THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3061, 24 April 1917, Page 10

THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS XBi Glencoi.l Matters are very upside down in sporting circles at present, and owners do not know exactly whore they are. If owners were certain tho coal strike would last probably' iflho majority of. them would turn their horses out, but in well-informed ciroles it is not thought that the trouble will bo of a long duration. With the strike over there is still the question of curtailment to be faced, but as the Minister of Internal Affairs has stated that nothing will be done till the new 6eason opens, tho question is not one calling for immediate attention from owners, and perhaps by August we •will be able to see tho beginning of the end of the great European struggle, and, if so, curtailment of racing may not be necessary. The Racing Conference met yesterday, and outside of the fact that a committee was appointed to wait on the Government and learn its wishes nothing has been mado public. It is certain that the committee will be unanimous in meeting the wishes of the Government, but action should not be of a hasty order. Mr. W. G. Stead's horses were shipped to Napier yesterday, where they will in future be trained.

' Seadown, who has paid his way well this season, is to be 6pelled during the winter. When the Dowhshiro gelding won the Autumn Handicap on Saturday he was making his first appearance in a distance race, but as he acted so well his owner will probably try him in some of the big handicapa next season. It is 6tated that the Wellington Cup winner Bunting is under order to raco in Sydney, and he will be shipped across the water by tho first available boat.

Though M. Hobbs has lost Sasanof, Shrill, Sweet Corn, and Cheloma, who are to be trained at Greenmeadows, he still retains Kilboy and Kill 'Em, who are now tho solo property of Mr. E. S. Luttrell.

Nones has finished her racing career, and is to join the matrons at the Waikanao Stud. Mr. Duncan has also purchased Eibblo, the half-sister to Emperador, but delivery will not be taken until after the racing season.

Fiery Cross must' be accounted the most unlucky performer who has boon racing in tho Dominion this autumn, as within tho space of ton days ho has been narrowly defeated in threo big handicaps. A horse of which Mr. W. G. Stead was cither owner or partowner finished just in front of him on each occasion. In the Great Easter Handicap, won by Nyelad, Sasanof was only a neck in front of Fiery Cross, who ran Kilboy to a head in tho Great' Autumn Handicap, while in tho Thompson Handicap at Trentham his defeat was brought about! by Shrill. ■ . Mr. George Morse, the well-known racing handicapper, is roported to bo very ill in Auckland, and will shortly undergo an operation.