NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BY " SIR LANfELOI.")

It is reported in a Christehurch paper that Scion has changed hands, but the name of the purchaser is not given.

The Maiden candidates at Otaki include Arsene Lupin (Lord Multifid—The Rand), who ran third to Dignity at Opunake and second to The Banker at Waverley; Azecta (Taitoko —Hermia), second to Millimetre at Feilding, third to Sia'osi and Dangle at Marfon, second to Waetea at Foxton, and second to Bonnie Gold at Dannevirke; Midnight Camp (Campfire—lseult), third to Glimpse and Blue Peter at Taranaki; Tamakana (San Fran—Field Muid), second to Bonny Marion at Rangilikei; and Kuliio (Finlaud —Piraeus), second to Blue Peter at Taranaki and third to "Waipoto and Douslas Latour at Thames.

Kipling was sent out favourite on both diivs at buulii: Uiinleroury. On the first day lie ran oil and on tile second luusned fourth. He will have to improve to win a race at Dunedin next week.

Mr. H. 11. Sellars, secretary o£ the Racing Conference, visited the West Coast recently, while the Autumn Meetings were being held. At the request of the clubs he arranged what was considered a suitable circuit of dates for next season. At a meeting of the committee of the Greymouth Jockey Club it was resolved to thank Mr. Sellars for his efforts to arrange a circuit, but it was considered that these were fruitless in view of the refusal of other clubs to comply.

S. .Trilford has a team, of seven engaged at the Dunedin Jockey Club's Meeting, including Kilfane, The Harp, Solferite, The Beaver, and Guncase. The ■horses named all showed winning form recently, and they should further add to Trilford's winning total. Trilford has already turned out 37 winners. A. D. Webster headed tbe list last season with 25 winners, with F. D. Jones 22i, S. Trilford and R. \V. King following with 21 each. Webster is again well to the fore for the current season, and at present occupies second place with a. total of 22i-

Nigger Minstrel and Phoenix Park arrived from Auckland in charge of George Jones and were taken out to Greenmeadows, where they joined the other members of Mr. T. H. Lowry's team who are •quartered there. Nigger Minstrel, who is the two-year-old full-bro-ther to Desert Gold, has done a lot of work this (his first) season on the racing path, for lie has been stripped for battle upon half a score of occasions ("The Squire" writes), ' the winner's portion having been secured by him upon three occasions, other positions that fell to his lot being a couple of seconds and a third. Phoenix Park has yet to get into a placing, for-his three efforts were of the non-productive variety. He is a two-year-old by Kilbroney out of the fullsister to Bobrikoff —En Parole, best known to Turfites as the dam of Right and Left by Merry Moments, who was sold when a two-year-old at a big figure by Mr. Lowry to Mr. Gr. L. Stead.

The "Sydney Morning Herald," of Saturday last, referring to the probable appearance that' afternoon of Carawock, staled tliat "Mr. C. Boyle, owner of the New Zealand hurdler, Carawock,' is in Sydney to see the Spalpeen—Sylvia 'Park mare gelding shape at tho A.J.ti. Winter Meeting. Carawock is nn accentor for the Hurdle Hace at Tnttersall's Club Meeting to-day, but probably be is not yet thoroughly 'on his feet.' " Carawoek is enirased in the Hurdle Race, two miles, at Moorefield on Saturday noxt. He may be more acclimatised by the time the Australian Hurdle Race comes up for 'decision- on 7th .Tune.

The horses placed in tlie Newmarket Stakes, ten furlonss. for three-year-olds, ■>re all engaged in the Derby, run on Wednesday next. Hurstwood, winner of the Newmarket (Eng.) Stake? is a bay colt by "Gay Crusader from Bleasdnlo, by Martagon from Loyal Cheer, by Diamond Jubilee. When two years old he was unplaced in the Alingt.rm Brakes at Newmarket, unplaced Middle. Park Slakes there, was second in the Dewhurst Stakes at the same course, find he also finished unplaced at Hurst "Park. On the bettinp: it does not surest that 7Turstwood has a Derby winning chance. The second horse. Salmon Trout," is a Xiv '•■olt by The Tetmreh. ,from Cnlamandra, by St. Trusquin from F.lectra. by Ea"er from Sirenia. by Gallinule. He won his two races lost : year—(he Prendertrast Stakes and Dewlmrst Strikes, at Newmarket. " Sansovino is also a bay colt. He is by Swynford from Gondolette, by Loved One. from Dongola. by Doncaster. He won his two. races, when two years old—the Ham Produce Stakes at Goodwood and the Gimcrack Stakes at-York, with Brownie ' Carshike in the saddle!

Among' the. other .starters' in the cable

message the name Polychones is shown. That -appears to. be a mutilation, nml chould l-ead Polyphontes, a colt by Polymelus from St: Josephine, owned by Mr Sol. Joel. • * ' The Fordell horseman M. M'ttarten looks liko heading the jockeys' list in the Dominion for "trip second year in succession. He also rode several ■ winners at Sydnoy in tie spring. At the present time M'Carten,'who topped the tree last season "with 52 wins, is again in the lead with 44' wins to his credit, this being an advantage of throe over liis nearest rival, J. Barry (41). G. Emerson's four win lint; mounts at the recent South Canterbury Meeting bring him into third plane with 40 wins, and it is highly probable that he will exceed the number of wins gained by hi;n last year, 44, at which he finished in second place behind M'Carten. There is every prospect of / M'Carton keeping his present position, however, for tho rise in iho scale uf weights during tho winter months will alloy/ him comparative-);/ more opportunities against liis lighter rivals than during the summer months. Mr. Sam. Griffiths, sporting editor of the "Australasian," has been appointed handWoper to the Victoria Amateur Tnrf Club, in succession to Mr. .T. H. Davis, who succeeded the lato Dr. Lang with the V.B.C. Mr. Griffiths, who has had some experience as a handieappev, was not among the applicants for ihe position for the.Victoria Racing Club. Tho lato Dr.- Lang, who formerly acted for the V.R.C., was also a valued contributor to the "Australasian." Bo far as is known, the following are the probable riders and their mounts in the Great Northern Hurdles: S. Walls, Whanoko; B. S. Bagby, First Born; W. Ayres/Tinokaha; J. Preston, Miss Melva; E. Copestakc, Maunga; A. Rutherford, Boomerday; T. L. Reid. Oakleigh; A. M'Donald, Black Art; T. Chaplin, Mahgoloire; G. C. Young, Karamu; E. Preston, Mary Bruce; S. Henderson, Explorer; 11. E. Thompson, Roj'al Abbey.

The following are some of the probable riders and their mounts in the Great Northern Steeplechase: S. Walls. Pittsworth: E. Eae, Glenotus; L. G. Morris. Oma.hu; S. Henderson, .Explorer: J. Preston, Miss Melvn; U. X Thompson. Royal Abbey; E. Preston, Mary Hrncc; T. L. llnitf, 'Dick; A.. M'Dontdtl, Black Art; W. Ilowo, Xevor ».»?J3Bki_.&- S.-..^CBn-,-Tli! S g«thu; _.E.

Warner, Silvc-rloti; and E. Stanway, Ksplanade.

The annual meeting of the Marlon Jockey Club was held oti Tuesday. The eieetion of ofliwre resulted as follows :—

President, Mr. R, E. Beckett; vicepresidents, Messrs. D. G. Riddiford. Iv. W. Deighton, F. R. H. Brice, and Surgeon-General S. Skerman; hon treasurer. Mr. D. G. Riddiford; handicapper, Mr. H. Coyle: hon. "timekeeper, Mr. E. F. Wood; clerk of course, Mr. W. E. Gibbons; clerk of scales, Mr. F. L. Young: hon. assistant clerk of scales. Mr. J. H. C Broad; surgeon. Dr. T. Harpur;' committeeinen and stewards (four), Messrs. •J. B. L. Stanford, L. M. Richards, R ■1. vabbons, and James Bull (releeted): hon. vet. surgeon, Mr. A H Bill • auditor, Mr. P. J. Sladden. The appointment of judges and starters was left to the General Committee. Ihe following riding engagements at the Great Northern Meeting are announced :—E. Manson will ride Gold Jacket. Shebang, Tintoretto and Princess Nata. It is reported that H Wiggins will ride Illumination in the' Cornwall handicap and Gold Ruin in the Members Handicap. Te Kara and Daylight will be two of A .1 M'Fliim'« mounts nt R'.ierslie on Tuesday. .1 O6>hea,_who i.as been laid up for some time with chest troubles, will be sumciently recovered to ride at the meeting A Reed will ride. AJaric in the Cornwall Handicap, and A. Oliver will probably be on Santonio, which he trains Santonio has reached Rllerslie. H Bur! wilt pilot Savoury at the Auckland meeting. He was ?.lso to ride Tuki but owing to being- slightly amiss, Tuki i« a doubtful starter on Tuesday. Ac Ellerslie on Tuesday mornine Firsl Born (R. Bagby), Bri-adier Bill [\ M'Donald), and Omahu (L. G. Morris) were associated in a schooling bout ove) four hurdles. They gave a first-class display, and finished in a bunch. Dick (T. L. Reid) made a good showing- over six hurdles, though he nearly made a mistake at the third. Archie (A. Rutherford) cleared two pony hurdles safely. Lady JCerman (R. Nixon) and • Rafferty (H. Tinker) were companions over six hurdles, both fencing well. Sir Rosebery (A. M'Donald) was responsible for .a pleasing effort over eight hurdles, fencing in dashing style.

Tinokaha (W. Ayres) and Sycorax (C. Cotter) gave an indifferent display, the latter refusing several times. . They afterwards gal!oped_ si:c furlongs on the sand in lmin 24 J-ssec. Maira (Mr. Carey) and Starkey (A. Rutherford^ jumped four hurdles in a satisfactory manner.