THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 9

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Glencoe.) Tlio many friends of the well-known trainer. George Higgott, will regret to hear of his death, which took, place at Wellington Hospital 011 Saturday. Deceased was well known in racing circles, his father. Mr. Sam, Higgott having been a successful trainer of the '80's. Georgo Higgott has been in India for some years, where he trained many winners for the Maharajah of Gwalior, When war broke out he went to England and served in France with the New Zealand Field Artillery, being gassed and wounded. He arrived back in New Zealand by the Briton last, month, and while engaged in paying visits to his relatives. he was taken ill with pleurisy and pneumonia, from which he died. He was a brother to F. Higgott, of Otaki, and a sister is Mrs. R. Hatch, of Masterton.

Mr. S. Brewer, of Takapau, lost a valuable horse in Crown Head (Coronet— Mirthful) a few days ago. The gelding was being qualified for hunting races, and while following the hounds struck a fence, which he safely cleared, but after going on a few yards, suddenly broke a blood vessel and dropped dead. A featuro of Iho C.J.C. meeting just concluded was the fine riding of the cross-country jockey, L. Hegarty, who was successful on no fewer than five occasions, in addition to filling a minor place several times. Hegarty is getting' on in years, but he maintains his ridinc form well. Any success that comes to tho Riccarton horseman is well deserved, for he is n hard worker, and is most regular in his attendance at uie track to ride work.

Explorer, who was purchased by Mr. W. R. Kemball somo months back, would seem to be an uncertain jumper, fs- in his last threo starts he ha 6 fallen. On each occasion S. Reid got off without injury of any kind.

T. Pritchard intends sohooling Merrio Pot© .as soon as.'tho weather clears, and if he makes a fair showing the disap. pointing sprinter will be tried in hack imrdlo races, either at Martou or Dannevirke.

Sensitive, who has been jumping the brush fences at Napier in a most satisfactory manner,, is to be a runner in the principal steeplechase at Marton, and will be ridden by H. M'Sweeney. On arrival here on Saturday last J. W. Lowe did not take Coalition home, but turned him out on his owner's property at Waiwotu.

Mr. .W. H. E. Wanklyn, secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club,' was not present at the Grand National, meeting. last week. Mr. F. C. Clarke had charge of 'the secretarial department, and proved an exoellent substitute in the unavoidable absence of his chief.

Rewi Poto is tinder orders to leave for Sydney in about a week's time. J. Deorey will go across to ride him in his jumping engagements.

W. Robinsou, who met with an accident at Riccarton last week, and was taken to hospital, did' not get any bones broken. 'and is well on the way to recovery.-

'Handicaps' for' the Now. Zealand Cup aa-o due to appear, on Friday night. W. Griffiths left Christchurch ■ for 'Winiratui 011 Monday, with Mr.' L. C. Hazlett's horses. lie expccts to reach homo in about ton doys' time. • The well-known Riccarton trainer, .T. M'Combe, is making satisfactory progress, after undergoing'' a serious operation at (Tie end of tost week.

H. .Gray- did not stop for the concluding day of the Grand National meet.ing. but returned home to arrange for his trip to Sydney. He is under engagement to ride Messrs. Richmond and Stead's horses in their Australian engagements.