MR G. G. STEAD'S TEAM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 3

MR G. G. STEAD'S TEAM.

"Spectator" has been on a visit to Yaldhurst, and he relates his impressions in his usual happy style. Inter alia he writes: —"We saw very little of Skobeloff last season. He ran at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Spring Meeting in the Juvenile Plate and in the Spring Nursery Handicap, but did not gain a place in either of those races. A medium-sized gelding, and a rather neat one, showing plenty of quality, he presents every outward indication of being useful, and for the time looks well. As he iucreases in age he is getting more set, and is evidently going on improving the right way. Stepniak and Pibroch are sire and dam respectively of the gelding, who is one of Mr Stead's New Zealand Cup candidates. Hilda's daughter St. Lucia, by St. Leger, and another New Zealand Cup candidate, is developing into a rather fine filly. She is now, I should say, bigger than her dam was at the same age, and she certainly looks a deal better than her form of last season suggests. Somewhat fretful, she did not do well, but may be she will settle down and go on the right way from now on, and be found to stay as well as some of those of her age and sex that were picking up a share of the good things of the year. Screw Gun appears in th-. best of health. He has not grown up forward much, if anything, out has probably done so behind, and is becoming more lengthy. He has great driving power, being remarkably well developed in fact, and such a back, loin and quarters one seldom sees on a colt standing so low forward as he does. As long as he is kept on his legs there should be a good prospect for him. He is a rare bred one, and dead game, as we have seen, and there is no telling how good he really is. Courtier was, perhaps, the second best of his age last season, and certainly one of the finest made geldings in the land. Having size and power, a good range, standing on good legs ahd feet, and being a good bay in colour, with black points, he is of the captivating kind when seen either in or out of his box.. I cannot say that I was so much impressed with the appearance of the English-bred Obligado as when I last saw that colt. A.fine bred colt he is, and showing plenty of size, and English breeders could not find fault with him for lack of bone. He has plenty, but it is of the round order, and his joints do not look any too well. They may stand all right, nevertheless. Just now he has a massive coat, which gives him a somewhat coarser look than he would possess if divested thereof. The Welcome Stakes

winner, Tolstoi, whose fame rests upon that win alone, is the picture of health, and he has thickened out a great deal. The St. Leger—Cissy colt. Sant Ilario, has only appeared in public once. Lots of time has been given him, and he does not seem so forward as some of those whose education was commenced earlier. Sant Ilario's action did not please me when I saw him at the Autumn Meeting of the C.J.C but he is sure to improve. SI ill I am not sanguine about him coming early to hand, aud it is not a far cry to, the spring. The coming two-year-olds number eight all told, six of which are broken and in work."

"The Probable " of the "Canterbury Times" also visited Yaldhurst. He is very enthusiastic about the yearlings bought at Wellington Park last January by Mr Stead, and his remarks are of interest. He says:—The finest rising 2-year-old colt 1 have seen for many a long year is the chestnut colt by St. Leger—Forme. He has grown into one of the most commanding youngsters it would be possible to see. Look where one may, the colt shows quality and power, and unless he utterly belies his appearance and breeding he should help to keep the name of Yaldhurst green. He is very quiet and tractable, and when he was led round the yard by j his attendant I was almost tempted to suggest that I had discovered a fitting successor to some *of Yaldhurst's departed champions. He gives every indication of growing into almost, if not quite, as big a horse as Multiform. The Hotchkiss—Eose of Wellington filly, full-sister to Screwgun, has improved out of all knowledge since her (arrival from Auckland. Like her brother she is a bright chestnut, and while she does not show so much power as Screw Gun, she is more lengthy. The filly has beautiful sloping shoulders and powerful quarters, and I should say she would develop into a speedy young lady. St. Michael, by St. Leger—lch Dien,' is a brown colt, with black points, and is a particularly well-developed youngster. There are not many rising two-year-olds so well grown and furnished, and j yet not leggy, a 9 is this colt, and, judging by his general conformation | and capital legs, this son of the 1893 j Oaks Stakes winner should develop j into something more than useful. j