THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 239, 3 July 1920, Page 8

THE TURF

0 NOTES AND COMMENTS By Glencok. Acceptances for the first day's handicaps at the Winter Meeting of the Wellington Racing Club close on July 9, at 9 p.m. The appeals of Jockeys Hoc. Hewitt and O'Shcn against their suspension by tho Auckland District Committee are to bo heard in Wellington on Wednesday next. There is a rumour current that tho steeplechaser I/iiko lias developed lameness, and is nn unlikely starter at tho Wellington Meeting. Paraoa has contracted a bud attack of strangles, which was tho reason of his withdrawal from the Wellington Meeting. He is to be returned to his owner nnd given a further lengthy spell. It is not often that horses improve after reaching their .tenth year, but the steeplechaser Compromise affords an exception to the rule. Though now in hia 13th year, he is showing better form than ever. Tho Accident Fund of the New Zealand Racing Conference was £\%V& o_s. id. in credit at the end of the year, this being a slight improvement on the position twelve months ago. Accident fees produced ,£1232 10s.; trainers', jockeys', and emergency riders' fees. XBIB 155.; fines. £35 10s.; and interest, .£lfl!)fl 14s. 9d. The claims met durina the year absorbed .£2UB Is. Mr. I. G. Duncan, owner of the Waikanae stud, in the course of a letter to the "New Zealand Referee," makes it ciuite clear that he is an uncompromising opponent to tho proposal to raise tho minimum weight in handicans from Ost. 71b. to Tat. It is understood Hint Iwth .Messrs. W. G. and G. L. Stead take up tho samo attitude as Mr. Duncan. A Sydney cablegram nnnounces that Amythas lias been awarded Ost. slb. in the Melbourne Cup. In assessing tho New Zealandcr at 81b. over weight for age in the big Flemington race, the hnndicapper has given him hiis full deserts. In fact, it is doubtful if such a stiff proposition is likely to appeal to Mr. Easton. If Amythas is taken to the V.B.C. Spring Meeting there nro a lot of weight-for-ago races at his disposal that should be easier to win than the Melbourne Cup. As both Artilleryman and Richmond Main are amongst the entrants, it will bo interesting to note how they are treated in comparison with Amytktts when the full list of weights comes to hand. When Cynic takes up 6tud duties in the Gisborne district studmaslers will have a well-bred horse at command. His sire, Henry'the First, is by Mellon, who is well known in Maoriland through another of his'sons, Senton Delaval, Cynic's dam, Cynane, is by Cyllene—Sunstar, by Donovan—Distant Shore, by Hermit. Some years ago the Gisborne district sent forth to distant racecourses some very smart jumping performers, and, when the influence of Cynic has had time to make itself felt, backers in the Poverty Iky locality may again come into their own. Tho Melbourne "Herald" is responsible for saying that Artilleryman, who has been spelling at Bacchus Marsh for some weeks, has returned to the Oakleigh Park stable at Flemington, Tho swelling 'on one of the colt's hind legs has not diminished, but it 6till cause's him no inconvenience. On June 19 tho ex-New Zealand sire Demosttenes, was still on view .at Randwick, Sydney, with many inl&vicwers to look him over. He was to be sent to his new home at the Kiora Stud, Scone, some time during the present week. The sire of Amythas is reported to have been greatly admired by New South Wales experts.