SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 17 June 1924, Page 8

SPORTING.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. I? rn- ""' (By Maecenas). The winter meeting of tlie Napier Park Racing Club is set down for Friday and Saturday next. Good judges say that Admiral Codrmgton wilt win a big hurdle race during the current season. As Admiral Codrington carries weight much better than most horses, trainer Harry Hickey should get some stake money with the chestnut gelding in hurdle races. On his showing at Ellerslie, Lochson is the- best hurdler over a two-mile course at present in commission, but 2£ miles is just beyond him. Nightraider has the name of being roguish, but at the recent Auckland meeting he ran three splendid races, but unfortunately for his owner struck extra good hacks in Yoma, White Comet and Gala Day. At the Wanganui meeting Buckeye showed very promising form, and if he has gone on the rightwav should get some stake money at the‘Napier Park or Hawke’s Bay Winter meetings. Although Glenotus failed to get stake money at the recent Auckland meeting, he may do better at such meetings as Wellington and Canterbury, where the ‘‘country” is more difficult than at Ellerslie.

It transpires that Black Art- ‘fractured his pelvis during the running of the Great Northern Steeples, so that under this disability he ran surprisingly well as far as he was allowed to go.

Aucklanders say that Glenotus is a first-class gelding over steeplechase courses, and this no doubt is true, but at the recent meeting at Ellerslie the fast pace set by Sir Rosebery not only troubled Glenotus, but the big majority of other runners.

The defeat of Soliform on the last day of the Auckland meeting can be put down to his being short of just another race. Had Soliform been started on the middle day it is more than possible- he would have rewarded his owner with a win on the com-inding day. Passin’ Through will race at the Napier Park and Hawke’s Bay meeting prior to being sent home to-" Taranaki, and if he is not troubled by the bleeding ailment he may pay expenses on the trip, as he is a. clever jumper, arid is' endowed with nace.

After racing in the Greenlane Steeplechase on the opening day at Ellerslie, Passiu’ Through again had a slight attack of bleeding, but. despite this ran agood race. On the third day Passiu’ I’ll rough was again produced, and although tlie Guanforte gelding failed to gain a place, h e finished on better than most of his opponents. Since his success over the useful Lochson at -the Wanganui meeting, Tenterfield has gone on the right wav and is expected to show up well in hurdle races decided at the Napier Parle and Hawke’s Bay meetings. Since being put to the jumping branch of racing/ Tenterfield has ran on more courageously in his races. Every jumper does not take kindly to the brush hurdles used at the Auckland Racing Club’s meetings, and at the recent gathering held at Eiierslie those present witnessed some poor attemjts by the big majority of horses which' competed in hurdle races. Whether the right-handed going or the brush or, top of the jump was responsible, the fact remains that less than 33 per cent, of .hurdlers jumped them well. Sir Rosebery tost trainer-owner W Garrett £2OO, and at the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting alone Sir Rosebery credited his owner with Cr'OOO, and as he is certain to gain nut her successes this gelding can be written down as one of the bargains sometimes offering in horseflesh. ‘ Sir Rosebery has all the qualifications of a first-class steeplechaser—clever jumper, stavs veil, and has more pace than most "crosscountry” horses.

The three geldings—Scion, Kipling and Captain Sarto—sold recently to South Island sportsmen, all brought good prices, and one is safe in saving that if sold in this island their owners would lie regarded as well paid if tlie trio named brought half the amount paid by the southerners, although it may be said that at least Cantain Saito and Kipling should do well m the weak class of the south.