TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9175, 26 August 1908, Page 6

TURF NOTES.

(By "Zetland.")

The work on the tracks at Opaki is now mure interesting than it has bean for some time. The ploughed gallop is open again, and considering tho amount of rain that fell last week, it is fairly fast. Yesterday rooming some good gallops were witnessed and judging by the condition that a number of the local horses are in, the Masterton owned horses should at least be very prominent at race meetings during the next three months. Blue Ribbon did good working exercise, and Lucretius was sent twice round at a slow pace. Others worked alone were the Bonnie Scotland— Roney filly, Waiutu colt, and Sealer. A quartette, consisting of San Julie, Skye, Scotch Reel and Tainui were sent from the five furlongs post, and in a good spin the firstnamed had a bit the best.of it at the finish. Sir Artegal, Tumut and Osiris ran half a mile, finishing well together. Traylock, Golden Butterfly, and Lebeccio were sent a six furlongs gallop. Golden Butterfly, ridden by Langstone, got a break on the field at the start and maintained his lend throughout, Lebeccio finishing strongly in second place. Riflemaid, Moloch and Gaeiic were associated in a six furlongs gallop. Moloch showed the way right down the straight, but was caught on the post by Riflemaid, the latter having a slight advantage at the post. Knox's Merrie England filly, Over Rate and Merrie Rose had a flying start from the six furlongs post. The brother to Full Rate took command early, but tired somewhat from the distance, and was overtaken by the Merrie England representative. J. Cress' Kilcheran filly and John Bull sprinted three furlongs in good style, and the Merriwee filly and St. Pau colt were cantered once round together. Mr J. E. Henry was well up to time with the New-Zealand Cup weights, as they were published yesterday, a week previous to the advertised time. The Hon. J. D. Ormond's Zimmerman, as was expected, heads the list with 9.9, and taking into consideration the fact that the highest weight yet carried to victory in the big event was 8.9, the son of Birkenhead has been allotted a big impost, and can hardly be reckoned as a probable starter. Master Delaval, at 8.13, has been given a cnance, but at the weight will lind it difficult to improve upon his last year's performance, when he ran second. Last year's winner, Frisco, has been decidedly well looked after in being albtle.l 5.9, and Waipuna atthesame waight may be classed in the same cr.tagory. Moral (8.5), Tangimoana (8.4), and Mahuta (8.4), read fairly well, as each had good performances to their credit last season. The, Wanganui Cup winner, Uhlando (8.8), is in his right place, but on form The Lark, Grand Siam, and Bonny Glen (each 8.2) could have been let off lighter. Bobrikoff is nicely treated at 7.12, while Moloch has plenty at the sama assessment. Apa (7.1(1), Sir Frisco (7.9), Stratagem, (inlander, Count Witte, Downfull (*aeh 7.8) a-e equitably dealt with. Riflemaid, at the same weight, is rather harahly treated, as in her Manawatu Cup she was weighted at 7.2, and was asked to carry 7.3 in tne Wellington Cup, in which she d.d not stait. Furcher down the lust chose chat seem to be well in at the weights are Ringdove 7.7, St. Aiden 7.6, Formative 7.4, Tiptoe 7.1, Glenullin 7.0, Diamond Star 7.0, Aboiiyinal 6.13, Field Gun 0.12, Nobel 0.12, and Carissima (i.lO. Atn'ins* thine in at the minimum are White JLie, Zetland, My

Darling, and Lawn Ro3e. Each of these has won one or more races, and I am still of the opinion that winners should not be let in at the minimum, and only be required to carry the same weight as maiden performers. The eight-horse stalls at Opaki have now been altered in four looseboxes, a decided improvement being evident to trainers. The Hunt Club meeting at Clareville, to-morrow, is sure to be largely attended, as greater interest is being evinced in this year's fixture than on former occasions. Good fields will be sesn out in the majority of events, and exciting racing will be witnessed in the principal races. Several bookmakers will lay the odds, and if they offer fair prices will find plenty of patronage. The committee have all the arrangements in connection with the meeting well in hand.