NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLI, Issue XLI, 12 July 1921, Page 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Maecenas-)

Trentham wail be as Mecca to sportsmen .w-ougnout tne Liominion on Wednesday and Saturday next, the attraction being tne popular winter fixture o't tne Wellington Racing Clubas usual the club received a splendid response from owners, and it proves conclusively tnat a well-arranged programme Svill always receive consideration'from interested parties. The programme for tiie opening day is somevvnat original tins year, inasmuch as the club are providing, a flat race run over the lengt&y distance of 2\ miles, to be competed for by horses which have run in at least three steeplechases; the competitors must be ridden by riders who have ridden in four obsiacle races (including two steeplechases). This condition is a just one, and gives a chance to horsemen whose weight necessitates their earning a living at the hazardous game of crosscountry riding. Another change this year is the running of the Wellington Steeplechase on the second day of the meeting. Personally I consider this a wise move, as at present there is a dearth of good 'chasers in the Dominion, and it gives an owner a chance to compete in the principal hurdle race on the first day and start his horse in the steeplechase on the second day, although, Btrange to relate, it has not had the desired effect at the Wellington meeting, as Multive and Luperino are the only horses engaged in the "double."

Racing will open at Trentham tomorrow (Wednesday) with the Steeplechasers' Flat. The class engaged are not of the Liberator or El Gallo standard. Nevertheless Omahu is capable of mustering up some pace, and as the black gelding has freshened up since Ellerslie I expect him to touch a short price. Mattock may account" for the rest.

The Stewards' Handicap has drawn an acceptance of no less than twentyseven, included' in which are several good sprinters. In such a field luck plays a very prominent part. If started in this event Admiral Codrington can be depended on to run well while the "hack" Battle Knight is more than useful, and will" beat the majority of runners.

Despite a load of 12.0 Paddhfgton Green will run well in the Hack Steeplechase. He jumped "big coun- j try" well at Hastings, and, well, all I know his pace. W. Bowden will be h^s pilot. A number of fast horses are engaged in the Vittoria Hurdles. Of these Demagogue is most promising. The writer has seen him race over the battens on three occasions, but while the brother to Duo has given a good display he has not been fancied by the correct people. Tq Oro shaped well at Ellerslie,- and Ramanuwhiri and Utuwai performed well at Hastings. However, I expect Demagogue to run well on one day at Trentham. The field engaged in the Parliamentary Handicap is not a particularly strong one, but several of the acceptors are right at their best just now; Although burdened with 11.4 I expect Molyneaux to put up a big battle. Admiral Codrington is another which is capable of a good performance. He was produced twice recently, but was not fancied by his connec tions.. Despite this he ran a great race on each occasion, and it will be' surprising if the "Admiral" dees not show good form in the 'immediate future. Bagdad showed a return to form at Hastings, and as he is somewhat partial to the Trentham course he will probably have a following. The Winter Hurdles has drawn a strong field, and several of the runners will have strong supporters The southerners, Lochella and Gamecock (11.12) head the list. The former is backward, but Gamecock, which comes trom a lucky stable, is well. Multive (11-4) ran two excellent races at Wanganui (his last public appearance), where he put up an Australasian record on the second day. Multive is very well, and is fancied by his connections. Hyginas (11.l) i 8 first class up to, say, If miles, but the final £5 ;S l]? may' find hi. m out- Luperino (10-ld) has a reputation up north, but the class at Trentham is fairly good. Gladful (10.11) ran some sterling races at Ellerslie, and as the bay gelding likes the going soft he should figure prominently. Zola I don't like, hut Simon is a "possibility." Sir Fanci"rtw selected in preference "to Fisher, which is a good recommendation. He is a clever jumper, has plenty of pace, and is well just now, as shown by his forward running at Napier Park, so with Bowden in the saddle to-morrow he will.be one of the most fancied candidates. Sea De'il (9 12) is possibly the most leniently treated horse of the field. One has only to remember his Ellerslie form to confirm this. As the distance of the race is ?* m i ,s' J he U Sht weights may be troubled thereby, but Multive, Gladful, and Sir Fanciful should provide ia good contest.

•Tv ex^ rst mda- y s racms: win conclude w!th the Te Aro Hack. This event has an acceptance of thirty, and those bettors lucky enough to nick the winner deserve a greater dividend than the "limit."