NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2550, 26 August 1915, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

[BY ' Gkncoe."] < Weights .for the Dannevirke Meeting are duo on Friday, and acceptances close on Tuesday next. ' . Nominations for the Avondale Meeting close 011 Friday. This year tho northern fixture does not clash with any other meetings. At the Gosford Meeting 011 August 17 tho New Zealand-bred North-East started a hot order in the Jumpers' Flat and finIsfhuKl out of a place. The winner turned up in Princess Hazel, with Cheddar, who was unbacked, 1 in second place. Later 011 •North-East came out and won the Stewards' Mile, which was run over the same distance. The time for'the latter race was faster than the Jumpers' Flat, but this would Iw accounted for by the different scale of weights. A Sydney paper, in referring to the reccnt victories of the pony Margarita at Ascot, says she is a marvellous mare. It is interesting to noto that while the totalisator investments in the Dominion are still increasing, reports from; Australia record a shrinkage. Prosper is being hacked about the streets at Palmerston North, and it is likely that lio will be given another chance to earn distinction on tho turf. The statement published yesterday that Arlington had gone wrong is contradicted by his owner, Mr. J.'S. Adams, who6tates that the chestnut gelding is "as sound as a bell," and is at present simply being spelled at Trentham, Judging by events in tho city yesterday Shoki will contcst thio Flying Handicap at Mai'ton and Haskayne will carry tho cerise jacket ill the big handicap. Both horses should be hard to dispose of. Croivn Pearl, wjio is at the top of tho handicap in tho short race, was beaten by ICaminohc at Riccarton,. so tho Karaniu stable will .lmvo a good line as to tho prospects of Sliaki. It is doubtful if there has ever been such a short-priced favourite for tile New Zealand Oup so long before the decision of that event as is Warstep at tho present time. Backers evidently . hold tho coinmoll opinion that Mr. Henrys has treated Martian's daughter with the greatest consideration. It is quite probable that the Grand National winner, Ngatoa, will lie shipped to Sydney shortly to contest the cross-country events of tho A.J.C. Spring Meeting. He will be accompanied by tho three-year-old filly Housewife. Monday, .September 6, at -i,p.m., is general entry day for tho Australian Jockey

Club's Spring Meeting. Sir. A. E. W.hyto, secretary of the Wellington Bncing Clul), is empowered to receive entries up till (lie hour lmnfeil 1 Reports from Ricearton slate tlint Banksia lias been showing signs of unsoundness since he raced at L'ieearton. 'J'hero seems to lie a lack of Imndicap horses about at the present time. For the big events at Dannevirke, the entries received are on the weak side, though the other races, have filled well. From what can be gathered from the different training centres throughout the Dominion the two-year-olds this year do not promise well. In Auckland tliey aro classed as moderate, and similar reports are forthcoming from Eiccarton. At Trentliain J. \V. Lowo has three youngsters, and the fact tliat they regularly beat each other in their' trial spins is interpreted to mean that nAne of them show exceptional speed. At Riccarton the Chokebore stable has "14 boxes with two-year-olds in them. E, J. Mason has a quartet, M. Hobbs a like number, and R. O'Donnell three, but none of theso lots shows more than average ability. Tho Avondalo Stakes and Hastings Stakes are set down for decision next month, and to have a chance of success any of the youngsters engaged should now bo galloping 'over half-milo courses. The Ashburton Trotting Club has decided to give mil tho profits of its meetings during the coming year to the Canterbury Patriotic Fund, guaranteeing a minimum of .CiOO.—Press Association,