NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 74, 27 March 1912, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Sir Bedivere.) Since the last meeting at Opa-ki the main buildings were, it will bo remembered, destroyed by fire. Those who may be present at tho opening of the Masterton Glub'B meeting to-morrow will therefore note big changes in the appointments. ( Mr. H. R. M'Kenzie, proprietor of th» Ascot , Stud, Mangere, leaves Wellington to-merrew, «n route to Sydney. His yearling ' c»lt by Soult— Lady Hester is to be offered ut the Randwick ■sales. Idealism, who jumps cleverly and showed good form on the flat at the Napier Park meeting, is now favourite for the, Brighton Hurdles, in which he will be ridden by Julian. Master Theory, upon whom Pinker will have the mount, is also well fancied for the event named. A. Jackson haß recommieeioned the Cuirassier gelding John, in the hope that he will be able to take part in the important hurdle races this winter. The Taranaki Herald reprints an account of the Garrison races which appeared in ite columns in 1862, and it makes most interesting reading. In the course thereof we are told that "the Tara-naki herses bore cad evidence of the effects of the war, the few left by the Maoris being either advanced in years or brood mares, which for a Jong period have greatly suffered from being kept in small paddocks, with a, very limited supply of grass." The fixture extended over three days, and in all eight events were decided, each of which was run in heats. Of these War Eaglo, a horse bred by Captain Trafford in the Eangitikei district, and got by Riddlesworth from Roxiaua, an English thoroughbred mare imported by the Hon. Petre, of the Hutt, won six. Five of his successes were gained on the flat and the remaining one in a hurdle race, the conditions of which were "four leaps 4ft high, one-mile heate, \voighf> for-age." War Eagle, who wae owned by Dr. Gibson, wae described as a powerfully-built horse, dark chestnut in colour, and was trained and ridden by J. Day. The remaining two events were .won by Nell Gwynne, ridden by A. Ross, and M.T.8., ridden by Major St. Clair. J The withdrawal of Bonny Glen from the Great Autumn Handicap is due to his again having gone amiss. He showed signs of soreness after his gallop on Saturday. At hie best he was quite .among the., front rank, and .many. keen,, judgea were prepared to see Jiinii givb a good account of himself under 7.2. The news to tho effect that 'the American breeder, ■ Mr. Wlieatcroft, was well satisfied .with the prices hi* 1 blood 6tock realised an Sydney, . will be received in certain _ quarters with feelings of regret. There is the consequent fear that other American' studmaeters may determine to dump blood stock into Australia, and this irrespective of its quality. A further invasion would be detrimental, not only to tho interests of Australian breeders, but in_ all probability to the Turf itself. Having glanced through the catalogue of Mr. Wne^tcrofl's importations, I can vouch for it that the pedigrees of comparatively few of the mares therein referred to are quite free from blemish. The flaws may be of no very great moment, for they mostly occur in the centre or towards the top of the pedigree. But there they are, and there being an ample supply of doubt-fully-bred mares in Australia already, further introductions of stock of this class cannot be regarded ac desirable. At the sale of Mr. Stanley Howard's horses, held by Messrs. Tattersall last month, Jenkinstown, the Grand National Steeplechase winner of 1910, was purchased by Mr. G. Blundell, who used to race as "G. Walmtley," for 3300 guineas.. It is the largest cum ever paid for an unsexed 'chaser, being, unless my memory is. at fault, 300 guineas in excess of the price given by King Edward VII. for the ex-New Zealand jumper Moifaa.. Shortly after his sale Moifaa turned roarer, and all chance of his winning his second National was thus at an end. It is to 'be hoped the purchase of Jenkinstown will be attended with happier results. When the lastmail left Englaoid he was well fancied for the Aintfee race, but Jerry M. and Rathually were equal favourites, wbilbt Rory o' Moore, Fetlar'« Pride, and Cambeen each had a strong following. The latest English files to hand bring news of the death of Mr. Miles I'Anson, who for many years was clerk of the course at York and Doncastor. The deceased sportsman was the youngest son of Mr.. William I'Anson, the owner of Blink Bonny and other 'noted horses, including Caller Ou. winner of the St. Leger in 1861; Blair Alhol, the Derby hero of 1864 ; Breadalbaiie and Bromielaw. From hte father he inherited the Blink Bonny Stud, which he canied on in conjunction with his . duties as a racecourse official. Mr. Miles I'Anson was One of the most popular clerks of the cowbe in England, and no doubt there are a number of sportsmen in this country who have at various times been indebted to him for his unfailing courtepy. ; At a recent meeting at Gatwick odds wore laid upon Wand for tho Past and Present Naval and Military Steeplechase. The supposedly good thing wae destined to come undone, however, for when twenty; lengths or more ahead Wand stuck in his toes and refused at the lact fence. A section of the crowd in the outside enclosure started in to hoot Captain de Crespigny as he rode back to scale, and, after dismounting, the captain walked into the ring and enquired if anyone had anything to pay about it. Those who had been responsible for tlie outcry preferred to keep quiet, however, and po the incident ended. This calls to mind an episode in which Mr. Spencer Golian was once concprned. In tnu case referred to Mr. Gohan was riding his mount back to scale when a well-known identity called out, "It is v pity the reins didn't break." That was enough for Mr. Gollan, who, riding up alongside tho fence, promptly cut the inter jector right across tho face with his whip. There ai'6 no doubt many of onv present-day lacegocrs mlio will" remember the mci* dci>t. Arrangements have been made to ship Counterfeit .north on 2nd April. She •will ho ridden in the Great Northern Oaka by J. M'Glu»ke.iv

Los Angelo? and Culprit are reported to be in fine trim, and the Ohokcbore trio. Autumnup, Masterpiece, and.Heatherbrae A are alfio bowling along in good style. Winning Way waa. recently spelled, and doubts are expressed as to her boing quite ready to do herself justice at tho C.J.C. xVutumn Meeting. This being do, Autumnus will really be tho only two-year-old Ermengarde will have to beat in the Champagne and Challenge Stakes. Bonny Glen hue pulled up lame more than once recently, and lias also bled at the noso. Hie owner-trainer hopes to be able to get a race out of him at Riccarton next month* but he realised it was xiselees to persevere bo far as the Great Autumn Handicap wae concerned.