THE TURF.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1909, Page 2

THE TURF.

■*• NOTES AND COMMENTS. Hawera and Ashburton meetings will be concluded to-morrow, and then it's a case of clear decks in order to earn our winter oats — mixed metaphor, but these aro strenuous days, and one has not the leisure to forge more pointed verbal shafts. Wanganui and Auckland weights have been issued. It is not my intention to devote much space to tho adjustments. The steeplechase form is nearly a year old, but with seasoned 'chasers it is remarkable the fidelity with which they duplicate, so to speak, their best form, even after an extended spell. The j Auckland set of problems can very well ' wait until Wanganui furnishes us with data, more or less reliable. The double eventers are out with their charts, and with here and there an exception, noticea.bly with horses hailing from one j strong stable, the prices on ofier cannot be cavilled at, and any punter who has, the luck to land home with both | barrels will get a fitting financial souvenir of the occasion. Mr. Morse, in this year's Wanganui Steeple, was only called upon to deal with three of the competitors in the I race in which poor Bill Fahey got that fatal fall from Arahura. Tilson, the winner, goes up 81b, Kaipetipeti, run-ner-up, has 51b more, whilst Eurus, J who was Unplaced, is raised 41b. Of this trio I am inclined to think the credentials of- Eurus are the best, for he won a very fast Grand National, and followed that up by carrying 11.8 prominently in the C.J.C. Beaufort Steeple, won by Gold Seal. Last May Mr. Rutherford's horse was very backward, but Clark does not intend this to happen again, and the two races the Euroclydon gelding had over hurdles at Trentham last month will help get the "suet" off. Kaipetipeti does not quite see out a three-mile journey ; his pace and quick jumping, however, will always make him a formidable competitor* over two miles or so. Tilson, on his two runs at Riccarton in August, is held safe enough by Kiatere. Anyway, Mr. Orr's gelding is such) a tearaway customer that he invariably runs himself to a standstill. He was lucky at Wanganui, because none of the opposition had a gallop left in them when the last furlong was entered upon. Audax won the Lincoln Steeple, 2£ miles, with 9.13 up, in record time. This Birkenhead has been awarded 161b more, or 11.1. A tremendously fast horse, a bold leaper and up to welter weights, Audax is, nevertheless, one that likes to win his race all the way. Whether he would stomach his gruel at the end> of a three-mile journey has yet to be proved. The chances are, nowever, that his great pace would enable him to establish a break on the field that would "break" them in the effort to make it up. Kiatere was second to Audax in the Lincoln ; at Wanganui he will have nearly a stone in his favour, as compared with Riccarton. Le Beau was second in the C.J.C. National, with 10.1, in which Kiatere, 12.8, fell at the sod wall. Later on in the week Kiatere twice finished in front of Le Beau, and unless the latter has made substantial improvement, the older horse should have a slight pull over him from a weights and measures point of view. Kiatere also has none the worse of theacomparison with Eurus. In the C.J.C. National the Euroclydon gelding had 10.2 ; at Wanganui he will have to carry 151b more, whereas the etout-hearted Castor has 21b less. A concession of 171b means a lot to a horse oH Kiatere's class. On paper, therefore, Kiatere should put "paid" to the account of Le Beau, who in turn has none the worse of matters with Eurus, and he should have a hammerlock on Tilson and Kaipetipeti. Condition and owners' plans may alter the nicety of all this, but sooner or later its accuracy will be borne out. Le Beau is said to be a doubtful starter. With Ben Jonson out of the Century (Hurdles, Paritutu heads tho handicap with 11.8, or a pound lees than he carried in his memorable battle with Stormont last August. A mighty stayer over hardies, this event should be run just to suit the old warrior. A sound pace will bo ensured if either Hean or JVTaidi starts, and tho Wanganui battens, stout blue gum and as firm as steel, will take the fervour out of any of tho competitors who venture on any liberty. (Master Douglas, Exmoor, Lyrist, and Ormond's elect catch the eye, All are fast, and have claims for (§onsideration. Exmoor has already a Century (Hurdles to his credit, and his jumping is a delight to watch Acceptances, which are due on Monday next, may help clear the course. Anyway, we may then know which of Ormond's pair is intended for Wanganui. A telegram states that George Pricu has been appointed private trainer to •Mr. Highden. Price will take over tho horses from Shearsby on 21st May. Mr. Highden has purchased training stables and 13 acres of land at Awapuni. Geo. Price has been riding for nearly as many years as Jenkins; in fact, I think they were feather-weights together, and his long experience in the saddle fhould prove of considerable assistance to him in his new sphere of activity. Included in Mr. Highden's team are several steeds that will test their new mentor's skill to the full. Perolina is not the easiest mare in the land to train, and Nyland, Vasa, and Colaena are all studies in equine temperament. There is no reason, however, why G. Price should not be successful. F. Davis is an instance of a jockey proving an almost instant success as a trainer. As a jockey, G. flPrice never lacked in zeal, and this, combined with a native shrewdness, will help him in his new vocation. ~~ One gets an idea of the magnitude or the punting on the principal Australian courses when it is learned that an authority who has unique sources of information estimates that the betting public's losses over the A.J.C. Easter meeting were not less than £200,000. Two of the biggest fielders, .Sol Green and Barney Allen, did so well on the first two days that, confident such a downfall of favourites could not last, they "twisted" on the third day and punted heavily, only to go down with the noble army. One (Melbourne backer on St. Leger Day had lost £2000 before the classic came' up for decision. Very pluckily he stepped in and accepted £5000 to £2000 Lord Nolan, and turned* what would have been a disastrous day into "glorious summer." Liko a wise man, he caught the_ first train back to Melbourne. In a mild sort of way some, of our punters have done fairly well lately, and I hear of one who, as the result of his good play at Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay meetings, is over a thousand ahead of the game. •Acceptances for the Great Northern Hurdlo Handicap and the Great Northern Steeplechase, close on Friday at 9 p.m. General entries close at the same time. Owners and trainers are Reminded that nominations for all events at the Otaki Maori Racing Club's winter meeting (except Maiden Flat Race and Final Hack Scurry) close on Friday at 8.30 ,P, P ' m "' THE BLADE.