NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Qlencoe.]

The acceptances received for the 'Wellington Summer Meeting are highly satisfactory. and in both the big eventß there is the material for good races. Since the defection of ICaro. Ifenelauß has assumed the position of favourite. It' io satisfactory to note tliat-the Wanganui arid Hawke's Bay Cup winner Client lias had his engagement continued, and on a big track like Trentham the son of Elovation is sure to give a good account of himßolf. The three-year-oldß ICilmoon, Punka, and Heathercote liava all plenty of' friends, and will not want for backers on tho day. It is stated that Punka, is to have the services ol Deeley on Wednesday next. Mr. E. Short, who was disaualifled over what iB known as the Demos ca6e, has given notice of hiß intention to appeal to the Racine Conference. Hal Junior, winner of the Manawatu Trotting Cup, was expected to race with distinction in the Gold Oun. to be run at Petone on Friday next, and an effort was made to obtain the services of A. Pringle for him. However. ,to the general surprise of all the Hastings horso was not paid up for.

It is announced that the well-known starter. Mr. R. B. Harley. has taken a farm at Taltapuna, and will 'reeido there in future. This will not interfere ivith his business as a starter, in wliich capacity he acts for a number oft .clubs in different parts of the Dominion. A unique record o£ five successive victories over hurdles lias been established by a gelding, Leo Mattan, in Melbourne. The performance is all the more remark, able from the fact that two of his races were gained on protests after he appeared to be well beaten in the race. Tho 0. J. C. Oaks winner Punka has been inclined to give trouble lately, and will not work unless she is accompanied by a companion. On Wednesday M. Hobbs attempted to gallon her six furlongs, but she would not work, so Winter Oherry was sent out to go a few furlongs with her. Those who fancy the chances, of Punka in the Wellington Cup should bear in 1 mind that the progeny of tho Plying Fox horse, Oooltrim, have not so far shone as stayers, cither here or in Australia. Of course, there is no reason why such a well-bred horse should not get stayers, but the fact remains that sons of Flying Fox have been more noted for begetting sprinters than horses that could go a distance. The Welkin, who also is by Flying Fox, left several • very speedy horses, but with th<i escejition of Gloaming sir furlongs, and rarely seven, ■was as. far as they could go. Oooltrlih is represented in thiß country by Coolpau i>aiL.gui}.k£- T'hfl facm£iV:Aa'i&tflvelLknawxu

has only won over short courses, wljilo Punka has tho 0.J.0. Oaks to her credit, but several fillies have won Oaks In years gone by that could not by any means be classed ad stayers when opposed in handicaps by ccood class horses with azo upon th /t m is reported that Sir George Clifford, chairman of the New Zealand Racing Conference, lias written to the Masterton Racing Club stating that the statutory number of racing days will be restored during the racing season, commencing on August 1, 1919. Tho stewards of tlie club had already instructed the Programme Committee to draw up » programme in possibility of the autumn meeting being. r As ol Ee'wi'Polo has not been accepted with in the Foxton Oup it seems that lie is to bo a xunn'er ra the Wellington °Tho death of tho stallioii' Vice-Admiral is reported from Southland. Ho was bred by the late Mr. G. G.. Stead m 1907, being by Multiform from Seahorse fl 6ißtei, Hat. tier, and he was a yearling when Messrs. W. G. and G. L. Stead secured him for 2Mgns. at the clearing sale of tho laidhurst stud. He raced twice as a two-year-old without running into a place, and at threo yearß, when Mr. G. D. Greenwood had seewwi -,n interest in him, he deadheated with Peirene in tho Jackson Stakep at Wanganui. The following season he made an unsuccessful trip to Sydney, but on his return showed first-class form at Eiccarton, winning the New /c aland Cup, Metropolitan Handicap, and Canteroury Oup, and filling third place, behind Counterfeit and Miscount, m the Stead Gold Cup. He was a champion at that meeting. which brought his winning career to a close, though he started twice the following season. After commencing his stud career in Canterbury, he went to bouthland, where he left a few useful gallopers. though nothing, 60 far, approaching his own class.