NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1919, Page 12

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(M "_B _UK__OT.")

This year the Grand National Hurdle Race went to the Wairarapa district for the' first time since the ( race was instituted in 1890, Although Sir Solo was one of the least fancied of the ten runners his victory was popular, because he.was making his fourth attempt to win the race. The gelding's owner, Mr. F. Dorset, was not present to see Mm win. Trainer Walter Garrett had specially pre-

pared the gelding for the race and became

confident that he would run well. After , the way he had] shaped in the try-outs ■with Omahu, Cynic, and others, the price he paid came as a surprise. It appears, according to the report of the race, as ii he outstayed his opponents. The time put up is the best on record since the distance of the race was increased to two miles and a half. Sir Solo was bred at the Manawatu Stud, by imported Sir Laddo (at present at the stud in Neiw South Wales), from Wepener, by Musketry—Mistral, "by Gorton—Lady Gertrude,- by Cadogan—No Nanie. At the Manawatu yearling sales in 1908 Sir Solo was purchased by Mr. F. Dorset for 30 guineas, and he lias turned out a great bargain. His only success out of eight starts as a two-year-old was in a Maiden Plate at Woodvifle. As a three-year-old he was only asked to sport silk on five occasions, and again -cored once

in:a hack handicap at'Masterton in the

spring. As a four-year-old he was saddled up on fifteen occasions, and won three times. His successes were in the County Hack Handicap and Settlers' Handicap at Woodville, and Hutt Handicap at the Wellington Autumn Meeting. He raced on eleven occasions as a five-year-old for three wins. His rider . saluted the judge in the Summer Handicap at Woodville, Manawatu Cup, and Wellington. Cup. The subject of this notice was produced on ten occasions as a six-year-old and scored twice. He won the Borough Handicap at Woodville, and going on to Auckland won the Cup. The following season a trip,to Australia ■was decided^ on, andl in the spring Sir Solo took his place' in the Melbourne Cup field, but failed to get "nearer than seventh. . He was also unplaced in the iV.R.C. Handicap on Boxing Day. At Caulfield he ran third in the Hopetoun Cup, an_ on New Year's Day at Flemington was fourth in the Bagot Handicap. He also ran third in the Anni- •

yeraary Handicap at Caulfield, and was Irnplaced in the Bond Cup, also at __tpendale Park. He was brought back !»__ treated to a good spell. The following season he raced fourteen times without a win. In the autumn he showed. a. glimpse of form by getting placed in the Feildin "}up. He was given a turn at hurdle racing at the Wellington Winter Meeting, and ran third each day. At nine years of age he raced thirteen times and again- failed to add to his winning account. He made his first appearance in the Grand National Hurdles, running third to Art and Master Regel, and third in the Trial Hurdles. At Auckland in the winter he was sent out favourite for the Great Northern, but failed-. At ten years he ran eight times and won once. His first appearance was at Riccarton, where he ran second to Sleight-of-Hand in the Grand National Hurdles. At the

Auckland Cud Meeting he scored in the Grafton Hurdles. '/ Last season he again made his appearance at Riccarton and ran second to Kauri King in the GranNational Hurdles. He was also placed in the New Year Hurdle Race at Ellerslie. So far this .season he has raced twice at Riccarton. Probably the reason why he has .lasted so long—he has been racing eleven seasons—is that he was not overraced as a young horse. Sir Solo started a hundred times for twelve wins. His winnings reach the respectable total of 5720 soys, which is a good return for a horse that cost 30 guineas as a yearling. ' The writer regrets to learn that the health of Mr. W. J. Phillips, the v wellknown Rangitikei racing official. andl horse owner, has been causing his friends some anxiety. J. O'Shea has decidedl to stay in Melbourne He has been granted a license to ride at the pony meetings. The Winter Cup winner, Gazique, has proved a good performer under welter weights in. all seasons. - He has been a good winner in the Gisborne district, wheTe he was bred, and is owned. Ho is by imported Gazeley, a useful stake earner in Mr. E. J. Watt's colours, from Pauleen, by St. Paul—Curacoa, by Cuirassier—Rubina. For his inches, St. Paul was a champion weight-carrier, and Rubina, with. Tasman, helped to build up Dan O'Brien's fortunes. A sister and a brother to Gazique were named Gazeen and Debenham respectively,' and a three-year-old full brother is to race as Over There. In the old days when New Zealand owners sent teams to Australia, the Melbourne Cup was the objective. Latterly, more attention was paid to Sydney meetings. In recent years,: after racing at Randwick in the spring, owners -would double back for the New Zealand Cup Meeting. R. J. Mason before he left last' week informed me that he would probably go to Melbourne .and return in time for the Auckland Cup Meeting. This means that Gloaming and company will miss the New Zealand Cup Meeting. According to the Melbourne correspondent of the Sydney Referee, Mr. W. G. Stea,d telegraphed F. Dempsey, asking him to ride members of the New Zealand team at the coming meetings. ■ ■D. Nyhan, the well-_nown trainer of trotters, has sold his house and stables at Petone and is going farming in the Woodville district. Graftella, winner of the Hunt Club Cup at Riccarton on Thursday, is- a full brother to Lochella. The writer'cannot remember a similar performance—two brothers winning over the national country at the same meeting. Rather a good idea, which could be copied by other clubs, has been adopted by the Manawatu Racing Club, which publishes the entries for future events, giving the owners' names in alphabetical order. Owners and others who have to peruse the long lists will pass a vote of thanks to secretary J. M. Johnson for introducing this improvement. J. Tapp, rider of Gold Kip in the Winter Cup, was on Bedford when he won the event named twelve months Me. G. __• Brown, who succeeds Mr. Bwen Afieon, Jun., as a member of the Auckland Racing Club's Committee, was _ prominent owner in the North twelve years ago, when he raced as C. Archibald l*v__fce_. Tresham and other suecesrf_t'rE_A____M/jarrkfyte ooloure.