NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10295, 2 June 1919, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "Tohunga.”)

The Otaki Maori Racing Club commences its winter meeting to-morrow. The fields are good, in tact some of them are too good, and the course will bo in good condition providing there is no deluge in the meantime. . A very large field is engaged in the Flying Hack Handicap, March On heading the list with ,8.9. The field opens up great possibilities. Black Mark should have a' show with 8.9. Taxi won the Members’ Hack, at the Taratahi meeting and may record a second win. If Vascovia is found in a willing mood, there may be something doing. The Taihoa Steeplechase has musterect a field of thirteen, for the two miles and a-qunrter gallop. There is a certain amount of quality engaged for a meeting like Otaki, some of the best being Paul Moore, Kurapai, Happy Jack, Tarero, and Master Webster. After his two races at Wanganui, the latter should be able to stave olf opposition. Paul Mobro has done well at the jump-ing-business, and ho and Happy Jack may find ■ places. The Raukawa Oup -has attracted a field of fourteen, and they are a very fair, crowd. Eewi Poto, who is a most disappointing brute, heads the list with 9.3. but it is hard to imagine what-fit wall do, he is so unreliable. On Wanganui form, Volo should run as well as anything engaged. The best-looker of: the'lot is Marqueteur, who is in. with 7. JO, and. for'a third Battle Song cannot be overlooked. .’

Pretty- Bobby heads the list, in the Otaki Hack Handicap, and should run as well, if not better, than any of the others. , Eailand will probably be second choice, , and Transmission will have some support.'.

Silver Link heads the list in the Taipua Handicap with 9.13, but he has not been exhibiting. too much dash of late. Certainly he is up in the weights, which may account for the failures. . The field is a strong one. and includes Torfreda, Birkenvale, Comment, Potentiality, Lady General, Rawakore, Mata‘ra, Oratress, Trentham Rose. Moutqa Ivanova. Astinome, and Wonder. The field numbers' twenty-four, and whoever draws the inside numbers on such a course as Otaki should be , bard to beat.' From a performance viewpoint, Astinome, Comment, and Trentbam Rose should be hard to beat.

Sacramento is engaged in’ the Birthday Welter, of seven furlongs, and with 9.9 should run well. Esperanto has 8.13, end must have a show, and so must Some Girl with 8.7.

A Dunedin Press Association message reports ’that Wardaneer has been scratched for all engagements at the Dunedin meeting.