NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1144, 3 June 1911, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

[Bi Glencoe.] Mr. J. E. M'Donald went through to Auckland on Thursday to see Castout and Ribstone Pippin race at Ellerslie to-day. Mr. G. P. Donnelly, owner of El Dorado and Gold Circle, also went through to Auckland on Thursday. Glonspring and Curator will not be among the competitors at Otaki to-day. The former had been going particularly well on the Blenheim tracks until Thursday morning, when he sprung a tendon, and now he will have to be treated to a spell. Riro Atu will bo ridden at Auckland by Mr. J. Bull, the younger. Aruake (Chasseur-Slab), who showed such a great burst of speed in the last raco at the Wanganui meeting, will bo among the competitors in the Birthday Welter at Otaki to-day. At the end of the Wanganui race referred to, Aruake appeared to bo the only horse galloping, so that tho extra furlong at Otaki to-day should not niako any serious'difference. The Hon. J. D. Ormond, who has Woodhey engaged in the Rnukawa Cup to-day, has twice previously won the event with Sir Tristram, and onco with Lyrist. An advertisement in this issue notifies that a meeting of those interested in forming a local branch of the Manawatu Hunt, will be held at tho Terminus Hotel on Wednesday next, June 7, at 8 p.m. Taft, who is making his maiden appearance in a hurdlo race at Otaki to-day, is like the rest of Freedom's stock-a born iumper-and, with his great pace, ho is sure to-bo out.in front over, tho, early portion of the race. Whether he can stay or not has yet to bo proved. J. Aycrs has only taken one representative to the Otaki meeting, and that is he consistent Bracken. Mr. J. Com s gelding has been galloping exceptionally well at Trentham, and, if he leaves the mark on terms with tho, others (he is generally very obstreperous at the barrier), he is sure lo run well forward. It has now been definitely decided that The Native wilt not bo a the Great Northern Steeplechase on Monday. This will mean that W. Young will now be able to accept the mount on hed M'Grogar, who was successful m this race last year. No fewer than thirty horses are down on the list as starters in the Jervois Handicap at Ellerslie to-day, and of these fully two-thirds are suro to faco the barrier. They are a very bad lot—in fact it would bo difficult to get a worse lot crowded into a race, and anything may win. In theso parts most people will be inclined to go for Gold Circle, ns Mr. Donnelly's colt has shown at different times that he is possessed of a good dash of pace, and being such a quick beginner he will'have a lot the best of matters in such a big field. The Pordell trainer, P. Tilley, is only taking one horse to tho Otaki meeting, and that is Piriwai, who is engaged in the Maiden Scurry on Monday. After competing at the A.R.C. winter meeting El Dorado and Gold Circle will be shipped to Sydney for the purpose of competing at tho 'chasing meetings at Randwick and Flemingtou. J. v Cameron, trainer of Woolloomooloo, arrived in Hastings from Sydney this week. Mr. J. Eobson, who bred Pink 'Un, Tynedale, Easter Lily, and Manupai, tho bunch being by Strowan—Manutuke, has sent down to H. Hickey at Hastings the rising two-year-old half-brother by Multilid to the above contingent. He is a sturdy and well-set up juvenilo (says "The* Squire"), whoso aspect suggests tho possession of power and pace. His dam was again mated with Multifid last term, and there is not the slightest doubt that she will prove once more productive. Yesterday theTe was a run on Bully for the Great Northern Hurdles, and, though it is not reported by the Press Association, it is fairly safe to assume that tho aged Auckland gelding had dono a good gallop in the morning. The support accorded tho Freedom gelding caused him to supplant The Native as second favourite, but first position is still held by' Paisano. Last year's National winner is such a really good horso that his admirers will not hear of his 'defeat, and they certainly have solid grounds for their confidence. The son of Strowan will be ridden by "Ranji" Thompson—n really good, fearless horseman—and, moreover, one who will not allow the favourite to cover an inch of unnecessary ground. Tho following aro the probablo starters and thoir riders:—Paisano (It. Thompson;; Reumac (H. PuLcher); Ths Native (W. Young); Bully (C. Cress); Auratus (F. Coleman); Sol (P. Brady); Whakaweira (T. Price-hard); Appin (J. Hercock); Don Qucx (J. M'Flynn); John (F. Lind); Ribstone Pippin (H. Telford); Delegate (A. Cowan); and Paritutu (R. Percival). Amongst the acceptors for the Great Northern Hurdlo Race, to be run to-day, Paritutu is the only one engaged who was seen ont in the same event last season. Tho Castor gelding has figured us a runner in four Great Northern Hurdle event?, but has never onco gained a place. Included in C. L. Lngor's team at Hastings are two fillies by tho Auckland siro Monoform. One of theso is Monella, out of Amorella, and tho other is Lassie Doon, out of Cardoon. Both of the fillies arc hold under leaso from Mr. W. Dunn, of Eosedale Park, Pukekohe, by Lagor's patron, Mr. AV. Karaitiana. Bully is the only previous winner of the Great Northern Hurdles engaged in tho event to-day. Sol, Eed M'Grcgor, and Loch Fyne, who figure in tho Great Northern Steeplechase, havo each previously won tho event. The Porirua stable, which, in the past, has turned out several high-class jumpers, will be represented in tho Maiden Steeples at Ellerslio to-dav by Castout, who will bo ridden by It. Thomnson. Tim chestnut gelding has several times showed a bold front in steoplochn.sos, but invariably gets rid of his rider. This season he has been Jumping very well, and, so far, has mado no mistakes. Mr. D. H. Roberts, of Greymouth, has had a good innings with Tho Cornet since he purchased the Handsome Jack—Orchestra gelding for .£IOO, after winning a soiling raco at the C.J.C. Summer meeting. He won-tho .rjiucipjl event at Grey.

mouth and was also successful nt Reefton, those being the only AYest Const meetings which ho competed at. Returning across the ranges, he scored in tho big event at Ashburton (second day), failed to get a win at Oamaru, and pulled off tho Birthday Handicap at Wingatui yesterday. It is strange that such a well-bred mare as Orchestra (Goldsborough—Melody) lias' not thrown a good winner before. Mr. W. F. M'Beth (owner of Cnicmeln) also bred a full brother and sister to lhe Cornet. Messrs. Whitworth Brothers took to Australia a colt by Sir Lnddo-Orches-trn, who has been showing some promise at. Randwick recently.