NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By ,"Sh> Lancelot.") Owners and trainers are reminded that acceptances for the first day's handicap events at the forthcoming meeting of the Wellington Racing Club close on Monday next at 9 p.m., with Mt. A. E. Whyte (secretary). Entries for the Trial Plate, of 100 soya, 6ix furlongs, close at the same time. The V.R.C. Grand 'National Meeting opens at Flemington to-morrow, when the Grand National Hurdles, run over a distance of three miles, will be decided. The withdrawal of Merrimax, Hereford, Sauci, and Immensity, leaves the Dominion without a representative in the race. Last year's winner, Clontaft, will again be ridden by H. Cairns. Although the gelding has the big impost of 11.13, 9lb more than he won with last year, hie pwner gives him an excellent chance, The electric starting machine used' at Ellerslie will l)e in action at Trentham this month. Those who have seen, the contrivance manipulated at the Auckland Racing Club Meetings, aay it is a great improvement. It does away with- the clel^y caused by the starter getting tip' and down on his stand, as the official can ■ despatch the field while he is on the ground. The Greymouth Jockey Club is making extensive alterations at Omoto. The outpide 'grandstand has been shifted further up the stranght 160 ft., to give more lawn> accommodation. A new "tote" house, about 45ft: by 25ft., with 3,4 windows inside and eight outside, is to be erected so • that Mr. Harry James will have a real good house with every convenience. He is going to work his machines on the -silent system. A new judge's box is also included in the contract, and the appointments will be fairly good when . these works are, completed. It is stated that Pommern,' the English Derby winner, was named after a German friend of the owners. E. Mauson, who rode successfully this season for the Levin stable, over which F. Carmpnt presides, is at present a free lance. > The South Canterbury-trained horsep Ngatauranui, Fritz, and Commotion, tire to fulfil their engagements at Trentham. L. Hegarty is to ride them. 1 The West Coast clubs will be represented at the Trotting- Conference by Messrs. D. H. Roberta (Crreymoutih), DJ. Evans (Westland), and J. Noble (Reafton). Mr. Roberts will probably have The Cornet and Slogan racing at Trentham.' ; Trentham and Porirna stables will probably help to swell - the nomination list for the New Zealand Cup. Nominations for the big spring handicap close to-night at 9 o'clock,. " F | Neither Glenmore nor Cornelian were^ taken through to, Gjfjborne,. The next appearance of the performers named will* be at Trentham. ' 1 . His Eminence is. to compete in the Stewards/ Handicap at TrenthamHuihabye will probably be brought down_ from' Qtaki- for the Onslow Handicap, run on the second day. If. Thompson broke his thumb as well as his collarbone when he came to grief at Napier Park. He hopes to be right in time to ride, at the Grand National. Meeting. Accommodation ,has been booked at Trentharn for {Soporific, who is tq take nia place in the Wellington Steeplechase field. Although he is iop weight, "tha field doeg not look like bejng a. strong one, and it / would not be surprising if he was sent out favourite. Ashley Read, who has been spending a holiday irj tfee Nelsorx district,- returned to Trentham this week. The - cfate of . the Manawatu Hunt Clab'3 Steeplechase Meeting, to he held on 21st July, fits in nicely with the Wellington Meeting, which concludes on ' the previous Saturday. Horses nqt gopd enough t» take on to Chrislqhurch can pick up expenses at Awapujii on the way home. The Manawatu Steeplechase is worth 125sovs, and the Otaki Steeplechase 76sqvs. The Huntera' Hurdle Handicap (one mile and threequarters), Kiwitea Bracelet Handicap (two miles), Levin Hack Hapdicap (twp miles), and Hunters' Flat Handicap (one mile and a-half) are each ~worth 50sovs. Owners and trainers are reminded . that nominations for all events dose to-morrow at 10 . p.m., with Mr* W. M'Kenzie (aecrptary). The Pahiatua Racing Club's Meeting will be held on 28th July,' and tI)P Woodlands fi[unt Club Meeting the following day. ' Nominations for boi;h events close on 'the 9th inst'. with Mr. Arnold Westonj -secretary, The first of gunstar's progeny to win a race jn England was a cp]t named Star Hawk,'- who, in Mr. J. 'B. Joel's' colourp, heat fourteen other two-year-olds in the -Littleport Plate, at" Newmarket, on r 39t,h April. Sunatar, who wop the Derby of 1911, did stud duty in England this season at a fee of 300 ■ guineas. ,His full brother, White Star, is located at Mr. 8. Green's Shipley Stud, near Warrnambool.