ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9278, 2 December 1895, Page 2

ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

What with so many horses away in Dunedin and the bad weather that has kept others off from the course, the tracks have been almost deserted this last week.

How many racecourse habitues there were would not give Skirmisher a hope in the New Zealand Cup, arguing that he did nothing like a preparation. And yet the son of Vanguard, those who argued thus would have to admit, ran well on the two occasions on which he went to the post. Indeed, it can be further said that Skirmisher ran well enough in the big race to win two out of three cups.

Nautilus' foal is growing into an exceedingly nice youngster. In conformation and all his ways he is very like his full brother Pygmalion. He is the hope of Chokebore, and it is to be hoped will prove as good as the aforesaid brother. It may be stated that Mr Cutts has already refused 300gs for the colt.

Lakeshell in training was a very - handsome horse, and as a stud animal has lost none of his attractiveness. During Carnival week there was more than one enquiry for him from North Island breeders.

Derrett, who was riding at the Hutt on Friday, reached Dunedin on"Saturday night, as he caught Friday night's steamed for Lyttelton and arrived in Christchurch in time to board the express next morning. Derrett has charge of Bombshell at the meeting now proceeding at Forbury. The Medallion colt Pactolus has changed his training quarters, D. Mitchell now having him in hand. The Reefton handicapper has taken such a high estimate of Artillour's abilities that the colt is hardly likely to be taken across the ranges. The Reefton meeting, at all events, •will not see him as a competitor.

Yaldhurst is almost sure to havo a representative or two at the Auckland Summer Meeting. Empire gets no better, but worse on his broken-down leg, and he will probably be destroyed. Link Shot, the colt by Chain Shot, trained from Plumpton, has been turned out for a spell. It was a miserably wet day on Friday last when Artillery was shipped at Lyttelton en route for America.

The horse was looking in fine order to undertake the trip, and he is such a nice tempered animal that there is little doubt he will accommodate himself to life aboard ship, and will reach foreign parts all serene unless some untoward circumstance occurs.

O. Bourne, who went with Artillery, does not anticipate returning to New Zealand for some time. Should the horse not be sold he will remain in charge, and even in the event of his being disposed of, may take service in Yankeeland.

I hear that Kulnine, who is doing stud work at his owner's station, has become sound again, and the chances are that he will go into work next year. . Artillear has been effectually sat upon by the Reefton handicappers. It would take a Philadelphia lawyer to explain their way of treatment of that colt and Silver Spec. The only occasion on which the pair met was at PlumptoQ, when Silver Spec gave the other 111b and a beating. Both have won since, but Artilleur's victories do not compare with the Jockey Club Handicap victory of the filly. Now Artilleur is made to concede Silver Spec 81b at a mile and a half, and 71b at six furlongs.. How does that strike readers for handicapping ? Letters received by the last English mail from " the boys " who went to England with Mr Gollan's horses state that they had a fine and enjoyable voyage Home and that the horses, who were interviewed extensively at each touching place, were landed in first rate order.