ARGENTIC WELL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 12, 15 January 1937, Page 13

ARGENTIC WELL

GALLOPS AT RICCARTON

I (Special to the "Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH, January 14. One of the features of the work at Riccarton this morning was another gallop by the Wellington Cup horses, Argentic (A. Messervy) and Vintage ' (L. J. Ellis) on the outside of the course proper, which provided excellent going. Keeping together all the way, they ran a mile in lmin 43sec. the last half-mile in 52 3-ssec, and if anything Argentic was doing the better at the close. Argentic is now definitely to be ridden in the Cup by A. E. Ellis, who will also be on Concertpitch in the Telegraph; but no rider has yet been named for Vintage. The other galloping was done on the outside of the trial grass, also in fine order. Paper Slipper and Wild Chase reeled off half a mile in 48 3-5 sec. Haughty Winner and Mulatto took 49sec. Bun Fight and Day Dress strode over six furlongs in lmin 16 2-5 sec, a good effort by the latter. Tunneller and Polydora were practically abreast throughout a six-fur-long task in lmin 18 l-ssec. Tunneller will have to be reckoned with in tne Wellington Cup, provided a suitable rider at the minimum weight can be secured for him. Knockfin was let off with a half-mile gallop in 52 l-ssec, and her stablemate Orange Bud covered the same ground in 50sec. . „ Invoice covered half a mile m 49 1-a sec. He is not, in at Trentham on Wednesday, but was nominated for the two concluding days. . . . Great Star was kept in restraint throughout a mile and a quarter task, taking 2min 16sec, the last half-mile in 51 4-ssec. He was ridden by H. W. Hibberd, who will have the mount on him in the Wellington _Cup. . Manetho gave Land Raid a two lengths' break commencing a six-tur-long gallop, but was within a length of him at the post. Land time was lmin 15sec, the best of the nriorning over this distance. Land _ will be an interesting contestant in the Anniversary Handicap on the. first day at Trentham, the event that Manetho is also to contest. In addition to riding Flood Tide m the Wellington Cup, L. J. Ellis will have mounts on Royal Dance, Custos, and Top Row in their engagements on the first day. G. Humphries will ride the Chokebore representatives Faper Slipper, Haughty Winner, Themidor and Bun Fight on Wednesday, tout has no mount yet for the Cup or Telegraph Handicap.

WEATHER SPOILS CIRCUIT i During the recent West Coast summer racing circuit, the total totalisator investments amounted to £73,061 10s, as compared with £70,949 for the previous summer circuit, an increase of only £2112 10s. Bad weather, and very small fields in some instances, _ seriously affected the racing on the circuit this year. Only two of the five meetings comprising the circuit returned individual increases. The Westport Trots, with an increase of £4882 10s, alone turnW the circuit turnover into a small aggregate increase, as the increase _at the Reefton Races was only £600 10s. At the Westland Races there was a dei crease of £2259 10s, at the Greymouth Races a decrease of £874 10s, and at the Greymouth Trots a decrease of £236 10s. Bad weather caused postponements at both the Westland and Greymouth Races, with consequential postponements of the Greymouth Trots and Reefton Races.

MOLLISON'S DAM DEAD Mollys Robe, probably the greatest mare to grace the Queensland Turf, and one of the most brilliant sprinters of her sex, died early this month, says an Australian exchange. When retired to the stud, Mollys] Robe proved a wonderful dam of gallopers, and gave to the Turf such horses as Mollison, Calmond, Buzzard King, Mary's Robe, High Molly, Robemond, Lady Woo, and Kitty's Robe. As a two-year-old she was hailed as one of the greatest fillies to race in Queensland. She won many races in Brisbane and established an Australasian record for eleven furlongs. She won the V.R.C. Newmarket Handicap and the V.A.T.C. Oakleigh. Plate in Victoria. She was by the famous Queensland sire Syce, from Microbe. TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Acceptances for the Ashhurst-Pohan gina Racing Club's Annual Meeting, t< be held on Anniversary Day, close a 9 o'clock this evening. . Landing's name appears m the Wei lington Stakes through an oversight He was recently gelded and is out foi a lengthy spell. Viking, who won the last lace a Clifden on "Wednesday, will not be a Trentham, as he was scratched lor ai engagements at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. Though Essex is omitted from somt oublished lists for .the N.Z. St. Legei Stakes, he is still in the field for th< 3 The Woodville District Jockey Clut ias been granted a change of dates foi ts Autumn Meeting from February 1 rnd 18 to Saturday and Monday, Feb U Six of the* last ten Telegraph Handi :aps at the Wellington Summer Meet ng have been won by South lslanc lorses. Booster, Paperchase, Meadow jark (twice), and Palermo won five ir 1 Fastest time for the Telegraph Han licap at Trentham was recorded W silver King in running the six fur ongs in lmin 9Jsec three years ago Parody's lmin 10 l-ssec in 1924 wa, he best previous figure. Two-year-olds who have won tn Wellington Stakes under the full 14a lenalty, the performance that Franci, Drake will be essaying next wednes lay, are Menschikoff, Silkworm, Fleet oot, Formby, Culprit, Mowbray, Moor lowl, Motley, and Lady Cavendish. Mr. M. Millar, who won the Wei ington Stakes three years ago witl Diatomous, will have Greenwich tc •arry his colours this year, and tnc laughter of Chief Ruler witfioupenalty, may be one of the hardest t< was sore in front for some ,ime after her race at Otaki last month which prevented her from being pro luced during the holidays, and sh< nay therefore be at a disadvantage h ,he Apprentices' Plate at Trenthan lext Wednesday. . , Earl Colossus, though he is still < ■naiden performer, should be a gooc jlace prospect on his latest form m anj »vent he contests at Trentham nex ,veek. He ran two excellent second: it the Wairarapa Meeting. Reports from the centres at whicr ihey are trained stated that Screamei and Namakia were unlikely to mak( :he Trentham trip, but both are ajuonj the final payments for the first day. The resignation of Mr. R. B. Lusk Auckland, as judge to the Waikat< Racing Club was accepted at a meet ng of the club's committee this week Mr. A. Tronson, Auckland, has beer appointed to fill the vacancy for th< :lub's meeting on February 20 and 22 Trench Fight is not to race at thi Wellington Meeting. He is suflerinf from damaged heels and no .risks ai< being taken. The stable will be repre seated by Paper Slipper, Bun Fight rhermidor, Day Dress, and the two year-olds Haughty Winner an< Winner, a half-brother b3 Winning Hit to Meprisant, will t>< having his first racing experience a the Wellington Meeting, and thougl he will be meeting seasoned two-year olds a win may not be above him. He has not been hurried, but his track work would suggest that he wilJ develop into a good horse. The Limond filly Icing is likely to be hard to beat in any race she contests at Trentham next week. Afterwinning the Wanganui Debutant Stakes she was placed second in her onlv subsequent, start, at. Awapuni last month, but if Screamer had not nearly knocked her over she would f have beaten AUspicc, who was award-1 rd I. he decision "after an inquiry in! 1 which Scrcamer was relegated to third.