NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 10

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Glencoe.;

The Woodvillo meeting will )w opened to-day, and will he concluded to-inor-row. The weather is .fine, and the going will be good. In the Hack Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters, the'field is not strong, and though Prince Delaware • has not_ raced over fences for a considerable time, ho is sure of plenty of support to-day, consequent upon some good track work at Trentliam. Tuticom finished on strongly at Feilding, and may be in a place, and so may Goldstream, who was a fair performer on the flat.

There is a very bip field: in the Trial Plate, six furlongs, but it' is run under the weight-forage scale, and this .rives tlio two-year-olds a bif; advantage. Usually they jump out in front, and are not caught on the journey. Tlio best of that ago engaged to-day is Tessares, ■v realty smart filly in private, but unlucky in her races. She has been favourite several times during the season, including the Feilding Stakes, but 60 far has not won a race. There i.s nothing in to-day's race good enough to compete in a contest for the Feilding Stakes. ' '

On public form Crenides may be favourite for the big handicap, as he ( beat Rossini at Trentliam, and then went oil and defeated Hetaun. at Auckland. This forms reads exceptionally good, as Rossini won the Derby, while Hetaua ran second in the Welliiurton Handicap. Oratress, winner of the Waverley Cup, and Jhiltaine (Ashhnrst Cup) may do the best of the others.

In tlio Grandstand Handicap, seven furlongs, Admyra will probably have a host of supporters. The Solferino filly was unlucky not to win an open event at Feilding, but scored decisively in a hack race on tlio first day. Sho is improving all the time. The Electric Handicap, five furlongs, may lis a contest between ' the Opaki bracket ('J'oTfreda and Sluriliiku) and Lionskin. The latter is a solid finisher, and should bo capable of extending the rest of the field.

For tho Flying Rack Handicap, fix furlongs, the English horso Arrowsmith, Bst. 81b.,'mav be a hot order. Ho lias done a lot of fast work at Ellerslie, and his trainer regards him as unbeatable. [Te has shown winning form in England, and if he runs up to that to-dav lie should win. .The class is good, but tho imported horso is very highly rated by his supporters. Considering that ho won with lOst. 911). in his last start, Simonides fist. 131b.. must Ikv regarded as well handicapped in the Borough Welter Handicap, seven furloiigs. H. Gray will be in the saddle, und if anything cap beat the local hsjrso llie return should be n cood one. Wapping and Woolahra. may be the best of die poor lot carded for the Ilnt'k Walter Handicap, one mile and 170 yards. Fiery Cross, who has* been in steady work at Eiccarton for somo time past, wns allowing signs of lameness at (lie eiuf i of last week. I

At Itiecarton, Afterglow has had an easy timp for a few weeks, but H. .1. Jfaaon has her in work again. It is unlikely that she will he raced during the approaching holidays, but she will be got ready for lato summer and autumn engagements. A two-year-old colt by Absurd—Bronze is among (lie leant which It. -T. Mason has in commission at present. Ho shows a deal of pronii.se in his sprinting tasks. The jockey P. Ellis is still _ in the Chrislelwrch .Hospital, and it is uncertain when lio will leave tte institution.