NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15018, 13 July 1914, Page 8

NOTES.

Sandy Paul has broken down badly and bidden farewell to the Turf. Tho two-year-old filly by Martian— Everlasting in McGrath's stable has been named Pall Mall. The Masterton. Racing Club has concluded tiie most successful yes\r in its history. Commencing with a debit balance of £367, tho year ended with a credit of £271 10s. The stewards of the Woodville District- Jockey Club have decided to erect a new grand stand on their racecourse at Woodville, to replace tho present one. Tho work is to be finished in timo for the December meeting. A Melbourne cable message says that a fire occurred at Service's racing stables under suspicious circumstances. The damage is estimated at £1000. A humber of well-known horses were rescued with difficulty, but were not injured. • From England comes news thai Major Nelson George, who, with Mrs George, has been living for some time at Bournemouth, has not been enjoying tho best of health lately. The colours of the sportsman named, black and white hoops were well-known in the Dominion and Australia, " where they were carried by Nelson, Seahorse, Wapiti, and other performers. , There was a rather unusual happening in the Hack Hurdle Race, the first event on tho card at the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club'sMeeting on Saturday. The officials neglected to remove the hurdles in front of tho stand after they had been first, jumped, and in consequence the field had to jump a final fence wjthin a chain of the winning post. The two trotting events at the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club's Meeting on Saturday brought out very big fields,, there beins twenty»£ivo starters in 'the Ashley Handicap Trot, and twenty-eight in the Oxford Handicap Trot, both races being handicapped by yards instead of seconds. In the former event Savannah qtiicklv went to the front apd won easily, but the Oxford Trot produced a' very good finish between Wallace Jun.. Don Bell and Royal Bell, who passed the post in that order. Royal Bell also filled third place in the Ashley Trot. . The Wairarana Racing Club at the end of this month will have completed the most successful year, from a financial point of view, in its history. Th* credit balance in the working account will amount to about £1000. the principal sources of revenue showing a marked increase. The new stewards' stand is nearing completion, and further improvements are contemplated on the course, including the lengthening of the straight, which will necessitate purchasing several acres of land. Tlio club's executive is awaiting the decision of the Government as to the route of the Martinborough railway before decidinp* definitely as to tho plans for additions to the appointments.

Tho two eteeplcchase events. at the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club's Meeting on : Saturday were marked by very sorry displays on the Dart of the majority of the competitore, though the public derived a good deal of amusement from them. In the first event, the View Hill Steeplechase, there were four competitors, but with little more than half tho journey gone, Tim Doolan was the only horse left in the race. Obligate ran off at the first fence, and the brush at the turn out of the straight brought down Opuka and Terry Flynn. The former refused repeatedly, while Terry Flynn got over, but lost his rider. Terry Flynn evaded recapture for some minutes, and when he was caught his rider again put him at .the fence at which he had cot into trouble before. He got another 6pill and then retired- from the . contest. Meanwhile, Obligates rider decided to make an attempt to secure second money. After considerable persuasion Obligate scrambled over one fence, but refused at the next, and was then called off. In the North Canterbury Steeplechase there wore five competitors, but by the time the second fence was reached Opuka, Starface, and Troika had run. off, and Selwyn and Ohakea were left to continue the contest, Selwyn winning comfortably.