THE TURF.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 3, 4 July 1910, Page 2

THE TURF.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By Sir Bedivere.) The steeplechase fences are already in readiness for the approaching meeting at Trentham, and all other arrangements at the course are practically completed. Some months ago it was hoped that the sand gallop, which was then being con-i structed, would be available for the winter meeting. The undertaking was a big one, however, and mainly on account of its being found advisable to give the intermediate layer of cinders, which .was. placed on the top of the stone found a-, tion, ample time to settle down firmly, the work could not be pushed forward as expeditiously as had been expected., Once the weather broke, too, the continuation of heavy carting would hava entailed portions of the club's grounds being most severely cut up, and no doubt Mr. M'Glashan acted wisely in deciding to take his time and complete the job next summer. Many of Lowe's horses have been coughing, but the majority are now on the high road to recovery. Lord Kelvin was one ol the first sufferers, but he is now convalescent, and during the past week or two he has been getting through long bouts of trotting exercise. He is to go into regular work again immediately. Among those members of the team which -are looking especially fit is Advantage, who will probably be seen out in some of the short distance events at the winter meeting. Sea Queens-y ounger "half-brother, a gelding, by Kilcheran, is an immensely big horse, standing well over 16.2- Though a pair of bent hocks detract somewhat from hia appearance, he ie a likely-looking sort, and is 'said to be a good, clean mover. The horses under W. Davies' care are wintering nicely, and Moloch! who I understand wiU contest the Parliamentary, Handicap, has evidently been getting through his fair share of work. Ukraine is thickening out in a satisfactory manner, as too la Deploy, but the horse that Buprprised me in this respect waß Sonite. When Davies had his rugs removed I positively did not know him. Instead of being the lanky, overgrown colt that he was when he last raced at Trentham, ha is now a well-Bet-up, muscular horse, drat might easily be mistaken for a four-year-old. More than one keen judgs had something to say in Somite's favour, when after being caught in the tapes, whilst making his first appearance in public, he overhauled his opponents in such an attractive style as to suggest that, with better luck, he would have won. Anyway, hia performance caused many people to support him on the following day, when, However, owing to his mouth being sore, he did not run prominently. He is now a very high-class looking colt indeed, and personally T cannot help thinking tbat in him Davies may at last again have got hold of something a bit above the common. It is to be hoped that this may be so, for during the past season or two Davies has been anything but fortunate in the class of cattle he has handled. First B*ttery, y«ho has been haAting an easy time of it, is looking lusty, as too is little Llanwern, a well-bred horse of excellent quality that should prove useful at tije stud. The lateßt amval at the stable is a two-year-old gelding by First Battery, from Sunbonnet's sister, Trix. He is unbroken ,and of qaurse, quite in the rough, hut there is plenty of time, and he promises to make up' into a powerful horse. It is his owner-trainer's intention to give bin* another year before putting him int«> work. Already the Tirst of the visiting hoiseft have made their appearance at headquarters, the Auckland 'chaser Capitol, and Menschikoff's daughter Electrakoff, having arrived on Saturday. Capitol's presence will add considerable interest to the cross-country events, as owing to influenza trouhles, he has not been seen out previously this winter. Last year he would have gone very near winning at Trentham had he not come to grief at the brush fence about three furlongs from home. Owners and trainers are finally reminded that acceptances for the Wellington Steeplechase and all first-day handicaps, to be decided at the winter ■meeting, together with entries for the Trial Plate, are due this evening at 9 o'clock. News of Nero's re-attendance on tha training tracks at Hastings is welcome. The injury which caused him to pull up lame after contesting the Napier Steeplechase was not apparently so severe as was at first thought. After the racing lie has done at Hawera, Wanganui, Hastings, and Napier Park reoently a week's spell will have done him no harm, and if he now continues to train on satisfactorily he should be right at his best on the 20th of this month. CAPTAIN JINGLE ENQUIRY. [BY TELEGRAPH — PBESS ASSOCIATION.] HASTINGS, 3rd July. The Hawkes Bay Jockey Club resumed its enquiry into the running of Captain Jingle at the winter meeting, and resolved : "That, having heard the evidenoe of Mr. Hennah (owner) and Joe O'Connell (rider), and read a letter from Mr. Brodie, M.R.C.V.S., hi reference to the condition of the horse Captain Jingle, the explanation given, be considered satisfactory. ORPHANS' CLUB. Colonel Collins presided at the fortnightly korero , of the Wellington Orphans' Club, which was held in the Marine Engineers' Institute on Sturday evening. There was a large gathering. Several officers from H.M.S. Pioneer, members of the Wellington and Wanganui Savage Clubs, and Mr. Barry Coney, the well-known baritone, were among the visitors. The chairman told interesting stories of his volunteer days, and the orchestra (under Mr. Herbert Bloy), and Messrs. Coney, Hickmott, Toms, Sievers, Ronald Robertson, Lees, Reid, J. F. Carr, Fletcher, and Absolum contributed musical items, Recitations were given by Messrs. R. Keenan, Robinson, and 0. Sinnel, Professor T. H. Laby, Victoria College, will give & lecturefcte on "Electricity" at the next gathering,