SPORTING Riccarton Stables Hold Strong Hand At Reef ton

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 August 1949, Page 7

SPORTING Riccarton Stables Hold Strong Hand At Reef ton

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CTTRLSTCHtTRCH, This Day.—Riccarton stables will have a fairly strong team racing at the Reefton meeting on Saturday, including Finance, Upshot, Angora, Import, Nocturnal, Lady Melville, Bosun, Judicial? Waihora, Authentic, Volomai, Eulogize, Peridot, Miss Loretto, Martianair, Caron ia, Flying Orders, Luminous Knight, Newspaper, and Leeston. Sorry was nominated for two events, but was put out of training after the Grand National meeting, and is to go to the stud. Her name appears as an acceptor for both races, but she was not paid up for.

Authentic, Volomai, Eulogise and Peridot are engaged in the Springs Handicap which is the main flat race on Saturday’s programme. All have started recently though none have raced with success. The. first-named is well into the veteran stage and it is some time since he showed any winning form. Volomai also found himself out of his depth in Riccarton company, but recent racing will fmd him an improved horse on Saturday. He has previously shown a penchant lor West Coast courses.

Eulogise was hopelessly left in his only start at Riccarton earlier this month and no line could be gained .on his prospects. As a three-year-old last season, he had promising form among the backs, being the winner of the Otaio Plate, one of the richest hack races in the Dominion. Trained at Riccarton by J. Shaw, he should gain some stake money on the trip. His stablemate Peridot may be an even stronger prospect. A Christopher Robin four-year-old, Peridot has only recently made his appearance in open company, but there were occasions in the hack ranks when he showed promise of developing into a useful handicapper. Both Eulogise and Peridot have dual engagements.

Shenandoah Spelling Shenandoah has been blistered and turned out for a spell by trainer R. Wilson. He failed at his only start for Wilson at Waimate in July, but the Master Collossus gelding collected five winning stakes at the smaller meetings during the 1948-49 season.

Returned To Stud Indian , Dawn is another who has been retired to the stud. She won over £B6OO in stakes for N. H. Barlour, who paid 600 guineas for her as a yearling, her successes including the Desert Gold Stakes and Dunedin Cup. Her activities in the past season were restricted because of muscular trouble and she failed to race up to her earlier good form.

Fantom's Record The honours of the Stewards’ Handicap at Addington went to Fantom, who finished third in 4.16. and cut 3 l-ssec off Will Cary’s record for the distance. Fantom’s previous best for two miles was 4.20 4-5. His effort was the best of the day, none of the pacers breaking 4.17. Fantom will have to be considered in his engagement at Addington on Saturday. Derby Favourite The Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes did not throw much light on Derby prospects. Farlena and Morano broke at the start, and a mix-up at the entrance to the straight made Young Charles’s task still easier. The time (3.30) was fast for young three-year-olds, and Young Charles should not be troubled by the Derby distance.

For Wingatui The Riccarton centre will be represented by two horses only, Valiant Prince and-Light Tea, at the Otago Hunt Club’s fixture at Wingatui on Saturday. Valiant Prince has shown only fair promise as a hurdler, and is not likely to attract much attention against the strong opposition he willencounter in the Seaview Hack and Hunters’ Hurdles. Light Tea won a race at Waimate in July, but has not raced up to that form in his few races since. He fell when looking likely nearing home in the race won by Sir Simper at Washdyke in July, and on that performance alone must be conceded a chance in his engagement this week.

Trainer’s Death Mr John Arron Ash wood, who was a horse trainer at Reefton for several years, died recently at Hobart. He was 65. Born at Reefton, Mr Ashwood was employed at one time by the late Albert Stapleton, where he was associated With the light harness horses Malabar, Andante. Kopara Dick, Fiction and Proud Brenda and the gallopers Benzie. Millionaire and John Barleycorn. Mr Ashwood’s two sons, George and William, went to India as youths from Tasmania and rode horses for the Aga Khan. Mr Ashwood was official rider for the Tasmanian Trotting Club at Hobart, where he trained and drove several trotters and pacers. He was the leading trainer one year, Dropped Dead Eeechwood, who met his death following a fall when schooling at Riccartcn last week showed marked promise in the little schooling he had had, mostly over the pony hurdles. When he crashed last week he was

having has second school only over the bigger obstacles, and the pace he and his stable mate Waihau were asked to muster was undoubtedly the cause of his mishap. Trackwatchers considered they had never before seen two horses set such a torrid pace for jumpers, and both riders seemed keen on getting to the third fence first. Waihau, who has had more experience as a juirmer took the hurdle in his stride, tut Beechwood got right- into it before attempting to rise. He walked m very lafare, and was being taken home when he dropped dead on the roadside. He was purchased a few months back by Mr N. Rutherford from Mr D. Grant for a fairly substantial figure, and a bright future was expected of him. Westport T.C. Officers Only one nomination for the position of president, that of Mr W. H. Roche, who has been a member of the committee for a long period, was received when nominations closed yesterday for the various offices of the Westport Trotting Club. The retiring president, Mr H. Lovell, is not seeking re-election. He has been president for 10 years. There are four nominations for the position of vice-president, two being required. Mr R. O’Neill is the only one, of the retiring members nominated. The other vice-president, Mr Roche, is not standing. The three new candidates for the positions are Messrs C. F. Schadick, T. M. Scanlon, and M. B. Scully. Mr C. F. Schadick has been reelected unopposed as treasurer. For 12 positions on the committee there are 15 nominations. They are Messrs P. Colvin, M. O'Dea, H. J. Taylor, T. Corby, R. Powell, M. B. Scully, T. M. Scanlon, J. P. McEnariey, M. Coyne, and J. R. Woodcock (sitting members), and R. O’Neill. J. Craig, L. Walsh, E. Rooney, and C. Wilsoncroft.