NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 36, 10 August 1918, Page 16

NOTES AND COMMENTS

CX "SIR lANCEIOT.">

Final payments for the leading events at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting close on Monday next.

The Masterton Racing Club last season, in response to the Government's appeal, put in a crop of wheat at the racecourse at Opaki. In referring at the annual meeting of the club to the drop in the profits from the club's farm last year, Mr. C. P. Vallance stated: that the club's experience was similar to that of many farmers, viz., that wheat-grow-ing was not as profitable as the growing of root crops. Mr. W. H. Hartgill has been appointed judge, Mr. C. O'Connor starter, and Mr. J. L. Henrys handicapper to th«* Masterton Racing Club for the ensuing season.

Although (says an English writer) the Derby put the stamp of versatility on Gainsborough, more especially in the eyes of those who saw the race from beginning to end, it was left for the Newmarket Gold Cup to show his extreme likeness to his sire. Not that Gainsborough resembles Bayardo iri make and shape, for the son is built on even more sturdy lines tttan was the sire, but that peculiar gift of getting out of difficulties which. Bayardo demonstrated on so many occasions has obviously been inherited in greater degree by this latest champion of the Hampton line than by any other representative of this particular family. It is true that in beating Planet and Dansellon, Childs was never in any sort of trouble on Gainsborough, but the manner of his winning ■ proved his nippiness of action . as might never have been revealed in a larger field. Tuticorn, the Sarto gelding that races in Mr. C. F. Vallauce's > colours, has changed stables at Opaki, and will in future be trained by T. Pritchard. Writing of the New Oaks, for which, after winning, Stony Ford was disqualified, an English writer Bays: 'Tor the last half-mile there were but two in it. Stony Ford, when, just in front, seemed to become unbalanced, and Martin was forced to have recourse to his whip. /No sooner had he shown the daughter of Swynford this than -she darted across My Dear, dealing out to Mr. Cox's filly a bump of come force. This naturally threw ■ My Dear out of' her stride, with the result that at the Exeter course winning post Stony Ford was the best part of three lengths in front. Shortly after this she began to tiro, and made another dart irt front of My Dear to tho stand side, putting a further obstacle in the Man ton filly's way. The latter came again despite thie interference, but Stony Forei- went on to win by a length. No sooner had the post been passed than there was much talk of an objection, and one was lodged as soon as Donoghua got back to the scale. The stewards went into this most thoroughly, and.after interviewing most of the jockeys, they had no alternative 'but to enforce the letter of racing lav, and finding that My Dear had been both bumped and bored:, disqualified -Stony Ford and awarded the race to My Dear." Mr. A. Keith has been appointed starter to the Feildinft Jockey Club. The Howkes Bay Jockey Club paid the Government £7602 in taxes last year. Mr. Bert Coyle has been reappointed handicapiper to the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club. ■-■'■

Bore is reported' to be lame after a gallop he had this week. Brambletye Was also sore on Thursday 1. She shows signs of lameness in front.. . Kauri King, Fisher, and Sir Fisher did a round over foiir flights of hurdles at Riccarton on Thursday. They maintained a solid, pace all the way, fencing very well and keeping close company all through the journey. The trio cleared the last obstacle almost on terms.

It is stated that Moddite may not be a competitor in the Grand National Steeplechase. Ho' is engaged in the Enfield Steeplechase.

It is stated in a contemporary (says "Sir Modred"), with regard to the breeding of Cathedral Chimes, that his breeder, Mr. James M'Ewan, of Gore, claims that the great son of Four Chimes -was from Jean Armour, who in turn is the daughter of a King Harold mare, the last-named dam being a half-draught mare. The -well-known Gore ownertrainer, Mr. A. Scott, who played a very prominent part in the development of Cathedral Chimes as a racehorse, emphatically denies that the horse is descended from a draught strain as stated. Mr. Scott says that he has evidence to the effect that Cathedral Chimes comes direct from a thoroughbred grand-dam, and that he has in his possession the strongest of proof to this end. It is vmderstood that more will be heard of the matter in dispute. It has to be said of Cathedral Chimes that ho does not exhibit any of the characteristics of the Clydesdale, and his possession of extreme speed and great staying powers favours the idea that there is a strong infusion of thoroughbred blood somewhere in his pedigree.. Any future discussion as to the origin of the brilliant Southlander will be eagerly followed by students of the breeding of light harness horses.

Hector Gray has recovered from his attack of rheumatism and went South yesterday. He will ride Hydrus in the Winter Cup. It has been definitely decided not to send Crown, Pearl to the Grand National Meeting. ■ P. G. Carmont has Lady Louisa looking in excellent fettle. The going at Riccavton, will probably be on the heavy side, which will suit the daughter of Campfire, who has run her best races when the going has been eoft. Kauri King shaped well in a, school over four hurdles on Tuesday, finishing alongside Sleight of Hand, and going on strongly at the finish. It -was the first time he 'had been jumped since he raced in Hawkes Bay, more than a month ago, a fact which made the performance ell the more- creditable.

Mr. G. L. Stead 1 has lost Petrosus, by Birkenhead —Petrovna, through premature foaling. She. was in foal to Nassau, andi was to have been sold by auction next week. :

When' the programme for tho next meeting of the Masterton Racing Club was under discussion at a meeting of the stewards this week it was stated that ati kast, twenty two-year-olds in training in tho Wairarapa would be entered for the Trial Plate.

The appeal of Mr. A. Brightwell, owner of Master Boris, lias been allowed by the Military Appeal Board on account of his being over age. Wishful's performance- over four huidles on Tuesday, in company with Gladful, was a great improvement on his pre-vious jumpiiig effort a few days earlier. The Borriform gelding has the reputation of being a moody customer, and his race record is somewhat patchy, though on his day ne represents really good form. / Nightwatch, which captured the Malvina Welter at. Tlemington recently, is a fonr-year-old gelding by St. Alwyno (imp.) from the wonderful Trenton mar© Wakeful. When the war broke ont Mr. C. L. Macdonald thought that prices for ■thoroughbred' cfcocfe would fall far below

normal, and he did not send the Wakeful yearlings up for sale in 1916. Nightwatch was originally trained at Randwick by W. Kelso. Brought over to Victoria, he went into the stable of C. Quinn, and in May of last year was placed in a Second Division Handicap at Epsom. Now trained by R. Bradfield, Night-watch, has struck form that may make him a factor to be reckoned with in tho Cups, seeing that he has been allotted the minimum weight. The way in which, he finished on Saturday was impressive.

Kahumangu accompanied Merry Lad to Riccarton this week.

The Masterton Racing Club has decided to turn down a request to make another grass track at the Opaki course. Minor improvements are to be made to tho plough track. ■■

Gamecock does most of his work alone and ovur short courses. On Tuesday, however, he was sent for a seven furlong- gallop with Adjutant, whom he held very comfortably at the finish. Gamecock was a smart two-year-old, but he went through last season without once showing a glimpse of his best form. Latterly he has shaped Tather at-tra-ctiveiy in some of his track gallops, and he may yet reward his connections for their patience. There is an impression that he is» not a solid horse in his races, but he has frequently demonstrated that he possesses a fair turn of speed.

Private advices from Christchurch am to the effect that Form Up is galloping in a -satisfactory manner. The • Birkenhead mare Arai-te-Uru, dam of Taringamutu, Kilboyne, Kilrea, and Kalalla, has foaled a filly to the imported liars* Winkis, son of "William the Third.

The annual meeting of- members of the Auckland Racing Club was held on the sth inst. The report states that diiring the year four race metings were held by the club on eight days, as against eleven in tho previous season. £34,550 was given away in stakes, and this amount will be increased for the coming season. The ground and buildings have been maintained in a good state, and the area of the property has been increased by the purchase of additional land which will permit of a much-needed extension of both, inside and outside enclosures in order to accommodate the ever-growing attendances at the club's gatherings. After writing ofi £3676 10s 2d. for depreciation, a sum of £5981 Os "4di remains to be carried- to capital account. The committee has continued to give liberally to the various patriotic funds, and thes's donations since. tho commencement of <3ie war now amount to £7612, besides •which £20,000 has been subscribed to the New Zealand War Losing Tho commitfceo refers with regret to the deaths of Mr. Murdoch M'Lean, who for many years rendered good service in the management of the club's affairs,and the late secretary, Mr. J. F. Hartland, who had proved himself a capable and popular official. The 'Hon. B. Mitchelson and Mr. H. T. Gome, being the only nominees for the offices of president and vice-president respectively, were declared duly elected.