SPORTING NOTES.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 24 November 1917, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

'Sir Lancelot," the sporting writer of the "Evening Post," who saw Biplane on his return to the Dominion, says: "A cursory examination of Biplane showed that he had not como out ■if his Australian campaign scathless. His damaged forefoot is still unsightly, the crack extending almost to the top of the hoof. This has been cut out and carefully attended to, and though the champion showed little inconvenience Erom it when walking it is bound to keep him idle for several months till the hoof grows down again. In the meantime 'the flying machine' is to be given a lengthy spell, and no arrangements have been made as to his future activities. An even worse blemish, and one that he is sure to carry for the rest of his days, is the injury to his quarter where he was hit by a tramcar soon after his arriv-jl at Sydney. The muscle still shows a big dent, and there is little chance of its ever filling out to normal proportions. With the exception of these two disfigurements Biplane is in the very best of health, and seems to have quietened down a good deal as the result of his travelling and racing experience. In Mason's opinion, Prince Viridis is the best of the Australian three-year-olds, though Bronzetti and Thrice are both very fair colts. Ho was not over-impressed with tho greatly-boomed English horse Lanius, whom he describes as rather mean behind and somewhat on the leg. Ho had not done nearly enough fast work to have much chance in a race such as the Melbourne Cup, where tho pace is on all the way. Several very tempting offers were received for Biplane, including one of 5000gns, but though even that figure would not have stopped the would-bo purchaser, tho offer was not entertained for a moment. Had all gono well with the colt at Flemington, he would have been taken straight to Auckland for the Great Northern Derby and other classic races. As it is, he goes into retirement for a few months' well-earned respite, tho acknowledged champion three-year-old of the season.*'