NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8652, 10 February 1914, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Finland.”)

Maoris are enthusiastic if nothing else, and during the progress of every race at Te Kuiti, says “Phaeton” in the “Non' Zealand Herald,” city racegoers derived much amusement from the enthusiastic cries of the Maori backers. When Obdurate, who is owned by a member of the club, won tbo opening event there was great excitement among tho natives, and if everyone took many of them seriouslj- Obdurate would be a hot favourite for the next Auckland Cup. Mr J. B. Reid's three-year-old colt Einaldo, by Charlemagne ll.—Demeter, has been troubled for some time with a large swelling in his throat. Some difference of opinion existed as to the nature of the affection, but it was eventually diagnosed as being the outcome of strangles. Tho swelling was lanced, and was found to be full of pus, which is now discharging freely. Rinaldo has been kept in steady work all the time, so it js evident that Mr Hobbs is anxiom to have him as well as possible for important events still to bo decided this season. Jeannie Colleen, a recent arrival at Ricoarton from the "West Coast, has gone into F. T. Smith’s stable, and is being hacked at present. She may be raced at some of the country meetings before returning to the West Coast, This mare is a half-sister to Gasoline, being by Epaulet, by from Petroline, by Petroleum, the halfbrother to Hotchkiss, from Jeannette.

Mr Harvey Patterson’s Sir Malt (by Malster —Graceton) was treated to a spell after his return from the Auckland summer meeting, as he was not doing too well. He has again been taken in hand by Scobio.

Lady Zetland and Cannio duel are the only homes that have won the Midsummer Handicap more than once. The Italians are evidently anxous to attract foreign horses for their big races, and the conditions of the Omnium, to be run at Rome in 1915, have just been issued. Tho distance of this race is a mile and a half, the value being £4OOO. It is open to horses of all countries, the conditions being weight-for-age, with -penalties and allowances. Italian horses aro to bo allowed an extra 81b.

Tho Napier trainer, AV T . Kirk, has handed over Mr K. S. Williams’s horses, Caher Davou and Multiplicity, to the local trainer, George Jones, who is going to act as private trainer to the Messrs A. B. and K. S. Williams. Messrs Williams have just started to go in for racing on a large scale, and it is to be hoped they will meet with plenty of luck. Towards the stake for the Rotorua Cup, Mr W. G. Stead has given a silver cup of the value of o 0 eovs. Tho late Mr G. G. Stead’s colours were carried to victory in the Middle Park Plato on no fewer than thirteen occasions, while Sir Gfeorge Clifford has seven successes to his credit. ■ At the instance of Mr A, Gordon, stipendiary steward, the jockeys of Continuance and Memo Lad, m the Hurdle Race, at Gisborne last week, were brought before the stewards, and the crossing occurrence was inquired into. After hearing evidence, the stewards decided to fine McFlinn, the rider of Continuance, £5, and administer a caution. It was agreed that the incident had not affected the result of the race. McFlinn was given the benefit of the doubt when he said that he thought he was further away from Merrie Lad than ho really was. Subsequently A. Reid, the rider of Bodenham, in the Te Hapara Hack Handicap, was cautioned by tho stipendiary steward for crossing when running round the back of the course. Tho incident was unintentional, but careless. A jockey also came on the course intoxicated, and was disqualified during the pleasure of the stewards;

The Melbourne (trainer, James Scobie, holds the Australian record for the number of horses he started in s race. In a Maribyruong Trial at Flemington Seobje’s stable was represented by eight, but according to tho “Thoroughbred Record” the American trainer, W. R, Midgley, of Belmont Park, IJ.S.A., has gone two better with JO starters for a two-yea r-o)d race. A story is told of King William IV., that after his accession to the English throne, the Royal stud came into his possession, and when asked by his trainer for instructions as regards the running of Ins horses at Ascot, ordered him “to start the whole fleet.” Evidently the monarch knew more about navigation than horse-racing.

Horse-racing in Canada seems to be progressing. The International Derby, to be run at Dorval Park, Montreal, on Juno 13th next, is endowed with 20,000 dollars, and has attracted nominations from 67 owners, or firms. The conditions are that each subscriber may nominate three horses by May Ist. Among the subscribers is Mr August Belmont, chairman of the New York Jockey Club. Bandeira and Ringform were taken through to Wanganui yesterday by K. Quinlivan. Tiie former is to bo indulged in a daily swim in the river, as his trainer does not car© to take any risks with him while the tracks are bo hard. Jason, which got foul of some wire last week, is getting along remarkably well, but is an unlikely starter at Wa. gauui.

According to a cable received from Sydney yesterday Mr E. J. Watt’s colt

Athenic, which is a very hot favourite for the Newmarket Handicap,, pulled up lame after doing exercise ou Saturday morning.

Mr G. L. Stead has purchased the English-bred throe-year-old filly Bonnyrigg and expects her to bo landed in New Zealand about the end of May. She is by Cattvcrag (by Wolf’s Crag —Nobody’s Child) from Dhulochrau, by Ghildwick—Pnllanga (dam of Palmy Days) by Palmist.

It was reported some time ago that Mr J. B. Joel had sold Sunstar for SO.OOOgns. When questioned on the subject Mr Joel said: —“Well, it is the first I have heard of it. and had there been any truth in it at all surely 1 would have been the first person approached. as the horse :s rny property. Eighty thousand guineas, oh! How absurd. If I had been inclined to sell him—which I am not —the sum mentioned would not represent his value in mv eyes. Just consider. He won me the Derby, the height of ambition for any owner of racehorses, and ior that mere fact alone I .should not care to part with him. But there are other considerations. His subscription list as a sire is full for 1914-11)15-1016, aud it would not do for me to dispose of him now. You can say that there is no likelihood whatever of my parting with him.” Sunstar was bred by Mr Joel, and is by Sundridgo out of Doris. As a three-year-old Suustar was unbeaten. Ho began by winning the Two Thousand Guineas iu easy stylo from Steadfast and his stable companion Lycaon, and a fortnight later followed this up by taking the Newmarket Stakes. His only other race was the Derby, in which lie confirmed His previous defeat of Steadfast, winning again by two lengths from Lord Derby’s horse. Moreover, he won under great diffipulties, for some distance from home he hurt one of his legs, and it says much for his gameness that he was able to finish the course at all. This concluded his racing career, and at the end of the season he was retired to the stud.