SPORTING NOTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1927, Page 4

SPORTING NOTIONS.

- Tiic 'Wiaiiganui Jockey Club i.s not satisfied with the dates allotted to them, and it was suggested by Air J. M. Hussey at the annual meeting that a move should be made in the direction of obtaining holiday dates from those clubs that had raced on them for many years, but did not have a vested right to them. He thought that the Conference could lie petitioned by the clubs which did not race on holiday dates, in order to obtain, perhaps in two or three years' time, more satisfactory dates for at least one of the fixtures. .V motion in this direction was placed lie fore the meeting and was carried unanimously. Asleep, who is one of A. 1). 'Webster's team for Sydney, cannot, on his New Zealand form, be considered as having a particularly bright prospect of winning a good race in Sydney but lie might pick up a stake or two outside the metropolitan area (says '•Watcher”). The real reason lor his trip is that his owner, Mr 11. Sta bridge, is n native of Melbourne, and was going across on a holiday this week. He thought that he would like to have his horse on the scene at the same time and give him some

racing. The Sydney trip will not cost much more than doing the North island minor meetings with him. First .Acre has wintered well and has thickened out since lie was last seen out. (Jreenficld is the rising two-year-old byAc re from l.ady Moutoa and is a compact, well grown gelding. As he is still growing (six weeks ago he was 15.2) Webster is not anxious to do a great deal with him yet. A lot will depend upon how lie shapes after his arrival. Moutoa Wonder is a rising four-year-old by Kill roney—Moutoa Ivanova (sister of Sasancf). Ho is only a pony, and may do his racing on pony courses. F. h. Bntterworth accompanies Webster on the trip.

PRICE ON COMMENDATION. No loss a value than £IO.OOO lias been placed on the New Zealand three-year-old Commendation (says a Sydney writer). A. rumour was circulated in Melbourne last week that the gelding when he came to Australia was likely to run in the colours of a Sydney leviathan. Inquiry elicited the fact that a few weeks ago Mr Janies Hacketl. leader of ike. Sydney ring, received from an agent in New Zealand a cable stating, “Can offer you Commendation for £10,000.”

“He’s a. great horse, no doubt,” was Mr ITarkett’s comment, 1 am not prepared to pay for him almost as though T were buying gold by the mince. ’’ The offer was turned clown with thanks. Another Svrlnev owner, who is also

a breeder, has been urged for months by a New Zealand turf authority to buy Commendation, but be dfd nor fancy the price' which was mentioned at the time, 'there might have been a. different tale to tell if Commendation had been a stallion. Early this season the Messrs Bran would not listen to an offer for £lo.Odd for Hnnipion, which represents nearly high-water mark in Australia for a young racehorse, being exceeded only by the ffi.OOOgs, which Mr C. 11. Kellow gave at auction for Heroic. If Mr llackett had given £IO.OOO for Commendation it would have been the highest price paid for a gelding in Australasia, and probably in any part of the world. More than once, however. Mr flreemvood could have got that amount for Cloaming. 'When Sir ‘Samuel Hordern who bought Pilliewinkie, another gelding two years ago he. secured him for 2500 gs and a contingency. Although lie was then in his sixth year PiUiowinkio won in sakes for Sir Samuel no less than £10,955, which shows w.hnt is possible to a high class racehorse in Australia in these days of fat stakes.