STILL UNDER SNOW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 139, 14 June 1935, Page 12

STILL UNDER SNOW.

THE RICCARTON TRACK. V HORSES FOR WASHDYKE. SOME RIDING ENGAGEMENTS. . (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. The Riccarton racecourse is yet en veloped in a white mantle. The fall o snow early this week was much heavie; there than in the city, and with sonr severe frosts since there has been littli chance of dispersal. The course ie coveret with snow to a depth of several inches. Thi gates have.not been open this week, anc from present' indications there is nc chance of any track being fit to worl on for a few days yet. Probably, ever under favourable conditions, there will b( no decent galloping ground until well int( next week. The snowstorm came inoppor tunely for trainers who had horses en gaged at the South Canterbury Jockej Club's meeting on Saturday, for they hav< been unable to do any work. Some horses were allowed to drop out on acceptance night, as it was realised they could not be at their best, but some trainers decided to'go on with their engagements. Moet of the horses from Riccarton will be short of a gallop, but in a few cases they may not be severely affected after recent racing, especially those who have already left, or those who go to-morrow morning, as they will have the benefit of some work on the Washdyke course to-day. There are twenty Riccarton horses in the acceptance list, and most of them will be on hand to fulfil engagements. S. Barr's team, consisting of First View, Coloesian, Quietly and Capital, went south by float to-day, while A. S. Ellis went at the same time with Impossible and Golden Dart. These six horses will' be on the scene in time to get some good work on the Washdyke tracks. P. MeGrath left by train to-night with Cleaner and Pompeii, and expects to gallop them at Washdyke to-morrow. J. S. Shaw will send McHeath, Riptide and Royal Gallant by train to-morrow morning, and F. Holmes arranged for Minerval to accompany them. They will get some work after their arrival. T. Lloyd has decided to send Gay Crest and Invoice by float. They are due to leave to-morrow mornng, and will be worked at Washdyke in the afternoon. 11. Turner did not intend to fiend Fiom on account of , the bad weather, but definite plans have now been made, and the steeplechaser will go south on Saturday. F. Hall was uncertain about Rebel Chief earlier in the week, but it is almost certain now he will be on hand for his engagement. Mr. L. W. Storry's pair, Glowlight and Joyous, will not be at the meeting, while J. Tomkinson is unlikely to be on the-scene with Metal Bird, who ie not forward enough to do himself justice after a week,of idleness. The following riding engagements have been made for the , South Canterbury meeting:—A. Messervy. McHeath, Riptide, Royal Gallant and Epris; L. J. Ellis, Impossible and Golden Dart; A. E. Ellis. Minerval; M. Kirwnn, Quite Soon; G. H. Humphries, Gay Crest and Invoice; C. T. Wilson, Cleaner; E. J. Pinn, Pompeii. The Randwick trainer J. T; Jamieson, and the jockey E. Bartle, accompanied by their wives, left to-night for the North Island. They intended to remain here until to-morrow night, but the cold weather induced them to shorten their stay in Ohrietchurch. They will go -on to Auckland, and will leave there next Friday on the way back. ;to Sydney.