Topics From Riccarton.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 285, 2 December 1938, Page 14

Topics From Riccarton.

HOLIDAY RACING.

PLANS FCR DEFAULTER.

TO CONTEST DERBY.

Defaulter has not done a great deal of serious work since his successes in the Derby and Canterbury Cup last month

(says our Chri«s<tchurch correspondent). He has thrived oil a few weeks of light tasks. but'F. A. Roberts has ample time to have him at his best again for the Auckland meeting. Hk only definite engagement is in the Great Northern Derby and much interest is being taken in the prospect of another clarfh with Beaupartir.

This Beau Pere colt is reported to be doing well and shotild*-be improved as a result of hk spring racing/ Ai the other hand, there,is no reason why Defaulter should not make definite progi%ss by New Year'? Day. He may lave a race

■n the first day at Ellerslie, as he has

>een nominated for the Christmas Hanlicap. but hi* programme will depend on he weight he receives.

Following his trip to Auckland, the crack three-year-old will be worked along in view of a visit to Australia for autumn racing. The intention is to leave for Sydney come time in February, an arrangement which will enable the

Defoe colt to race a few times licfore the Australian .Tockey Club's Easter meeting, where he will have the St. Leger as a special attraction. In this event he may have a chance to measure strides with the dual Derby winner and definitely Australia's best three vear-old, Ajax. Exceptional interest wiil attach to the prospect of a meeting with Ajax. Australia's outstanding performer, In weight-for-age races later in the meeting.

When Defaulter goes to Atistralia. He will have the two-year-old Cvprine as a mate. This Posterity—Cvinene filly returned to the stable this week, after receiving a spell for about two months, and she looks in excellent health to be prepared for important autumn engagements at Randwick.

Three for Dunedin. Some other horsey from the stable of F. A. Roberts will be racing during the holidays. The present intention Is to send three horses to the Dunedin meeting. Those in preparation are Nightdress and Asset, also the Not Out. a good-looking Winning Hit colt, that show® promise of beinir «ood later on. ° c

Phalan.v. looking well after his race at Ashlmrton. is being kept in useful work, as he is to be raced at the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings. Possibly the West Coast circuit will claim attention during the holidays, but Roberts will not make any definite plans in that direction until after Garonne ha* raced at Hororata next week.

H. Nurse will have a large team with which to do the West Coast circuit during the holidays. His present inten-

ion is to take at least six horses, Finan

cierc. Palmyra. Gillie, Tantivy. Rvetonn. and a Xightmarch—Channelise gelding. No definite arrangements have been made for Kilrobc. hut it is possible that she will be added to the touring team.

Mr*. ,T. Crttripbe?T expects to have only two horses to race during the holidays, mid they will go in different directions. Willie Win will he f.ent to Auckland, while Night Hawk will do the Manawatu r»ii<l Wairarapa meetings.

H. and A. Cutts will send two teams to the Xorth Island. Four horses will go to Aucklaud--Trench Fight. Paper Slipper and Winning Rival are definite. The others will he Wood Passage and (ireat Flight. Of this hint-named pair, the. one that does not do the Auckland tiip will accompany Wild Chase and Counterblast to Manawatu and Wairara pa. C. C. McCarthy ha* completed plans for racing his team during the Christmas and Xew Year holidays. He will start the campaign at the Manawatu meeting. wUere he will have Argentic. Rabble. Haughty Winner and Improvident. For the second half of the trip lie had a wide choice, and Haughty Winner will be at the Wairarapa meeting, while the other three will do Stratford.

Well Mapped Out. The programme that has been mapped out is well suited to the capabilities of the team, there being a mile-and-a-half cup nice for Argentic at each of his two meetings. The veteran did not go as well a?, was hoped at Ashburton, but probably he was hurried along too much in the earlv part of the journey. McCarthy was disappointed with Improvident at Ashliurton. The horse did not stay as well as was expected. Tile fact Iha*t there are five-furlong races at Stratford was the consideration that turned the scale in favour of including him in the holiday team. A. K. Eliis will ride Argentic in the Manawatu Cup.

A. .T. Martin is peeping Waka in strong work. The horse looks in good health. He did not race as well at Riccarton as was hoped, but he will make amends soon, as lite form at Trentham was evidence of his ability to run a good mile. He is unlikely to race again until Trentham in .January.

Black Fox. a recent addition to the team of A. .T. Martin, is a four-year-old brother to Niggerhead and Mulatto, byNigger Minstrel from Silver Grey. He was originally described as a black or brown, but he is on the way now to being a grey, an inheritance* from his dam. Black Pox is a winner on the flat, but he has nrt always raced generously. so he is to be given an education as a hurdler.

I*. 1). Jones has not wasted any time since he returned from Melbourne, and he is busy now getting his team ready for racing later in the season. Royal Chief is on the easy list, and lie will not lie required to do anything serious for a few r.iore weeks.

Studlev Royal and Settlement have gone into work again. Tlicy look well, after being spelled, and they may be ready to resume racing about" February. Another to be taken in hand again is the twoyear-okl colt Night Shift, bv Night ly from 'Minehead. by Lord Warden from Pit brow Lass, dam of the speedy Pit prop. He is a chestnut and though small he showed after being broken in last autumn, that he knew something about galloping.

Jones intends to nominate Ladv Leigh and the two-year-old Prudent Prince for the Dunedin meeting, after which he may go to Waikouaiti and Oamaru.