SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 6

SPORTING

OMOTO JOTTINGS Ration, the pacemaker ovr? the greater part of the distance in the main event at Kumara last Saturday, galloped nicely over five and ".-half furlongs yesterday. He won at the recent Westport fixture, and looks much better for Saturday’s outing. Providing he remains sound, he should claim some more of the stake money before the circuit concludes. Nothing serious was asked of Royal Tor yesterday, she being let off with pace work on the sand. Gunga Din and Wild Ribbon, members of Arthur Ellis’s team were given a gallop over five furlongs, in company with Trench Law on the course proper. The latter seems to he at his best in heavy going, and was only beaten by half a length by Kiloney at Kumara. Fluorescent was given an easyworking gallop over five furlongs yesterday, and a little improvement on recent. efforts should find him a winner. This five-year-old Solicitor General gelding trained by Arthur EH is, has performed well on the Coast circuit this season, gaining a second and a third at Westport, and at Kumara was always in the call to be second to Manatone in the Novice event.

Riding Again: Bert Phillips, who was injured when crushed against the rail while riding Big Top at Westport, was seen riding work at Omoto yesterday. He has accepted several engagements for the Greymouth meeting. Progressing: A, M. Ellis, who had his leg broken when two and a-half furlongs from home on the second day of the same meeting, is in hospital in Christchurch, and is reported to be doing well. Both of these riders were in handy positions when the accidents occurred, and each rode his mount into a place. Ten of the yearings sold at tne National sales have joined Ellerslie stables. R. S. Bagby has four. F. Gilchrist and R. G. Stenning two each, and W. J. Fergus and F. W. McCabe, one each. R. E. Johnstone is spelling Foreign Ways and Liquidate, but he has Rockway going well in preparation for engagments on the West Coast. Likely Novices: Never in the history of the Greymouth Club has a maiden event presented such an open appearance as the Novice Stakes to be decided tomorrow. Several of those engaged have recent form to recommend them, and no doubt speculation will take a wide range. Among the four yearolds and over, Fading Light, Espadrille, Cornucopia, Fluorescent, and Royal Event have shown good form, while in the three-year-old division. Deep Harmony has been placed in fair hack company. Bootees is another who has shown promise. Of the'two years olds, Prana reads best. This filly has some excellent track work to her credit at Riccarton, and under the scale of weight, should have only to repeat her. track doings to have a good chance. Dawn Salute, a locally trained Nightly filly, has impressed track watchers. She will come good with experience. This event should provide a firstclass contest. Espadrille, a four-year-old Paper Slipper mare trained by N. Dwyer, has collected two thirds and a second in six starts, and ran a good race over six furlongs in the Trial Stakes at Riccarton recently. She is expected to arrive to-day. Cornucopia certainly looks a good sort. She was sent out favourite in the maiden race at Kumara, out did not appear to appreciate the conditions. This live-year-old Irish Lancer mare will carry 8.10 in the Novice Stakes to-morrow, and will doubtlessly be again sought after. Although she has not yet won a race, this South Canterbury visitor gallops nicely, and should break her maiden status on the trip. Strathisle was a good paddock tip at Kumara, and although prominent in the early stages, never seemed likely over the last bit. The six-year-old Nigger Minstrel mare will carry 8.10 in the maiden race to-morrow. Royal Event, though new to racing, won easily in his first start at Marlborough, and was a good second to his stable mate Firechase, the second day. A grey Thesus gelding, Royal Event arrived at Omoto yesterday in company with Firechase and Te Wanaka, in charge of Bob Drinkwater. . Not. much has been seen of Leigh Barton, but as he is a member of F. D. James’s team from Riccarton, cannot be passed over lightly. He ?s expected to arrive this morning. Deep Harmony, a black gelding by Phaleron Bay, owned by C. Whitford, and trained by M. Wadley, or. Riccarton, has yet to be led in a winner, but has collected two seconds and a fourth, in seven starts. The Riccarton trained Fading Light, who is engaged in the Novice Stakes tomorrow, has a high reputation for speed. By Defaulter out of that great jumper, Aurora Borealis, he is said to be as proficient a fencer as his dam. Fading Light, tan a "real race among the maidens at a recent C.J.C. fixture, and provided that he can handle the track, he should give a good account of himself.