NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1108, 22 April 1911, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[By Glencoe.] Though ho has a big impost (lOst.) it cannot bo said that Los Angeles has boon weighed out of a, chance in the Thompson Handicap, which is to be run at Traitham next week. In the light, of his great race at Biccarton whore (in tlio Easter Handicap) he was only defeated by a neck in wiiat would have been record time on a good track, ho certainly seems to possess a splendid chance, and this is emphasised by the knowledge that ho was not handled to the best .advantage in the race in question. On the.tracks, Los Angeles used to do sensational gallops, but would never repeat them in a race. Now the reverse is the case with him, and though ho rarely does his best on the tiacks, ho nevertheless tries all the way. in a race. Hicearton people state that, on ono occasion (carrying J. M'Combe on fully 9st.;, ho ran a mile in linin. 40sec, and 'under a strong pull teo. In fact, after the trial, M'Combe told Owner O'Donncll that he could have clipped three seconds off that. This is the mighty horse who owners will be against on Friday next, and, should he bo properly handled afld meet with no interference, it seems quite likely that lie will repeat tlio trial time referred to. J. W. Loive brought Gold Laco and Iranui back from Kiccarton yesterday, lie is of opinion that both horses ran up to their best form, but met others wnich wcro better. Regarding the Trentham meeting Lowe was very silent, snd contented himself with saying that, so far, he had not made up his mind, and would have to wait until he saw how his horses got over the trip. Tlio Porirua team, consisting of ten horses, will be railed to Trentham today. Makara, who lias been steadily improving of late, secured his first w.in in the Scurry at Feilding, and, as> he was heavily supported by his owner, the latter has now probably, got a cheap horse. He did not have a deal to spare at the finish, but the furlongs was cut out in good time. If a line is taken through Ladrono's Feilding display when,, looking well, ho v as made a hot favourite in the Awahuri Hack Welter, the Sir Laddo gelding is apparently being harshly treated by the handicappors. His solo success is a solitary race, and, for that, ho i.; penalised one stone and six pounds. His owner and trainer will probably require a marked reduction in weight before ho is started again. The Taranaki horseman, It. Barlow, who can still go to scale at a handy weight, was thp principal winning horseman at I'ntea, scoring three wins. On the following day Barlow was in the saddlo at Feilding, having motored through on the previous evening. Though he had three rides, however, he was not successful in any. Several North Island riders who took part in the Great Autumn Handicap at Ricearton declare that it was the hardest race which they had evor ridden in, and not for a moment wero they able to give their mounts a "breather." Cheddar was a winner after a furlong had been covered, and for the remainder of the journey he was the only

horse that was going at all comfortably. Hatch, on Los Angeles, was riding his mount with hands and heels practically the whole way, and similar work had to be done by Telford (Merrivonia) and Ryan (Iranui), both of whom were out jn front at the start. Emerson, on Cheddar, was last away, but ho ran round on the outside, and, crossing the sand, he was in front. Then he dropped in behind Chief Lochiel, and allowed tho latter to lead into the straight, when he came away on tho Merriwoo gelding, and, though Prim pressed him hard, and once actually headed him, he still battled it out, and gained tho verdict. The performance is regarded as a wonderful one, as tho horse is not nearly at his best yet,' and it emphasises tho good judgment of his owner, who recently asked 1000 guineas for him. That old wonder Celerity, who recently won another rnco at' a Melbourne suburban meeting, is to go to the stud next season, and- will be mated with Bobadil. I Those interested arc reminded that acceptances for the forthcoming Wellington meeting close on Monday night. Cork was purchased by his present owner for a £10 note, and has proved a great bargain, as lie was well backed on tho occasion of his recent win at Feilding. Tho Timaru horse Liberty was very lame after winning tho big steeplcchaso at Rivcrtou last week, and may havo to bo spelled. Representatives of Soult filled • the three places in both of tho big handicaps at tho recent Ellerslio fixture. Bobrikoff, who has had an attack of illness, is now on the mend again, but his preparation has, of course, been seriously interfered with. Mr. \Y. Hally has disposed of Hilarian through tho agency of Messrs. Dalgoty and ..Company. The price is not stated. Ribstone Pippin and To Ru havo been scratched for all engagements at tho Trcntham meeting. Trainer' Percy Coffey, of Hawera, who had tho misfortuno to break his leg six weeks ago, is still unable to get about without tho assistance of crutches. Tho two-year-old colt by Kilchernn from Miss Penelope, purchased at the Manawatu meeting by Mr. J. M'Kean, of New Plymouth, has been handed over to J. Fryer to train for future engagements. The colt was bred by Mr. G. F. Moore, of Kai Iwi, his dam, Miss Pqnelope, being full sister to Valiant, and related to Paris, Ensign, .Vnngebah, and other well-bred Australian turf performers.