NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1099, 11 April 1911, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bl (.iLENCOE.J Acceptances for the first day's events at tlie \Vairarapa Racing Club's meeting close at 8 o'clock to-night with the club's secretary, Mr. 11. A. Laery, l'eathersion. Nominations for the Marlborough Racing Club's meeting close at Blenheim on Saturday next, April 15. A Sydney writer comments on the fact that very few of the Sydney Clip horses have been beyond a mile and a quarter in their gallops, and says that there is no doubt as to tno mode of preparing a horse for a long raco nowadays !;eing very different from that of the past. "Why," remarked a veteran trainer, "it was nothing unusual to see at least half-a-dozen horses in one morning treated to a solid two-milo gallop when I first came to Randwick, but now you never see a Cup horse tried at that distance." Questioned as to why they themselves have departed from the old method, the veterans tell you that the horses now racing will not stand it, and that a couple of really long trade gallops would completely settle most of those expected to run two miles in a race. The Quarryman filly, Big Blast, which is shortly to join P. Higgott's team at Hutt, should easily bo placed to advantage here, mid, as she is very well now, her new owner should not bo long in obtaining a return 011 his outlay. At Awapuni, when carrying Sir Geo. Clifford's colours, sho was left on both days, but sho finished very fast—a . circumstance which suggests that had she left the mark on anything like even tcrmsj with, the field she would havo been amongst the place-getters.

Merrivonia, in charge of J. Ayers, is to be- shipped south to-night. The black mare walked away rather "dotty" after doing a gallop ono morning last week, but her owner makes light of it, and 'sets it down to the hard going experienced at this tirno of the year.

The Endeavour Lodge candidates, Gold Laco and Iranui. are to be shipped south this evening. The former is a good favourite for tho seven furlong race, and has done excellently in her preparation. Inanui is a little sore, but if rain comes "before Tuesday next, tho littlo Sonlt mare will be found hitting out with the best engaged in the Great Autumn Handicap. Xavior was schooled at .Trentham yesterday morning, and jumped splendidly. The Tasmnn gelding is a proficient fencer, but he lias latterly been galloping badly in his public essays.

Prior to running prominently behind Eiya at Awapuni oil Thursday, Sardonyx had done a swimming preparation only, and therefore it is not surprising that the fast pace set by the winner should have found him out over the final quarter mile.

Wimmern, who Tan unplaced in the open sprint event on both -days at Awapuni, is at present looking extremely well, and it will bo no surprise to find him appearing on the winning list soon. He will bo the most forward of any of tho jumpers to commence winter racing next month.

The nominations received for the Wellington • Racing Club's Autumn meeting fotal 362, or six fewer than last year. For tho Thompson Handicap tho excellent entry of 53 has been received, as against il for last year's race.

With such capital acceptances received for the first day's events at Feilding it appears as if the club will have a successful Cup meeting. It is noticeable that Equitas, who was accepted for at fcllerslie, and Full Bate, wlio was accepted for at Eiccarton, both hold their ground in the Mangaone Stakes at Feilding.

: The ex-Neiv Zealandef y ,D'.'J;.i>rice, had a good thing in Gipsy AViteh for the Second Division Handicap at Aspendale Park, Melbourne; on April 1. This Stepniak four-year-old was only backed at the last moment, and it was found impossible to get all the commission on. There wero 12" starters, and she won nicely . from Morning Kose.

At the Sunbury Races (Victoria) on March 29, the chief event was the Sunbury Cup, of 73 sots., one mile and a quarter, and the top weight (Truganini, 9st. Gib.), with R. Cameron up, was made a strong favourite, evens being eventually accepted. She was in a good position to the turn, and then dropped out, it being afterwards discovered that she had been galloped on. In addition to, Truganini, Air. Middleton Melrose sent up Advantage to Tun. She started favourite, and easily captured the Welter Handicap: but was later on badly beaten in the Encourage Mile by Ben's Change. Ren's Change is by Benvollo (son of Malvolio) from Change, by Bill of Portland from Coin, by Nordenfeldt from Realisation (dam of Maxim) so is particularly well bred on the dam s side.

FIXTURES. April 12 and 15—Greymouth J.C. Autumn. April 15 and 17—Wairarapa R.C. Autumn. April 15, 17, and 18—Auckland R.C. Autumn. April 17 and 18—Canterbury ,T.C. Autumn. April 17—Patea R.C. Annual. April 17 and IS—Feilding J.C. Easter. April 20 and 21—Westland R.C. Autumn April 28 and 29-Welliugton R.C. Autumn May J and <I—Marlborough R.C. Annual. May 10 and 11—Hawke's> Bay J.C. Autumn. May 11 and 12—Ashburton County R C Autumn. Juno 2 and 3—Dunedin J.C. AYinter.