NOTES BY AMBER AND BLACK.

H. Gray rode four winners at Dunedin on Saturday.

A southern writer expects Lin den,to win arbig race soon.

Blackall got a first stake at Dannevirke through the winner being disqualified. At Dunedin Nocturnal (a full-brother) was similarly fortunate.

, Sleepyhead, a Dunedin winner, was bred at Waikanae, by Birkenhead, and is the first foal of Somniform (Boniform —Dreamer), a full-sister to Bon Reve. Sleepyhead is a three-year-old and did not race last season.

At Maitland (N.S.W.) one winner was quoted at 20 to 1 by the books, while the machine paid £33 4s 6d for ss.

Trainers R. J. Mason and R. O'Donnell and Jockey B. Deeley were among the New Zealand contingent that arrived back from Sydney this week. Mason is suffering from influenza, and Gloaming will go out to Trentham in charge of Deeley.

The two-year-old filly JSTantville (Sanquhar—Nantes) and the imported three-year-old filly Pavourita (Marajax—Paverolle) collided on the Riccarton course last Saturday. Nantville and two stable companions were trotting on the tan track, where Pavorita and a mate were going at a faster pace behind them. Just before tjiey were overtaken the leaders were pulled to the outside of the track, but Nantville did not answer readily, with a result that Pavorita collided with her. Both fillies fell, receiving some injuries, the full extent of which cannot be definitely stated at present.

Magpie, who won the Caulfield Stakes on Saturday, is an imported English horse by Dark Ronald, from Popinjay, by St. Frusquin— Chelandry, by Goldfinch —Illumfnata, by Rosicrucian. Dark Ronald, who is a son of Bay Ronald, was sold to go to Germany in 1913. Magpie's English form was high-class, for in the Two Thousand Guineas, he ran that great performer Gay Crusader to ahead. He had only started once previously in Australia, when he won the Elder Stakes at Adelaide in May last.

T. Lloyd, who made Woodville his headquarters during the winter months, has in training there Glorify, Puncha, Sacramento, and Solace (Solferino —Elaine).

A three-year-old full-sister and a two-year-old full-brother to Indigo are included in R. Gooseman's Hastings team.

A big deal in thoroughbred stock was brought off in America a couple of months ago. Friar Rock and 25 mares all bred to that stallion were bought by Mr. J. ERossiter, of San Francisco, for .£20,000.