SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 95, 15 August 1896, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS.

ROUND THE STABLES

MR R. GOOSE MAN'S ESTABLISH

ME NT

[By Gipsy Grand/

On the western side of. and in close proximity to, the racecou.se is eitwucd one of the leading training str.'.les in Ilitwke'* Bay. presided over and owned by Mr R. Gooseman, whose name is familiar to all racing men throughout the colony. Fronting the road is the homestead. which is surrounded by a very attractive garden neatly laid out, and bearing the appearance of an expenditure of both time and money. On the left of the house is the road leading to the stables, which are about three chains to the rear, and .are conveniently situated to live different paddocks used for the horses when not in training. Every care has been taken in the matter of the fencing being secure and devoid of that which has so often proved the ruination of many race-horses—barb-wire. The space at my disposal precludes my entering into further details with the surroundings of the establishment, which is enclosed within an area of about 5A- acres of land. A special house lias been erected for the comfort of the stable lads, of whom there are eight, and an inspection of their department shows that everything is maintained in apple-pie order, and that the boys are anxious to keep it so. For their comfort during the evenings a fireplace has been attached, and no doubt they enjoy their own fireside comforts during the long winter nights and spend many happy hours round it when the day's work has drawn to a close. The stable consists of 12 boxes, one of which is situated at some distance from the others, ami is known as " the hospital," where incapicitated horses are attended to. On the west side of the stable an iron fence is erected, which serves to some extent to break the prevailing winds. Immediately surrounding the stables the ground is coated with limestone, which has set well, and adds greatly to the cleanliness of the place. The feed room and saddle room —alongside one another —are situated at the north side of the stable, while a store room, elevated some feet from the ground, occupies the opposite end, and a barn forms the loft of the main stable. Close to " the hospital "is a large stack of straw, used for bedding. The water supply is from an artesian pipe, with a good system of drainage to carry off the surface water. Taken altogether, the stables, paddocks, and surroundings are ail that can be desired.

My first introduction was to the trotting stallion Berley, who was. at the time of my visit, disporting himself in a securelyfenced paddock. This horse was imported from Sydney about two years ago, and was among the number sent to Auckland by Mr Horden, of Sydney. Last season he stood at Patea. but Mr Gooseman has not yet decided where he will be located during the present one. Several enquiries have been made about this horse from different parts of the island. He is a bay, and is an exceptionally good-tem-pered animal, and regularly has his turn in harness. At present he wears his winter coat, otherwise lie looks well. The racehorse division of the establishment consist of —Mysterious, Searchlight, Lorenzo, Brennan. Orion's Belt, First Whisper, Girolla, Dotterel, Bijou, Murnn r 5 and St. Gonnon. The first one stripped for my inspection was Mysterious, by Wonderland from Mvstery. The mare has not changed much since seen out at the Autumn meeting in Hastings, when most of my readers will remember that she annexed the Trial Handicap. The daughter of Wonderland is looking well, and will undoubtedly be seen to advantage during the coming season.

Her next door neighbor is llie New Zealand Cup candidate, Searchlight. I have seen the daughter of Maxim and Iris on many previous occasions, but I do not think that I have ever seen the sister to Bloodshot looking better than at present. She has filled out a lot since her dual victory at the March meeting, when she fairly walked away from Lady Zetland,. The "Possible, and Co., in tho Hawke's Bav Cup, and. the next day, won the Burke Memorial Stakes. To look at Searchlight in the box one would hardly credit her fractiousness at the starting post, but this habit is rapidly mending with age. Although Searchlight cannot be said"to be a big mare, she is in possession of quarters that would do justice to a "cart horse," if I may so use the term. As to her eliance of success iu the New Zealand Cup. that matter I shall not touch upon, as an opinion given thus early would not be worth recording. Searchlight is really a brilliant mare, nn<l is, no doubt, the pride of her owner, Mr George Hunter, who is a thorough sportsman. In the nest bos is the two-year-old filly Girofla. won in the St. Albans' Estate lotterv by Mr H. Pope, of Porangaliau. She is by the celebrated horse Trenton, whose progeny in Australia achieved such world-wide fame during the past two seasons. Her dam, Giro lie, was bred in Australia in 1880, and is by the wellknown horse Yattendon, who sired such pillars of the turf as Chester and St, George. Chester was the sire of Abercon<, Camoola, and many other good ones too numerous to mention. Abercorn was the champion of his time in Australia, and his many battles with the mighty still remain green in the memory of ■ men. St. George —Chester s brother sire of Bonnie Scotland, Saracen, and Lovrity,- whose* performances speak for themselves. Girofla has a noble line of ancestry, and on her dam's side goes back to that" famous mare Cutty Sark. Although the daughter of Trenton is not as forward as some of her stable companions, she has nevertheless the making of a racehorse of the highest order, as her breediug alone will show. She has wintered well, but will not be seen in public for some time, as she is not engaged in any of the classic events. When her day comes to sport silk, I expect to see her emulate the deeds of her progenitors. The adjoining box is tenanted by the three-vear-old colt Lorenzo, by Armourer from Lenore. I saw this colt racing at the Wellington summer meeting, and since then a vast improvement is perceptible. He has thickened out considerably, and is now what may be termed a big horse. I fancy his three-year-old period will prove him to be a better animal than his two-year-old form indicated. He is a fine, upstanding colt with plenty of bone, supplemented by reach, and is a likelysort to develop into a hurdler.

The first box in the next row is occupied by the most aristocratic -looking qeeupaiit of the stable—Dotterel. This filly is by Cuirassier from Gaiinet. She is a two-year-old, brown in color, with the near hind fetlock white. One glance at this mare was sufficient to indicate that she was a Cuirassier, and the bears a great resemblance to her sire, who is a full brother to the famous Trenton. On that score, if on no other, Dotterel is sure to command more than ordinary respect from patrons of the turf. It is no exaggeration to say this mar© is a regular picture, and I questioft if « hapflaoßMC fifly can be found in

the island. If her general appeal for anything, then she muf?t be in the lending ranJ-rs. Anon the beautiful d.ui*,Vti of Ci vill ba seen to

Ihe next fcox brings lwfc memories that will not readily Ik? eff.-.-'t -I f: :>:n tlse int-1 Ir of tlso-c possessing uny 1:11•.>\vle;liro of the tun. I reivr to the place wherein

housed one of tha most brilliant ;';:u ever pa„v:l ov-.r the green v • or this coins.y~ Cyni.-. u. In this; In-:; i.> now located tiiu <soslsy colt, St. Lonnon (by St. Leger from Sapphire) who as a yearling cost 510 guineas. This colt is as handsome as he is costly, and there can be no two opinions that he is one of the finest colts in the land as a two-year-old, and possesses all the attributes which go to form a racehorse. He is a bright bay, with great powerful quarters, shows considerable quality, and his size would do credit to an aged horse. Although this colt cost a high figure, when one comes to look over him he comes to the one and only decision—he is worth it. His sire has established a name for himself through the agency of his brilliant sons—St. Hippo, St. Hilda, St. Regal, Impulse, and several others. Sapphire, his dam, comes into prominence through that right good pair, Blue Fire and Mannlicher, who both won the wealthy Challenge Stakes. St. Gonnon is engaged in a number of classic events this and next season, and his advent on the turf will be awaited with more than ordinary interest.

Bijou occupies the adjoining compartment. The daughter of Medallion and Sapphire had the misfortune to meet with an accident some couple of months ago, which caused her temporary retirement. She is now, however, on the fair road to recovery, and her trainer entertains the hope that the mare will get nil right again. Her collision with the wire fence has not left her unmarked, and two or three scars are still noticeable, also a bump on tire near shoulder. Bijou before the accident gave promise of developing into a speedy mare, which makes the case all the more regretful. ■Whisper's old box is now in possession of Orion's Belt (Castor—Bangle). Casket's brother is looking well, and is, when wound up, a fast horse. His turf career has been somewhat interfered with, and his luck has not been of the best. It will be remembered that he came down in the "Woodville Cup when in a gcod position, and since then he lias suffered from a slight injury to his near fore fetlock, which is at present in a bandage. His victory in the Anniversary Handicap at the "Wellington Summer Meeting gave sufficient indication that the son of Castor would accomplish many like victories, had not fortune frowned upon him. If all goes well with Orion's Belt he will be raced again during the coming spring, when his old form may present itself. Separated from the other boxes is one for the accommodation of Torpina's brother, Brennan, by Torpedo from Christina. This colt is the giant of the stable, shows considerable power, and will develop into a weight-carrying horse. His game will in all probability be over sticks when he gets a- little age on him. Brennan has been seen out during the past season, but his rapid growth would retard his racing to a certain extent. Heis in splendid condition, and I look upon him to emulate the deeds of his brother during the coming season. At the southern end of the main stable are two boxes occupied by First Whisper and Murmur, three and two-year-old respectively. The former is by St. Andrew from Whisper, and the latter by "Wonderland from Whisper. First Whisper is certainly on the small side, but may be good enough for certain company. lam informed she is for private sale. Her half-brother, who had just celebrated his second birthday, gives promise of becoming a racehorse. Both his sire and dam proved themselves to be flyers, and Murmur has the appearance of proving himself a worthy offspring. This finished my inspection of the horses, and I was thoroughly satisfied that the time in so doing was not misspent. Before going I was conducted to Mr Gooseman's house, where several relics of past racing days were shown me, among them being the hide of Cynisca, which had been tanned and lined. On the mantle-pjece was one of the brilliant little maref's hoofs, mounted in silver with a silver plate attached bearing the word " Cynisca.'' Hanging on the wall on a

board mounted with plush were three gold mounted plates, worn by the mare, one at each of her three Wellington Cup victories. The wonts of the old song could, I thought, be fittingly applied to C'ynisca : " There's her hoof upon the chimney, There's her hide upon the chair, And a better never bent unto a rein. Yet with all my love and care I was forced to go alone ;

I shall never ride my gallant horse again." The turf deeds of Cynisea stand out prominently in the sporting world, and her treble Wellington Cup victory is an achievement that may never be equalled. I thanked Mr Gooseman for his courtesy and bade him good evening,