NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3101, 4 June 1917, Page 9

NOTES AND COMMENTS

!Bt Glencoe.l With twelve acceptors for tlio Great Northern Steeplechase, tho race looks open, and several of tho runners will bo well supported. The good showing of El Gallo in the Cornwall Handicap will be the moans of sending him out favourite, and it will bo interesting- to see if ho can do what no other liorso has done previously, viz., win the Great Northern Steeplechase three years in succession. Levanter won twice, but no other horso excopt tho pair named had equalled this record, though Kiatoro won twice, with a break in betwoen. Waimai seems to bo held safe by El Gallo, but Braeburn and Morecamba should both show up of tho light-weights. St. Elmn looks tho most likely to bocorao prominent at the finish. He is a rare stayor and a good jumper, and his forward running in tho Hurdles draws attention to his prospects. THE OTAKI MEETING. The absenco of train facilities for patrons of tho Otaki Club will havo a serious effect on tho returns from Ihe meeting, and thero is not likely to bo tho crowd present as in forrnor yearn. Tho day's racing will commonco* with the Maiden Race, in which, a good-sized field will go to the post. Black Hill (All Black—Killindini) may be the most fancied. In l.ho Flying Hack Handicap, six furlongs, tho top weight, Matty, is not locating a very good field, and sho may be tho medium of big support. Madan\ Rislori has several placed performances to her credit, and l.ho Valknco-owned Tuticorn and Brown Study nro both useful sorls. . . _ Tho two fop weights in tho Hack Steeples both raced at Wanganui, but neither Kurapai nor Arlington, ran well enough lo suggest an early victory for them under big weights. Merry Jack finished close up in his only start at Wanganui,_ and the trio that were in front of him aro all useful. Mr. Gainlord's horso rnuy bo favourite to-day, ivhilo Precious Metal, who is seasoned I with racing, "should bo well up. Tho Raukawa Cup ia a very opon race, and amongst tho field thero appears' to bo tho material for a surprise. Bee, Play OIT, Tango, and Henry Clay are lin-' likely starters. The useful Teka is not meeting the same clbss as opposed him at Hastings, and be may go out, favourilo. Detroit and Beltane will both bo well supported. f Altercation's form behind Hcndrn at Trentham, when Mnltaino was amongst the beaton division, _ should ensure tho black golding receiving plenty of support in tho .Otalci Handioap, one mile. Rio was prominent behind Johnny Walker at Wanganui, whilo ,an apprentice allowance will brinj Rongora's weight down to 7st. 21b., which should make her uangorous. There is such a big field engaged in the llaiiui Handicap that a, lot of notice will be taken of the draw for positions at tho harrier. The two top weights, Lady Black and 31 ia Cam, are both good performers. on heavy tracks,, and tuey may show up. .Revocation , won on this courso last; year, and ho was prominent In the open sprint on tho oponing day at Wanganui. Veto also races well on this track, and won. last year, whilo bo also showed up at Wanganui. Johnny _ Walker will not bo a starler in tho Birthday Welter, and in his abncnco tho public may make Sunny Climes favourite, as the Highden Jilly'has beon racing better of late, and seemed to be unlucky in ber last start .at Awapuni.