NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7444, 19 May 1911, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "The JudE©.”) Mallet won the Munawapou Hurdles at Hawera yesterday in a rather convincing: manner. In the early part of the season Mr Foreman’s ge'ding put up one or- two fairly good performances, notably at Hc\ii), but since then he has not done rnxicn worth while, although ho has had plenty of opportunities. The f-:in of Maiatua ami Paulino is a slow beginner, bub generally runs on Uko a stayer, and as he can jump well may prove a useful hurdler. Smilax who defeated Con-thc-Shaughraun and Gay Lawless iu the Shorts Handicap at Hawcra yesterday, has given proof before this* season that he can gallop. He is a fou.--year-old bay gelding, and was bred by bis owner, Mr It. Hicks, whose quaint racing jacket is “white with a green creeper." Smiiax was sired by the Cambria Park stallion Obligado from Convolvulus, a daughter of St. Conon and Kllma. Stourton, who won the Borough Handicap at Hawcra yesterday, is a haif-brother to the Northern Champagne Stakes winner Miss Emmy, and to that one-time fine ruaro Rosella. who carried the sky blue of the Messrs Nathan to victory in the A.R.C. Easter Handicap and the A.It.C. Handicap. Handicaps for the first day’s events of tho A.It.C. Great Northern meeting arc due from Mr Morso next Thursday. Acceptances for the first day’s raco& to be decided at the Wanganui meeting close at 9.30 p.m. on Monday. Zimmerman is to do stud duty in the Wanganui district during the coming season. Wimmera is a strong fancy for the Century Hurdles at Wanganui. Ho won this race very easily last year, but now has 25*b moro to carry. At ji a.m. to-morrow Messrs Hitobiags, Hankins, and Co. will offer by auction the privileges in connection with the winter meeting of tho Otaki Maori Racing Club, which takes place on June 3rd and sth. The Calcutta Turf Club has decided to have a special race to commemorate the visit of King Georgo to India. It is probable that for this race a sum of 30.0C0 rupees will be allotted. Although rot really a big stake, it is the largest money prize yet given for any race in India. The stakes do not compare with those given in Australia, or even New Zealand, for India's richest race, tho Viceroy’s Cup, is only worth souno two-thirds of tho New Zealand or Auckland Cups. This seems somewhat remarkable, for the G.T.C. possesses a splendidly appointed coarse, magnificent stands, and between £6j,uuo ana .AM in safe investments. One would have thought that such an opulent institution, would consider the owners more. The Brisbane Cup, run over two' miles, will be decided next Wednesday, Trafalgar has now won thirteen races of the value of £13,133. But for tho advent of Comedy King this amount would probably have been nearly doubled. When tho predominance of the Galopin blood in Australia is taken into consideration. it is remarkable that the four big sprint races of the autumn—-the Oakleigh Plate. Futurity Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, and Doncaster Handicap-should have fallen, to horses without a single cross of Galopin or St. Simon in their pedigrees. It is pleasing to see the old Australasian lines holding their own, particularly at sprinting, because the fact that tho St. Simon blood baa improved our sprinters has been rammed down our throats for some years now. Still, it must bo admitted that results have to a great extent justified tho claim in that direction.