NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 October 1928, Page 5

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By “Maecenas.”) Sapient- (Kilbroney—Merit-) and Push (Night Raid —Bouta.de ), two of the starters in Saturday’s two-year-old race at Masterton, exhibited pace, and should win races They are trained by S. Reid for Mr. Y. Riddiford. / Equitant, the half-sister by Paper Money to Qratrix, was responsible for a good effort to finish second to the well seasoned Royal Flyer at Masterton. Equitant was finishing well and Royal Flyer had very little in reserve. Old Sunart was a runner at Opaki last Saturday, but was neglected in the betting, and, as he showed no form, it was justified. It looks as if Sunart is past the stage when success can be expected of him. Evidently on the strength of his second to Toxeuma in the recently run Hawke’s Bay Guineas, Moorgas was backed very strongly in the Lawn Handicap at the recent Masterton meeting. At no stage of the race did Mohrgas look like winning, and does nob appear to be of much account. He has certainly cost backers a lot of money in the past. As a two-year-old Miss Gowrie showed speed enough to suggest her being useful in this season’s hack races, but if last Saturday’s showing was any criterion of her worth, then she had better be retired from the race track. But possibly Miss Gowrie will do better later. After being off the scene for ten months Star Area was produced at the Masterton meeting last Saturday. His rider did nob give him a moment’s peace, but even then Star Area ran ■an excellent second. Star Area isnow under the cure of M, Gardiner, who will secure some prize money with the gelding if he keeps sound. The well-known Wellington owner Mr. E. Riddiford intends ' going to England for a trip, and in consequence all his horses are for sale. After running third in the principal handicap at Masterton on Saturday Wild Pigeon was disposed of. Saturday’s performance was the best Wild Pigeon has registered since she won the Oalcs at Riccarbon last November. Black Mint was a runner in the Masterton Handicap on Saturday last. He had done very little work and, consequently, was not fancied by his they relying more on Royal Game. The last-named subsequently divided the prize. Half a fur- • long from the winning post Black Mint was going at least as well as Royal Game, but lack of condition t-olcl on Black Mint-, who petered out in the last few chains, though his- forward running is worth noting in view of future racing. Experience, and the -help of L. G. Morris, were factors that brought success to Royal Flyer in the Nursery

Handicap at Opaki on Saturday. While the Australian-bred two-year-old responded well to his rider’s call, and showed courage, he did not impress as one that will take a high place in classical racing, but, well placed, Royal Flyer should at least win plenty of prize money. The surprise of the Alas ter ton meeting last Saturday was the dividend paid by Commendation, who was opposed by a weak field. No doubt his bad conduct at the barrier at Ellerslie a few days ago would; prevent many risking their cash on him. On Carterton form Rillet looked to possess a rare chance in the Maiden Stakes at the Masterton meeting last Saturday. In the big field of twenty starters her rider was unlucky enough to draw the outside position at the barrier. However, Rillet began remarkably well when the tapes rose, and was just about to take the lead after three furlongs had been traversed when her legs appeared to go from under her and she lost hex' rider (T. Green). Careering on, Rillet tried to jump a. fence and got badly staked under the armpit. So severe is the injury that Rillet may be useless for racing again. Since leaving trainer F. Tilley’s stable Shining Armour has been competing against second class company, and in suen ne has done well. At the Masterton meeting last Saturday Shining Armour won very easily, and as he is well just now further success will fall to him, if raced against the class he has met of late.

As is usual with meetings of the Wellington Racing Club, the acceptances disclosed for the coming meeting are large and representative. Taranaki stables are well represented in most of the races to be run at Trentham on Saturday, but. we have not a horse engaged in either the principal handicap or classical race. The fact that Gothic beat the fit and brilliant Amounts in the Caulfield Stakes last Saturday will more than ever convince owner Air. Sol Green that he is superior to even Limerick. At the recent meeting of the A.J.C. the owner of Gothic is reported to have stated that he was prepared, to back Gothic for £IO,OOO to beat Limerick over a mile, but stipulated that the ©vent was to be run in Victoria. When Commendation walked into the birdcage at Alasterton last Saturday he appeared to be on the big side, his barrel in particular looking anything hut that of a fit gelding. Certainly the class of competitor opposed to Commendation was only moderate, but lie carried his 10.13 to beat them in a manner that left no doubt about his being nearly at this best. It is claimed that Commendation has a dislike to the Ellerslie course, owing to receiving severe punishment there when on a former visit, at which time he misbehaved himself. Horses have long memories, and some do not quickly forget any unpleasant feature, so with this in mind it was a debatable i>oint whether Commendation' should have been sent to Ellerslie for the recent meeting there. Unfortunately, the gelding mis sent and again played up.