NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1940, 24 December 1913, Page 14

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

fßi Glencoi.l

The absence of Soltano _ from tho Royal Stakes at Auckland will rob that) event of a good deal of interest. His meeting with tho best two-year-olds would liavo been a big drawing-card, and it would havo given a good lino as to tho quality of our juveniles. Tho Highden-owned Garanco is being spelled .at Awapuni. Tho Vasco colt is sufforing from a strained muscle, caused by gotting cast in his box. It is unfortunate that his trainer should loso his services just now, for on his Feilding form it looked likoly that ho would win a raco or two at the coming mectiiigs. _ _ J. W. Lowo has left for Awapuni with tho two-year-olds Miraculous and Par r lovna, also Kilrain, Charlerose, and Secrot Link. After doing tho Manawatu meoting, tho team will bo taken to Tauhorinikau, to await tho Wairarapa meeting-

Tlio Porirua team for tlio Manawatu mooting was railed to Awapuni yesterday. It consisted of Los Angelos, Pavlova, Aratiatia, .Stepney, Styx, and Hansard.

Zona will raco at Awapuni on Boxing Day. If satisfactory arrangements can bomado with tho Railway Department, bo will then be railed to Ellers-

lie to raco on tlio concluding days of tho Auckland meoting. Tho Martian gelding was not very robust as a two-, year-old, and travelling so soon after racing may have a detrimental cffect on him.

Included in the list of yearlings to be sold at Auckland next week is a colt by Achilles from Success, dam of Kilwinning and Honesty. Tho youngster is described as a perfect colt in every way, and tho competition for him is expected to bo very keen.

The nows of the death of Solta'no came as a thunderbolt yesterday, and all day it was tho solo topic of conversation.' Mr. T. H. Lowr.v, who owns tiio colt, is to bo sympathised with in the loss of such a good performer. Soltano was without question tho best colt of tho year. His paco w-as phenomenal, and soveral of tlio coming weigiit-for-ago events looked to ho at his mercy.

With tho defection of Soliano, and tho likely scratching of Warstep, Culprit may occupy tho position of favourite for tho Railway Handicap. The brown maro is always at- her best at this time of tho year, and twelve months ago she won this event with only lib. less than sho is to carry on Friday. Tho fact that she is the elect of a very poworful stable will ensure her 9 lot of support. Postillion is also greatly fancied, but he may not begin smartly enough. Prince Soult is going as well as anything working at Ellerslie, and on Trentham form Merry lloe is entitled to consideration. Became is very fast, and should account for all the light-weights. Potoa still continues to be strongly supported for the Auckland Cup s and by the day of tlio race he will 'doubtless head Sea Pink in public favour. Judging by the amount of work given him, tho bay horse must be satisfying his lOwner, and "doing" well also. The Auckland track-watchers are also impressed with Bon Ton aiid Sea Pink, butQuarantine is ruled out. Since he has been at Ellerslie tho Chokebore hofso .lias been ridden out in all his gallops, but not olico did he "put up time." S?.uta Rosa continues to work well, but tho want of a race will tell against him. Sir Solo has been doing all his work on tho bit, but no rider has been obtained for him yet, as W. Ryan has to steer Bleriot.' Colonel Soult is hardly seasoned enough for a two miles raco. Of tho light-weights, Saultikoff may show up tho best, lor lio seems to run on at tlio end of his raceß.

Local sportsmen desiring to bo present at tho/iaratahi-Carterton Racing Club's meeting on Boxing Day will bo able to leavo by train in the morning and return to tho city after tho races tho samo night.

In connection, with thie Mivnawatu Racing Club's Christmas meeting, special train arrangements ara advertised. Wellington followers of racing will find tiiat tlio trains suit very well, and a pleasing featuro is tho announcement that tho homeward journey each evening is to bo completed by 10 o'clock. Tho improvements in .tho train scrvico on tho occasion of the club's last race meeting wore favourably commented on, and if trains run as satisfactory this week, Wellington visitors will have no cause for complaint.