THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1206, 15 August 1911, Page 7

THE TURF.

. « NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Glencoe.]

While on the way homo from tho Riccarton meeting C. Jenkins was taken seriously ill, and had to break the journey at. Wellington. At a late hour last night lie was slightly better, but it will be some fciino before ho can bo moved. A South African owner was at R.iccarton last, week in search of a couplo of goofl horses to fake to Johannesburg. So lar his mission has been unsuccessful. On tho first two-days of tho C..T.C. meeting, Eaglestone made a good showing, but failed to run out the mile. On Saturday he was much improved by his two races, and was confidently backed for the Redcliffs Handicap, which Ho won comfortably. Liko tho rest of his sire's stock ho is very speedy, and though rather common-looking ho should score again in his turn. Judging by his form this season, Reft M'Grcgor is not nearly as good as he used to be, and he again ran very indifferently in tho Lincoln Steeplechase on Saturday. Ho fell in tho final mile, but was well beaten when he came down. After the brilliant manner in which he had been working on the tracks, it was not surprising that St. Aidan should be heavily supported in each of his races at Riccarton, but lie failed to gain a winning bracket, and ran worse on the third day than he did in his first, two essays. Liko the general Tun of Birkenheods, he does not seem to relish too much racing. St. Aidan has considerably more pace than the average jumper, and with more experienco he is likely to prove a real "first flightcr." The North Island appears to possess the best horses at present. Out of the 24 races at the C..T.C. meeting only fivo were won by South Island horses.

W. Young will do the flat riding for the Porirua stablo this season. Mr. T. M'Grath's string of New Zealand horses—Tumut, Gunboat, and Zealand—are now located at Caulfield. Tho trio should be ready to race any day now 1 . Seaman has been operated on for throat trouble, and later the Sylvia Park gelding may be tried over hurdles. The Auckland jockey, P. Brady, will probably not return from Riccarton for some little time. He is detained there on acoount of the illness of his wife. Effort, who won the Heathcote Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday, will most likely be schooled over hurdles in the near future, .and if she shows any aptitudo she will be entered for jumping events during the season. C. Jenkins has accepted a. handsome retainer to act as first horseman for Mr. E. J. Watt during tho present season. R. Thompson, who has been riding with' such success over country recently, will shortly journey to Sydney to rido Hoainga in his' engagements there. Doggor Bank, who recently changed hands, and is now an inmafe of J. Chaat'o's stable, met with heavy support in the hurdles at Riccarton on Saturday, and may have won had it not been for the presence of another Auchlander in Sabine. • The latter went out in front with Dogger Bank, and, jumping every fence very big, brought Dogger Bank down wheii the latter tried to "take off" with his rival. Sabine afterwards faded out of tho raoo, and ultimately finished unplaced. . The Sonlt mare Kakarna has been on tho sick list lately, but is now all right again. Mr. D. M'Lepd's other horses, Puhi and Tamainupo, are still enjoying a spell. A Melbourne writer says tliat tho NewZealand jockey, H. Cairns, was engaged to rido two horses in the Australian Hurdle Race—Himterston and Bribery. W. S. Cox, trainer of Hitntcrslon, first engaged Cairns, and lie complained to the V.A.T.C. stewards, who decided that Cairns should not bo allowed to ride , at all during tho day. Mr. M. Foley, chairman of committeo of tho Avondalo Jockey Club, and Mr. H. H. Hayr, secretary of tho same body, leave on a trip to the. Isla.nds this week, and will bo absent about a montli. The New.' Zealand-bred Advantage, by 'AdvaiiCOj'' was'-sold in Melbourno Inst week" to C. T. Godby for 310gns.; and Lord Kelvin, by Multiform, to J. O'Brien for 235gns.

Horsoowners and trainers aro given a reminder that nominations for all events at tho Marton Jockey Club's Spring meeting (to bo held on September li and 7) closo on Friday, August 18, with the secretary, Mr. A. Way, at Marion. The course 'is in splendid order, and there is every indication of a successful meeting. In connection with the Marion Jockey Club's, hack meeting to be held on September 6 and 7, nominations for all events close with the secretary on Friday, August 18. FIXTURES. August 24—Amberley Steeplechase annual. Septeinbor 6 and 7—Marion J.C. annual. September 13—Dannovirke B.C. Steeplechase. September 28 and 29—Wanganui J.C. Spring. November 4—C.J.C. New Zealand Cup.