A BIG STRING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 94, 20 April 1940, Page 14

A BIG STRING.

R. MARTIN'S TEAM. ITEMS FROM MATAMATA. The laigcul nlun- ,il M.itiiinata is that in charge of R. 11. Martin. Homes on the active lint are; Enquire, Silver Cloud, Prime .lay. Allinelic, Lord Wniliingi, Fxpolliiiit, Surveyor'h I,,)**, King Rev, Count Roussillon and Radiant liny. Greek Queen. Tc ll,i> and Paymaster arc spelling. All-metic was recently operated oa :'or t ln-oat trouble and has made a good recovery. Count Roussillon has had vcrj little racing of late, but is well forwaid. He was schooled this ,veek and appealed to jump with more conlid»ncc lh;.n formerly, giving indications of being a ink proposition for winter racing. Martin ii also taking up a thrce-y.-ar-oid gelding l.y Tea Tray from a Kilwinning nare, thus a half brother to Silver Cloud.

R. J. Mateer, who usually produces something lor winter racing, has a team of seven m work, which iucludcs Picuron Portinnx, Charcot, Val Lu, Miss Ridicule and Face Value. The other is a vcarlinu by Hunting Song—Miss Rcnva. who will race in the interests o; Mr. R. Holmes. Val Lu has been off the scene since before Christmas through meeting with an accident in his box, but he is now working well.

J. \V. Cathro has ha 1 several recent additions to his team. Theso include the yearling colt by Theio. horn Saturation, purchased at the Wellington sales, and a colt by Flying Prime. Both these -will Inraced by Mr. Frank Rose, who former)v owned Knight on" Australia. A -.•.•o-jear-old filly, by Vaals. from the dam of En larade, looks as though she will come to hand quickly. The other newcomer is a rising four-year-old by S.-u';iri, who was purchased by Mr. C. H. Selby at the sale of the late Mr. W. Higgins' houses. Mr. Selby owns Full of Scotch.

C'-athro appears to be working a big improvement in Douglas Hyde, who was purchased by Mr. J. Corbett at the Dublin horse salos. This colt has been wayward, but appears to have !)ecomc more docile. He was above himself at Matamata, and took no part in the race at Rotonia. Kilcash, in Cathro's stable, is suffering from a cold and is only in light work, but Kaspian, Flying Acre and Full of Scotch are in active commission, and artready to race. Full of Scotch went sore before the Brighton Hurdles and had to be eased up, but should be suited now the tracks arc becoming easier. Cathio at present contemplates retiring The Cardinal for the season.

Lord Ace, who won in each of his last two starts, makes occasional visits to the track and is doing his work well. He is a delicate sort and is not being overgalloped.

Mr. J. Clothier expects to have Roval Dance, Tc Haka and Lady Thca racing' at Te Rapa. Royal Dance is displaying some of his old dash and will iprobably br started in flat races. He lias done no jumping for some time. Lady Tbea has oulv had two starts this season, but is showing distinct (promise. This is a particularly well-bred mare by Xightmareh from Thca. who was the subject of a remarkable operation about two years ago when pari of the shoulder blade of a lamb was found imbedded in .her rump. Fred Davis, who has been training at Ellerslie for some time past, arrived in Matamata on Wednesday to take «vcr a property .he has leased -which was formerly occupied by Archie McGregor. His horses will follow in the course, of a few days. M<-Gre<ror is now located at Frankton. It is now estimated that Matamata is the second largest training centre in the Auckland province outside the metropolitan area. There arc over 50 horses in work. Prior to leaving Matamata. A. McGregor turned Farland out and it is thought that his racing days are over.