ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9835, 18 September 1897, Page 4

ROUND ABOUT RICCARTON.

The tracks are in splendid order, and some very good work has been got through during the past week. The outside gallop, known as the plough, has been worked up again, and should be in good order for the spring. Mr Yates has arrived at Riccarton with Son-of-a-Gun, aud is staying at Middle Park.

Dudu and Tired have both been served by the son of Anteros and Vivandiere.

Murray-Aynsley has the grey mare Mona in hand again. This trainer has another addition to his stable in Cherrystone, by Ruby, and he is being treated to a .spell preparatory to going into strong work. Shooting Star, who is thickening out, is now a regular attendant on the tracks, and is being given steady pacing work. Lake Shell was taken to Wellington on Saturday, and it was intended that he should go on by express on Tuesday from there to Hawera. H. Horler was in charge. Saracen, who is quartered at Enfield, has been allowed to run out for an hour or two every day. He takes to the paddock kindly. Bold, in Murray Hobbs' team, has been running out, and may not be raced for some time. Spring grass would do a few horses hereabout much good. Another New Zealand Cup candidate has arrived in Mr D. McKinnon's Flintlock— Pikau gelding Oma, who in point of looks should be at least useful. Oma has done some work, apparently, but the New Zealand Cup is quite close enough at hand for him, I should say, judging from his appearance. Cutts is to wind him up for his engagements. Mica Lucy has been eenfc on a visit to Perkin Warbeck 11. to Grove Farm, Ashburton, in the hope of getting a Lady Zetland. Crown Jewel's gelding son by the Musket horse Artillery, now three years old, is being -worked at Riccarton. Mr Sefton, it will be remembered, purchased him about a year ago. Mason has been down from Yaldhurst several times lately, and Gold Medallist, Multiform, Uniform, Epaulet, Motto and Altair have each been amongst the visiting horses from that quarter. Strath Braan, who has been in Roden's hands some time now, is doing fairly useful work in view of his New Zealand Cup engagement. Skirmisher has been going along very nicely, and it is thought here that lie will show to advantage at the South Canterbury meeting on Thursday. Mason went to Lyttelton on Monday to make arrangements for the quarantining of the imported horse Melibceus, purchased by Mr Teschemaker. In accordance with the regulations affecting imported stock, the stallion will have to remain at Quail Island, where he has been taken, for about a fortnight.

Trainers are complaining that they cannot get a grass gallop for their two-year-olds. There is no truth in the report that Waiuku is to be placed in R. Ray's hands to be prepared for his New Zealand Cup engagement. Mr Ray only wishes he was well enough in health to superintend a Cup candidate's work.