NOTES AND COMMENTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17655, 3 September 1919, Page 6

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "Early Bird.")

Marton to-day and to-morrow. First race starts at 11.30. The postponed Otaki nominations fall due to-day.

There was a slight fall of snow at Marton yesterday. The Hurdles, first race, should suit Sweet Tipperary and Vacuum. Goodwin's selected, Egmont Park, or Empyrean, may be too good for Nursing Sister and Kawhau in the Bellevue Hack.

On Waverley running one need not look beyond Stetson in the View Halloa Steeples. If he stands up Nefische may run into a dividend.

The Marjon Handicap bears an open appearance, Zola may be best, but the local gelding cannot have much in hand from Mr Jas. Bull's starter (probably Omahu) and The Speaker.

The Victory Steeplechase appears to rest between the heavy-weights, who may finish in. their order on the card. Gang Awa' should dispose of Master Webster at the weights.

Advices show that the Highden representative is expected to show up in the Railway Handicap, but *er-( sonally the improving Kipling is more fancied than Ermine or All Over, if the latter is reserved for this

There is no doubt that Khartoum should have beaten Deeside at Waverleyy and the Patea gelding's turn will come to-day. Metallum, if kindly disposed will also be thereabouts. Rose Queen looks well in in the Tutaenui Hack, the danger being Utiwai and White Ranger.

There was a persistent rumour in town yesterday to the effect that on account of sickness (flu?) the Marton races had been put off. A telephone message last night from the Marton J.C. stated that there was absolutely no truth in the statement, and that the races would be run.

Despite the fact that Surveyor and other New Zealand-owned three-year-olds of note will be engaged at Randwick this spring, the Wanganui Guineas should'provide an interesting contest for Warplane, Affectation and Lucid are three that can be counted on as probable starters.. Others engaged in the mile classic are Rose Queen, Motuihi, Hetaiia, and Amythas.

It is thought Acre may be engaged in the C.J.C. Stewards' Handicap at Riccarton. Tilley's charge ias given evidence that he is really at home on a roomy course, which may have something to do with the belief that he will go south for the November meeting.

Oniahu and All Over, after competin& at the CJiC. Grand National Meeting, were walked home from Wellington to Marton. It took about five days for that portion of the jurney.

Ibex, who suffered disqualification about 12 months ago, is reported to be doing duty as a stock-drover's hack in the country, while Turangapito, who lost his racing status at the same time, is said to be running out on a farm.

The curtailed train service will considerably reduce the fields at Marton and Dannevirke, as several local horses will remain at home, says a Hawke's Bay correspondent. Mr Armstrong's pair, The Speaker and Doric, however, are to make the five-day, joucney to Marton, and call in at Dannevirke on the way home. The rest of Gooseman' team will probably forfeit their engagements, as will Maioha and Hetaua.

The most interesting gallop at Hastings last week was the one in which Doric, Hindi, and The Speaker took part, the three-year-old having a big pull in the weights. The trio finished in the order named, Doric, whose performance was a very good one, making up several lengths over the last two furlongs. Hindi's work was also pleasing, as it was his first run over a mile, and he finished very well. The time was 1.50. Doric and The Speawer will be seen out at Marton. -

The following is clipped from the Melbourne Leader: H. Gray, the New Zealand horseman, was not among the jockeys licensed by the A.J.C. at its meeting last week. It is understood that his application for reinstatement has again been vetoed by the Sydney racing authorities. Frank Dempsey was offered the riding of Mr W. G. Stead's horses during the forthcoming A.J.C. and Victoria spring meetings. Mr Stead was informed by cable that a prior engagement to the Randwick trainer Frank McGrath prevented Dempsey accepting his offer.

Mr J. E. Henrys is evidently of the opinion that who was second on the list of winning two-year-olds last season, will be more of a sprinter than a stayer. In the New Zealand Cup he calls on Lucid to concede Mr M'Donald's colt 2 lb., but in the Otanga Handicap meeting, over six furlongs, Affectation has to give Mr Lowry's three-year-old 3 lb.

Though the opinion is general that the spring meetings of the different clubs are sure to result in financial losses so far only one small club has postponed its gathering. This month the Ashburton and Geraldine Clubs in the South Island and the Marton, Dannevirke and Wanganui Clubs in the North Island are to race, and they all have decided to go on. There is a growing opinion that as the seamen's strike is now aver, it will only be a matter of a few weeks before the Railway Department will be able to restore the full time-table.

Followers of trotting have been wondering for some time when Cathedral Chimes and Author Dillon would renew hostilities in a race, but the anxiously looked-for contest will not be witnessed, apparently, until the New Zealand Trotting Cup in November, says a Christchurch writer. Author Dillon showed a good deal of dash in short events at the August meeting of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, though he was not quite at the top of his form, while Cathedral Chimes was not a competitor at the fixture. It is understood, however, that he is moving along in his best style again, and he should soon be sc ,n to advantage in another big race. The two cracks will be racing at the Jellicoe meeting next week, and though they will not meet, being engaged in different events, their presence shuuld lend considerable interest to the principal races on the programme, while there still will remain room for argument regarding their relative merits over two miles——a question which will create plenty of discussion during the weeks that will elapse prior to the decision of the New Zealand Trotting Cup.