NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 11

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BX " SHI LANCELOT.")

Followers of North Island horses had a particularly bad run at Blenheim on Saturday. The contingent from this side pf the Strajt failed to win a single race, al? though they were in ths minor places on several occasions. The weather on the return journey yesterday was very bad, and those that mads the trip experienced a- rough journey iv more ways than one.

Elmorz did better than in the Farnham Hack Race (the conditions of -which were similar to the Wairou Hack Race) on the opening day. She had to lie content with second place behind Halloweve an aged gelding by Birkenhead—Prologue, and 'half-brother to Sinapis. Halloweve is owned and trained by Mr. G. T. Seymour, a steward of the club. Barleycorn and Bestir again finished first and second in the open sprint event. Jackaroo, who met Barleycorn on a stone better terms than on the opening day, filled the other place. Barleycorn won in bad going on the concluding day at Nelson, and there is no doubt the brother to Joiiii Barleycorn is useful in his class when the sting is out of the ground. The three met again in ths Farewell Welter, in which Barleycorn carried a penalty for the previous win, and again finished in front.

Under the weight of 9.13, Printemps failed in the Flaxbourne Handicap, which went to Gluement, runner-up to Pantler in the Cupl on the opening day. She was produced again in the Farewell, and, carrying a penalty, showed that her previous win was no fluke. Gluement is a six-year-old mare by the muchtravelled sire Glueten from Astonishment, by Sensation, half-sister to Merrie Zealand, Bracken, Heeltap, Dick (by Gluten), and other performers. Gluement is owned and trained by Mr. L. Gibson, who also races Astonishment successfully.

Mr. John Corry scored' his third win with Jonquil, who was placed behind Martinique on the previous day. Jonquil is one of the Solferino breed, from Bella Donna, by.Vasco^-Belle Glair.

Spelsburyi improved with a- race in the Qpawa Welter on the previous day, came out, and won the Omaka Welter, from Rirautaka and Dick. Bayana was a«k*d to concede Spelsbmy two stone, so that there was not a great deal of merit in the winner's performance. Spelsbury is a four-year-old by Boniform-r-Miss Birkenhead, and had not won a race since he scored in a Maiden Hack Race on the same course as a two-year-old. Strange to say, on that occasion Rimutaka also ran second to him. He is owned by Mr. F. N. Dillon, vice-presi-dent of the Marlborough Club. He is so nicely handicapped that he should win again. The top weight, Oakleigh, was allowed to drop out of the Egmont Steeplechase. He may thorefore not be at Wanganui. The Grand National winner may be reserved for the Auckland and Wellington Meetings.

Ashform, who filled a place in the Farnham Hack Race at Blenheim, is a four-year-old half-sister to Gluement, by Bingform (by Boniform—Ringdove). Ashform is owned and trained by P. Reardon.

Dick i-aced at Blenheim on Saturday, and although his name appears among the acceptors for the Egmont Steeplechase, he may not be there, Norman Emms, of Takaka, a prominent man in the trotting- world in the Nelson district, incurred the displeasure of the authorities at Blenheim, and was disqualified for two years. The trouble was in. connection with alleged inconsistent running of Chaucer. The acceptances received for the opening day at Egmpnt must be regarded as very satisfactory. AH Wright ig taking up. a team of four from Foxton, 'ncluding Otauru Kid, who is in good nick, and is expected to show up prominently iii the Tongahoe Hurdle Handicap. He may find it difficult to. conced.6 Penury Rose 171b.

At Trentham, on Saturday • morning, some interesting jumping work was done. Kgerland (M'Sweeney) and Kyoto (M'Brearty) gave a good display in a found over the big fences. En' Route (ll'Sweeney) did two rounds of the trial hurdles, jumping ' splendidly. Both horses are to fulfil their engagements at Wanganui. Militaire and Manchester also jumped the schooling hurdles, and got round safely. A noticeable improvement at the Blenheim Meeting was a new number board donated by Mr. E. S. Rutherford, a member of the committee.

L. G. Butler made his reappearance in the saddle at the Blenheim Meeting, but failed to salute the judge. The Trentham apprentice, D. Butler, who is improving, and A. Reed were the most successful riders, with three wins each.

In the absence of Haigina, Alabama js top-weight in the Telegraph Hack Handicap at Egmont. Mervotja has been paid up for in both the Hurdle Race and Steeplechase on the opening: day at Egmont. The three Reed Brothers wer« riding at Blenheim. In the Pioneer Handicap on the second day they were only opposed by F. C. Porter, on Barleycorn, and the latter scored.

The imported horse, Great Fun, is to make_ his first appearance in a hurdle race in the Dominion at Ha-wera. ' Supporters of Halloweve in the Farnham Hack Handicap- at Blenheim received a third of a century, while the backers of Elmorz got only a fourth of their money back. Bonnie Winkie was allowed to drop out of his engagement on the opening day at Ashburton, also Pluto and Vespucci, leaving Palestrina top-weight Maunu (Wolawa-Float), who races in k■, i ?*£ Brawll's colours, ran last in a held oi four on the concluding day at Blenheim. He was operated on for throat troubles, and this does not appear H- T? f } m ?™ yed k ji" galloping ability. His half-brother, All Aboard, is the best hurdle racer in Sydney at the present tune, and, if he gets a reasonable weight will go near winning at Eandwick next month. ";