NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8737, 20 May 1914, Page 11

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “Finland.”) Mr A. R- Durrant has decided to give the Sensation—Miss Shannon gelding Commotion a chance to earn distinction over hurdles. . The horse in question showed fairly good form last season, and being built on substantial lines should make a valuable addition to the jumping brigade. Rationale had the honour of carrying the largest amount invested on any horse raced at the Egmont meeting, just on £9OO going on his number in the Manaia Handicap. He tried to win from the word “go.” but failed to see it out when the final -pinch came, and Cheddar onted him over the last furlong. The' latter has been a rather costly investment for his owner, as he has only scored on a couple of occasions since leaving Mr.E,.J- Watt’s stables, and on several occasions, when his party were most confident,.he failed to make a showing. However, if they decide to race him over hurdles, as at present there seems to he every chance of their doing so, he will probably make some amends ..for his many failures. At all events I have never regarded the Memwee -gelding.-as a weight-carrier, but he is almost certain to'do well in his. new departure if the weight adjuster is- not too severe on him.

Although the acceptances received for the Wanganui meeting are highly satisfactory, a good number have been allowed to drop out of the hurdle race and Qonnolly Handicap. Moutoa Girl’s withdrawal was not altogether unexpected, - for it was the general opinion that the handicapper was rather severe on her, especially when it is remembered that on nearly every occasion she has performed at all prominently it has been under a light scale of weights.

According' to the latest news from Wanganui, Goodwin Park never looked better in his life, and is expected to play a 'prominent part in the decision of the Century Hurdles to-morrow. He has, however, not had a race for_some time, and this is sure' to tell against his prospects. ’ Bridge,; which acted as runner-up to Eltham in the Adelaide Pacing Club Handicap on Saturday, appears to be at last getting back to something like his old form; When, racing ~n New Zealand his trainer formed a very high opinion of Bridge, hut ho seemed to lose all form in Australia, and probably his second on Saturday is his best performance to date since leaving these shores. The Possible gelding is now trained by G. (Jock) Wadham, who for a number of years acted as head lad for T. Quinlivan. Wadham, according to a’ recent arrival from Melbourne, has got quite a good team together, and besides looking after . the wants of Bridge and Wimmera, is also training the Sylvanite— Finality mare Winning Post. R. W. King, who was recently granted a trainer’s license by the Canterbury? Jockey Club, has put Query into work.

During the past eighteen yeans, S. Darling, the Rockhampton trainer, who has now resigned in favour of his sou, turned out 240 winners of 426 races, worth collectively £238,634 10s. The little Merriwee—Armada mare ■Vi, is the latest addition to 'the ranks of jumpers at Hastings, and on Thursday morning was sent a round over the pony hurdles. She refused on one occasion, but afterwards gave a good display. She has done more than her share of racing during the past season, and a short respite from toil would undoubtedly do her a deal of good. On the same tracks The Spaniard, Cousin Jack, Jessamine, Bas Blue, Parramatta, Espartero and Silver King have been giving displays of an encouraging nature.

The Hastings trainer J. Munn has again pub the San Fran —Maud horse Kopu into work. Great things were expected of the big chestnut, but he has been a disappointmyit, and probably he would pay his way over the battens.

Trainers in New Zealand have often been suspected of making use of stimulants in order to increase their chances of victory, hut cases are very difficult to prove, says the Wairarapa “Times.” Any member of the sporting fraternity who resorts to “doping” should he shown no mercy by the stewards or, other officials, as such a practice tends to degrade sport. The no-se is a noble animal, and there can he no harm in horse-racing—we do not include gambling in the term-conducted on proper lines. When, however, cfc'-micals are used so that a horse might win a few moro_ pounds; and bo uined in the process it is quite a different natter. We are of opinion that iffenders in this direction should not only be dealt with by the racing authorities, but that they should be called before the court, and there dealt with as criminals. “Doping” is cruel to the animal,'and tends to do much harm to any sporr. in which it exists, therefore it should be treated as a serious offence, and substantial punishment should be meted out when a conviction is obtained. Kosai, winner of the Goodwood Handicap at the South Australian Jockey Club’s autumn meeting, is a son of Juggler, by the Auckland-bred Strathmore, Nordenfeldt—Ouida, who carried Mr W. B. Wilson’s colours so successfully on the Australian turf in the early ’9o’s. Juggler, who bas been located in the wheat Sta+e for several years, enjoyed a g-cat reputation as a two-year-old, hut was prevented from living up to it by an unfortunate accident which necessitated his retirement from the tracks. Strathmore was a comparative failure at the stud, owing ■orobably to Tack of opportunity. His host-known descendant was Avalon, a gelding that raced several seasons and was well known throughout the different. States.

Dustin'.-,, Ltd., the well-known caterers of Palmerston and Wanganui, hare been appointed caterers at the Wanganui Paces. Patrons are.thus assured of (ho best. * Children’s Hacking Ccngli at night, Woods’ Great Peppermint cure. 1/6,216.