NOTES AND COMMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10206, 17 February 1919, Page 8

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "Tohunga.") The starting on Saturday at trie Dunedin meeting does not appear to have been of the first-class order. In fact, there was a demonstration against the starter at the end of the Flying Handicap. It is very easy to make hostile demonstrations, just, as it is to acclaim a favourite who wins; and some people are only too ready to jump in and create a disturbance. The duties of a starter are very difficult, especially when there are somo unruly horses engaged, and that fact should be borne in mind by the general public. Competent starters are born, not made; it is a gift; and the ideal starter must have an intimate knowledge of horses and men. Euripos, as was anticipated, easily accounted for a very handy field in the Owhero Hurdles at Dunedin on Saturday. The gelding, who is by Hymettxis from Martyriura, is a six-year-old, and made his debut over the jumps this season. He had a good year on the flat last season, winning the I>ouro Cup at Wellington, the Otokia Welter at Dunedin, and the Redcliffs Handicap and Avonhead Handicap at the C.J.C. meeting. He also ran to Daytime in the Craven Plate at Eiccarton. With his excellent turn of speed and fine staying qualities, Euripos should do very well at the fencing business. It seems rather remarkable that he was allowed to pay "the limit" on Saturday. Euripos is owned by Mr Harry Knight and trained by F. D. Jones. Burrangong and Kilbrogan, both of whom carried a lot of money, were badly left in their races' at Dunedin. Punka, a three-year-old filly by Cooltnm from Drowsy, started favourite at Dunedin in the Haalett Memorial, and after several disappointing essays in different parts of the country, duly registered a win. Punka i l tS and **? thirds ° ufc ° f six starts last season, her wins being the Juvenile Handicap and Nursery SS"2 a A£tXr Ca and *• Russley w^^'T""* 01 } * raine r» Albert Cutts, was out" nn e H laid Up for E °™° time was out on the course on Saturdav morning, supervising the work o*. his I Acceptances for the first day's races Vclol-k SamU are due to-night at 8 Acceptances for Dannevirke are due on Wednesday. Nominations for the Wairarapa' Kacing Club's autumn meeting, to be held on March 13th and 14th, are due on inday, a t 5 p.m.

. The tactics displayed by several jockeys at Dunedin, on the first day of _ the meeting (says a Christchurch writer) recn«l the olden days of hide-and-seek. Vith the paid official on in© spot, it is remarkable that some of them were not made to go "he." The brilliant two-year-old Sundance sustained injuries in the paddock which ihave necessitated his being spelled. Wingform- ended her career at Wigatni the other day by slipping as she was racing at a hurdle, and breaking a leg. Post Haste was well fancied for the Berwick Handicap at Dunedin, but some rough-horse riding settled his pretensions early in the contest. The Government decision to restore the full racing programme from February Ist was announced too late to allow the New Zealand Metropolitan ;Trotting Club to hold its February I meeting at the regular time. The officials orthe club discussed the position with the Minister for Internal Affairs, and, as a result, an arrangement has made to hold the meeting on Saturday, April 26th, following on the Easter meeting, which will take place on Saturday, April l&th, and Wednesday, \ April 23rd. It will really amount to a three-days' fixture, and the club should be able to prepare a, fine programme, which will attract strong support from owners in other parts of the Dominion.

The influenza epidemic has made its presence felt in Victoria. Tho health authorities hare introduced measures New South Wales horses from visiting Viotoria, which puts a number of horses out of court so far as Oaulfield and Flemington are concerned. Bail traffic has been suspended between Sydney and Melbourne,, and the journey by sea' means at _ least seven days quarantine after arrival in Melbourne. The following account of tho Gloaming—Desert Gold race appears in the Taranaki "Daily News": The huge concourse of sportsmen that gathered on the Hawera course in anticipation of witnessing the meeting of the champions, Desert Gold and Gloaming, was treated to a splendid race, that proved beyond a shadow of doubt the superiority of Gloaming over his older rival, and it iwas a matter for congratulation that this great and memorable contest was got off without tho slightest hitch. It was a clear-cut victory, and the tliree-yoar-old proved his superiority both as a, beginner and a stayer. He had the race won at any stage, though the mare put up a sterling fight, and over the last furlong ho came right away and won handsomely. In 'the saddling paddock both horses wore inspected by thousands of admirers. Desert Gold moved about in her usual nonchalant manner, while Gloaming exhibited the usual fnskiness of youth. , Both looked trained to the minute, and their solitary opponent— Birkenvale—looked a, commoner in comparison. Gloaming received a mild cheer when led into the birdcage, but the crowd cheered lustily when the mare entered. Desert Gold was quite undisturbed hy the crowd, but Gloaming sweated a good deal, _ and appeared restless. The trio were cinomatographed, and stepped on tho course to the accompaniment of prolonged cheers. Dosert Gold moved along grandly in her preliminary, showing a fine raking stride and superb dash. Gloaming dashed off as if eager for tho fray, but was steadied. Birkenvale moved well. When tho machine opened Desert Gold was rushed by backers, and at an early stage stood a warm odds-on favourite. In the final stages big money came for Gloaming, and the gelding finished up within fourteen tickets off tho mare. Birkenvale was almost entirely neglected. , ■ When they lined up Desert Gold was

in No. 1 position, with Gloaming next, and Birkenvale ori the outside. After a little manoeuvring, during which both the cracks went through the tapes on two occasions, the trio moved off in line. Gloaming was the quickest to get into his stride, and in the first fifty yards had taken the lead on the rails. Desert Gold was a length and a. half behind, with Birkenvale just far enough away to keep out of trouble. At tho six-furlong post Desert Gold had run up to within a length of Gloaming, and Birkenvale was five lengths away. At five furlongs Gloaming held a neck advantage, which he further on increased to half a. length. Three furlongs from home Desert Gold drew level with the youngster, and excitement grew to a terrific pitch. Both riders were riding "their mounts no-H----and the popular cry, "Desert Gold winsl" was shouted frenziedly. Both horses raced stride for stride, straining every nerve in tho great struggle. As they swung into the straight Gloaming was half a length in front, but Deeley was riding hard, and Gray appeared to be holding himself and his mount for the final dash. Below the distance Gray drew the whip, and the mare eamelv responded, out Gloaming still had a lot left in him, and, coming away with a great burst of speed ran in a winner by a length and a half. Birkenvale was 100 yards away, last, bo ended a memorable and titanic struggle between the two champions!