RACING NEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9719, 23 July 1917, Page 8

RACING NEWS

NOTES AND COMMENTS. , (By "Tolmnga/ , > The tracks at Trentham arc still too heavy for anything in the way of solid work» and during the week most of the mentors have been using the road, which are less liciuid. On Saturday morning Parisian Diamond, Who has an engagement in the Winter Cup, ran five furlongs on the grass track. Marconi went along for a mile, which he covered in even time.

Mystic Light jumped three hurdles m improved style., Hach effort shows an advance in knowledge.

J. McComhe has taken up the Boniforro gelding Bon again.

Word from the south suggests that Dionysius is an unlikely starter at the Grand\ National meeting. He sustained some trouble at Trentham, which is said to bo more severe than was at first supposed. Naupata. who has an engagement in the Grand National Hurdles, ha© gone into the stable presided over by W* H. Thompson.

Accommodation was booked for Leonta for the Grand National meeting, But it has been cancelled, which suggests that the Conqueror gelding will not be a passenger by the Maori or the Mararoa during the next month. Gladful'has won over JE2OOO ia stake money during the season.

Bongahero was scratched for the Grand National Steeplechase at 10.30 on Saturday morning.

. Kooya was scratched for the Grand National Hurdles and Bisogne for the Winter Cup at 12.30 p.m. on Saturday. The English thoroughbred Ptolydamon arrived at Auckland recently, lookins none the worse for his trip. He will be raced next season, and subsequently take up stud duties. Sartorze is unsound and is a very doubtful starter for the Winter Cup. B. Emerson ha, decided. not to start Peron Ula in the Grand National il or dies, but if the mare keeps sound she may l« started in some of the minor events at the meeting next month.

Charles is being worked m heavy bandages at Biboarton, on account of a he bit of striking himself in his stride. As the usually worn boot chafes his Ifgs tho bandages are being tried.

A. southern waiter suggests that Fiery Cross may not contest the Winter Cup, and that ante-post bettors would be wise to refrain from indulgence until he appears at the post . It is doubtful if Sir Tarka orJeannot will be paid up for in the Grand National Hurdles.

Thame® has not been overweighted in the Winter Cup, but tho distance, one mile, nrav find her out.

At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club the president (Mr P. Miller) said i—" For some time the Dunedin Jockey Club committee had been gradually increasing the distances of races, and, taking furlong by furlong that had been added, it amounted to oyer five miles during the, iastfive seasons. In addition to this they had been keeping the weights up in most of the races, the minimum' being 7.7 and Sat. This was an indication that they were not catering for squibs, as some of their opponents contended. They had from time to time endeavoured to get the minimum weights raised throughout the Dominion, but without success so far.” Mr P. Miller was re-elected president, Mr E. C. Hazlett vice-president, and the retiring members of committee (Messrs W. J. Coughlan. A. C. Hanlon, B. H. Lough, and J. Smith) were re-elected. Mr G. M Mac Lean was re-appointed auditor. In pursuance of the powers contained, in sootjon 33 of the Gaming Act, 1908, regulations excluding bookmakers, disqualified persons, and certain undesirables from the Wingatul racecourse while occupied for a race meeting were adopted. ___________