NEWS AND NOTES.

Avondale Guineas to-day. Avondale concludes to-day. Wanganui Guineas next Thursday. Interlude wanted a race at Marton. Ventura died last week while foaling. ID. Copestake rode two winners at Marton. It was only right that Marton should win a steeplechase at Marton. Drought, the dam of Sunbonnet, recently dropped a filly foal to Wolawa. Idyllic is a good-looking filly, but .so far she is not as good as her looks Indicate. ' Very few three-year-olds are left In the New Zealand Cup and they are very rough. Miss Kelly will be all right In H hack hurdle race later on. Say about Horowhenua time. MiUUpjyu&^^was fepc&tejl to be off nnrlucKer, hence his absence from the Marton Handicap. Master Regal will shortly be shipped to Melbourne, and F. Flynn will go to Flemlngton to ride him. Expedition came to Marton with a "can't lose" ticket on him, but Marton made him look very cheap. Amongst the applications for the recent vacancy m the stipendiary stewards at Melbourne was a lady;, Mia Coxa's lumpy knees have been troubling her lately and caused her to miss her Marton engagement. Depredation looked a picture at Marton. He and Ohiwai were easily the fittest horses m the Railway Handicap. Ohiwai has improved out of all knowledge lately and she is entitled to take her place amongst the good performers. J Revalenta will not work on the ' tracks, and her trainer was quite m the dark at Marton as to how she would shape. Moulu ran a decent race m the principal event at Marton, but the want of a gallop m public caused him to stop badly at the finish. t Glorify ran a great race m the Hack Welter at Marton and he looks like giving T. Lloyd an early return for the trouble ho has taken with him. Owners are still rushing m to secure the services of Mountain Knight for their mares, and at latest advices, the new importation's list was filling rapidly. Jockey W. Bell ought to get the "sack" from the Highden stables. Twice recently ho has come along and beaten Revalenta when the imported maro looked a moral. First Line, the Advance — Ballarat gelding m F. Tlllcy's stables, greatly resembles his dam. He had his first run m the Trial at Marton, but shaped like a Imby and ran abouu a lot. Tho Australian-bred Thft Golfer, with L. Meßandall m the saddle, was given his first jump at Trentham on Saturday and created a very favorable impression by tho way he flew his hurdles. Since tho success of Haxanot at lUuulwlck several buyers havo approached Mr. T. M. Wllford with offers for the yearling full Bister, but «o far no one hua had enough money m their handa when thay arrived to talk business, x Secretary J. E. Gloadow, of the Napier Park Racing Club, hus an advertisement m this Ihsuo calling attention to Uu» closing of nominations for the Spring meeting of his Club, which taken place on September 30. Entries for all events close to-night at 8 p.m. Puramahonl. the full brother to Join, has had Beveral changes of ownership lately. First of all, R. CSooseman purchased him from W. J. Douglas und passed hint on to G. D. BeaiHon. Mr. 1«\ Armstrong then took a fancy to him and »t latuut advices, the bluck gelding looked" like Joining A. Shearsby'u team at Awapunl. A HcOglnn-bred maro. nays tho Loudon "Sportsman." binning the «omowluit l»»u>l»r«iprlale n:un« of Charh's lli'idfiU-^l: wOn :i Hl<H>pl«»cbUKM on Whit Momliiy llt Nt'iiHs-on-tht'-Rhlne. Sh« is by Hill of Portluntl out of llt-il lldwun. Th«> name authority »tato« that a woman booknuUu-r lmn bt«**n ! i\t\a\ £10 at Marylebonc on a chnrgo of lolttTinsr i" H'c street for the purposv of htrtllßK.

Hygia has still got a very scratchy action. New Plymouth touts say there are doubts about Lord Multifid standing a preparation. * Petruchio is still erratic, and gallops all over the place when working on the tracks. The defection of Blackall from the New Zealand Cup -was a body blow to early backers. Flying Spur got a bad run m the Trial at Marton, and several of the other runners fared similarly. Elation ran badly m his Marton start, and on that form can have no chance m the Wanganui Guineas. Analogue was out Xor.^j. bit m the. Electric Handicap at Marton, but the bay horse was one of the last to finish. Multaine shaped pleasingly m the Trial at Marton, and it will be no sur- , prise to flnd her winning a hack event at Avondale, Eligible is being given swimming exercise at Sydney, so, perhaps, T. Quinlivan will yet get him to the post for a race at Randwick. Orleans stripped much above himself at Marton, but this did not prevent the Investing public from making him favorite m the big handicap. The Demosthenes — Gold Tlu-ead colt In K. Qninlivan's stables, is a good galloper but he has a will of his own and jt is difficult to keep him on the course. There Is a fine (?) lot left m the New Zealand Cup. The bottom five might just as well drop out now for all the chance they possess of winning the big two miles. Horace Goldin, the Illusionist, is a marvel at making things disappear, but he has nothing on Sam Kraetzer, the racecourse "demon/" "who just looks at the guessers and they vanish. Owners and trainers should note that entries for all events at the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club's Spring meeting close to-night at 8 p.m. There Is also a forfeit' due for the Hastings Stakes. In the Marton Handicap, Harbor Light failed just where one could have expected him to go on after the racing he has had all through the winter. Perhaps his trouble is that he requires a man on his back. Mountain Knight, who Is doing stud duty at Te Hahanga, is a great grand son of the famous Carbine. He and his sire, Mountain King, both won the A.J.C. Derby, while between them they won neaxly all the weight-for-age events m Sydney and Melbourne. The "Sydney Sportsman" says: "The New Zealand mare Shrill will not be long before she earns her passage money to Sydney." 'Spearmint" says "Hear, hear!" for by the piper that played before Moses, Shrill is a bit of "orl rite." Maybe her turn may come at Rosehill to-day. When Athenic, who has now gone to Queensland to take up stud duty, was m this country he served a few of Mr. B. J. Watt's' mares, also Maude the dam of so many good performers. As a result of the last named union the Te Mahanga stud now possesses a very fine looking colt of whom big things are expected. It is not often that a horse wins a hurdle race first time out, but this is the record of Combustion. The chestnut gelding, who now races m the colj ors of Mr. C. G. Russell, a steward of the Wanganui Jockey Club, stripped very well, and, showing plenty of pace on the flat, ho practically led throughout, and, after a very close finish with Walmahaki, won by a nose. One rider who had a mount m the concluding event at Marton must have thought there were submarines about, as he steered a zig-zag course until he got into the straight. It was one of the hottest things seen on a, course, and yet it escaped official notice. Yet the "stipes." cost £4000 per annum, whereas they would be dear at £400. Wonder does Sir George Clifford think any of tho trici could earn £700 per annum at any other game? Wellwood is only a plug but he jumps well and does not get tired so he has always got a chance amongst rough stuff similar to which he met at Marton last week. J. Deerey gave him his own time over tho first mile and after tho . others had nearly all tipped o\*er ho only had to go on and beat tho grey Walmato *who got up and down In tho same place over the last six furlongs. He finished a furlong behind the winner and there was never a more tired horse. Jerry O'Connell. who m a bit of a wag. told tho owner he thought ho might, have won only for getting chopped out at the homo turn. The advent of tho Pahiatua mooting this week reminds "Spearmint" of an incident that occurred on this course m bygone year**, A trainer had a horse which could win a race In a weak field, but he hud no money to invest and the BUiko was no good, so h© rattled up all his puntcra m tho town where ho came from unil got the local korbHtone merchant to ko on with it. Unfortunately the scheme came undone m (his way. Tho trainer did not take th<« l>oy entirely into his confidence, but told him that he w«h backing ho and ho, miming another runner, and made no mention of the fuct that he had a "bookie" going on with hln own. The horse that the trainer was backlnff got left Btanding nt tho pegr ami not knowing all the jockey on the dead 'un then set to and In an endeavor to jlo the next best thing for Ida "boss" he went on ami won. Tho victory was well received In tho country town where the punters were on to a man, but there were a couple of «oru people llvlucr there who were on strained terms with themselves for a long- time uftenvarda. A Melbourne wcrlbe pays the following tribute to tho hue Dan O'Hrien: "One of tho mast notable cosmopolitan turf men of iho Wouihern Hemisphere has crossed the Great Divide In Mr. Dan O'Urlen, Unuluaiini; at the famouH Marlbyrnorm racing and breedln« mud, he Ruined «-arly prominence a« tho ri<l«r of the famott:; Fishhook. On NRverlnK hit* connection with th<KlHherH. Jinn D'Hrlen mitfrauul to New '/.calami. wli<*rm he took on crosx-coun-try rUliriK, «!?«• eventually blow«ome<i Into a MKV<-w»fts! owm-r, lUh name In turf hlKiury will t-ver bo ns*oelate<l with the Immortal Carbine, whom ho purchased :i« «t yearling. It wan fm--lunaie for Pan O'tfrien ihui ' Carbine was of v color -a mealy bay "Which cfttiscil him to !«'■ rejeeKMl by the lute Mr. Nat Gould, who lm<l un uMiiiitiu<U coinmliwJon from Un» Jato Mr. William tVtaritoit, of Kilmony Park, io buy Jum. In JSMS, two yearn before he brought over Carbine. Dan O'lirlvn inudo an unsucct'.fuful attempt to captur* the Mi-lbourne Cup wH)i Trenton (U.!>h who ran second to Arnetu\l (7.:.). Twoniy-iwo ywxr* later ( I90S) ho e*smt>t'n«ateU for that fttihiro by muklm; <«. succe»*fut raid on Uio CauUU-lU Cup wltli Marnnul. Dan vrsut a remarkably One judKo of » yoarUnjt"

That good jumper, Lady Bibbero, came down m the Hack Steeples at Marton. Chakwana and Menelaus will compete on the first day at Wanganui and then be railed to Otaki. Lady Amai ran a good race the whole way at Marton, and a welter should fall to her early m the season. ' Hymeneaus was made favorite In the Trial at Marton, but .he hung badly and covered a lot of extra ground. At Hastings, Kaitoa (the halfbrother to Ataahua), changed hands recently and is now owned by Mr. J. Weir. The Multifid mare. Chemise, owned by Mr. A. B. Williams, has been retired to tho stud and will visit Mountain Knight. Tantalusu, who is a son of Flitaway, looks like turning out a good horse this season. He is moving very nicely on the Riccarton tracks. At the present time the plough at Feilding is receiving much needed attention for which trainers resident there are very grateful. Chortle has dropped out of the New Zealand Cup and Multiply, who finished third last year, will again carry his owner's colora m that event. Signorella has been a bit of a boom for some time, but Crucinella's son did not shape at Marton good enough to warrant the suggestion that he will ever be as good as his dam. J. Deerey fluked the winning ride on Wellwood m the Hunt Cup at Marlon. His mount, Chaban, was withdrawn, so the services were secured at the last minute for Wellwood. Revalenta's showing m ■ the Welter at Marton may not bo as good as some critics think, inasmuch as some very ordinary performers were within a few pounds of her and finished up close to her. Vladian's showing at Marton did not enhance his reputation as a hurdler. Nothing stripped better than W. Rayner's charge, who was greatly admired m the paddock, but. as. usual, he was content to bo m a minor place only, Turangaplto, the President King four-year-old m A. Hall's stables, had his first run In the Trial at Wanga-. nul. He stripped well, but shaped as if he has a lot to learn about the business of racing. In addition to acting green he was also j hampered by a bad passage. First Consul made a good showing for a beginner m the Hack Hurdles at Marton, and ho Is likely to soon get on the winning list. With a mile Bono he bumped a fence hard and unseated his rider. Stan Reid, who got hum? up In tho stlrrips, but, luckily, the Conqueror gelding pulled up. A well-known steward of the Wanjranui Jockey Club was asked for v tip by some ladles just before* the IClectrlc Hack was run. Pointing to tlayclum, who looked very rough, he said. "Well, there is one that won't win." After the race the unsophisticated shenmles could not understand how Gaycium had won after Mr. — - mild it would not win. Turf morality In England during tho 40'k. GO'S ami 60's was often at zero. Bookmakers were put In by owners and trainers to lay horses thsu would not start, or. if started, had only the miracle chance to win. A fielder m a moderate way made a boast that m one season he had laid over a score of horuoH from 10 to 20 to 1 for a Derby the : day and that only one of them would run. That he had a very velvetty sort of book was evidenced by the fact that the one running against him was ; qloted at 50 to 1.

De Geur, the half-brother to JLadogeur, showed a bit of pace m the Trial at Marton. Waimahaki was unlucky at Marton. He got badly stopped at the back of the course, and was then only beaten by a nose. Hyllus was scratching the whole way m the big handicap at Marton, and, on that form, he can have no chance m the Wanganui Guineas. If the decision to bring Sasanof back is adhered to, he will probably throw down the gauntlet to Desert Gold m tho Champion Plato at Trenthanu Golden Grafton ran a great raco under her big weight m tho Electric Hack at Marton, and but for a bad passage she might have beaten tho Winner. Tangihou, winner of tho last New Zealand Cup, has stood his ground m the first acceptance and will doubtless reach tho post on November 5. Ho raced at Marton and looked very well. Hylatus looked half ready at Marton, but he was tnore forward than was thought to be tho caso and ran a good race m second place. Any odds he won't be thirteenth favorite next time he starts. In the Hack Steeplechase at Marton, Tauira gave a great exhibition of lepping until he turned over at the double. There is nothing surer than that the old fellow will win a race if those pins of his will stand up for a bit longer. Onmhu, the two-year-old half-bro-ther by Maniopoto — Tho Native, and Golden March were ffiven a spurt between tho races at Marton. He is a very tine looking colt and more racy than tho majority of his sire's stock and better looking thun any of his dam's stock. , Were it not that he is by Advance, who has, so far, left only ISxpect who could be called a Btayer, Square Deal would look a very likely horse for tho New Zealand Cup. Ho ran a good race m the Marton Hnndicap and was flying at the finish after coming from a long way back. Lady Renown fell heavily at the double m tho Hunt Cup, and for a time it looked as if slio had broken her neck she lay so still. After a time she got up and walked away, but was very sick and sorry for a long time afterwards. It's any odds she will not race again this season. Golden March should havo been In tho Steeples nt Marton Judging by the way he jumped. He showed plenty of pace In the hurdles, for which he was a good fuvorito, but ho got up m the clouds m his jumps, und after looking like a winner four furlongs from home, he was beaten into fourth place. Btrkenetta (half-slstor to Motoa) does not seem- able to ««t further thun half a mlto. She wns out by herself at this Juncture m tho Trial at Marlon, but stopped very badly In tho run to the potsr, and Devotion cakight her and .cattily beat her. The Shannon mare In h bit light m the frame and never Hkely to go very far. The appointments at Marton are tut what they should be. First of nil. the Jockeys' room wants enlarging, for It i» far too small, and lust week it was -made worse by having' to accommodate several drunks who went In there for a sleep when the sun got too «tro»|f for them. Then, aßuiu, the club should provide smother entrance to the courxe for horse*, and a Kood pluctv for thiH would be the region of the four furloug* post an it Ik dangerouH for liorawi going down tho present narrow road with motor ears travelling at a fust paco backward* am! forwards. Secretary Way and nunvards Gibbons and McM-ana-way might give these matter* a Mile attention.

Nominations for all events at the Masterton Racing Club's Spring meeting close on Friday, September 22 at 10 p.m. Ono rider m the concluding' event at Marton had more points than a packet of pins. . How he managed to dodge "Bother" Bird is a mystery. Perrier started favorite .m the Electric at Marton, but ran a shocking race and finished m the tail of the field. Evidently he has not got over his cold yet. Of the numerous jumping jockeys at Marton who tore up the turf with their anatomy, none were seriously dented, but Tilsley carted a broken collar home into the- jockey's room. Landlock, who cleared 7ft. 2% in. at the Bendigo Show m 1913, dropped dead at the last Brisbane Show. He had just come into the ring for the ladies' high jump when he succumbed. Parbland Lady did not get too good a run m the Hack Hurdles at Marton. and Combustion, who was running about at his fences, several times interfered with the Porirua more, First Consul and Miss Kelly. That Hughle Cairns is some "kid" on a motor cycle. Recently he had a good thing to ride at Bendigo. but he missed the train at Spencer-street station. Nothing daunted.* the ex - Trentttam horseman secured a< motor I bike m Melbourne and got over the ! 100 miles m three hours. The good thing won, too. ■ The following note appears m the Victorian Racing Calendar for August, at the end of the advertised programme of the V.R.C. August meeting: "The committee hope to be able to adhere to this programme, but, owing to the position existing through • the war, it reserves to itself the power to mako any alteration or modincation m Its programme from tirao to time." Ormonde, one of the greatest, If not the greatest horse that ever trod the turf m England, was at four years a confirmed wheezer, and at live an ultra confirmed roarer. The application of the battery to his infirmity became after a time quite a pleasure. The horse looked for it, and, if omitted, as it was on odd occasions, ho would prove resentful and go for the man m charge. Under electrio treatment, Ormonde was the most docile of horses and after It similarly. On several days when, for various reasons, the treatment was suspended, the horse played up to some tune. While the New Derby and Oaks may not rank with the -Epsom races, it Is worth recording that until FiHnolla's victory, this season, only thrice previously had a fllly won the two events, these being Eleanor, m 1801; Blink Bonny, In 1857; and Signorlnetta, m 1908. The race for the Oaks resulted pretty much as expected, except that Wet Kiss, the second favorite, finished fourth, but the New Derby heroine won m a canter by five lengths from Salamondra, who was three lengths behind Fifinella m tho One Thousand Guineas. The time was ; very fast, 2min 35sec.. compared with 2mln 36 l-6sec. by Snow Marten a twelve-month ago. Indeed, tho time was a record for the Oaks, tho previous bost being to the credit of Snow Marten, while the best at Epsom, 2min 3-ssec, was by Jest. Pretty Polly* occupied 2min 45 l-ssec, and. Scqptre 2min 46 3-ssec, , but the different courses have to bo token into consideration. The victory of Sasanof m tho Chelmsford Stakes at Randwlck la easily the best performance yet registered by the Martian gelding though his win m the last Hawke's Bay Stakes was a very creditable one, as ho gave ! Hyttus a big break and a boating. To defeat Woorak and Co. at weight-for-.ago is a big feat for Mr. W. G. Stead's gelding, lite starting prico suggests that the connections of the horse were not prepared. to nee him win. Writing to a friend m Wellington recently, T. Quiniivan expressed the opinion that Woorak was a wonder, «o. probably, he expected the (lying chestnut to defeat Sasanof. To defeat the cream of New South Wales at weigh t-for-ago over 9 furlongs gives Sasanof a great chance In the Caultleld Cup with 0.12, und perhaps his owner will yet reconsider his decision to return home after Rondwick with the horses. May be the 50.000 to 1 that the Martian geTdlng drifted to prior to the Cnultleld Cup will yet be a good price. A well-known sporting authority who has jmade an inspection of the steeplechase courses lately, says that he is convinced that the cause of many fulls m steeplechases is that tho fence, even tho brush ones, arc high and straight; that tho brush or logs m front of tho jumps are too, eloso to tho jump. This is tho opinion of the most experienced trainer* and cross-coun-try riders. The brush should bo fully four feel from tho jump. If this wore done on all steeplechase courses thero would bo fewer ucctdtmtH. Horses seldom stand away too far: tho trouble la that they got too eloso, especially when tiring. Although Flernlngton is brushed m front of jumps, the brush is too clone, and has nut the desired effect of making horses take oft soon enough. Steeplechases are run now at top pacn; horses huvo only to got closo m to a jump, und down they go. Falls will occur, but by proper brushing there will bo fewer falls. Surely, when tha much desired prevention of falls can fc« secured so easily, und with such Hitlo expense, lh«* racing uuthorltk'B tthould «i>e to U m once thai tho "brushing" Is properly done.