NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8613, 26 December 1913, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

IBv “Finland.”) To-day (Boxing Day) there will bo racing at Taratahi-Carterton, Dunedin. Porongahau, Near Plymouth, Thames, Auckland, and Palmerston. At Tar at alii a capital programme has been arranged, and some splendid racing should bo witnessed, as tho fields are large and possess some really good material. The trotting events a new idea so far as the Taratafai Club is concerned —have filled remarkably well, and include some useful trotters. Byron, which is engaged in the Cup, is reported to bo training on well at headquarters, find can confidently be expected to give a good account of himself in tho decision of this race, Master Lupin, which is trained by R. Hatch, will probably bo installed favourite for the Belvedere Handicap, and should bo hard to beat. In the Cup Byron meets a poor lot, but should Suratnra see out the journey (of which there seems a doubt) she may prove the top weight’s most dangerous opponent. Tho Railway Handicap is probably the most open race on the card, hut Leapuki should be difficult to dispose of, as must also Merry Guy, which has been showing such consistent form of late. Tho Manawatu Club’s programme will open with tho Apprentice’s Plate. Palovjna has been racing consistently, and will most likely be installed favourite. French Rose, of which good things in the past have been expected, may run well forward. Seventeen remain in the Gillies Handicap, six furlongs, and on form it looks like falling to Iliad’s Hero. The unlucky Bed Book is also engaged, hat he has not bad a race for some time, and being a gross gelding a race nr two will sharpen him up. Charleroso is a useful mare, and may run well forward. Tho Cup field is a good one, and the event must he voted very open. Good reports are to hand of Bronze, and, if there is * any foundation in the news, will take a power of heating. Sir Knox ia reported to te going very well and will have tho services of T. Prichard. Mangaroa is entitled to a lot of respect, and with a stronger horseman on her, will take a power of beating. Should tho going be soft Kilrain may bo returned tho winner. Peronilla will probably be installed favourite for tho Juvenile Handicap, and would only iroquiro to strike her two-year-old form, to be difficult to dispose of. Bertrada appears to ha on tho improve, and should ho dangerous. The Hack Welter has a field of a baker’s dozen. Owing to recent form To Hou Hou will bo made favourite, but Braobnm and Monologue should be well looked after. The Fitzherbert Handicap ia also fairly open, but Gladiole is the favourite selection. Despite his weight Bandeira’s chances cannot be overlooked. He is a good beginner and can carry a bit of weight. Immer and Sanguinary, of those lower down the list, will probably bo difficult to dispose of. Tho day’s racing will conclude with the Grandstand Handicap. Black Lupin appears to be unlucky, and has mn quite a number of seconds. Merry Frank is reported in good fettle, and should take a lot of beating. Semaphore is also on the improve, and may bo seen to advantage. Sea Pink hits not pleased the watchers in his most recent effort on the track, and in consequence has receded in. tho Auckland betting market. J ack Delaval is still favourite for the big two mile event, while Bon Ton has gained many admirers since reaching Auckland.

Tho Wanganui trainer, J. Peachley, will ho represented at Manawatu to-day by Moiretto (a Manawatu Oup candidate) and tho hurdler Euroco. Both horses are reported to bo in capital trim, and should run well in their engagements. Albert Jackson will have Roosevelt and Coromandel going for him. The former is very fit just now, and is expected to run well forward. From Awapuni Jackson takes his team to tho Mar LOU fixture.

Reports from Auckland state that Tilley’s horses are in great fettle, and the northern scribes are tipping tho Fordell trainer to have a great innings at tho forthcoming meeting. Postillion, his Railway Handicap candidate, is hitting out in fine style, and must be hard to beat in the sprint event. Warstop’s name appeared among the final payments for the Railway, but this is a mistake. With tho Martian filly out of tho way, Culprit, which is very well just now, and which has a particular liking for tho Ellerslie course, may bo installed favourite, and she should give backers a good run for their money. ,

Tho brown filly by Alartian—Everlasting, therefore full sister to Irnmor, has had tho name Martigncs bestowed upon her.

One of tho most attractive features on tho educational track at Hastings (says a Hawke’s Bay writer) during tho past week has been tho work or Mummer (Gazeley—Mimic), winch is hitting out in good stylo. On Saturday last at Hastings Axiom beat Midnight Sun very easily in a setto over a milo and a quarter.

Maud, tho dam of Kopu, Mangaroa ’and Co., has this season produced a. colt to Achilles at Messrs IV. J. and A. F. Douglas’s To Mahanga (Hawke’s Bay) station.

Swan Song, which was recently acquired by J. Hannah from Air T. H. Lowry, has been showing signs of lameness.

J. S. O’Neill, who has been training Brocade for Air T. 11. Lowry,’has been given another ono of the Oknwa-bred ones to educate. This is Tete-a-tete, tho half-sister by Royal Fusilier to Bobrikoff and full-sister to Blackguard.