THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 241, 5 July 1919, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[By Glefcoe.] The wisdom of the Wellington Racing Club in deciding to go on with tho winter meeting in tho face of adverse circumstances seems to have been justified, and taken altogether the acceptances received for the opening day are quite up to the standard of previous years. In alt c lnit the Hack Steeples, winch has drawn seven acceptors, big fields are engaged. The best 'chasers in the land are to do battle in the WoUingtoii Steeplechase, which looks like being a repetition of the very fino contest seen in this race twelve months ago. The first half-dozen horses in this year's race represent the best form of the Dominion, and aro all winners of valuable races, wliile Vascular and Merrio Lad are also good performers over brush fences. Visitors to tho meeting tweivo months ago stated that they had seen the .National run after the first day, but another treat was in store for them when the July Steeples was run. At tho last fence Bon Reve, St. Elnia, and Coalition were in a line, and after a sensational finish the breeding of the Derby winner told under pressure, and he got his head in front. Then St. Elinn made this form look extra good by going south and winning the. National Steeplechase, whito Bon Revo was put in the paddock for a spell. Inc. last-named has raced at Napier and Hastings, and is now looking at his best again. Waimai showed that there is nothing wrong with him by his wonderful effort under 13st. at Ellerslie. Master Strowan is well known; and it is pleasing to think he lis able to race after Ins bad fall on the training track. Master Lupin won the Great Northern Steeples under lOst. 101b., but failed in the Winter Steeples with 12st. 61b. He has now got list. 101b., and is on the same mark as Bone Reve. Coalition has 21b. less than the pair, and his. admirers claim that ho is a better horse than he was twelve months ago. Troublesome is a wonder, and despite Increasing years he regularly pays his way. Already this year he has won two good steeplechases, and after his very fine effort on he training tracks on Thursday he cannot, be written out of this year s contest - Advices from Melbourne yesterday state that Suma, who is to be ridden by H Cairns, is much talked ot for tne ■V.H.C. Grand National Hurdles. The successful cross-country jockey i'. W. M'Cabe recently returned from the front, and intends following his calling a»ain in Melbourne. He is not unknown to New Zealand racegoers, having won cross-country events and hurdle races here in the livery of the ate Hon.. J. V. Ormond. In relating his experiences, M'Cabe said he saw much racing m inland and Ireland, and had several mount* while he was mf. He left Melbourne in October, 1916, and before leaving England for France sustained a broken arm in a fall in a hurdle race at Gatwick. Ho was in the front line at Ypres and Armcntieres, and beyond minor injuries escaped unhurt. M'Cabe won the Victory Hurdle Race at Manchester on Wateigruel, owned by the former. Australian Mr. It. Wootton. He rode, Picture faamt in the Victory National Steeplechase ai Liverpool, Mid after covering a round ot tho course liis mount fell at a water iumi). M'Cabe considers the feitccs at Liverpool are the biggest luvhas ever seen, but English horses are usually well schooled, aud'serious accidents are comparatively few. In Ireland M'Cabe hmohed second on Vatigun m the St. Patricks Steoplechnse, for maiden steeplechaser.. "The best jumper I have, ever seen, said M'Cabe, "is Waterbed, which belongs to Mr. It. Sievier. He carried 12sl. 71b and won the Victory Steeplechase of MOW at the Manchester meeting, alter having almost fallen at tho last fence. Tho steeplechases are 'run at a much slower pac'o in England than m Australia, but the jumpers, on the whole, are superior to ours.' In Ireland, where the racegoers are fond of jumping events, the horses go faster, and the races are run in similar fashion to tho Australian events. The hurdles in Ireland are rather small, and aro easily knocked down by tho competitors, and the races usually resolve themselves info flat, races; the brush fences in Ireland are the best i lurYo seen. They average about 4ft. Gin., and are kept in line, order, as aio all the surroundings ot the irij>n courses." M'Cabe said that owing to the large number of jumpers winch were pic. sented to the military authorities for chargers thero was a great deaith of that class of racer in England. At a meeting at Windsor in January a programme- of six jumping, races attracted only 16 starters, there being a few.walksovor.