TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3060, 3 December 1908, Page 6

TURF NOTES.

(By "Zetland")* Golden Eagle's running at Feliding this week was to a certain extent similar to the form shown by the St. Clements mare at Taratahi last month. At the latter meeting she ran a poor race on the first day, and won on the second. At Feilding this week she won on the first day in brilliant time, and on Tuesday started'in the York Stakes and ran last the whole way. Lady Menschikoff, winner of the Nikau Hack Handicap, was a brilliant two-year-old. Many who remembered this backed her on Tuesday, and were rewarded with a good dividend. Many who attended the Feilding meeting on the opening day are of the oninion that with a fair despatch Mr W. E. Bidwill's Provocation ■would have won the Feilding Stakes. Gold Crest hopped off with a lead of three lengths, but had to be shaken up at the finish to stall off Provocation and Broadsword.

Seaton Dale, who ran second to Lady Menschikoff this week, is now improving fast, and is one that should get on the winning list before the end of the year.. Others that are showing distinct improvement are Crucinella, Hiro, Aorangi, Buoyant, Probability, and Truganini. It is intended to retire Riflemaid from the racing track, consequent on her failure to reproduce her training form in the actual contests. It is considered that the falls she experienced at Tauherenikau last New Year's Day have left such a lasting impression that she is afraid to race through a big field when called upon to do so towards,the end of a race. Eclogue, a three-year-old by Sylvia Park—Epilogue, winner of the Maiden Scurry at Feilding, is a fine stamp of a thoroughbred, inasmuch as he shows size, strength, and quality. On the first day he ran second to the brilliant Slluja in the Welter, the Beven furlongs being run in the'brillinfc J time of lmin 28 l-ssec.

Muskerry, the full sister to Boomerang, covered herself with glory by winning the Manchester Handicap in the record time of 2min 6 3-ssec for a mile and a quarter. The Merriwee mare fretted badly before the race, and before doing her preliminary perspired freely. Previously she had not essayed a task over the distance, consequently four other starters were better backed. On the rise of the barrier tapes, she was taken to the front by R. Hatch, and staying the distance out in splendid Btyle, won by a fair margin from Hiro and Truganini.

The surprise of the race was the forward running of lliro. At Blenheim a fortnight ago the Cyrenian horse ran very poorly in moderate company, yet on Tuesday proved equal to running a mile and a quarter in 2min 7sec, and finishing in front of such performers as Moral, Tangimoana, Waitapu, White Lie, and Sandstream.

In the St. Andrew's Handicap on Monday. Mr J. Cress' San Julie was one of the first to enter the straight in the home run. The San Fran mare was going so well that her victory seemed a very probable result, but under the pressure one of her fore legs gave way, and she finished up la:ue and out of a place. One of the best performances witnessed in New Zealand for a long time was that of Ikon in the Railway Welter at Feilding. She carried top weight, lOst, and in a field of ten came out victorious in the exceptionally good time of lmin 28 l-ssec. It may be some time before this is beaten. Consequent on their winning form at Feilding, the following horses have incurred penalties for their engagements, at Woodville: — D'Nil 101b, Eclogue 101 b, Muskerry 101b, Sir Antrim 101b, 81b, and RangipapaSlb. V... ASHHURST—POHANGto RACING CLUB. \ _ \ Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for ail races, and Guineas payment), close with the secretary (Mr A. W. Trass) at Ashhurst on Satui day, December stb, at 9 p.m.