NOTES AND COMMENTS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 12

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BY "VEDETTE.")

FIXTURES. October 3— Kurow J.C. October «, 6, 8, 11—Australian J.C. October 4—Pakuranga Hunt Club. October 9, 11—Dunedin J.C. October 10, 11—Masterton B.C.

Although the Kurow Meeting is held in a rather out-of-the-way place, it is nevertheless a popular fixture in the South. The date ia well arranged, coming after Geraldine and leading up to Dunedin.

The seven left in the Kurow Handicap represent useful class. Red Wink, if at his best, should make light of his 9 stone, for all'of those with any pretensions to useful class are fairly close tohim in the weights. Happy Warrior and Waetea may be the hardest to beat, for both aro in good racing trim.

Those who were at the Ashburton and Geraldine Meetings considered that' Stream was an early winner. The Sunny Lake mare is in at the minimum in the Hakataramea Welter.

Gold Brick, who had two thirds to his credit at Geraldine, is engaged ia the Novice Plate.

It savours', of recklessness to hazard any opinion of the prospects of the seven left in. the Waitangi Steeplechase. They constitute a very poor sample of jumpers, and speculations should be light on this event. '

Half of the acceptors in the Publicans' Handicap have yet to race this season. La Reve seems to have left with her field on the second day at Geraldine, and if she could be relied on to behave to-morrow, she is not badly treated with 7.12. Tione had a race at the Hunt Meeting in Dunedin, and if backed by his connections should run well. The Nassau—Polly Prim gelding Shandre is an improving sort, and has everything in his favour with regard to weight. Songbird is due to be seen out again in the Belfiold'Handicap. Even though he has a big load to carry, the-"weight does not seem to trouble a good one, especially when the course is short and the opposition not strong. The receipt of the programme of the Takapuna Jockey Club for the 1924-25 season is acknowledged.

J. H. Gainsford, who at one time rode and trained in New Zealand,, thinks highly of his three-year-old Bedonia. It is his intention, however, not to start his gelding in the A.J.O. Derby, for he thinks a mile and a half rather beyond the compass of such a free galloper as yet. It is pointed out that many a good sprinter has been spoiled for a year or two, or for all time, by vain efforts to make them into stayers in order that owners might see their colours carried in a Derby.

Wallace Mortlake, who has 7.9 in the Melbourne Cup, was supported by many good judges for that race after'" his third to Heroic and Gloaming in the Chelnisford Stakes. The Australian owner of the big string of horses, of whom Wallace Mortlake is one, who races as Mr. J. Baron, should have a good season. When in New Zealand some months ago, "Mr. Baron" was asked by "Vedette" if he had anything as good as his old champion, Prince Foote. "Mr. Baron" said ho had a three-year-old better than Prince Foote, in Leslie Wallace. The latter, although not so froely discussed in Sydney as Nigger Minstrel and Heroic, is not such a groat way behind them in the betting on the A J C Derby, so evidently the weight of money which has placed him so high up in the market is not public money. If Leslie Wallace is really bettor tlian Prince Footo was at his age, then tho throe-year-olds in Australia will have a hard task to beat him. Prince Footo did what only a rsilly good three-year-old could do for he won the A.J.C. Derby, then went on to Melbourne \von tho V.R.C. Dorby, and three days later the Melbourno Cup! Tho Absurd horse Farceur has been galloping well in his work in Sydney. He is not so much in the limelight as many of tlio other horses, for he is trained at Kensington.

Mr. John Meynink, the owner of Trimacre, had his sadness over her'defeat by Julia Grey in the Tramway Handicap, a"t Randwick, brightened by a small gleam of sunshine. A prominent ringman was chaffing him that tho Cooltrim mare was a good thing, and challenged him to put some more money on her, whereupon Mr. Meynink remarked that she might easily be beaten. "You can't pick one to beat her," said the riugman. "Well, what price Julia Grey?" rejoined the owner, Julia being the first to enter his mind, because of her fine run on the previous Saturday. The bookmaker named the price, tho bet was made, and a request for a much larger parcel at the same quote silenced the layer-of-odds. Which recalls the old adage about the ounce of luck.

Nominations for all events at the CartDrton Racing Club's Meeting, to be held on the 18th instant, close on Friday (3rd instant), at 9 p.m. The telegraph office at Carterton closes at 8 p.m.

The Masterton Racing Club's Spring Meeting will be held on Friday and. Saturday, 10th and lltli instant. Acceptances for the first day close on Friday, 3rd instant, at g p.m.