NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8736, 19 May 1914, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Finland.”) Kennymore, which won the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket rojcontly, was ridden by the French Jockey, G. Stern, who, it may be remarked, piloted Mr J. B. Joel’s colt Suustar, to victory in the same race three years back, and also won tho Derby on tho same colt. According to a northern paper, it is quite possible that Huffy will attempt to lift the Great Northern double. It is freely rumoured to bo the intention of- his owner. A. J. McFlynn has been engaged to ride the gelding. After tho acceptances fell duo on Friday night for tho Groat Northern Hurdle Race and Great Northern Steeplechase, 17 horses remained in tho first-named race and 18 in the latter. With such a satisfactory acceptance for both events, followers of racing have ample material for discussion during the next two or three sveoks.

J'. Lambess, who has acted as head lad for B. Hannon and J. Williamson, has accepted the position of private trainer to the Auckland sportsman, Mr F. Ross, and has already made a start with that gentleman’s horses at Ellerslie. Ho has taken over tho stable lately occupied by H. French. Tho Soult horse Tragedy King is shortly to bo given a chance to earn distinction over hurdles. Ho has been, rather a disappointment as a flat racer, but may probably make amends in his new departure. Mr J. Armstrong, owner of Eocene and Co., has purchased tho jumper Omanawa, and this gelding is now under A. Neale’s care at Greenmeadows.

A. J. McFlynn, the Auckland cross-country horseman, left for Wanganui yesterday, under engagement to ride Aruake in the Century Hurdles on Thursday next.

At the Sydney TattersaLTs meeting on May 9th, W. H. McLachian, the crack Sydney horseman, was suspended for three months for interfering with Maltchester. E. Hickey, the rider of Maltchester, was of the opinion that the interference 1 cost him the race. McLachian has been doing Mr E. J. Watt’s riding since that sportsman commenced racing in Australia.

The imported horse Almissa haa finished his turf career, and this season will retire to the stud at Messrs J. Thompson and Son’s establishment at Widden. Almissa, who was bred by the Duke of Portland, is by Ayrshire from La Roche, and won the Australian Cup, Williamstown and Moonee Valley Cups, as well as some minor events. La Roche was a great mare herself, winning the Oaks in 1900, the Manchester Cup, and many other long-distance races. Sydney files to hand bring news of the death of the three-year-old Vasco —Silkgown gelding, Counsel, whom 1 ‘Mr J. Birk” recently purchased from Mr G. D. Greenwood. The cause of death was from internal hemorrhage. This complaint, which leads to heartfailure, is said to be very rare.

Trafalgar, which broke down about twelve months ago, after winning the Randwick Plate, and was retired to the stud, is again to be taken in hand. The ex-champion is now rising nine years old. ■ He has reached W. Hickonbotham’s stables at Flemington. The son of Wallace and Grand Canary has been at the stud since leaving Coreena Lodge and five foals by him have come to light!

The Melbourne hurdler Widgrewa has been sold to Mr I. Scott, the owner of Cider. It is likely the horse will be shipped to India at a later date.

In England this year La Roche, the dam of the Australian Cup winner, Almissa, has foaled a colt to Bayardo, whose stud fee is 300 guineas. The Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting will be commenced at Wanganui on Thursday, when the principal events to bo decided are the Century Hurdles and Connolly Ham dicap. A fair amount of rain has fallen during the past week or so, but hopes are entertained that the weather will lift and tlm track will prove in excellent condition. The meeting will be concluded on Saturday, when the Steeplechase will come up for decision, and the result will give a lino as to how the various competitors will faro in the Great Northern Steeplechase.

Yet another of Australia’s prominent trainers has crossed the Great Divide. In this instance it is Mr 0. T. Roberts, at the ago of fifty-nine, Some years ago Mr Roberts, as at. owner as well as a trainer, won the Epsom Handicap and the Metropolitan of 1882 with Masquerade. He also won the Epsom of the following year with the same horse; and in 1887 he trained a Sydney Cup win. nor in ’Frisco.