BY "ACHILLES."

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12748, 20 April 1909, Page 2

BY "ACHILLES."

It has been decided that Boniform (winner of the Great Autumn) shall be retired permanently from the turf. The Multiform — Otterden colt is perfectly sound, and on Wednesday, when out at exercise, was not an atom the worse for his exertions in the Great Autumn Handicap. The North Island Challenge Stakes, which is run on the opening day (to-mor-row) of the Wellington autumn meeting, should result in one of the best races of the season. The event is over seven furlongs, and the best of the two-year-olds are engaged, while of the older horses the much-boomed Bobrikoff is the bright particular star, and the result of his meeting with Provocation alone over seven' furlongs should be worth going a long way to see.

The character of the racing at the recent Aii(l.-!and "R.C v>i<>etiiij', ivkea in conjunction with the ku-ge fields that in most ri<=es went into the atailer'a hands, was a fitting tribute to the excellent work for which the handicapper, Mr Morse, was responsible, says "Phaeton," in the New Zealand Herald. So long as racing exists we may expect to find grumbWs, hut in connection with the recent Eljerslie gathering it can be said there was a stronger desire to sing the praises of the handicapper than to indulge in a growl at the weightadjuster. To find the handicapper in allround favour is indeed a pleasing incident of a race meeting. Mr Morse was in that hanpy position at Ellerslie this autumn.

Considerable interest centres in the coming contest for the North Island Challenge Stakes,' for which thirteen horses have made the final payment. Bobrikoff is the only four-year-old among the acceptors, and his first appearance at Trentham will be one of the most interesting features of the gathering. This event will be decided to-morrow.

Provocation's teeth have been troubling him for some time, and it is possible that this had something to do with his indifferent showing at Riccarton. Apart from this, the colt is in good condition after his Christchurch trip, but the North Island Challenge Stakes will probably be his last race this season.

C. Jenkins will ride All Bed in the Thompson Handicap; J. McCombe, Los Angelos; P. Yarr, Czar Kolohol; R. E. Brown, Master Soult ; L. Wilson, Sir Tristram; A. Shanahan, Effort; P. Coleman, Roosevelt: E. Low*, Sunbonnet; E. Cotton. Euclid: H. Price. Aborigine; W. H. McKay, Waipatu; and G. Price, Ballarat.