NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7851, 13 July 1911, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "The Judge.”) Entries for the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club's annual meeting close this evening. Handicaps are due on Tuesday, and acceptances must be made by the 21st inst. The meeting will take place on the Hastings course on July 2 l Jth. As Fonnodon is unsound it is very improbable that ho .will fulfil any of his A ustralian engagements. The Auckland contingent for the W.’K.C. meeting, consisting of Wane-hope, Kremlin. Don Onex, and Afiss Explosion, have arrived from the north, and are now quartered at Trenthara.

The lion. .T. I). Ormond's team for tho W.R.O. meeting consists of Hr endless, T?ollin. Peary, Napper, ‘Morecambe, and -Ainsdnle. Tho heaves look well, and, although not a really brilliant lot, they should bo good enough to pick up a stake or two.

Tho spring meeting of the Mnrton Jockey Club will take place -on September 6rh and 7 th. Mr Arthur Way will take no min a I tons up <o August 13th. Acceptances for the big events at the C.J.C. Grand National meeting close tomorrow night. Santa Claus has ioinod E. Seoul laris team at ‘Riccarto'n. and the brother to Garita will shortly bo tried over the hurdles.

Doranclo has been jumping the big fences in good stylo at TMocnrton, and he promises to bo in fine form at the national mooting next month.

The Wellington ‘Racing Club's annual ball will take place at the Town Do 1.1 next Thursday, the 20th inst. This event is always greatly looked forward bo, for tho committee snare neither time nor money in giving their -guests a good time.

The appeal of the Egrront R,C. against the decision of the Taranaki J.C. in removing Barlow's disqualification will bo heard in Wellington next week. The annual report of the Peilding Jockey Club shows that, owing to the heavy Government tax. the balance of profit and lo=s account for the past year amounted to but .£206.

There was a delay of nineteen minutes at. the start of Derby. There would be plenty of growling if such a thing were to happen at Trentham.

Pictures of the race for tho English Derby, run on May 31st, taken in • natural colours, were two nights later exhibited in London. Thee© pictures were taken by the Klnemaco]our process, and all the horses can bo easily distinguished throughout the race by the colours of their respective owners, while every important incident of tho race is also clearly depicted. The almost complete destrncticn of the M-asterboai Club'© stands and offices, although a big less to the club, will at all events enable* tho committee to erect more structures. The fire fortunately left tho new stand intact, and ir/'-st of tho buildings destroyed were old-fashioned and quit© out of date. Tho Ma&terton Club has some live men on the committee, so that energetic measures may bo looked for in putting in hand comprehensive improvements. It seems probable that White Cockade may not be sent up from Tvicearton for the W.R.C. meeting. The Finland gelding had been doing some excellent work, but has lately been showing signs of unsoundness. If this is so it is a bit of bad luck for his owner, ns White Cockade was very fit and has before now shown a marked liking for tho Tcronfcham course.

A report was recently circulated throughout fho press of the Dominion -that Crusoo was doing duty between the shafts of a cab at Palmerston North. In a conversation with the New Plymouth trainer. J. George, yesterday, he informed me that Crusoe died at his place at Orftata. near New Plymouth, on the 16th of October last, and was buried the same day. The end of this capable performer was very sudden. Ho appeared in the best of health in the morning when Mr George set out for town. On his return he found his favourite dead. Crusoe was never out of Hr George's ownership. and he regrets that the renort of the old fellow doing cab work should have gained publicity. A good word is heard for a diminutive apprentice named Charlie Garment, who V attached to A. Kail’s Wanganui stable. The lad regularly rides North Past rn his hurdle schooling, and the chestnut appears to have formed a close friendship with his pilot. The boy goes to scale at 4st 81b. and judging by the manner in which he rode St. Gate in his work yesterday, a successful career is in store" for him. lie is a nephew of the well-known Levin trainer of that name.

Several newcomers were expected to arrive last night, at Trenfham, and this morning’s winding up gallops should prove distinctly interesting. Several jumpers claiming engagements are to be schooled over country, and a lino as to their prospects at the coming meeting should be obtained. When the last mail left England it was expected that Hoifaa. the New Zealand horse that won the Grand National Steeplechase in 1904 and was subsequently purchased by King Edward for J 62625. would bo ridden in the Coronation procession bv Lord Kitchener. The horse was originally owned by Mr Spencer Gollan. of Napier. N-Z. It is a year-old brown gelding by Natator—Denbigh. The vessel on which Hoi fan travelled to England in order to run in the Grand National was wrecked, and he swam ashore.

D’Nil. Te Hu. Waipntere, T© Whararan, John, and Taft arrived by train last night. In all probability the arathern rider, W. Weir, will pilot Odessa, in the opening ©Tent ' on Saturday. The i St. Ambrose colt is reported in capital trim Tinder V. Cotton's guidance at the Hutfc.

The following riders have been engaged for the Parliamentary Handicap next Saturday:—Full Hat© (Sid Heidi, Provocation (R. Hatch), Sir Frisco (C. •Tonkins), FJectrakcff (XI. Gray), Merrie Zealand (F. longs tone), Dread less (F. D. Jonesl, My Lawyer (J. Beale). Flitaway (F. E. Jones), Projectile (W. Bran), Bracken (F. Porter). Merozo (T. Pritchardl, Smilax {F. Coleman). Eilosteri (A., Ollivor), Seaweed (C. Price). It will bo observed that several horsemen have yet. to bo arranged for. SCr IT. Whitney is {darting both of his horses in the To Aro Handicap on Saturday. Ahnarmi will be ridden by E. Cotton, whilst Hector Gray will have the mount on Varna. A PROVED SUCCESS. Referring to the stipendiary steward question, which is to do considered by the New Zealand Pacing Conference next week, the "Sydney Mail" says:—"At this stage there is no necessity for adduo

icg I'oa'xyns wiiv the system should bo adopt;d, inasmuch as it has passed the experimental stages in nearly all the Stales of the Commonwealth* and a revemon to the old regime of honorary stewards would not be tolerated. The movement in tho direction of conducting lacing under the supervision of men who may be considered experts at the game was originated in New South Wales, nn« has in ti;e meantime spread to tho other States, and oven to India. At it was tried in the metropolitan district, with vsiich gcod results that the system has been extended to tho provinces, where under district racing associations tho stipeudiax-y steward has become a recognised and necessary adjunct to tho executive of the clubs, and the national sport is all the cleaner and better for it. The question of expense was the preat drawback to the extension of the system to tho country clubs, but that has been successfully overcome by tho formation of district associations. The greatest opposition came from the honorary stewards, who resented tho transfer of authority to paid officials, but even that difficulty has been set aside." Can th last reason bo the one that makes New Zealand lag behind on th© path of reform ?

TRENTHAM TRACK NOTES. Weather conditions were very favourable for training operations at headquarters yesterday morning, and a fair number of horses were out exercising. None of tho candidates were on a timemaking expedition, the unajority of those present being merely indulged in cantering and trotting. The sand track, guliop, and outside of the course proper were used, and tho several tracks appeared to be in capital condition. Preparatory to the horses commencing work tho writer took a stroll round the steeplechase course and closeiy inspected tho obstacles. The various jumps, are very easy ones, and, all going well, tho majority of the ’chasm's snouid negotiate tho course in safety. The water jump in front of the stand is probably tho easiest jump in the circuit, being merely two rails placed eighteen inches from the ground w.tli manuka scrub entwined, this bringing tho height up to three feet throe inches. The heigfits of the other obstacles are as fobow: —Tho stone wall, three feet six inches; tho brush, four feet six inches; manuka fence, three feet four .inches; post and rails, throe foot six incncs; log jumf), three feet seven inches; sod wail, threo feet six inches; the wattio jump at the mile past, threo foot six inches. Theso compiiso tho various obstacles, and sporting folk will see at a that none of the jumps aro very formidable. The general opinion is that for a steeplechase course tho WJi.C. is the easiest to negotiate in the Dominion.

Nothing was done until after breakfast, when J. \V. Lowe commenced operations by sending Effort (light boy) and Lambton (W. Ityan) once round, with a brush over the last four furlongs, the pair finishing together. • Lovell (H, Telford) was restricted to a couple of miles at half pace, and appeared to relish the task allotted him. To Kahurangi (H. HiU) went well in a gallop of a miio at half pace, finishing up very strong. Peary, who appears much improved sinco his appearance at Napior Park, cantered tw.ce round on the sand. This bearer of tho “ail cerise" is very fit. l>readiess, looking in tho pink of condition, was given three-quarter pace work. This Karamoa representative is in capital trim. "Tartar" Julian cantered Bolldn for a couple of circuits, the gelding pulling up very fresh. The Signalman filly Semaphore, who appears to bo a useful sort, cantered onco round very nicely. Ribston Pippin (E. Murtagh) and Salopin(L. Traill) set out on a round of tho hurdles. Tho display by the former was distinctly disappointing, and, from his showing, the gelding will need considerable schooling before he is capable of winning a jumping race. Murtagh had a very ijnonviable ride, for his mount just managed to scramble over the first two obstacles, and a little further on the gelding refused altogether. baton. Pippin's-display was so bad that it is safe to prophesy, provided he starts on Saturday, the gelding will never succeed in getting the course safely. Salopin jumped fairly well, and .may turn out a useful 'chaser.

Hy Lawyer (J. Beale) and Optimeform (W. Ryan) were sent out together for a mile spin, seven furlongs of which were run in Imin. 39sec, the last five being left behind in Imin llsec. My Lawyer finished in front, and the gallop, which was an excellent one, shows that the southern sprinter is very fit. Bracken (P. Simpkins) did .a strong working gallop of a mile at three-quarter pace. Mr Corry's favourite is in capital fettle.

Septimus (H. Lowe) easily beat Eiya in four furlongs, run in 53 3-ssec. The Officer gelding appears in great heart at present. Dogger Bank was sent a couple of circuits on the tan. The northerner pulled up very fresh after his exertion and is evidently in good form. Egypt (Sid, Crawford) and Foreshot (N. Campbell) ran seven furlongs in Imin 43sec, the former having a slight advantage of his stable mate as the judge's box was passed. Sowman (H. Telford), a hunter In J. Ayres' stable, did a couple of miles in a very taking manner. The gelding is said to be a very finished jumper, and is expected to make a bold showing when he nexts sports silk, which will probably be at the Grand National meeting. St, Gate (R. Young) was out doing halfpace work. This gelding appears as fit as hands can make Mm. St. Bill (C. Carmont) strode over a mile in a manner that denoted that he will play a prominent part at the coming gathering. Hirini (H. Lowe) executed a useful circuit at half-pace. This half-sister to Iranui promises to turn out a winner for the Gisborne sportsman, Mr F. Hall. Two rising two-year-olds, the Achilles colt, belonging to Mr J. Cress, and tho Sweet Simon filly, the property of Mr J. Ames, were trotted twice round. Tho former is fast filling out into a fine typo of the thoroughbred, and all going well ho should prove a good advertisement for the Medallion horse in next season's racing events. Torbelle (L. Traill) cantered once round, jumping the hardies in good style. Traill, who intends adopting hurdle riding, should do well over the battens.

Tyrannic (N. Campbell) cantered twice round on the sand track, pulling up fresh.

Hoanga (J. Clvoafe) went twice round at half-pace, tho chestnut appearing to relish his task. Itangi Thompson, will ride the Regal gelding in his contests at the W.R.C. fixture.

Abercoed executed a nice -working gallop of a mile at half-pace. Xavier (A. McConnon) was schooled over the hurdles, jumping in a faultless style. A two-year-old filly by Monoform from a Soult mare created a favourable imprecision by the manner in which she strode along. The youngster is a member of W. Davies' stable, and is expected to do well when the tune arrives for her to sport silk. Pari tutu, with a ©table boy on his back, was sent on a mission of hill climbing over the rifle range. The old fellow is expected to make a bold showing in his engagements at the meeting. Sonite, looking very fresh, was indulged in a run home from the six-furlohg post, which distance the black colt left behind in Imin 20 2-ssec.

A number of horses were restricted to cantering, whilst others were simply being hacked about.