NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 107, 30 January 1919, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Gibxcw.] The annual meeting of the Pahiatm Racing C'lub will be hold to-day. The fields are good, and it only wants fine, weather to make the gathering a success. The Maiden Hack Handicap, five furlongs, is tho opening event. There is a very big field engaged, and included are sonie speedy ones, notably Volito, Statuette, Vance, Philomela, and The Speaker. Vance and The Speaker have placed performances' to their credit. Red Signal, a winner at Trentham, will have to shoulder a penalty in the Ballance Hack Handicap, but the clasa is not strong, and as there is always such a keen desiro to be on anything Gray rides, the local mare may be favourite. Willys Knight was a placegetter at Foxton, and will be suited by the distance, and Espcrance is bred to .stay, so she may bo found doing better 'than at Foxton, where she was a trifle unlucky in the Maiden Handicap.

Feilding form points to Borealis in the Hack Flying Handicap, but he is not a good beginner, and may have to give Gold Problem a considerable start. Dqeley is coming back from Takapuna to ride Zabisro, and Tuticorn showed good form at Hastings. If tho going is on the soft side,, which appeal's more than likely, Henry Clay may have most admirers in the big handicap, for he always races well in heavy going, Hydros and Battle Song will have a large followiug. Crowhurst is to be reserved for the sprint event. Several of the runners in the Maiden Handicap may bo 'saddled up n second time in the Makuri Hack Handicap.' Samaranga will be a fresh hor'se, and should do well ns the field is not by any means a strong one.- Astinome, a. place-getter at .Trentham, is nicely in with the. minimum.

If The Sneaker is reserved for tho Konini Handicap ho will find plenty of hackers, for at Aslilmrst in an open race lie showed a bold front into the straight, and has no doubt improved a' tot since then. He is by Demosthenes from Chatterer, a mare that won several races when trained by R. Goosemau. Papanui lias been placed several times of late, and Penury Rose gets a good seven furlongs. The two top-weights look fell in the Telephone Hnndioap, but backers fire sure to make Crowhurat a hot order, as he ran so well at' Trentham, and will be all the better for his races.' Lady General has l>een off the scene for some; time. . Rawakore is a. smart beginner, but Trentham Rose will also 6et a fast pace, and this will be in favour of the top-weights. After her success at Foxton the. dunces of La Pueelle must be seriously considered in the concluding event, in which several of the runners will he making their second appearance. Winning form earlier in the day should materially assist those present to find tile winner. A Press Association telegram from New Plymouth statps that Gloaming lias arrived there. Desert Gold will arrive on Saturday. The champions will probably meet in the Taranaki Stakes on Thursday of next week. Great interest is being taken iii the event. NEWMARKET HANDICAP WEIGHTS. 3y Teleeraph—Preta .\ sscolction— Copyright Melbourne, January 29. Weights for the Newmarket Handicap include Biplane (top-weight), 9st. Mb.; 'Bimeter, 7st. 101b.; Kilmaine and Lingerie, Csfc. 101b-; KiJhope, Gst. 911).; Kilfoyle,' 6st. Tib. Australian Cup—Reb'es and Kennaquhair (top-weights), list. 71b. J Estland, 9st. 31b.; Biplane, 9st 21b.; Finmark, Sst. 51b.; The Toff, 7st. 71b.; Sauci. Gst. tOlb. EXTRA DAY FOR MARLBOROUGH FAVOURED. By Telegraph—Press Association." Christchurch, January 29. The Canterbury Jockey Club has approved the Marlboruugh Racing Club's programme, and has recommended that the club be allowed an additional day for its meeting in May. The appointment of Mr. R. H. Aldworth as judge was confirmed.