ON RICCARTON- TRACKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 83, 7 April 1936, Page 13

ON RICCARTON- TRACKS

ENGAGEMENTS OF RIDERS

(By Telegraph) (Special to the "Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

Thick fog was in evidence while the early work was in progress at Riccarton this morning, and it was difficult to time some ol the gallops. The conditions improved later, the sun being in evidence after breakfast. Most of the work was done on the outside of the course proper, which was in excellent order, but there was no galloping of an outstanding nature. ON COURSE PROPER. Top Notch and Rival Shot took 52sec for half a mile along the back, Impersonater and Sky Pilot registering 50 4-sse,c. '■ . . . Gustos had Coxcomb as a mate over five furlongs in lmin 6sec, the last half-mile in 53sec. Custos pulled up all right, and F. D. Jones is hopeful he will be able to race next week.. Silver Jest and Tout le Monde ran six furlongs in lmin 18 2-ssec, Invoice doing five furlongs alone in* lmin'4 4-ssec. Lycidas and Arctic Star did half a mile along the back.in 52sec. Great Star .and Grand Review took lmin ssec for five furlongs, Radio Star following in an easy half-mile. . Orris did five furlongs in lmin 4sec, the last half-mile in 49 3-ssec. Chidden covered a mile in lmin .43 4-ssec, Sovereign Lady following with six furlongs in lmin 17 '2-ssec. Culotte occupied lmin 47sec for a mile! The Surgeon and Latitude were on terms at the end of a mile in lmin 46 2-ssec. Tunneller started with them, but finished many lengths in the rear. He does not look at his best. Cranford ran seven furlongs in lmin 29 2-ssec, a good gallop. Concertpitch and Pelmet ran ftve furlongs, smartly in lmin 3-3-ssec. Passenger and Golden Glow did half a mile in 51sec. Execution ran a mile in lmin 46sec, going at even pace. Glenavon and the two-year-old Gay Night sprinted half a mile in 50 4-sssc. Malvasia beat Colombo over five furlongs in lmin 2sec, a good gallop. Nuipai and Gay Lyric ran half a mile in 50 l-ssec. Fair Weather was given an easy run over six, furlongs, the last four taking 53sec. ■ ON OTHER TRACKS. Paper Slipper and Wild Chase went pleasingly over five furlongs on the plough in lmin 2 3-ssec. Fracas did half a mile on the same track in 51sec. .Sir Hugh sprinted half a mile in 49 2-ssec on the No. 6 track, where Pink Polly and Silver Slipper registered 48 2-ssec. Knockfln easily beat Gaysome .over five furlongs on the plough, the last half-mile in 51 4-ssec.. Argentic and Riposte did six furlongs on the plough in lmin 16 3-ssec—a useful effort. J. W. Jennings will ride Variant in the Great Easter Handicap, and his Great Autumn mount will be Queen of Song, arrangements having been made to send the mare to Riccarton after the Rivertbn Cup on Saturday. A. G. Parsons, will have the mount on Sea Fox in the Great Easter; Handicap and A. C. Messervy has been engaged for Moonbeam in the Great Autumn. R. Marsh, the North Island lightweight, has been secured for Gaysome in the Great Easter. The mare is under suspicion for unsoundness, however, and may not be able to start, in which case Marsh may ride. Knockfin. The North Island rider R. J. Mackie was at Riccarton this morning, but will leave later on in the week for the West Coast, where he has a number of engagements, including a call on his services for J. S. Shaw's horses at the Easter meetings. .' ; ■■. ■ The Australian jockey A. Sibritt, who has i-idden with great success in India and arrived in. New Zealand a. few days ago, is now at Riccarton, where he was kept busy riding work this morning. He will be present at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Meeting next week, but so far has no definite riding engagements.;.

In ■ order to cater for horses being prepared for the brush hurdle racing, the two schooling hurdles in the straight at Riccarton have been replaced by brush obstacles. - Crash and Monastic were sent twice over them this morning, giving a good exhibition. Mr. J. M. Samson's two-year-old El Greco, in A. McAulay's stable was in a bad way after work this morning. He is a headstrong customer, and when sent out to sprint half a mile on the course proper he refused to go off. His rider walked him back, ani he was transferred to the plough, where he broke away at a useful pace. After going a short distance his rider realised something was wrong and dismounted, leading the colt back. He was very lame, and trouble in a forefoot may prove to be serious.