HORSES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26887, 13 November 1952, Page 10

HORSES

TROTTERS AND PACERS

The entries in the classes for pacing and trotting horses, although about the average of previous years, were disappointingly few for Canterbury, which is recognised as the home of trotting in New Zealand, and one of the greatest nurseries in the world for the standard-bred horse. With the exception of the class for two-year-olds and three-year-olds, either sex of trotter or pacer, the nominations were small and several of the entrants did not show the quality and had not had.the preparation for a high-grade show ring. The judge (Mr W. J. Doyle) said he found it hard to understand why these classes were not better supported, and he thought that much could be done by the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association in stimulating among its members an interest in show-ring competition by well-bred trotters and pacers paraded in the right condition. Although most of the classes were poorly supported, Mr Doyle was very pleased with the two-year-old and

three-year-old trotters and pacers, most of which showed quality and the right condition.

“This field will measure up to any of its class paraded in a New Zealand show ring, although a judge is presented with difficulties in having to decide on the merits of horses of different ages and different gaits. However, the class of stock paraded today in this particular class shows what can be done by those interested,” said Mr Doyle. Paraider, an Australian-bred horse, by the American two-gaited Raider, with a trotting record of 2min ljsec and lmin 59Jsec pacing, from Para Dixie, by Globe Derby, was judged the best stallion among the standardbreds, with a high-grade pacer in Attack in second place, and Highland Chief, by U. Scott —Pearl Logan, third. The placed horses were produced in very good order. The only other stallion to come before the judge was Sir John, a chestnut by Bronze Eagle— Mavis de Oro. Gloria’s Pal, with a filly foal at foot by Red Emperor, nominated by Mrs R. J. Kerr, won the brood mare class, but the yearling colts and fillies produced did not appear up to the average. A grand filly by U. Scott—Santa Anita (dam of a classic winner in Crown Jewel), by Jack Potts, beat a strong class in the two-year-old and three-year-old section. A well-moulded filly, the winner has a good even temperament and, according to the judge, is “certain to go to the races.” There could not have been many points between this filly and a colt by Paraider —Pauri Queen, nominated by Mr J. W. Cottier, jun. “An excellent class, and all well turned out,” said Mr Doyle. HUNTERS The first of the hunting events were held yesterday, and provided outstanding displays of jumping by several competitors. The oval had been seriously affected by rain, and at the take-off before each jump the hoof-marks were deep in the turf. It was real hunting ground, however, and the horses raced into their fences with a confidence that was lacking last year, when the ground was hard and the surface glassy. In the maiden hunters, the first horse to perform was W. D. Orbell’s Wychwood, which set a very high standard for a horse in his class. The winner, however, was found in Topic (Miss Beverley), and another woman rider was on the second horse, Taitea, nominated by Miss M. J. Greenwood, with Wychwood in third place. In this test of jumping ability for maiden hunters, there were seven fences, battens, log, brush double, board, brush, and brick. In the Renown Challenge Cup, for qualified hunters, a wire and gate fence were added. In the latter event, the first competitor, L. J. McLauchlan’s King Pin, gave a polished display and from the start he appeared the obvious winner. Miss Susan Grigg’s Autumn Gold also proved something above the average, and R. R. Jordan’s Melody was a good third. The standard of jumping appeared to be uniformly good. Today, pony, heavy-weight, lightweight, and ladies’ hunters competitions will provide the features in ring events.