NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8790, 21 July 1914, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By "Finland.”) By whining the Trial Platoat Trentluun ou Wednesday, Shaki increased tho Hon. J. D. Ormond's largo string of successes in that event. Bast season it was thought that Hymettus s stock would not stay, but the way Shahi ran out tho six furlongs gives' mo the impression they will improve considerably in that direction ’With ag°Tho Birkenhead gelding Leeso, in J. G. Scott’s stable at Trout ham. was making his first appearance over tho tail timber at Treatham on Wednesday, and created a very favourable impression, but unfortunately on the second day when going well ho broke a blood-vessel, but with a short rest his trainer hopes to have him going again, in view of jumping engagements ahead. When Ingeakcndor fell in the Second Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase on Saturday he hurt his off foreleg, and was walking a trifle sore when, he returned to tho bird-cage. Garanoe is evidently not nearly as good as his connections think. He flattered his supporters until the top of tho straight in the Kia Ora Handicap, but then cried enough, and his failure must have cost the stable a good amount, as they greatly favoured, his chance.

Several would-be purchasers have been negotiating with Mr A. R. purrant since Saturday for the purchase of the Sensation —Mrs Shannon gelding, but X understand, no business.has yet resulted. I/uko Wilson, who is without .doubt on© of our'most capable horsemen over a journey, completed arrangements on Wednesday last with Mr W. I'.. Bldwili to ride Reputation in all his classic engagements next season, ho has also been approached by F. Davas, private trainer to Mr T. H. lowry, with a view to riding on© of the Okawa sportsman’s two-year-olds m the Hostings Stakes. H„ Berry will take Up his residence at Hastings immediately after the Grand National meeting, and his retainer with Messrs W. G. Stead and E. J- Watt will then commence.

Peary, since his fall in the Hawke s Bay Steeplechase, seems to'have cultivated the very bad habit of trying to run off -at his fences, and I understand MoCabe had more than his share of work to keep him from running off at every obstacle in the Wellington Steeples. In the July Steeptechase he looked to have the stand double set long before Rapid went off. Grand Idea was undoubtedly unlucky in the Kia Ora Handicap on, Saturday, for he struck trouble shortly after the start, and when, the straight was reached he was nearly last. With any sort of luck at ad ho might have reversed positions with Georse.

It was a sad enid for old Antarctic to come to after having had such an interrupted preparation extending over nearly two years. The Salvadan, gelding was walking soundly enough before ho went out to contest the Wellington Steeplechase on Wednesday, but ho did not—iook half ready, and was soon tailed off from the rest of the field. Antarctic was an aged, gelding by Salvadan—Coryphee., Last season he only started once, m the Wanganui Steeplechase, but railed to gain a situation, and the year previous, out of four starts he was twice third, onco second, and unplaced onco. he, however, did much better m the season, 1910-11, and out of five starts won on four occasions and was second m has other attempt. His beet performances were a second to Corazon in the Great Northern Steeplechase, when oonoeding Sir William Russell’s horse X7lb, H a win in the A.B.C. Wmter Stov pioohaso, with. 12.3, beatmg Scd 11.11, Loch Fyne 10.11, and Bed McGregor 11.6.

M. McGrath, the ox-Masterton. trainer who was disqualified in connection with the Wallalo cose in Sydney some three months or so ago, and who is now living in Victoria, was expected to reach Auckland yesterday by the Sydney boat on a holiday tnp. Another well-bred stallion is coming from England to Australia, Messrs W. Inglis and Son, in with their London agents, the British Blood Stock Agency, Ltd., having sold to Mr J. H- Bettington, of Terragong. Merriwa, the bay horse Aorofox, a recent King’s. Premium winner. Aerofox, who was bred in 1908 by the late Sir Tatton Sykes, is by Flying box from Haisie (dam of tho well-perform-ed Mediator), by Minting from Summorbolle, by Hampton from Lady Chelmsford, by Rosiorucian. He traces to tho same branch of tho No. 1 family as Scot Free, Aboyeur, Kerrymore, Wargrave. Spearmint, etc., and, being 16 hands high and Sin below the knee, ho lacks neither height nor bone. Doris has indeed been a wonderful brood mare, and Mr J. B. Joel is fully entitled to tho great admiration be has for her (says tho Manchester “Chronicle”). Foaled -in 1898, and bred by the late Mr H. Waring, she ran in the name and colours of Mr _S. B. Joel, for whom she won a juvenile selling race at Epsom, being subsequently bought in for SOOgns. At the end of her two-year-old days she passed into the hands’ of “J. 8.” who retired her to tho stud. Her first foal was Little Dolly, by Sir Geoffrey, but in 1903 and 1904 she proved barren to the same sire. Her filly by Bill of Portland, bred in 1905, was sent to South Africa, but returned to England and was named Portia TV.; in 1900 she had a colt by Bill of Portland, which was called Selsey Bill, and in 1907, again put to Bill of Portland, she produced Lady Portland. Then came her brilliant time, for in 1908 she was introduced to Sundridge, and her progeny since that year have made tnrf history: Sunstar, White Star, Radiant, Princess Dorrie and Bright.