NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8611, 23 December 1913, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Finland.”) Owing to tho heavy rains experienced during the last week or so the tracks at Trentham have been very heavy and unfit to work on, and in consequence tho horses claiming engagemonts at tho Manawatu and TaratahiCarterton on Friday cannot, but bo a little backward. In Hawke’s Bay the tracks have also been bad.

Sir Rupert Clarke, the well-known Australian sportsman, is at present on a visit to the Dominion.

The New Zealand gelding, The Native (by Worry—Gold Cord), which has been trained by Frank McGrath at Randwiok since his arrival in Australia in August., has been sent to Caulfield to bo trained, and is to bo raced over fences there.

D. J. Price’s residence, together with the racing stables on tho property at Caulfield, were put up for auction last Tuesday. It would now bo probably safe to assume that Price intends to carry out his plans of six or seven months ago, viz-, to settle in -England. A very fine two-year-old colt, Stcpho, by Flavus—Estafette, belonging to Mr W. Kelso, of Randwiok, met his death under most peculiar circumstances on the 13th insfc. Stepho and another youngster were indulging in a gallop at Randwiok, when the former collided with a third juvenile belonging to Mr Kelso, which was also doing a sprint. Tho impact was so severe that Stepho bioke his back, and had to be destroyed. The youngster was purchased by Mr Kelso at the last Rand wick autumn sales for 400 guineas.

From Sydney comes tho nows of tho death of the sire Fighting Furley, who succumbed to the effects of snake-bite. Fighting Furley was got by Colorado (son of George Frederick), from Bay Celia, by Jock of Oran, from Celia, by Statesman. Ho was a good performer in England.

While being exercised at Westport on Saturday morning Asturinn (by Charlemange II. —Ena, by Royal Artillery—Stressa) met with a misfortune at one of the fences, sustaining injuries to her fetlock. Should Soldiers’ Chorus not stand a preparation ho will he numbered among tho list of sires of the season next year.

Hector Gray will have tho mount on Good Night in the Great Northern Foal Stakes. Ho will also bo on Stardancer in the Christmas Handicap. The Auckland trainer, C. Coleman, had a stroke of bad luck recently, hia brood mare by Explosion—Deviant foaling twins (colts) to Gowrie. One died, but tho other is still living. Considerable difficulty. is being experienced to secure horsemen for the gatherings at Christmas and Now Year, as the more prominent jockeys are engaged at the Auckland fixture. B. Deeley has been engaged to ride Soltano in the A. 8.0. Railway Handicap. Some, doubt is expressed as to whether the son of Soult will fulfil his engagement in tho big sprint or not, says the “Auckland Star.” His train, er, F. Davis, says it will all depend on tho. state of tho going. If, everything is favourable ho will be a runner, but if tho ground be bad he will bo withdrawn in favour of Became. The Merriweo mar© Wee Olga has been showing decided signs of soreness after working at Ellerslie of a morning. After she has been rubbed down tho trouble seems to disappear to some extent, but she may not do a startei at tho A.B.C. summer meeting. The mare has been going well in her essays, and her chances of picking up a stake or two at tho Christmas meeting looked decidedly bright, and it will be most unfortunate for her owner if she is unable to fulfil her engagements. It is now reported that W. Ryan (who has been anxious to get tho mount for some time) will pilot Sir Solo in tho Auckland Cup. St. Francis is said to ho an unlikely starter in tho Auckland Cup. His withdrawal would not come as a surprise, as his displays at Woodvillo were most, unsatisfactory, and ho is evidently not ias good as was at first thought. Sea Fink ia going very well since reaching Auckland, and his gallop over a mile and a-quartor on Saturday in 2min lOseo (considering the state of the ground) is a very good one. He should be difficult to dispose of in tho Cup, especially as he has a nice handy weight and is a good stayer.

Sir Knox is reported to have benefited by his racing at Woodville, and is moving along niooly in his work at headquarters. On Saturday morning he galloped a mil© and a quarter in good style in company with Manatau.

Killaloo, after a lengthy spell, will make his reappearance at Taratahi. The Kilcheran gelding is now trained at Blenheim.

Over Rate, which figures in tho acceptances for tho Gladstone ■ Welter at Taratahi, has already won tho race in question on two occasions. Tho old fellow, however, according to reports from tho Wairarapa, is not standing up to his work too well. The Lupin’ gelding Master Lupin has been an absentee from the tracks at headquarters for a few mornings, and : all may not he right with him. Acceptances for tho first day’s races at the Wairarapa Racing Club’s summer meeting on Now Year’s Day close with the secretary, Mr E. R. Leary, Featherston, at 8.30 to-night. Glonfom is reported to bo going well in his work, and he should soon get on the winning list. B. Greenwood will ride Gipsy Belle and the Vasco—Belle Clare colt Beiasoo in their Auckland engagements. B. Beckham, who last season finished his apprenticeship with P. T. Hogan (of Otago), and since then has done

well in the saddle, has lost his license. He took service with Mr W. Baird, and now finds his license withdrawn for absenting himself from his employer. Hector Gray’s mounts at Ellerslie on Boxing Day include Bon Ton in the Auckland Cup, Crown Pearl in the Railway Handicap,- Good Night and Stardancer.