NEWS AND NOTES.

NZ Truth, Issue 968, 18 October 1924, Page 9

NEWS AND NOTES.

Taratahi to-day. , Whangarei concludes to-day. Trentham opens to-day week. Festivity was unlucky at Masterton. Kaiti is a useful sort of a two-year-old. H. Gray will ride Tanadees m the Rlccarton Derby. Suggestion- won't be long m winning a race. He nearly succeeded at Opaki. Killoch wants riding before she will do her best. She will get it at Taratahi to-day. Merry Day is very well, and early bettors will be coupling her up at Trentham. Mireusonta, big as a house, ran fairly at Masterton. The race would do him the world of good. When Ballymena broke a leg at Randwick oh Saturday there went west one of the best stayers m commission. . The Caulfield Cup. is decided to-day. Most of our interest is m The Hawk. Jack Cameron reckons he has more than an outside chance. Tutankhamen is on the private sale list. The chestnut gelding is Qutta sound and is a good proposition. Though he, has not had the best of luck so far, he showed at Hastings that he could gallop. \ After th'e first forfeit there is a big crowd left m the Welcome Stakes and Guineas at Elierslie. Both races are going to be a lot better than has been the case for some years. Master Black won his. race at Masterton, m the easiest of fashions. He may not be a champion, but he should not be written off, as was once suggested. In welters he is always worthy of consideration when the going is good. : To say the least of.it, Festivity was not handled m the best manner at Masterton. The big fellow is not a kid's mount, not at least till the kid understands him. Piquant was sideways on when the ■barrier lifted at Masterton the first day. She was last at the turn ' and fifth at the finish. In view of racing ahead, this fact is worth remembering. Tui Stokes, who is apprenticed to Frank Higgott at Otaki, is showing unusual promise, and his services are freely availed pf. He is a bit light at present, but when he puts on a few more pounds he will be worth his weight m gold — providing he does not get headitis. Bonetter came up at Masterton like a new penny, and though she was tailed off all the way m her'vrace, with another one or two into her she will be m the vicinity when -the whips are cracking. Kalakaua did not look half the horse at Masterton he was at Hastings. There was not an atom of life m him, and both days he ran wretched ntcss. His running was a surprise to his trainer, who expected him to be the hardest to beat. Master Sandstone had one run' .it 'Masterton for a win.. The price ■ was a good one, but then it is said that me was unbacked. If that was so it was a bad error of judgment on somooody's part. * \

There is no doubt that Roy Reed is the best rider m the country at the present time. He is carrying out his work with uncanny judgment, and most every time he lands home a winner it is the result of well thought out tactics. His strong point is his patience throughout a race, and this stands to him nine times out of ten. The first day at Masterton, Sir Wu.i, with an inexperienced horseman, who broke a leather, was m the picture till within fifty yards of the post. The second day Bert Morris had the mount and it wasn't a race. Tanadees is to go to Ellerslie + .o contest the Guineas. The Woodvillecrained horse is very well, and though the opposition is going to be stronger than for some years he should take all sorts of beating. Eric Manson is to have the mount. Good money was spilt on Last Crust at Masterton, but the long straight had him gasping each day. For him to wiii, the home stretch has to be very short. Since winning- at Tauherenikau last season Quiescent has failed to run up to expectations, and of late he has been a long way back at the finish. His performances do not do credit to his breeding. After the Masterton meeting Jim Jones picked up the Martian — Persian Lilac two-iyear-old Purple Lilac and took her back to Greenmeadows. The lilly is a sister to Kukume, and her owner, Mr. W. H. Gaisford, is hopeful of her turning out trumps. Puketoi is generally noticeable m five, furlong races, but both days :it Masterton. he never came into the picture. The races would sharpen hin up, and to-day he may do better at Taratahi. With Automne engaged m the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie, the public will not have to look far for one to support. Last season Motley was, on form, a better youngster than Killocra, but this year the filly has failed to run up to expectations. She and the McDonald gelding are on equal terms m the Shorts at Trentham, but neither appeals as the likely winner. The Trentham-trained Sottano gives indications of turning out a useful sort. The half-brother to Almoner ran a good race the second day at Masterton, and his turn is not !ar away. Lady Fingers is getting to be a bad case at the mark, and both days at Opaki she refused to get m the lino. It was bad luck for Bob Knox that the sale mooted this time last year fell through. • When Miss Mickej' and Brigadier Bill met at Wanganui the former had 271 b the better of it. She- won comfortably, with the Bull-owned horse :n third place. At Trentham, Brigadier Bill is asked to concede the mare 131 b. and this should bring the pair together. ;•• Bank Draft has quite recovered from the mishap that befell him after the Wanganui meeting, and he will be taken to Auckland to contest the Welcome Stakes, m which event he will be one of those m the places. Bumptious showed a startling reversal of form at Masterton. In the Cup the first day he was never m a decent position and finished at the tail of the field. The second day he was always there and won m a punishing finish. His running confirms the view that he is a better second day horse than first. Dominant is a squib. She has blood and inches to win races, but never does she even get within cooee. Job had nothing on Jack Taylor for patience', but his fount of that virtue must just about need replenishing. All going well m the meantime, Bonetter is to race m the Wellington Handicap. Con Reed will most likely be back m time from Sydney to ride the mare. If only Askari would be reliable he would win races for Rowley Hatch, but the gelding is so- moody that he is the worst spec, going. The second day at Ma.sterton he got a bump along the back and the fuss he made over it gave one the opinion he had been knocked over the fence. Since racing at Marton last month, Slump has cost punters a pretty penny. . He paid a dividend the first day at Masterton, but the joint got it j back the second day. Tutankhamen is a horse with a future, but the handicappers think he is a horse with a "present." Since he started to race last season he has won one race (he Avon another but the judge said not), and that at Hastings this month. This race was the Maiden and Tutankhamen beat a lot of moderates. With that performance the chestnut went up considerably m the estimation of the weight adjusters, and at Masterton last week he was weighted at 7st 41b, but after his Hastings win he got a twelve pound re-handicap. He did not start. For not doing so he was raised three pounds for the Electric Handicap at Carterton this week. He is fourth on the list of the handicap with Bst 51b, and below him are horses with nearly as recent winning performances, accomplished m better company than maiden races. There is not the least doubt that Tutankhamen has been murdered, and that he has been handicapped on what he is expected to do, not on what he has actually done. It was just bad luck that Happy Days did not land the thick end of a stake at "Opaki. He was made to carry, his weight all the way the- first day, but on Saturday, ridden m behind he only stopped m the last ten yards to be beaten by the narrowest of margins. The first day at Masterton, Kilceit, with the rest of the Kemball bracket, was backed for pounds, shillings and pence, but she did not show up at all. On Saturday she went a great deal more kindly and when it came to a hard finish she outstayed Happy Days. Suggestion's performance the second day at Opaki was a very good -one and with those two races to his credit he will take some heading off next ■ start, which will be at Trentham.. The winner' of the Cave Plate at Masterton, Kaiti, carried- out his job m tradesmanlike fashion, ' and though the opposition was not of the strongest there is reason to expect better things from the colt. .The Masterton Club had a most successful gathering, and it was time" that the change came. With last week's meeting over the officials of the club will be able to look to the future with greater 1 confidence. The question of punters doing their sugar m cold blood is bad enough, but when the money is lost through the club not having its conveniences up to date, it is , time for action. All fences should be railed off; wire fenc ( es are quite all right for the farm, but most unsuitable for the racecourse.

When the Masterton Club next meet there is one thing that should be considered. That is of railing the outside fence, alongside the motor paddock. Snowland, a two-year-old, got into it last week and had to be withdrawn from the race. Ninety-two tickets had been taken out on her chance, but her supporters never got a run for their money. Black Ronald is to start m the Champion Plate at Trentham. The black colt is being steadily worked at Featherstcn, but is not right m the wind. Mr. c. F. Vallance named his two-year-old gelding-' by Martian — Amber and White, Grand National, m honor of Sturdee's success m the Steeplechase.. Bonetter is coming on and the race at Masterton will benefit her. She is still far from ready, but will be about right by New Zealand Cui> time. She is to race m the Champion Plate. Miss O'Dille is fast, but soon runs herself out. She was tried m behind on the second day at Masterton and was finishing on well. P. Hazleman will continue these tactics, though the filly i 3 only moderate. The racing he had at Opaki will improve Peneus, and he is to go to Riccarton for the Cup meeting. A couple of the Vallance two-year-olds will accompany him. Like her sister Menthe, Kilmint does not seem much grood, and it is likely that she will find her way to the Kemball stud before very long. Zouave is standing: up to his work again, though he will not be ready till later on m the season. He seems to have recovered from the accident he met with at Wanganui at the Cup meeting, for he gallops freely at Tauherenikau. Suggestion, though on the pretty side, ran two good races at Masterton last .week and wil 1 be an improved gelding next time out. Jack Farmer is going to the New Zealand Cup meeting with several of the Bidwill team.

In two races at Opaki the Kemball stables started three horses without earning- a place, and it looked as if the Masterton owner was going to have a bad time, but Bumptious and Kilceit bobbed up on the last day. Percy Hazleman has taken Pantagruel m hand agai,n after a long spell, but it will be some time before he is i: winning form, as his tasks are yet very light. , Sir Wai is to race over hurdles at Trentham, and m his try-outs at Opaki has jumped well. Agitato is a gross colt, and will need some racing to «put him right. He is to start m the C.J.C. Derby but on his track Avork so far will not be ready. , . Subjection is not engaged m the Great Northern Guineas, and is to race at Riccarton. Action and Motion are m the Welcome Stakes at Auckland, but are not likely to start, and will be at the Cup meeting with the other members of the Bidwill team. Tanadees, Ma Boughal, and Tutankhamen were relieved of their engagements at Carterton on the publication of the weights. George Orange is to take his team to Ellerslie for the spring meeting. With Mount Marta m the Guineas he should get at least some of the stake ■money. With something else to take the top of the handicap, Happy Days is m the welter at Taratahi 41b lighter than he ran second with at Masterton. iThe course may not suit him so well, but still he will be the hardest to beat. Gray is to ride Son o' Mine m the Great Northern Guineas. The Davis horse will have to improve a whole heap to beat one or two of those engaged. Hastings trainer Bill Donovan was one of the first of the visiting trainers to leave home for Trentham. He got away last Monday with Crishna, Teiga, Runnymede, and Bennanee. Arch Salute was not seen to advantage at Masterton, and on the score of appearances Rooked very ragged. Serene, who ran third m the Trial at Napier Park, will next be asked to race at FeUding. Tanadees is to be. taken to Ellerslie a little time before the meeting, so he ; will not be a runner at Trentham. The three-year-old fillies seen out so far this season are a very ordinary iGt, and the race for the Oaks next month does not look to have the makings. Clarmda should just about land the event for Rod McKenzie. It is said that the last has been seen of Razzle Dazzle as a racehours.e. It is a great pity, for when at her best she was a brilliant customer. Kaiti is to take his place m the Wellesley field, and Jack O'Shea, who rode him at Masterton, will again be m the saddled After competing m the Guineas a,t Ellerslie, Tanadees is to be railed the following night to Wellington and then shipped across to Lyttelton, from where he will go on to Riccarton 10 contest the New Zealand Cup, m which event Dombroski is to have the ride. This is some • slick travelling, and it will be (interesting to see how it pans out. . On recent form it is hard to see Merry Day missing paying a dividend m -the Cup at Taratahi to-day. Her most trouble can be looked for from Festivity, who, decently handled, wall be knocking. ' There is a cheap horse advertised for sale m this issue. It is Tutankhamen, who is perfectly sound and m racing condition. Degage has now won three on end, and m the near future Avill score again. She has settled down at the barrier, but the early part of a race always finds her scratching, for she is slow to get on to her feet, '_„. i

Ashley Reed will not be home for the Trentham or Riccarton meetings, as he has gone on to Caulfield and Fieming-ton. F. Tilley intends leaving Fordell on Tuesday with his team for Trentham, and after the "Wellington meeting wili go on to Christchurch. He has five engaged at Treht.ham, comprising Inferno, Enthusiasm, Tukia, Bonhommo, and a two-year-old filly by Panmure out of Cherry Mart. Inferno will be seen out m the Champion Plate at Trentham, as it is believed he will run out a mile and a quarter very fast. Since running at Wanganui, Enthusiasm has come on nicely, and this mare should be worth watching at Trentham, but she will probably be seen to better advantage at Riccarton. The Thorn and Motley are to leave Wanganui for Trentham on Tuesday next. The former has been pleasing the touts at Wanganui. Motley has been disappointing as a three-year-old, but hopes , are entertained that she will shape better at Trentham than m previous starts this season. She v will need to if she is to make any sort of a showing m - the Great Northern Guineas, which event .she is to contest if she goes on all right. - Gaillard does not appear to 'be putting the dash into ' his work that he should do at Wanganui, but he is a notoriously bad track horse. He will bo stepped out at Waverley m the open sprint, and most likely will then make the trip to Auckland for the Guineas, after which the son of Absurd is . to go south for the New Zealand Cup meeting, at which he figures m three or four events. Merle, the two-year-old filly by Elysian — Voca, is now an inmate of M. Gardiner's stable at Wanganui. She is being allowed to take .things easily, and may not be raced until the autumn. Mangawhero is looking bright and well, and the Marble Arch gelding may be hard to beat at Waverley. Empyrean is to be taken to Waverley, after which The Welkin gelding will journey' south for the New Zealand Cup and other engagements at the big meeting at Riccarton. ' Chief Ruler, the recently imported thoroughbred horse, by The Tetrarch —Jest, is now safely installed at Mr. J. Donald's stud farm at Westmere, Wanganui. Among the mares which are to visit him this season may be mentioned Silver Link, Rosie ( Desmo.nd, Bonny Briar, Wake Up, anil two imported from England by My. Donald. ■, Mr. Donald's other imported horse, Tonbridge, has been visited by a number of mares, including Civilisation, Inah, Celmisia, The Boyne, Marsuma, Pirouette, Crucelle, Passadena, Tatrina, and Martingale (dam of Yoma and Pouma). There is a big crowd left m the Trial at Carterton to-day. The one with the most to recommend him is Salamis, who ran two seconds at Otaki. A big crowd of visitors to the Randwick meeting returned home this week. Both boats left before the last day's racing. All New Zealanders present at Randwick for the Derby are of the opinion that Nigger Minstrel was unlucky . He had to be eased m his work before .the race, and this left him a bit short of condition. The race got right to the bottom of the Dowry colt, who, when raced m the Cr-aven Plate, ran well below form. Since that race Nigger Minstrel has freshened up a lot, and when he stepped off the Ulimaroa on Wednesday looked very well. It is the intention of . Mr. T. H. Lowry to start his colt m the Champion Plate. After that race he will next be called on to contest the Derby at , Riccarton. The Press Association gave the rider of Sea Risk, who won the Squatters' Handicap first day at Randwick, vis Con Reed. This was not the case, as Ashley had the mount. Ashley is riding with the utmost confidence at the present time, and as he is., m with a stable that only hangs on to the best, he should be heard of again at Flemington. . With the Melbourne Cup meeting over, Reed is coming back to Wellington to straighten up his affairs. He will then return to Melbourne, where he is to do the light riding for the Corteen-:Tye-Godby combination. The Sydney/ three-year-olds this season are a very poor lot. In fact, one returned visitor told me that taking all the handicap horses m commission, they would not be worth too much. Merry Day and Festivity should fight out the Wairarapa County Cup at Taratahi this afternoon. Sunny Loch and Jack McCombe came back from Sydney this week after an unsuccessful trip. The big horse only looked a shadow of his real self, and a good spell is to be his portion. : As is generally the case, the merchants had the better of the punters at the Randwick meeting. On tne last day only two favorites were ful.It is hard to nominate Quest to win a race, but he has every show m the open six at Taratahi to-day. Amongst the ' horses handicapped for the Waipawa meeting occurs the name of Silver Tongue. Thought he was retired years ago. The short straight at- Carterton should suit Star Shell, m the Electric Handicap. There is some talk of taking the Masterton winner Black Rock to Sydney for the autumn racing. 'Whether he is to go or not depends on how he shapes m the next few months. Pronto won the first day at Opaki and ran well for seven furlongs the second day. These two races should Stand to him when he contests the hack seven at Taratahi to-day. ! Fred Jones and Maurice McCarten were to have left Sydney yesterday for Auckland. Big things are prophesied for ' the Absurd colt Nincompoop, who won the Breeders' Plate at Randwick m fine style. Judging by track work, Nigger Minstrel will need to be at his best on Champion Plate day if he is going 1 to beat Royal Divorce. Rehutai has been allotted top weight among the hacks at'Waverley, but the Lucullus filly is going to Wellington. Karaeo has not been long m work but is looking right and his connections give him a good chance m the Waverley Cup. Muraahi has been given 9.12, a stone more than he won the Cup with last year. The Campflre gelding is not so forward this v year as he is being prepared for the Christmas fixtures at Auckland. The Lamb is working m good style at Hawera. The disappointing Snatcher .has been purchased by a Manawatu sport and is now m the hands of A. J. Shearsby at Palmerston. Erie, who went amiss early m the winter, has again been taken m hand by E. J. Murtagh. Miss Mickey is making the trip to Wellington. Cold Steel is being given steady road work and is looking well. Both Passin' Through and Price are schooling well over big country. The pair are making the Auckland trip.

Sunny Jim is again m work, owner Paterson being his mentor. The throat operation appears to have been successful. Thunderclap is being prepared for coming engagements by N. K. McDonell. The Waitara-owned horse should be heard of this season. Avola is going to Christchurch and her connections give the mare more than an outside chance m the big money. Immediately after Waverley, C. Jackson is railing Glengariff and Shut Eye through •to New Plymouth to catch the boat for Auckland, where they have engagements m the Great Northern Guineas. Muria is now being trained m New Plymouth. From the speed she shows on the track .the Absurd mare should not be long m earning a stake, for Dick Johnson. \ Hallowvonia is to be retired for stud purposes and will visit Bisogne. Papaponga is making a good recovery from the recent accident and should soon be m work again.