THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 283, 24 August 1920, Page 6

THE TURF

NOTES. AND COMMENTS By Glencoe. .Nominations for the New Zealand Trotting Cup Handicap, In harness, of 2500 sova., two miles, will clobc at noou on Wednesday. The race will be held on November 9, during tho New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting. The Taranaki Hunt Club's Mcctingi will be held on the New Plymouth racecourse on Thursday. Acceptances for the Marton Jockey Club s Spring Meeting, which is to be held on September 1, close with Secretary A. Way at 8 o'oloek thia evening. ' Amongst the ruifiWH in tTle Hack Raco .at Taranaki on Thursday is tho four-year-old Merry Moments gelding Piro Plro, who, after a scries of placed performances, wound up the season vfith. a win at Hastings. Subsequently, he was sold to Mr. W. Slattery, and wilU race in that gentleman's interests on Thursday. Tho New Zealand Cup is one ot the few important races that Sir George Clifford has not won, and neither has he tried to win it very often. This year he has but a solitary representative in the race, viz., Nightraidcr, but his three-year-olds were not accorded a nomination, and evidently the Chokebore sportsman, along "with many others, is of the opinion that the preparation required to win this raco is too severe on a three-year-old so early in the season. Last season Mr. A. B. Williams was represented by, three winning two-year-olds in Humbug, .who headed the list. Gasbag, and Ohrysostom. Neither Humbug ■ nor Chiysostom have been entered for tlie New Zealand Cup, but Gasbag is in the list, which makes it appear as if j. 11. Jeflerd thinks he will turn out the best stayer of tho trio.

• track watchers havo a very high opinion of the Hastings-trained Tinihanga, (Absurd—Formless), which youngster will race in the colours of the executors of tho Douglas Estate. Tinihanga cost 3SU guineas as a yearling, and was bred by 11. O'Donnoll at Yaldhurst. Like" the rest of the youngsters who belong to the same estate, the Absurd Ally is called a Maori name. This is in keeping with the wishes of the late Mr. Douglas, who had a lot of dealings with tlio Natives, and was a keen Maori linguist. I Many years ago it was the rule to And most of the season's best three-year-olds engaged in the New Zealand Cup, and not infrequently they played a prominent tart in its decision. With the better stakes at their disposal nowadays; owners do not accord the big 'handicap nearly such strong support. For the coming race only seven three-year-olds have been given the chance of earning distinction, and they can hardly be said.to represent the best two-year-olid • form.

Mr. F, S. Easton, the oyncr of Amythas, ha's sent a two-year-old filly to F. D. Jones to bo trained at lticcarton along with nia champion. Tho youngster is by Absurd from Liquify, by Scaton Delaval-Liqui-dation. She is a likely-looking fort, but she is in tho rqugh at present.

Tho Auckland horseman, A. J. M'Fllnn, has had several oflers of late from both North and South Island owners, anxious to retain his services, but,' so far, tho northern jockey remains a freelance. In the event of AinythaS being raced in Australia later in the season, M'Fllnn will probably accompauy the son of Demosthenes to ride Mr. Boston's hprse in mb races.

At Riccarton W. M'Donald has rccqmmissioned Listening Post, and, as'he appears to have done very well through the winter, and looks bright in the coat, he should soon come to hand.

A Press Association cablo message from Melbourne states that Piastre, the Melbourne Cup winner, haß been sold by the Defence Department to Dalgety and flo., Ltd., for £2100.. The annual general meeting of theManawatu Eaclng Olub will bo held on August 26. The annual report states that the total amount given In stakes was the largest yet given, being £12,175, an increase ot .€2340 over tho previous year (four days) The balance of net profit was £2291 45.. after allowing for depreciation. The club's right to give donations to patriotic and other funds having ceased under the rules of racing, it had no donations to record. Tho ordinary taxation paid to tho Government this year was £12,736, and they also had to pay, income tax for the jast four years amounting to £3775 10s. 3d., making a final total of £16,512 paid this year. Somo remission in connection with the income tax was anticipated, aB the club was really paying double, taxation in paying ineomo tax as well as special taxation.' During tho year considerable improvements and extensions had been made at Awapuni, but. owinir tn the scarcity of cement and other causes they had been unable to erect the now totalisator house, though plans were being, prepared, ,Tlie..Government's proposal to' remove tho railway line has Drought contemplated improvement in connection with the'entranco to tho course to a standstill, .pending definite information as to the Government's intentions.