed.

Hydrus, who is a firm order for the Winter Cup, has reached Eiccarton and his condition is pleasing tho touts there.

Considering Hint ho has not had a race for a long time the cllort of John Barleycorn in tlio CUtremont, Welter Handicap at Timaru would bo very pleaßing to his owner, and tho Sarto gelding has only got to go on the right way to have a big chance in the' Winter Cup, in which he will carry lOst. 51b.

Golden I'rince, Master Hamilton, and Kanpokoimi, who were successful in the jumping events at the South Canterbury Hunt Club's Meeting oil Thursday, were all traiued by S. 'X'rilford, who also propared Ilelshirc, who scored in the Claromont Welter Handicap.

Moreeambe out a very poor figuro in liio race at Washdyko on Thursday, and it is not likely that the racing Iraokn will see much more of the one-time Karamu champion.

Mr. 1!. E. Barley has been reappointed si arter to the Avondalo Jockey Club. The remaining ollieials of last year have all been reappointed.

News that Biplane, has been relieved of the Epsom Handicap engagement, tho way is cleared for a meeting between him and Desert Gold in tho Spring Stakes, to be l-uu on Epsom day, ta.vs a Hydney writer. 'L'his conteHt, fliouid arouse moro intercut in tho Turf world than has ever been known in connection with a race iu Ibis Slate. It- is to be hoped everything goes well in the meantime with the two llyors from New Zealand, antl that when llicy strio for Hie struggle for supremacy each will' be at its best.

Tho 'faranaki jookey, H. Cray, has had his license for next season granted by the Taranald District Committee. The local trainer, 11. Telford, has iirst call on Cray's services for tho coming season.

It is only on rare occasions that A. <T. ll'Flinn rides over the hurdles these days, but tbe Auckland horseman is to ride Uluctanuß at Iticcarton.

Trainer F. Davis is expected to Icavo for Australia with Mr. T. . JI. Luwry's team about the third week in August-. J. O'Shea. who is to ride the horscH in their engagements when Ihe weight suits, is at present at Gree.umcadows. where most of the team arc at present quartered.

It. is stated that, B. Deeley will have the mount on Sir Agnes iu I lie Winter Cup. After the National Meeting Deeley will proceed to Australia to ride. Mr. G. D. Greenwood's horses in their engagements over there.

Apparently Arlinglou is lo start in the Grand National .Steeplechase and not in the, Kutieid Steeplechase, as previously reported. Word from the north says that tho Auckland horseman S. Henderson ib to ride the Signalman gelding iu Iho former event.

According to southern reports, I!. ODonnell was :i.t Iticcarton during the v.-cok with Mr. G. L, Stead's horses. Almoner is stated to have grown into a. fine colt, and is looking the picture of health, which makes it. hard to understand why he is not lo contest tho A.J.O. Derby.