THE TURF.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 7

THE TURF.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (Br Glencoe.l Mr. J. Ames, owner of Merrivonia, is at present away oh a holiday trip, and, most likely, has not seen tho weights for tho New Zealand Cup. Until he returns about September 12) nothing will be known as to his intentions with regard to the biff November handicap. This, however, has not caused much worry to several of Merrivonia's fanciers, and, since tho publication of the news that Oliver would ride her in the Cup, she has rapidly come into favour, and, at the present time is probably backed for as much money as any other candidate in the race. There does' not seem to be much doubt, .but that the owner will elect to endeavour to win the race. Ee has Ilouo so before, Merrivonia having run unplaced in Lady Lucy's Cup two years ago, but still some owners hold the opinion (and it has a good deal to commend it) that a two-mile preparation is too hard for a horso so early in the season. Tho next week or two should remove doubt on this point. A private letter, received by yesterday's mail, states that the Birkenhead colt, Elfbolt, who was shinped to Sydney some weeks ago, contracted "ship's pneumonia" on the vovage, and was in a very bad way for some time. He has been turned out in Sydney, and will not bo able to race for some months.

At present several trainers at the Hutt are exercising their teams on the Petone beach. Amongst those who prefer tho sand are F. Higgott, with Undecided, Big Blast, and Merry Frank; H. K"|gan, with Sea Queen; and G. Doloncy, with loanga. On the occasion when Royal Soult was beaten in his first appearance m Sydney he Parted a hot favourite, and was ridden by H. Gray. Sydney papers, commenting on the result, put the deleat down to the fact that he started from tho extreme outside, and predict a usctul career for the Auckland horse m Sydney. Succession is still running in a paddock at Trenthani,. and is not doing any track work. Her owner, Mr. A. Liskirk, is in two minds about the daughter of Conqueror, and cannot decide whether to send her to the stud or to race her again. The bav mare shows up best on a hard track, a'nd, if the latter course is decided upon, it is probable that sho will be sent to Sydney, with a view to racing at suburban meetings fliers. ,„„,A in At the V.R.C. meeting on August 19, Lady Lucy (carrying top weight) ran unplaced in the August Handicap, of one mile and a half.. She was unplacedin the betting, and just ran as the. market indicated that she would.. , There seems to be a difference of opinion here as to whether the New Zealand-owned, mare will-bo brought back for the Clip in November. At tho present timo she figures strongly in the,market for the Metropolitan Handicap, run on the second day ot tho A.J.C. meeting in October. Ihis, however, would not give her too much time to havo a brief spell and then make the trip ovor the water. So, viewing it from this point, i* appears rather unlikely that sho will come over. On tho other hand, however, some havo certainly backed her, for tho New' Zealand •Cup,"but whether they have singed their fingers or not cannot bo said. As with steeplechasing, hurdle racing is largely subsidised in France, and a race, tho Grand Course do Haie d'. Auteuil, an .event over, hurdles, inn over tho searching course of three miles and a furlong, was this year worth JSSO3S. The winner, Carps Diem, who scored by a head, compassed tho distance in Grain. lOsec. Viewed from an -Australian standpoint, Carpo Diem's performance would be voted slow. For instance,' Arquebuse won the Tccent V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race in smiu. 49sec., which left him 21sec. in which to get over another furlong, in. order to equal Carpo Diem's timo, and the South Australian crack would have done that with a lot to spare.

An English journal, in referring to jockeys, says:—"Frank Wootton will be a very rich man at an early age, which draws attention to the fact that Harry Luke, at the ago of G4. with-his wife, had' 'to 'find refuge in Willesden Work House last month. Luke was onco one of England's prominent jockeys, among the races won by him being the Two Thousand Guineas on Petrarch, and the Cambridgeshire of 1833 on Bendigo. Luke refers to his present position as 'an ignominious finish.'" Nominations for the Ashburton County Eacing Club's meeting close to-night, with the secretary, Mr. A. A. Fooks. . A reminder is given that acceptances for the first day's events at tho Marton Jockey Club's meeting close to-night. Tho New Zealand jockey, K. Camoron, frequently rides in hurdlo races in Victoria now. He won recently at Bendigo on Paraloch. The Fcilding trainers' and jockeys' football team, which beat a cl,ub team on Saturday last, will play a team from Palmerston North on Saturday nest. By permission of the Manawatu Racing Club, tho inaugural meeting of the Manawatu Trotting Club will take place on tho Awapuni Racecourse to-morrow. Good fields are engaged in all the events, and, amongst tho candidates, are several horses that have gained distinction on the Canterbury Trotting Club's tracks, including Havoc, who was recently only beaten by a neck by'the. Australasian record-holder King Cole, Lady Richmond, Tring Park, Allwood Fashion, Uniform, and Bingana. These are all high-class trotters, and visitors to Awapuni tomorrow should witness somo ' excellent sport. An up-to-date starting, clock will be used. Owners should noto that acceptances close on tho racecourse early tomorrow. The Auckland owner who races under the assumed name of "Mr. C. Thede" is contemplating a trip to Sydney for tho A.J.C. spring meeting with Loch Fyno and Lady Patricia. Tho well-known sire, Dan Patch, who created such excitement in local trotting circles by stepping out a mile at Alexandra Park in 2min. 9 2-ssec. has now arrived in Auckland, and is to do stud duty. FIXTURES. Septemboi 6 and "—Marton J.C. annual. September 13—Dannovirko R.C. Steeplechase. - September 28 and 29—Wanganui J.C. . Spring. November 4—C.J.C. New Zealand Cup.