THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 287, 23 August 1918, Page 3

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

fUY GIiESCOB.I

For tho Egmont Spring Meeting, which takes place on September 19, Secretary V. 13. Stnitton will accept nominations up till Thursday next at 8 p.m. In connection with the Spring Meeting of the Danncvirkc Racing Oluu, owners aro reminded that nominations for all events, except tho Trial I'latc, eloBO <m Wednesday, August 28, at 8 p.m. Acceptances for the Marton Meeting close on Tuesday next. For the Otaki Maori Racing Club's Spring Meeting, to be held on Monday, Septomber 23, there is a prograuimo of eight events, and all classes of horses are catered for. There is no race on the programme of less value than 100 sovs., and the M'Donald Memorial Handicap, ono mile and a Quarter, is worth -SiiO sovs. >..n;;i'.'s close on Mond.ty, September 2, at 8 p.m.

"Boots" Durnoll, whoso name is familiar in connection with American turf matters, returned recently to Hew York after spending seven years as a trainer of thoroughbreds in Europe—the greater part of the tiuie-ftn Kuuiania—and almost an entire year as a refugee in Moscow (says tho Oincinpati "Times-Star"). The most extraordinary bit of information which Mr. Durnell had to impart on his return concerns racing in Russia, which is still kept up. Though the control of things has passed from one faction to another, tho Government racing subsidies never have been inUrrnntcd. The racing begins at 9.30 a.m.-., and from fifteen to twenty races a day aro run, with the shortest possible intervals. The Government pays substantial purses in each race, and the racing is conducted solely for the purpose of maintaining the breed and stamina of horses, so that there may be a sufficient supply of first-class military mounts.

J. O'Shea has left for Sydney by the Eivcrina.

Ibex got out of his box at Eiccarton on Saturday, and was not found iill Tuesday. Tho chestnut gelding was none the worse for his excursion, and he is to be a runnor at Marton on September 4.

Mr. Lan Duncan, of the Waikanae Stud, has sold two two-year-old fillies by Bczoniau to Mr. W. K. Kemball. of Masterton. .One is from Aloha and the other from Portland Lass.

The National Steeplechase winner, St. Elmn, has faced tho starter on 85 occasions. He has won eight races, and been placed second eleven times and third the same number of times.

Comment developed bleeding troubles on the second day of the Biccarton Meeting. King Star, winner of the Winter Cup last year, was submitted to auction during the National week, but failed to find a new owner.

With tho close of the Grand National Meeting, the jumping season proper may be said to be ovor. This year it has been quite as successful as in previous years, and the fields which contested the principal steeplechases were powerful ones, seeing that they comprised Master fitrowan. Waimai, St. Elmn, Coalition, Yellow and Brack, Collector and Crib. The losses during the year included two winners in Braeburn and Gluepot, but promising accretions to the ranks of the 'chasers aro Arliugton and Master Hamilton. The hurdle racers were not so strongly represented as in previous years, but Mr. A. N. Giobons certainly owns a ton-notch performer in Kauri King, while Colorado and Wishful are promising additions to the front-rankers.

The well-known South Canterbury train' nr. P. .E. Jones, was drawn iu the last ballot.

It is cipectod that the Wanganui District Committee will no into Uic Ibex case on September 4. This will mean that the Sun Fran jeldinir can compels at the Mavton Meeting on the same" day. He i= nicely treated in the principal handicap, in which he is asked to carry 7«t. Bib.

At Chnstchurch on 3fondav Moddilewas sold at auction, aiul» realised %us. Tho new owner of the . steenlccha-ser is A Prinple. of trotting fame. It should not ho hard to place Moddile successfully in tho South Island.