TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 903, 24 February 1908, Page 6

TURF NOTES.

(By "Zetland.")

A special feature of the Woodville meeting was the starting by Mr C. O'Connor, of Auckland. In nearly every instance he was successful in effecting very even despatches. In at least two or three races he could have done with an assistant to help in bringing fractious horses into line, for on several occasions Mr O'Connor had to leave his post in order to straighten up contestants that refused to join the other horses, and by the time he gut back to the starting lever disorder was again evident. Investors were loud in their praise of the Auckland starter's work, for they got runs for their money, which satisfaction had not been given them during this season in the case of other starters.

It appears that Riflemaid has not fully recovered from the effects of the fall she sustained at Tauherenikau on New Year's Day, and is to be given a spell. She will, therefore, not be a contestant in the Wanganui Cup next week. Aberration raced with bad luck at Woodville. On the first day he lost his saddle while racing well with the leaders, and on Thursday, after getting badly away, got blocked in a fast finish and' lost by a short head.

Merrie Zealand, who opened his winning account at Martinborough on Boxing Day, has since won four races, and is now out of the hack class. As the Merrie England gelding can still be improved in condition, he should race successfully in open company. As the result of a bruised foot, Sandix was lame during the early part nf last week, but is now practically all right again.

At Opaki, on Saturday morning, a fair number of horses were out, and satisfactory working gallops were executed by most of them. Thera and Black Patch were associated in a sprint ovpr five furlongs, and finished together. Epsom Downs was to have worked wich this pair, but broke away too soon and galloped seven furlongs with a good pull. Merrie Rose, who had been spelled for a few weeks, dashed over six furlongs in good style, and San Julie went a mile in a pleasing manner. Good working exercise was allotted Sealer, Gawain, full brother to Full Rate, Tainui, Lucrietius, Gaelic, Merrie England filly, Platypus, Sandix, Blue Ribbon and Hinerangi. Osiris and Mocassin ran half a mile together, the latter going freely and having the best of the gallop. W. Garrett's yearling colt, by Merrie England—Ganza, is now being ridden. If all goes well he will be raced as a two-year-old. Weights for the first day's events at the Wanganui meeting are now published. ' Class is well represented in every race, and satisfactory acceptances are sure to be received. A number of Wairarapa sportsmen intend being present at the meeting. The improvements just effected at the Opaki l'acecourse include the erection of an addition to the totalisator house, the enlargement of the lawn to take in the outside stand, erection of two small stands in the outside enclosure and four in the saddling paddock, while the weighing-in enclosure has also been enlarged. Visitors to the March meeting will, doubtless, appreciate the various improvements.