NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8654, 12 February 1914, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Finland.”);

After the running of the Maiden Hack Scurry on Thursday, at Hawera, the press were officially informed that 11. Young had been cautioned for “injudicious riding, and for backing his mount without tho owner’s consent,” says a Taranaki writer. Now the most amusing part is that Young rode Fisher in tho Maiden, and the winner turned out to bo Fisher’s stablemale, Calais. Tho winner was a warn favourite, and Fisher third in order of favouritism. What tho public want to know is—(l) Who reported It. Young for hacking his own mount? and (2) why should any objection bo made? 'The rules of racing regarding betting ,by jockeys are not adhered to very strictly* but it .seems as if there is something behind it all in this case. By tho Mauhganui, - which arrived from Sydney -yesterday, there came nine brood mares, threo of which had foals at foot. Two belonged to Mr J.-M. Currie, of Wanganui, while tho other seven aro the property of Mr J. B. Reid, of Canterbury. All tho mares had been on a visit to some imported stallion in Sydney.

Probable (The, Possible—Primula) which was foaled in 1003, and is therefore in his twelfth year, has been doing stud duty in the south, is shortly to be put into commission again with a view to winter engagements. Neither Brown Owl nor Antagonist are to be persevered with, and both will join Sir-George’ Clifford’s Stoneyhurst stud.

Mr G; ! 'D,' Greenwood has decided to send Rencontre up to Wanganui on Thursday night-to fulfil engagements in tho Juvenile-Handicap and Jackson Stakes.

Tnnnhausor is reported to have a susiJ'ioioua' looking fore-leg, and his trainer is puzzled to know what the trouble is; the horso is, therefore, doing very little work. Two of Sir George Clifford’s two-year-olds—First Flight (San Francisco —Fleetfoot), and Botanist (Treadmill—Jleathorhrae)—have been gelded, .and will he given a good spell. Ladrone has been displaying decided signs of lameness lately, and has been put aside for six months. Tile Ayr Laddie gelding Kilts is taking fairly kindly to the jumping, and he should make a valuable addition to that brigade. , As Tatterloy (8.13) and Athenic (9.1) have been allowed to drop out of their Oaklcigh Plate engagement, Mr E. J. Watt will now be without a representative for that event. At Opaki Sir Solo and Sir Knox, are striding put' very freely in ..their .work. The-pair will ‘ contest the "Wanganui Cup. Sir Knox .has been a great disappointment, but with 7.9 at Wanganui he should bo able to make amends. He will probably be ridden by 11. Berry.

Besides increasing their stages,' the Moaterton Racing Club are spending a good deal of money on the grounds and course generally. The judge’s box is being removed to a .position In front of the stewards’ stand. The starting point for five furlong and mile and a quarter events will now be greatly improved,_ as previously, events run over these distances were started on a turn. A number of other improvements have been taken in hand by the caretaker, and have greatly enhanced the appear, anco of the grounds.

It is reported that Mr.D. Mitchell, the caretaker of the Eiccarton racecourse,, has tendered his resignation of the position, to the Canterbury Jockey

The Taranaki mceting,will be concluded to-day, while the Gisborne T.C, meeting will be commenecd.

Bonnie Girl, one of E, Knox’s team, has been disposed of to Mr Sweeney, of Pahiatna, in whose colours she will next appear. It is probable that she will ho treated to a lengthy spell.

' S’, Holmes wlio for a number of years devoted hia time to trotters and pacers, will shortly turn his attention to gallopers again, as the yearlings purchased by Mr H. Friedlander at Christchurch, and Auckland are to be placed under his care. Flora Macdonald has developed a splint, but it is thought she may bo able to fulfil her engagements at the Dunedin meeting next month.

Hie formation of the new steeplechase course at Otaki is now well on towards completion, and the course should be. in readiness for the June meeting. . Con-tho-Shaughraun and Grattan were both offered for sale at Hawera on Thursday last, but tho bidding did not reach the owners’ reserve.

Manawakaha is the latest aspirant for jumping honours, and is shaping well. He may make his debut at the new game at the Wanganui meeting. Ermongardo has been performing so indifferently of late that there is a possibility of her being retired to the stud. At last week’s committee meeting or tho Canterbury Jockey Club two well-known horsemen in L. G. King and B. Cotton had their licenses dealt with for misconduct, the latter’s being withdrawn, while King had his suspended for three months.

Word has been, received in Christchurch, says a southern writer, that 0. Emerson’s case, which was referred back to tho Canterbury Park Club, who originally disqualified him, was reopened bn Monday, and has again, been referred hack to tho Australian Jockey Club. Tho case is evidently causing a lot of considering, . ,

POVERTY BAY MEETING. To-day the Poverty Bay Turf Club will make a start with their summer meeting, and if the good acceptances received -are any criterion tbo club should have a most successful gathering, for the material in each race is good. The principal event, the Tauranga Stakes, has a field of twelve engaged, several of which have shown recent winning form. The following are tho acceptances for this event: —Birklino 9.10, Multiply 8.13, Seatondale 8.5, Mummer 8.3, Mangaroa 7.9,* Mistio 7.6, Tatimi 6.10, Vi 6.10, San Plme 6.10, Multitude 6.7, Peacemaker 6.7, Tneze 6.7.

Birkline, which tops the list with 9.10; has raced most consistently of late, and both Multiply, 8.13, and Seatondale, 8.5, have also been responsible for some really good performances. Mummer, 8.3, has good credentials, hut in his last attempt over a mile and a quarter, ho failed, n® appears to have lost his form of lato, and would be seen to better advantage over tho Flying Handicap course (sis furlongs), in which ho also claims engagement. Mangaroa, 7.9, is a very disappointing animal, and Mr Douglas must surely have long grown tired of her, but there is no doubt about her ability both to go fast and stay well, but she is evidently a mare of moods. Mistio, 7.6, has yet to get a mile and a quarter, but his Hastings form points to his being able to run on. Tatimi, 6.10, reached Hastings for the New Year meeting with a great reputation, and ran up to it, when he defeated Red Book (which afterwards, won in good company at Wellington), after getting badly left at the post. His form since then over short distances has been poor, but too much notice cannot he taken of it, as his gams appears to be staying. Vi, 6.10, seems to be growing tired of racing. She has done a lot of it, and at Gisborne,last week she refused to leave the mark. San Fluie, 6.10, is another which must have cost her connections a lot of money, and a win from her is muon overdue.

Some smart- sprinters figure m tire Plying Handicap. Waiorewa, 9.15> won cadi day at Gisborne, and defeat* ed Our King by half a length. The latter is now set to meet "Waiorewa on 91b better terms, but there seems to be a doubt about Our King’s ability to got three-quarters of a mile, and it would not come as a surprise to find Mr Hall’s horse again finish in front of the Indian Queen colt. Blue Lake, 8.11, is a long time earning a winning bracket, but she appeared to be on the improve at Manawatu, Eocene, 8.8, has improved out of all knowledge during the last six or seven months. Lord Possible, 7.10, has 6lb more than he carried into second berth behind Waiorewa at Gisborne. Field Force, 7.10, boa also 61b loss than, ho had at Gisborne. whop ho ran third.