ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9521, 14 September 1896, Page 2

ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

I i [*"»■ OUR Sf-f ** a ' KA'OKVK"**-.]. .. ; I-"".. .•■"_..' Tiie*---***'.**. Nellie, the Albany pony mare who woii the Heathcote Cup some years ago, had twin foals to Chain Armour last week, but they both died shortly after birth. This is, strictly speaking, not an item of Riccarton news, although Nellie was trained here. She is now running in the Hals well district. Mr P. Butler has disposed of his selling plater No Wonder, who was purchased privately on behalf of Mr Te Tau, of the Wairarapa. His new owner will run him in minor events at the coming meetings in that part of the country. The little son of Perkin Warbeck 11. left for his destination to-day. Sir George Clifford's representative took possession of Clanranald to-day, and the golden chestnut son of St. Leger will be taken almost immediately to Stonj'hurst where he will stand the season and have a select little harem. Vanguard, who arrived from Wanganui on Friday, is looking in tip-top order. A. Walker, who has not hoen in Canterbury since he rode Foam here eighteen years ago, is in charge of the son of Traducer and Kn Avant. Mr Sefton is having a track laid down at Middle Park on which to work trotting horses and gallopers. It will be half a mile in circumference and wide enough for two sulkies to run abreast, and will be found a great boon to trainers located at and visitors to the Park, tor whose use it is beiug constructed. The wet weather of the past week lists, I hear, been very severe pn foaling mares | running out, and on young stock on low lying lands. Hereabout blood stock get better attention than in most parte of the country, and thoroughbred foaling mares are usually housed at night and in rough weather. The delightful weather of the past few days has dispelled the effects of the rain and the tracks are again in good order. This morning the sand track was in use, and a lot of fast work was got through. There was also a gallop on the grass in which Qu'dttri, Chaos and Lord Zetland, who are booked to appear at Timaru, were associated. , Chaos seemed a little overmatched, but, as full pressure was not on, there was not much to be taken from the gallop. Zola, in Stewart's stable, is doing a lot of fast work and so is St. John, who has, I should judge, been benefited by his spell. Several of the Masham team are now worked before breakfast, among them being Gillie and Taipari. The former led Taipari in hurdle schooling work this morning. The beginner, who is shaping well, nearly fell after landing over one fence, but cleverly recovered. Mona is again in commission, and she is well and fresh. Nirvana, in the same stable, is looking well. Bogengang haa been doing a lot of strong work in view of Timaru, but has been for the most part going solus. Salvo Shot has also been responsible for some good work and should strip very fit next week. The Chokebore two-year-olds were given fast work on the coarse this morning. The sister to Bombshell is getting very like her distinguished brother and is, I fancy, similarly gifted. Tbe Middleton pair of youngsters have not as yet been given any trying tasks. The St. Leger one is shaping up, bat the brother to Firefly still carries a lot of lumber.

Darrett's Adulation filly is looking really well, and judging by what she has done is particularly smart.

Adulation gave some little trouble at

foaling last week, but is now all right. The foal is a particularly fine one. The first foal by Lake Shell was unfortunately bom dead. This was from Mr Cutts's trap mare. Some surprise has been expressed here at the non-acceptance of Dundonald for the Otago Hunt Cup. It is said he is being held in reserve for the Curragh Steeplechase. Roden expects Wakawatea to be sent over from Sydney very shortly now. Mr A. Lyon is regarded as having secured a bargain in Mr Butler's place at £1150. It is certainly one of the most complete establishments about Riccarton, and tho master of the Christchurch hounds has acquired a nice home. I have noticed Vanguard being exercised about the roads in the vicinity of the scene of some of his former triumphs. He is being much admired. - On .the strength of reports from the Forbury, Plotter is fancied for the Timaru Cup. However, I take it, the Riccarton contingent will bring back a fair share of the stakes. Barmby's dam, Miss Lucy, visited Vanguard this week. I understand that Nirvana, by Maxim from Hammock, will go to the same sire during next month. Nirvana is half-sister to Somnus and ought to breed well to a Traducer sire. Caretaker Mullens is busy getting the tracks in shape, and it is thought that the plough will be in good working order at the end of the present week. A number of the Yaldhurst team were on the course,early in -*he week. Epaulet = looks to becoming on in the .«.„_. an ,io!^ v '-.iKt IJcllI.o,;^ gives;fcU_" impressions, not. having had a-n idle time. •" l Culverin, and her brother Arquebus, were exercised at Riccarton the same morning. The Cup mare is muscleing up well. Curassow has not been down from Yaldhurst for some time, aud is probably being eased. I hardly think he will be seen out in the spring. Two mares, Whim and Charity, arrived from Palmerston South by train during the week, and were taken to Middle Park on a visit to Vanguard.