NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3027, 26 October 1908, Page 6

NOTES.

(By "Zetland")

The attendance of the public at Trentham was large, and some decidedly interesting racing was witnessed. On account of the quantity of rain that had fallen the track was somewhat heavy, and this accounted to a certain extent to the difference in form displayed by a number of the contestants. Five lined out for the Petone Hack Hurdle 3, Jolly Roger, who ran in the Shorts Handicap on Wednesday going out to do battle over the sticks with Gleam, Master Douglas, Liberator and Yosami. Master Douglas ran a better race than on the first day, and went up to Liberator, when called upon. He stilled off a challenge by Jolly Roger, and then won comfortably. Crucinella and Mallet were withdrawn from the Tararua Hack, and Pellicle was naturally the first choice f the public. In a good Blue Ribbon joined issue with Pellicle and capably ridden by T. Carroll won by a head from the Hon. J. D. Ormond's representative. The winner was turned out in fine condition by the Masterton trainer, W. Garrett. Exmoor and Gleam were the defections from the Trentham Hurdles, which was expected to result in a keen finish between Lyrist and Playmate. The runner-up on the first day, Paparaehi stayed the distance out in good style, and won from the fast finishing Mahoe. Expansion was served up warm for the Juvenile Handicap, for which eleven two-year-olds faced the starter. The race provided a surprise, the Hon. J. D. Ormond's Day Dream winning from Sir G. Clifford's Applegarth, Mr W. E. Bidwill being third. A very fine field of twelve paraded previous to the Pearce Handicap, of one mile, and California, Sir Frisco, Swimming Belt, Apa, Taitoko, and Crucinella, were spiritedly backed. In a fair despatch Crucinella got badly away. Sir Frisco, Irish Rifle and Taitoko, were prominent in the, leading division, and* when heads were turned for home Sir Frisco moved out, while Crucinella was seen improving her position. In a good finish the colt prevailed by a narrow margin from the last named, with Vasa—winner of the Wainui Handicap on the first day—in third place. Apa, Glenullin and White { Lie, New Zealand Cup candidates, did not show up prominently in the final rush, and California had the appearance of having gone off in his training work. The lull field of ten the Nainai Handicap, Master Soult, Tiptoe and Truganini being well backed. Tiptoe, ridden by C. Jenkins, was suit- J ed to the going, and won somewhat easily from Master Soult. The Masterton representative, Sunbonnet, Stopped at the post, and took no part in the race, and Moloch and Riflema d found the six furlongs too short. The field for the.Spring Trial included some really well li?i ones.

On the strength of his first day's running, Bracken, a half brother to Merrie Zealand, by Epaulet, was made favourite, Te Ru, by Birkenhead—lda, Toanga, by Conqueror— Nivite, and Ukraine, by Stepniak— Madder, being the popular selections. When it came to racing Merrivonia, a three-year-old filly by Merriwee—Livonia, trained by J. Ayres, at Featherston, came away and won easily from Bracken. The meeting was brought to a conclusion with the Ruahine Hack, I for which only three were saddled up. Advantage won comfortably from Whetumarama, who broke a blood vessel during the race and the moderate Vinco was third. The acceptances for the Masterton meeting are sufficiently numerous to provide good contests on Thursday next. The tracks are in splendid order and should weather conditions be favourable the meeting promises to be one of the "best yet held by the club. A number of visiting horses are expected today. Frisco and Glenullin, whose names were omitted from the New Zealand Cup acceptances were accepted .for in the big event, and this will bring the number of acceptances up to twenty-four. Frisco and Mahuta are doing satisfactory work at Riccarton. A number of Cup candidates from [the North Island will arrive at headquarters by the middle of the week.