WILLOW WAVE OUT

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 13

WILLOW WAVE OUT

SERIOUS LEG INJURIES

(Special from "Irvington.")

CHRISTCHURCH. Sept. 23,

Winner of the last Auckland Cup, Willow Wave recently met* with an accident while running in the paddock, and it will be a long time before he is again seen in action; in fact, it is possible that his racing days are over. It is reported that he became entangled in a fence, and before he could be removed had suffered several cuts and one exceptionally severe gash, the bone in one leg being exposed. At,, his best Willow .Wave was one of the most brilliant pacers in commission and a stayer of outstanding merit.' However, his erratic barrier manners did not bring him the popularity his ability deserved, as it was ■.seldom that his form was marked with any great amount of consistency. In spite jpf the disadvantage of being unreliable, he has paid his way handsomely to become the second most tightly-handicapped horse in training at the beginning of the season. •

.Among the nominations for the Methven Meeting is Indian Scout, a novice trotter who showed good promise at this fixture two years ago. He subsequently had to be turned out because of unsoundness, and his prospects of racing again were not bright, but he has apparently made a good recovery' during his long spell.

In his last few races Ferry Post has been badly placed in the handicaps, with the result that he has not carried on with last season's promise. However, he claims an engagement ixi the Methven Cup, in which he is 12 yards behind, arid he is the ruling early favourite. Since coming tb Canterbury,; Embark has run some fair races, but jhe has not performed up to expectations, arid it is probable that he will shortly be returned to Southland to be given a spell from work and racing. AN IMPROVED NOVICE. One of the most improved novices in work at Addington is the five-year-old mare by Jack Potts from Erin's; Lynn in G. S. Smith's stable, b This mare has always shaped pleasingly, but her career to date has been- a chapter of misfortunes, and it is only I recently that she has enjoyed an uninterrupted period of training. When first placed in work she was beginning to show distinct signs of promise when she developed a splint which has caused her to be given numerous spells. Of late, however, she has -thrown off the lameness usually associated with, this complaint, with the result that .she is now moving boldly and, soundly. Last week she was responsible for a smart display over a mile, and if she continues her present rate of progress it will not be long .before she is ready to go to the races and give a good account of herself. ".■■'.'

, E C. McDermott has been confined to his bed for some Tittle time now through serious illness. However, latest reports indicate that he is now well on the roai to recovery, and, while it will be several weeks before he can resume driving and training, it will not be long before he will be able to supervise his team's activities.

A three-year-old filly by Ciro from Gatwick has been taken in hand by J. Mpßride, and,, although she is not as cleanly gaited as -could be wished, she displays a good turn of speed. Giro left only a few foals,'among them being the useful Perula, while Gatwick is the dam of Ironside, the latest addition to New Zealand Clip company. The two-year-old half-sister by Jack Potts to Moana Tama continues to attract attention in her work at Addington, and, she is far more advanced than [the majority of her age. She is an un- ' usually, fine pacer,; and on'the few

occasions she has been asked to step along she has shown a fine .turn ol speed. - IN EXCELLENT ORDER. Although he has not raced sinee .he was purchased by Mr. G. J., Barton, Horse Power has been kept in. steady work and is in excellent, order, ana he will need only a few sharp runs tp bring him to his best. Mr. Barton is at present in Australia, and it is expected that»he will arrive back .to Christchurch on the morning of the next New Zealand Trotting iU Cup^ln the meantime it is unlikely that members of his team will be asked to do a great deal of racing. .., , ' Km The disappointing Maltravers.has been leased by a patron of A. P«rdons stable, and he has been takenrover bar.. that trainer. Over a periodTthis geWk ing has been one of the best worker* seen in action at Addington, but he has repeatedly failed to reveal his private worth ih- public. He has been given every opportunity to settle ; aowa, but time and experience seem to cave done him little good. • , _ G: Mouritz has reduced his team coik siderably in the past few^ weeks, .and where he formerly had at least^eight horses on the active list, he. now^s only Parrish Belle and the three-yea£ old filly by Grattan Loyal from Golden Bond to engage his attention. yMoanM Tama is enjoying a spell m thepaadock, and he is to gp back Mouritt later, but it is unlikely that thi*-truner. will increase his team, beyond .wree. Parrish^Belle, owned in. Waihi, -nag. raced only once since being located j« Addington, but she is doing well^anj should be seen to advantage lateral* the season. The Grattan LpyaT filly 9 a juvenile of distinct promise. Sm, hat not been hurried m her preparation. but is now doing more serious wore with a view to classic engagements.