TALK OF THE DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3420, 30 September 1919, Page 45

TALK OF THE DAY.

Bj Sentinel.

THE DUNEDIN SPRING MEETING. The Wingatui racing season will open on the 10th and 11th of October with the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting, for •which an excellent list of entries has been received. Kilmoon heads the list in the Mosgiel Handicap with S.l, and is asked to concede 81b to Wardancer and 101 b to Hcathercoto. The margins are about, the same as in the New Zealand Cup, and Rose Pink is also rated on the same lines. Sho has proved a winner this season, and so appears to have a shade of form in her favour. Elous meets John Barleycorn on Tib worse terms than in the Birthday Handicap, when a bad passage cost the former a good chance of success. Elens ran Tin Soldier to a nock, and in the Provincial Handicap gave 4J.lb and a boating to John Barleycorn, and roads well treated in coming in on slightly better terms. Elous also reads to have a chance through Marsa, as ho gave her 8!b and a boating in the King George Handicap. Paraoa won the Geraldine Cup with 7.10, where, ho, however, caught a W'Sak field. Ho moved a bit cramped in his action, but, should he improve, must have a good chance under 7.11. On the second day over a mile ho was handicapped to give Starland 151 b, and there is now only 81b between them. Starland should improve as the result of his race last week, but

Paraoa again looks well treated. Linden has been off the scene for some time, and reads fairly treated at 7.5, or lib more than he won with in the Southland Handicap, run over a mile and a distance. Sedd-el-Bahr has undergone an operation for respiratory troubles since ho was last season in public; but he has nothing to complain of on the score of weight. Marianne was in receipt of a stone from Eleus when she finished in front of him in the King George Handicap, and has nothing to complain about in coming in again on the same terms. Gbnshire is invariably finishing on at the end of his races, and the fact suggests that he may get a fairly good mile and a-quarter. The race may, however, bo more a question of fitness than figures, and for that reason Rose Pink, .Starland, and Paraoa will probably receive most attention at present •' but the running at the Kurow meeting may give good grounds for an alteration of opinion. Eleus, fit and well, would be as much entitled to favouritism as anything) in the race. THE KUROW MEETING. The Kurow Jockey Club's annual meeting, which takes place on the Oamaru racecourse on Thursday of this week, bears every indication oi bein«: one, ■ if not tho most successful, ever held by the cluh. An excellent list of acceptances, has been received in connection with the programme, and good fields seem assured. As a result of the running at Geraldine Bellshire receives a 101 b penalty in the Kurow Handicap and Belfield Handicap. Mustard Pot receives an additional'HUb in tho Kurow Handicap, and Pyjama and Post Haste 101 b each in the Beliield, Handicap. The form displayed by Mortham, Indus, and Braid at Geraldine does not create enthusiasm for their prospects in the Kurow Handicap, but they should strip much better as a result of their racing last week; hence it will not be surprising if. they show an improvement in form. Some of the Winga-tui-trained horses may be" found a bit short of fast work, and the field does not in consequence read very formidable. The order of favouritism may be Bon Spec and Kilmoon. Badial reads a bit close at 71b to Kilbrogan in the Belfield Handicap, but the top-weight may not bo ready to reproduce form, and Bon Spec (if reserved) or Redshire may be entrusted with most sup port. Mortham, Indus, and Braid are engaged in * both the Kurow • and Belfield Handicaps, and as the trio are in the same stable, a good deal may depend on how they aro placed. Kilbarry. will probably start favourite in the Hakataramea Handicap. San Sebastian and Graftclla have both better credentials over fences than anything engaged in the Waitangi Steeples. They are a rather moderate lot in the Welter Hack, and for that reason backers may go for Sunart and Glenshine. THE DUNEDIN GUINEAS. The fact that several whose engagement's have been continued in the Dunedin Guineas were fairly good winners .as two-year-olds, and that others engaged have already won this season, should make the Win'gatui classic a more than usually interesting race this year. Sir George Clifford' is represented, by two in Royal Stag and Miss Mimic, who both won races last season, and the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes success scored by the Sanquhar—Counterfeit filly ranks as the best performance standing to the credit of anything engaged in the Dunedin Guineas. Miss Mimic defeated Warplane and Surveyor, whilst Sunart and Royal Stag were unplaced. There was, however something unsatisfactory about tho race, and it could hardly be accepted as conclusive evidence concerning the racing merit of those engaged. In the Challenge Stakes there was a good trial horse in the shape of Gloaming, and ho won well from Surveyor, who gave just around a stone and three lengths beating to Sunart, whilst Miss Mimic, in receipt of half a stone from the Nassau colt, failed to gain a place. Sunart had previously won at Oamaru, and he gave the impression last year that he would develop into a better three-year-old than he proved as a two-year-old. If he is produced at the Kurow meeting Sunart should supply a line as- to how he has trained on since last year. - Miss Mimic, -on the other hand, was a hippy sort of a two-year-old, and may not improve to the same extent as Sunart, who appeared to want time. Royal Stag won the M'Lean Stakes, the Autumn Nursery, and put up other creditable form which suggests that he may develop into a gdOd'three-year-old. His dam, however, has been a poor producer, and hence one is inclined to wait until her son by Autumnus has proved himself. He put- up a good gallon when he won the Autumn Nurserv with'B.s in 1.12 3-5. Mr.G. L Stead is represented by .Starland and Orange Bitters, who both won at Geraldine last week, and they will probably put up better gallops next time out as the result of their experience. Both stayed on well, and of the two ■Starland may show the most improvement. Mustard Pot also displayed winning form last week, but there was not sufficient merit in his display to justify one giving him a chance in the Damedin Guineas. War Love, the sister to Warstep. did not appear as a two-year-old. Her relationship to such an exceptionally brilliant performer naturally tempts one to expect some good when she steps out fit and well. Some of the others are likely to he seen at the Kurow meeting, but if their form does not warrant them a place i:i the field, thore_ should at least be sufficient material remaining to give zest to the contest ior classic honours. RACING AT GERALDINE. The Geraldine meeting was got off in fine but coldish weather, and despite, the restricted railway service there was a good attendance on both days of the meeting. The track was on the heavy side as the result of recent rains, and tho state of the going was responsible for Gay Lad being withdrawn from his engagement in the Geraldine Cup. His absence from the field robbed the race of tho bulk of its interest, as many journeyed to the meeting with the object of seeing the Cup favourite in action." Gay Lad would not require to be a champion to have won the Geraldine Cup. as neither Indus nor Oavcrook looked timed up to run 10 furlongfc; and Paraoa, with a good pull in the weights to help his chance, went down with rather' cramped action in his preliminary. Paraoa was nevertheless made favourite, and, staving on. won by a couple of lengths from Hirro. who was pulled about and lost several lengths in the first couple of furlongs; otherwise he would have more seriously troubled the winner. Paraoa put up 31b over to obtain tho services of G. Young, and he got his mount to tho front about three furlongs from home, and kept him there. Both Caverock and Indus dropped back after going a mile —in fact, the lastnamed made a rather poor show in the

race. A rather weak field also contested the principal event on the second day's card. Hiero went out favourite, and handled differently than on the first day, won cleverly from Merton. t Caverock ran badly, and Paraoa never seemed at home under 9.0 in the sticky going, and this, in addition to a more solidly run race than the Geraldine Cup, did not let him amongst the money. Post Haste cleared out from the opposition in the Squatters' Handicap, and Orange Bitters and Eight Bells practically had the Ohapi Hack Handicap to themselves. The New Zealand Cup candidate Starland ran a bit green in the early part of the Belfield Welter, but when shaken up he strode along, and was wearing down Merton when they went past the post. Charley and Mythology led out in tho Rangitata Handicap, and the former won in a close finish. Braid mado n poor show. Bellshire and Tremena both gave an improved display when they finished in that order for the Stewards' Handicap, in which Post Haste seemed to be anchored by the increase on his first day's burden. Mustard Pot boat a bad lot in the Wainui Handicap; but his rider had to go on the carpet for carrying out Immense in tho run home. Immense had to be steadied and finally crossed back and finished on the rails. Immense went one better in the Gladstone Handicap by setting, up and beating Indus and Mythology. Pyjama had no difficulty in beating the opposition in tho Farewell. Ilylans made a one-horse race of the First Hurdles, and Silver Shield showed considerable improvement on his first day's form when he won the Second Hurdles. A wellbred sort in a four-year-old gelding, .Lackie Wood, by Wildwood—lnnisfail, won comfortably enough from Lewis M'Kinney in tho Geraldine Trot, and Rangitata Lasa won both the Orari Trot and Domain Trot; and Lewis M'Kinney, who had acted as runner-up to Lackie Wood, went out a good favourite for the Winchester Trot, and won nicely. The totalisator turnover for tho two days amounted to £19,306 10s, a.s compared with £14,234 for the last two-day meeting held in 1916. The financial returns over the meeting must be deemed highly satisfactory, considering that small fields supplied the bulk of the racing-. EL CARBINE. ' El Carbine, who is one of the fastest Gtraight-out trotters, ever imported from America, is to be placed at tho disposal of breeders this season, and will stand at Mr J. Henderson's farm, North road, Oamaru. El Carbine showed a trial of 2.Hi before leaving California, anel anyone who has seen him in action would readily agree that the eon of Carlokin can muster up a rare turn of speed. He is a particularly fine individual, and was got by Carlokin from Zomzar, by Zombro (2.11). Carlokin is a son of M'Kinney and as Zombro is also a son of M'Kinney, El Carbine is inbred to one of the greatest sires connected *with the light horsebreedinsr in America. M'Kinney is a descendant of Hambletonian through George Wilkes, and has already proved himself by getting El Munster, the winner of-tho last Now Zealand Trotting l Stakes, and in addition has sired several other promising sorts which have yet to make their appearance in public. In addition to siring speed, EI Carbine also imparts good size and excellent .shape to his stock, so that they please the eye from . every point of view, and, judging by what he has achieved with the limited chance he has received, the son of Carlokin promises to prove a verv valuable addition to our light harness stallions. IN A NUTSHELL Breaking thoroughbreds to harness. Braid was not at home in the heavy going at Geraldine. The Canrobe/rt gelding Buller is now trained by J. Hymers. Jack Symons is now one of the team trained by F. E. Jones Gay Lad is an unlikely starter at the Duneelin spring meeting. The next, payment for tho New Zealand Cup is due on October 2-1. —The imported mare First Glance has produced a fine colt to Martian. ,P. .T. Hogan saddled.-up four winners at the Bircjiwood Hunt meeting. Nominations for the C.J.C. Stewards' Handicap are due on October 10.

There is a movement on foot to form a trotting club in' Hawke's stable. The Hymettus gelding Mandrake, is the latest addition to F. D. Jones's stable.

Rangitata Lass shaped so well at Geral dine that she looks sure to win aga*n.

carried out on the Forbury Park iraekrs.

—'Handicaps for the first day of the Ash burton meeting are due on Saturday, Ocio ber 4.

—Mr A. G. Wood had his fields in gcod line when ho released the barrier at Geraldine.

The Canterbury Jockey - Club will distribute 39,27050 vs in stakes at Iticcarton this season.

The trotting events on the Gore programme will bo handicapped on the yards system. Nominations for the Gore Racing Club's spring meeting are clue on Monday, October 6, at 5 p.m. Bon Spec \va.a on the course at Geraldine, and looks in fairly good nick for engagements ahead. Silver Slr'eld displayed a marked improvement on his first day's form, when he won at Geraldine. Placid had not been long in training prior to racing at Geraldine, where he made no show each day. Belair has again pone slightly amiss, and in consequence could not fulfil engagements at Geraldine.

The Desmond mare Sprig of Erin. owned by Mr W. T. Hazlett, has produced a colt to Kilbroney.

Admiral Wood and Cathedral Chimes have been allowed to drop out of the New Zealnnd and Trotting Cup. —lt is understood that about lG,ooOsovs — possibly more—will be hung up in stakes at Fcrbury Park this season. —On the opening day of the Liverpool July meeting S. Donoghue lode four winners and a second out of five mounts.

Bellshire's handicap in tho Kurow Handicap is 6.J 3,- and not 7.13. as appeared in the telegraphed list of acceptances. The Forbury Park Trotting Club's spring meeting is dated to take place on Thursday ani Saturday. November 27 and 29.

Three c-f the winners at Geraldine in Starland, Orange Bitters, and Mustard Pot are eriQasred in the Dunedin Guillens. Achilledes made no show in either of his races at Geraldine. Lack of condition and deep going brought him to a halt. Dunmuro, the winner of the Hunters' Hurdles run at the Birchwood Hunt meeting, was got by Glenapp from Remove. The All Bed gelding Red Eagle was solidly supported at the Birchwood Hunt meeting, but made no show in his races.

Caverock looked rather too big and round to run up to form at Geraldine, but he should soon get amongst the money. Tremena looked far too bulky to see out a race in deep ground at Geraldine, but she demonstrated'that her pace has not been lost.

Mythology ran a couple of fair races at Geraldine, but was badly treated in being i!=ked to give Indus weight in the Gladstone Handicap. Prince Palatine, who is now in Franco, is full for next- season at a 400-guinea fee, and only eight vacancies are available for tho following year. —A. Oliver had the ride on Warplan© in the Wanganui Handicap, but his resumption of "the old stable jacket" could not make his mount a winner.

The mil© and a-quarter events which, usually figured on the Porbury Park programmes have been dropped in favour of milo and a-half races.

to race when produced at Geraldine. He should show up better as a result of hia gallops at the meeting. —Mr G. L. Stead had to refuse several mares offered for Nassau this season, and evidently there are a few breeders anxious to find another Surveyor. —Mr G. L. Stead will send a team to Dunedin, and .if Starland shows form to warrant the Journey he will be sent on to tho Wellington spring meeting. —J. M'Conib was at Geraldine, and looks to have made a complete recovery from tho trouble which made an operation necessary during the Grand National meeting. Bellshire looked far more seasoned than most of the horses at Geraldine, and that was a big factor towards helping him to success on tho second day of the meeting. Blue Tit, tho dam of the Syvvnford yearling colt sold at 11,500 gs at the Doncaster sales, was got by Wild Fowler (halfbrother to Birkenhead) from Petit Blue, by Eager. ,

—O n the last occasion when a Forbury Park spring meeting- extended over two days tho club ga.v© £2300 in stakes. This year's spring programme will carry 3500sovs in stakes.

—An offer (A 2000 gs. was recently refused for the Melbourne Cup winner Night-watch. His owner received the offer from India, and replied that it would take 400Ogs to buy tho gel din.y.

*—Northam did not get a good run in either,of his races at Geraldine. He, however, looked a bit above himself, and should be a much better horse when he next faces the barrier.

Strong support was given the MartianEverlasting gelding Amaranth in the Wainui Hack Handicap, but even in the poor company ho made no great threat to get amongst the money. - •

Merton gave Hiero a g-ocd go for tho stake attached to tho 'President's Handicap at Geraldine, but the latter was always going like a winner, although he had to be ridden out at tho finish.

Prior t-o winning the St. Leger the Swynford filly. Keysoe gave some 'indication of galloping ability by winning the Nassau Stakes, run over 10 furlongs, at" the Goodwood Cup meeting. • —**., may ke,* ; says the "Special Commissioner" of the London Sportsman, that in The Tetrarch we havo a horse destined to effect an influence on bloodstock similar to that effected, by St. Simon. Client seems to be more at .home on the Warganui course than anywhore else. Ho has two Wanganui Cups to his credit, and last week added io h'JB success on the track by landing the Spring Handicap. Orange Bitters put up one .of tho smartest gallops at Geraldine when she won tho Ohapi Handicap. She was got by Nassau from Ormulu, by Orme, and is well bred enough tc* win in better company. The Vice-Admiral—Midnight mare Eight Bells shaped fairly well when she ran second to Orange Bittcra in the Ohapi Handicap, and her display makes her worthy of remembrance on fonio future occasion.

A good deal of money came for Stray Shot on the second day of. the Geraldino mooting, but she ran last all the way. Her supporters held a rather too exalted opinion of the mare, as sho is at best very moderate. When Michaela met and defeated Kilbroyao at the laet Duriedin spring meeting' the mare was giving away 241 b. In the sama race this year she is giving 31b to the winner of the Great Easter and Toniplcton Handcap.

Hylans won his race at Geraldino very comfortably, and was going away at the fin : sh from the opposition. A repetition of his display would Hylans dangerous inmuch better company than he beat at Geraldine.

Affectation incurs o. 7lb penalty for the New Zealand Cup an a result of his win- in the Wanganui Guineas. He wa3 handicapped at 7.1, and his handicap now goes up to 7.6, as penalties do not exceed weight for age. —Mr G. L. Stead's team for the Dunedin spring meeting will be, according to present intentions, Slelce, Golden Crozier, Starland, Orange Bitters, tlie Sunny Lake filly Glenlake, and, pessibly, one mare belonging <to the team.

Pyjama opened his winning account for tho season when ho won at G-craldine, and again proved that he is a boter horse than generally supposed. Last season won six races, and was five times placed in 21 starts.

Client was not engaged in this year's New Zealand Cup, but be led home candidates for the bis race at' Rriccarton in tho shape of Hurry Up, Maiolia, and Nobleman in the Spring Handicap run at Wanganui last week.

One or tv.'o owners the writer met at Ocroldine asked questions concerning tho Invercargill summer meeting, and it is quite possible that southern sports will see colours unfurled that have not yet been seen south of Dunedin. Prince Palatine was standing at a 400jruinea fee in France hist season; and Sundridge. who was at a similar fee, is coming back to England next season to stand at 200-guinea fees providing 23 mares arebooked to him. Lord Jersey's Orion, who won tho Liverpool Summer Cup and ran 11 furlongs in 2.16 2-5, was got by Valeus from Post Horn, by Galloping Lad from Belgravia, by Royal Hampton. 'Valeus was got .by Laveno, a son of Bend Or.

The principal events at tlir* Fovbury Park spring meeting will be the President's Handicap, of 500sovs. 4.40 class; and the Pcrbury Cup, of GOOsov*, 1.33 class. Tho programme also includes '■' events, with stakes ef 200sovs each. Tho Orby'mare Diadem scored a popular win at tho Liverpool July meeting by winning the Molynoux Plate under 0.7, and covering six furlongs in 1.7 3-5. Tho smart time did not receive any particular notice in the report of the race. R. Ellis, who formerly trained St. Dennis and other horses at "Wingatui, found a bargain when he "purchased Charley at hack prices a few weeks ago. Charley more than paid for himself at the first time of asking by winning at Geraldine. W. Feilding had his first Tide since returning from the front when he got up on

John Koilly, who tipped out with him on tho iirst «'ay at Geraldine. It was not ft lucky start, but many a bad beginning ls followed with happier finishes. Post Haste stripped looking very well at Geraldine, where he won very comfortably on the first day, but did not act too well when carrving a bigger burden on the second day. He "will always bo best suited by a big truck, as turns are against him. The 101 entries received in connection with the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes of 1921 is ' the smallest list ever received in connection ■with the race since it was formed on its present lines in 1893. The record entry for the race is the 276 received in 1914. The sea voyage to Timaru on a small boat cost War March a heap of condition, as he lightened up and went all to pieces as a result of the journey. Ho looked a different horse at Geraldine to what he did a couple of weeks previously at Wingattu. Heiro was badly handled in the Geraldine Cup, and as a result had to give away several lengths over the last eight furlongs. Better placed, he might have beaten Paraoa, and confirmed that opinion by winning next day with nothing much in his favour on paper. —P. T. Hogan arrived at Wmgatui last week with Eleus, Almoner, Glenshire, Fleetham, Marvelite, Dunmure, Adelina, and Wild Shot. Hogan has had Kilkee, Redshire, Wild Pilgrim, and a couple of others at Wingatui since they returned from the Grand National meeting. —lt is understood that about 100 Iposeboxes are available at Gore for visiting charges. At the last meeting some of the visitors complained about extortionate charges, end it would be in the interests of the Gore fixtures if the club took seme action in the matter. Herbert Jones, who won the Derby on Diamond Jubilee and Minion in the late King Edwards's colours, won the Brighton Stakes on his Majesty King George's Jutland, run during the first week in August. A scene of wild enthusiasm greeted the win by the Royal Colours. *:.— The two stablemates Cathedral Chimes and Admiral Wood have been allowed to drop out of tho New Zealand Trotting Cup, and Matchlight is now Bryce's sole representative. It is interesting to note the fact that Matchlight remains in tho race, as he is generally regarded as rather harshly treated. Rose Wreath, one of the winners at Wanganui, showed promising form as a two-year-old by scoring a win and three- placed performances in her first season. She was got by Kilbroney from the imported mare Christmas Rose, by Heliotrope—Evadue, by Sidus—You Go Off, by Sir Huge—Fuse, by Bend Or. —At Geraldine Leaping Burn went out and jumped • equally as good as a smart hurdler such as Golden Prince, but commenced to tire after going a mils. He should make a successful hurdler when seasoned to the business, and would do better if more patiently handled instead of being hunted out to the front. Gay Light came with a good, but v&ry belated, run in the first day's hurdles at Geraldine, and on that display found a lot of support for his second race at tho meeting. He, however, failed to get dangerous at any stage of th;> journey, and did not run up to the display he made at the end of his first rac-a. Wha+ever chance Immense held 'in the Wainui Hack Handicap was spoilt by Mustard Pot edging him out in the run from the home turn. The stewards considered tho handling of the winner, but did not inflict any penalty on his rider. Immense came out a couple of races later, and, running a good solid race, won the Gladstone Handicap.

Nursing Sister, who got into the limelight at Wanganui, appears to l*ave trained since last year, when the best she could manage was two placed porformanoes out of 10 starts. She was got by Solferino frorj Miss Dalrymple, the dam of Ample. Miss Dalrymplo was got by Pilgrim's Progress from the imported Childeric mare Kai Dalrymple.

— ■ It was mildly surprising to find that Crenides was capable of beating Warplane in the Wanganui" Guineas, because the latter just failed to give away 12lb to him in the Spring Nursery. Apparently Crenides has improved well beyond his tvvo-y'earrold form on paper. Crenides was got by Demosthenes from Gold Thread, by Gold Reef (son of Bend Or) from by Apremont. The fact that Lewis M'Kinney won comfortably on the second day at Geraldine afte>- being handsomely beaten on the first day by Lachie Wood points to the latter being something out cf the ordinary. Lachie was got by Wiklwcod Jun. from Inuis-fail, a gcod mare in her day, who was got by Rothschild from Euahine, the dam of Dan Patch, Glendalough, and St. Kevin. Paraoa was obviously well treated in the Geraldine Cup, and although not himself, he won nicely enough. He moved short and cramped in his but a false-run race allowed him to get on his legs, and finally land the money. On the second day a smarter-run race under a higher scale found him unable to go with the pacemakers over a shorter distance, and he never got dangerous. Starland's defeat of Merton, and the manner in which he wr.s staying on, suggests that he must have been near the money if started in the principal handicap on the second day. Beiro had to be ridden out to beat Merton over a mile, and on that line Starland would probably have beaten the pair of them, as he had to give a start to Merton when and beat him over seven furlongs. Starland is a rather sluggish horse, and had to bo well shaken up to go on and won at Geraldine. The pleasing part of his performance was the manner in which he responded to the call made on him, and apparently, ho requires vigorous handling to goD all out. A race or two should sharpen him up, and it would need to, as his gallop even a 3 a winner could not create enthusiasm about his New Zealand Cup chance. .In the House of Commons on July 23 Lieutenant-colonel Meysey Thompson asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the French public invested £13,000,000 in one year on the totalisator, that tha Government received 8 per cent., 4 per cent, of which wenj back to the racing clubs,- 2 per cent, to the hospitals, and 1 per cent, to the encouragement of horsebreeding, he would introduce legislation with a view to obtaining similar beneficial results in England. The answer received was to the effect that such legislation was not desirable.

Affectation, tho winner of the Wanganui Guineas, was g,ct by Kilbroney froni Simper, tho rmro by Symington from Chclya, by Sir Visto—Cholandry, by Goldfinch. Simper was bought by Mr W. T. Hazlett at HOOK'S, with a sister to Affectation at foot, when sold at the sale of the lata Mr R. S. Morrison's stud. Naturally the Southland sportsman would be very pleased to see Affectation win tho Wanganui Guineas. Affectation is apparently one of tho best stayers among our young throc-year-olds, and hence is a Cup and Derby possibility. Affectation won three times out of 12 starts as a two-year-old, and was also

placed in three other starts. Warplano beat him in tho North Island Challenge Stakes, but was in receipt of 141 b when they met on that occasion.

The Nevv Zealand Cup favourite Gay

Lad was brought to Geraldine, but it was decided not to risk him in tho deep going. The colt was on the course on the first day, and he looks fairly forward in condition, but a better idea would have been gathered in that direction had he sported silk at the meeting. In conversation with Mr J. Grigg it was gathered that, unless the colt gives quite satisfactory replies to questions asked him on the training tracks, he will not start in the New Zealand Cup. Mr Grigg has not participated in any of the market movements that has made Gad Lad fa\-ourite for the Cup, but he is naturally anxious to win a good Tace with him before finally retiring the colt to the stud. For this reason Gay Lad might be taken to Australia. At the present time ha seems to bo thoroughly sound and in good health, and has still several weeks to get fit end well for a Cup journey.