NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 40, 16 August 1917, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By " Sir Lancelot.")

Splendid weather prevailed for the opening day of the Metropolitan Trotting Meeting at Addington yesterday. The track was heavy, and the times generally slow. The only member of D. Nyhan's Petone team to get in the money was Mahinga, who ran second in the Trial Handicap. Some big dividends were paid, General Wylie's and Treasure Seeker's being the largest. A. Fleming drove Hardy Wilkes and St. Ursula to victory. Two of tho progeny of Marvin Wilkes (Hardy Wilkes and Sir Fulham) started, and both were successful The official stand, which was destroyed by fire in a sensational manner in November, has been rebuilt, and was used for the first time yesterday. • After racing at Riccarton this week, Art, top-weight in the Grand National Hurdles and winner of that event last year, will be sent home to his owner's station, where he will be given a spell, which he has thoroughly earned, as he has been in active commission for more than two years, with only slight vests.-,. During his absence from his training quarters (says the Lytteltbn Times) he will be used as a hack by_ Mr. G. Fulton, so that he will get enough exercise to keep Mm in good health. When he returns to Riccarton he will be accompanied by the Birkenhead gelding Banian, who is making a good recovery from the accident that happened to him just before Eaeter. In the meantime, Mr. Fulton will fill Art's place in. E. Longley's stable with Phil Afay, who has lately had a spell. The son of Count Witte—Edna May has no public form to recommend him, though he has shown that he can muster up some pace on the training track. Tho Auckland District Committee has deferred tho application of H. Goldfinch for a. jockey's license for a. month. The Marlborough Racing Olub a-t its annual meeting of members resolved to support the suggestion of the committee to 'transfer from the Canterbury to the Wellington district. It was decided to issue* to members a farther £700 worth of debentures. The balance-sheet showed that the bank overdraft on. Ist July was £2161 10s lOd.

The San Fran mare Cherry Blossom, who won the Winter Cup last year from end to end, arrived at Riccarton some time ago, with a view to contesting tho same event again. Unfortunately she pulled up lame after working one morning, and her owner (Mr. F. Armstrong) has decided to retire her to the stud, arrangements having been made for mating her with! Sarto. When R. J. Mason left for Sydney with some of Mr. G. D. Greenwood's horses, the team included Bimeter, an Australian-bred horse, by Maltster. At the time of his departure Mason stated that it was intended to sell Bimeter, if possible, and this part of the programme has been earned out, the horse being disposed of last week. Bimeter is a brilliant sprinter, and he should soon win back some of his purchase money in six furlong events. Mr. J. B. Roid has three English-bred stallions at the Elderslie stnd this_ season Kilbroney is already established as a successful sire, his list being^ full. Sunny Lake, by Sundridge, and Wmkie, by William the Third, are both young horses, with their reputations to make. Mr. R-eid used Sunny Lake to.sonic extent last year, and he intends this year to mate ten of his own mares with .Wmkie.

F. Tutchen, who- went into camp a few weeks a^o, secured the necessary -leave for the Grand National Meeting, and he will ride St. Elnin this week.