ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 August 1928, Page 9

ON THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS A. Dunedin scribe sagely remarks that the best line to a. horse’s chance in the 1 Winter Oup is not when he won but what he might have accomplished on other occasions. It is stated that Steel Bar, who was formerly owned in Auckland, has been given a course of schooling over hurdles on the West Coast, and has performed well in his tasks. lie is to be raced over the battens at the Grand National meeting. To many people Pamplona is the most interesting horse in the Grand National Steeplechase field (says the Christchurch “Star”). A few years ago he was one of the best cross-eoun-try performers in the Dominion, a real steeplechaser, to whom no fence came amiss. Unfortunately he was always subject to periods of unsoundness, but tor which his record would have been greatly improved. He was at Jlicearton a year ago, but after being beaten at the Hunt meeting lie returned home and lie was not seen again in public until two months ago, when he won on the second day of the Dunedin meeting, though not nearly fit. He is reported to have done welt since then, and if he gets thi’ough the remainder _of his preparation ho will play a prominent part in the Grand National Steeplechase. The imported mare Celerity IT. has commenced her spring preparation in earnest. The daughter ot Gainsborough is looking very bright and strong and all going well this season it is hoped that she will be found racing in weight-for-age company when the circumstances are favourable.

Panther continues to he ‘one of fhe most-discussed Winter Cup candidates. Count Cavour had his first fast work for, some, months at ''Riccarton a few mornings ago, reeling'off four; furlongs in time that compared more, Ilian favourably with the average registered over the distance during the morning’s onerations.

Pduvi, the Wellington Steeplechase) winner, is pressing Beau Cavalier for favouritism in the Grand National Steeplechase, to be decided next Tuesday. Tula still lias many friends. Quincoma, who shaped well when be won at Trentham, is to contest hurdle events at Riccarton next week.

Pciieus, who won the Longbeaeh Hurdles on Saturday, came second in. the same event last year. He looks like gaining further distinction next week.

The teams of Gage Williams and S. J. Reid are to leave Wellington for Christchurch, to-night. Black Mint .may ndt be taken down until near the end of the week.

In framing the conditions respectively ■for the Railway Handicap and Easter Handicap last year the committee of the Auckland Racing Club made a departure by including a sweepstake of £lO each for starters, this to go to the winner. The £lO sweepstake is again included in the conditions-attached to the same events, and it may be expected to stand in future programmes. »• According to a Southern report, the Solferino gelding, Tommy Dodd, who. was subjected to veterinary treatment in. the back some weeks ago and given liis liberty, is stated to be making some progress toward recovery. He may not stand up to another preparation, but lie is very lively at the present time, and if lie continues to make good lie may be given a little hack exercise in the near future.

Besides riding Black Mint in the Winter Cup and Beau Cavalier in the Grand National Hurdles, S. Henderson ■will also ride Lady Gay at Riccarton. -Henderson will most likely steer Kamchameha as well if that horse starts in the. Grand National Steeplechase. As Limerick enters on his five-year-old career with a total of £31,655 to his credit, he must be accounted to be well placed to beat Gloaming’s record as a stake-earner, for the sum named is £15,867 in advance of that 'opposite Gloaming’s name at a similar period of his career.- Gloaming raced up to nine years old, and, though perhaps it would tie regarded as unduly optimistic to. think Limerick will last as long and retain the same brilliancy as marked Tlie Welkin’s son in the closing stage of his racing career,' such could not be regarded as quite improbable, for, like Gloaming,' Limerick is a gelding, and, providing he remains sound, lie may be expected to be found still playing a part when ho reaches a stage to lie included with the veterans of the race track. Limerick’s initial engagement at five years old will be the Warwick Stakes, which event is runt over a at vveight-for-age, with allowances. The Warwick Stakes come up for decision on Ist September.

Great Bingen is rapidly losihg tlie superfluous condition he put on during bis spell, and will possibly be raced on the second and third days of the Metropolitan Meeting. Handicapped on 60 yardft behind a big field in a 2.13 class, iiis connexions are not pleased with his treatment on the first day and his engagement will not be continued. The August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, tlie first fixture of the new racing season, will bo commenced next Saturday.