SPORTING NOTES.

Shannon News, 28 June 1929, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

OBy ••'Silken Rein.") Showing Form. Mark Mint, who at this time last year was trained at the local stables for owner W. Higgins, appears among the nominations for the Wellington fixture. He is now the property of a northern owner and in recent outings Mark Mint has been consistent and just close enough to suggest a winning turn is not far off. It may come at Trentham. Last Year's Winner. Black Mint who won the Whyte Memorial last year is again nominated to contest this event. The son of Catmint has raced fairly well recently and though he has not actually been successful, he has been consistent. He appears to be better suited- with a .long straight and like most of Catmint's progeny, prefers the winter going, so it) is reasonable to expect that he will be hard to beat if allowed to fulfil his first day engagement at Trentham next month. ~.'_> Young Thurnham. Young Thurnham is a 'chaser from the north who is running with a good deal of consistency in recent outings and in view of his creditable performances at Hawkes Bay last week, he strikes one as a likely sort to get on the winning list at Trentham next month. As well as other engagements he is also due to compete the Wellington Steeples in which event he may prove a troublesome lightweight. A Southern Miler. Fairy Herald who generally manages to get on the winning list when sent to Trentham, has again been accorded a nomination and for the forthcoming fixture. He claims an engagement in the, principal 'flat event on the opening day, the Whyte Handicap. His three-lengths' win, in the Doncaster Handicap on Saturday ilast' suggests he will be in tip-top order for the meeting and he looks likely to be one of the early favourites for the mile event. The class in that race, however may be a trifle beyond the son of ClareneeuxrFairy Benzie.but there is every reason to believe he will be worth following during the three days of racing. Last year he won the Winter Oats Handicap on the concluding dav.

Races' Well at Trentham. Commendation, who in his earlier years was considered by many to be an equal to Limerick has failed to proVluce any form during the past two years which could be compared with that of the South Island champion but if the AwapUni gelding is well enough to stand a solid preparation there is every likelihood of an important stake coming his way at some, future date. During the present season he has raced on eight occasions for a first, second and third, the win being registered in the Grandstand Handicap of 7 furlongs at the Masterton meeting in October. He has beo,n accorded a nomination in the Stewards Handicap at Trentham and has been allotted 11.5. It appears as though he has received more poundage than entitled to but taking class into consideration he should handle the weight 'all right. In his only three starts on the Trentham course this season, he has run into fourth place on each occasion.

■Two for Australia. i A brace of New Zealand horses transported from the Dominion to Australia without any trumpeting being heard on their departure are Helotis,- a four year old igelding by Lucullus —Helanois, and Starboard Light, an aged gelding by Feramorz —Pendant, avlio were bought recently by Mr Perry, of circus fame. Helotis will be best remembered for the surprise victory she lirought off at the Wanganui spring meeting in September last, when she beat a field of 15 in the Flying Handicap. Starboard Light scored two victories in the spring—the President's Handicap (6 furlongs) at Dannevirke and the Taradale Highweight Handicap (1 Najiier Park). Helotis r and Starboard Light have nothing much to recommend them, but they can be voted a handy pair in a circus team when travelling in the country districts of Australia. Odds and Ends. Austerity showed much improvement. at Hawke's Bay last week and may be worth watching in the hack races at Trentham. It is understood that Ballyfanion will not be a competitor at Wellington meeting on account of an injury received last week. A. E. Ellis still holds first position on the jockey's ladder with 56 wins aird his brother, L. J. Ellis, is next with 55. L. G. Morris, who rode four winners at Hastings, is third with 52 wins.

It is said that a seven-year-old boy in London who held a share in a ticket on Cragadour, favourite for the Derby, in the Stock Exchange Sweep, sold three-quarters of his share for £12,000. 'Cragadour was unplaced^.