NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8361, 22 February 1913, Page 14

NOTES AND COMMENTS

R. Berry was called before the stewards of the Dunedin Jockey Club on Wednesday in consequence of a complaint made by Mr E. W. Spencer, owner of Thuringa, that he had broken an engagement to ride that filly in the Publicans’ Handicap. Just before the sixth race was run, the stewards came to the decision to suspend Berry for the rest of the day. In that race, the Stewards’ Welter Handicap, Berry had the mount on Kimona, and as the horses had already gone to the post, the decision did not take effect until after the race was run. Stardancer, who had all along been one of the fancied candidates for the Dunedin Cup, was unable to start in that race owing to haring been severely kicked on the off hind leg the previous day by her stable companion and full-sister, Warstep. Nothing definite is known as to whether Bronze will fulfil her engagement in the Wanganui Cup, but if the daughter of Field Battery figures amongst 'the acceptors, she will probably soon be installed as favourite. On her last year’s form nothing else in the race would have any chance with her, but it remains to be seen whether George Price can land her at the post in anything like the same fettle. Her performances this season ~do not suggest the likelihood of another victory going down to her credit, but she has had a spell ‘lately, and this may have done her good. Postmistress (dam of Lucrece, Lucia and Lucille) and Columbia have .been sold to Mr W. Patterson, of the Motiti Island stud, and will leave .for the island shortly. Columbia is by Salvadan—Asthore, and therefore sister to Black Northern. Bleriot, the crack three-year-old filly, is progressing nicely at headquarters, and promises to be on hand next Easter Monday to contest the Great Northern Oaks, in which race she will have to carry a penalty of 71b. Oxenhope (Obligado Cyrenienne) was disposed of by the Messrs Stead Bros, the other day to Mr E. Amos, and has gone into McAnlay’s stable, at Riccarton. Sir George Clifford has won seven out of the last ten contests for the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, his successful representatives being Stronghold, Glenowlet, Husbandman, Sharpshooter, Counterfeit, Brown Owl and Nightwatch. Dearest has been racing very consistently lately, but has been unable to secure anything better than place honours. In her last five starts she has been once second, three times third, and once unplaced. Coromandel, a stable mate of Yankee Doodle, has recovered from his recent accident, and is now in light work on the beach. He will probably be a starter in some of the minor events at the Wanganui meeting, though ■it is doubtful if he will be at his best so soon. The Australian-bred gelding Genius, by Acumen—Sihamba, was sold at auction last Saturday for 28gns, and his now owner, Mr H. Franks, of Amberley, has placed him with ,E. Roden to be trained. Genius was never better than a moderate. The New Zealand-bred Midnight Sun has been accorded a nomination for the V.R.C. Champion Stakes. He is now in Melbourne, and all going well will contest the Australian Cup on March 4th. It is reported that Cosy Corner and Maple Leaf, two smart sprinters in Schoullar’s stable at Riccarton, will probably be sent to Australia before long, with a view, to racing at the pony meetings. Prophet has been getting through good work at headquarters, and is carrying himself nicely on the tracks. The little son of St. Paul is entered for the Brighton Hurdles. It is expected that, upwards of 600 yearlings will be offered for sale in Sydney during the progress of the Australian Jockey Chib’s autumn meeting at Easter. The catalogues will, however, probably include fewer New Zealand-bred horses than were offered last year. The two-year-old colt Marculfns, by Positano—Diploma, and therefore haltbrother to Lady Medallist, met with an accident through getting across a low fence at Randwick recently and will require a long spell. He cost 750 guineas at the Sydney yearling sales last Easter, and was looked on as a colt likely to earn distinction in some of the big events in Australia. The Wairikd gelding Phosphorous, who won the Maiden at South Auckland, is a useful sort, and in his last five starts he has been first three times and second twice. As was expected, Blue Garment got on the winning list yesterday at Hamilton, and he had been galloping so well thqt his double victory came as no surprise. Both Blue Garment and Phosphorous are trained by W. Mobberley at Ellerslie. Maxwell ' was not long in making “Mr Coraaga” a return for the 85gns expended - on his purchase last month, as the brother to Sonltline carried off the South Auckland Cup of 200 sovereigns yesterday. Maxwell was supported heavily for the Welter Handicap at New Plymouth last week, hut the turns bothered the big gelding, and he finished third.

J. Williamson will have a useful string of jumpers to do battle for him this season. Although Hautere is not entered at the autumn meeting, Okaihau, Icel, Armagh, and Ambergris will be on hand. Ambergris won the hurdles at South Auckland yesterday, but the opposition was very poor. It is now given out that La Rein a is unlikely to be sent to Wanganui to contest the Cnp. The mare is very well, and will be kept for the A.R.C. Easter meeting. Bxcalibur, a six-year-old horse, raced at one time by the Waikato sportsman, Mr F. E. Ross, is now at Ellerslie under A. Morrow. He is by Eton from Tournament, and is a halfbrother to Ashby, who is doing well in Australia. Direct Action, a gelding by Sunset, in R. Hall’s stable, is being schooled over the small hurdles at Ellerslie, and for a beginner he shapes well. Master Theory, who went amiss on the eve of the last Canterbury National meeting, is now quite well again and getting through useful work at Auckland, but it will probably bo winter before the son of Soult is ready to show his best paces. The four-year-old sister to Santa Rosa in George Absolum’s stable will be known as Christmas Rose. This filly has improved wonderfully in appearance during the last couple of months, and may be expected to sport silk at the A.R.O. Easter meeting. “The Soult—Apparition gelding Spectre, after a long absence from the track, has made bis reappearance at Ellerslie, and is now one of F. McManetnin’s string. When trained previously by D. Bannatyne Spectre showed himself possessed of pace, but he was a very fractious animal and generally settled his chances before the start. The Leolantis gelding Tattoo, who was purchased by Mr C. Winder at Christmas, made his first appearance in his now owner’s colours at Rotorua. Tattoo looked well, but he failed to make good, and in each of his two starts was beaten out of a place. Tragedy King is going along the right way at present, and this promising horse should do D. Moraghan some further good shortly. Light Blue, the half-brother to Antarctic, is getting through useful schooling work, and may prove a payable property over the fences later on. At present he lacks staying powers.