VOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 53, 26 November 1919, Page 10

VOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Glkncoe.; What at one time looked like turning out a most successful adventure eventually ended in what was practically a completo failure. This was the trip of the Slcad-llichmond team to Sydney and Melbourne. 111-luck dodged the members of the Hawke's Bay team 'almost from the commencement, and early in the piece the services of useful horses like Taunaha, Golden Bubble, Spanner, and Lady Ball were lost, while later on Sasanof •went out. This left thtf work of winning to the two-year-old Delight, who succeeded' in annexing the valuable Giincrack Stakes, and Surveyor, Ti'ho, despite the fact Hint lie ran nothing but good races, failed to get his number hoisted on top. Years of experience have shown, that it is impossible, or at least next door to it, for one horse to take on tho best on. the other side. The reason of this is that there n.re more firstclass performers over there than we hnvo liere.. Our best horse joes out to-day, and 'bo runs a splendid race either winning or putting up « performance equal-' iv as good as'the winner; the result is that he is not himself for some few days afterwards, and while his .opponent of the first dnv can get a spell the New Zeaiander in the majority of cases has to tackle a fresh field equally as guod as he encountered on the first day n couple of days afterwards, with the resuKi Unit not being himself ho is again defeated. This goes "on right through the trip, and it is just a case of meeting fresh champions all the time. Two decades ago this is wha.t Advance, encountered. Desert Gold was up against the same proposition, and now this season Surveyor is also in the same unfortunate plight. The lasfci named was particularly unlucky, for in

Artilleryman and Richmond Main.ho met two three-year-olds that aro fit to rank with tho best that Australia bus ever produced. 11. J. Mason probably realised this, and ho returnod from Sydney as soon as tho R-andwick mooting was oyer. This movement paid him well, and since his return Gloaming has won the Champion Plato and Stead Cup, while Rossini has addwl tho valuablo C.J.C. Derby to his owner's credit. The Tnkapuna meeting will be concluded to-day. The Alison Cup winner Royal Irish is again engaged in the big handicap,-in which he seems most reasonably treated with Sst. as against the 7st. 71b. carried on Saturday. He will meet Tinopi on exactly the same terms, and Mullingar on 41b. worse terms, so ho certainly seems to have the best of it with the placed horses. The- Avondale Stakes winner Landslide is again engaged in the tro-yenr-old event, and though he has beon raised a stono. it may not stop ibim from defeating his two opponents. The Wellingtonowned Simonidos is engaged in tho Welter Handicap and the Cnutley Handicap, but he will probably start in the former event, and should run well. Tenacious, winner of the Tin' Hurdles, has l*en raised 15ib. for his success on Saturday. This should stop 'him euceesfully, and Garryowen may do better than on the first dny. Notability is the best of those accepted for in the Hack Hurdles, but he will have his work cut out to defeat Baltletide, who was unlucky on the first day. '

Rumour ihath it that the well-known Riccarton trainer, R. J. Mason, is about to retire, anil there may bs strong grounds for the story as his employer, Mr. G. D. Greenwood' has announced his intention of follow-in* the example of Messrs. T. 11. Low.'.y and J. Goring Johnson by taking up his residence in England for some time to* come, says

"Sir Modred" in the "Southland Times." It would create widespread interest in Australasian racing circles if Jtnson should also elect to go to England r -o supervise the preparation of some young thoroughbreds for the AJno:ilnnd sportsman, as it is generally admitted that R. J. M. has no superior in the colonies when it comes to training juveniles for classic events. In the event of Jfr. Greenwood's horses coming under tho hammer in the near future some promising horses will be offered us his team at present in commission is a lengthy one. Glonruing, Rossini, Kara, Afterglow, and PaTstiift are, of courco, known to most people as good horses, but there are others, and apparently good ones at that, to be taken into consideration.

Mr. J. G'rigg has definitely decided to retire Gay Lad from racing, and the five-year-old imported son of Cellini and Gaysome is to take up stud duties at Longbench.

As a result of his recent illness, the well-known Riccarton trainer, Murray Hobbs, has decided to retire into private life. During his long association with the Turf as rider, trainer and owner, Mr. Hobbs has always held the respect of all sportsmen, and his ability in each branch of the sport has been of a very high order. Right and Left, by Merry Moment—En Parole, has been purchased from Air. T. 11. Lowry by Mr. G. L. Stead, and is now at Yaldhurst.

Gloaming has been allotted list. 101b. in the Aucklund Cup. When Nelson prevailed in IBS 7 ho had 21b. more in the saddle.

Wolaroi's second in (he Ale]bourne Stakes brought his total winnings tin to .£19,958. It is likely that Wolaroi 'will bo put on one side for a very lengthy term before any attempt-is. made to train him again. The home's owner leans that Wolaroi will not stand another searching; preparation, but the horse has this in its favour, he was eased up Wis moment his* trouble was discovered, and that will help him considerably. Still, his racing ngaili is believed to be extremely douotfnl.

Mr. Normjin Falkiner has decided to raise his sire Comedy King's fee to 250 guineas, mid his services are also to bo limited to only six outside mares, and these will be required to be booked for two seasons. Mr. Pnlkiner not only l.r.s Comedy King, sire of Artilleryman, at Koonlim, but also an own sisler to Wie great colt in folly Queen, winner of the V.H..C. Oaks.

■ Something like a record id an id to have been established in America 11 few woefcs aro. The "Thoroughbred Ifecord" is responsible for saying tlittt Sir. S. C. Hildreth declined mi offer of 300,000 dollars (about ,£(10,000 nt the pre-war rate of exchange) for his tihree-year-old chestnut colt Purchase, winner this year of seven races worth nearly 25,000 dol'mrs. Purchase, is by Orniondnleout of Chenyoln, by Tnnznicister.

The lirst race at the Pcildina meeting irill commence at 12 noon and the last race at 5.5 p.m.