SPORTING NEWS.

Hastings Standard, Issue 107, 29 August 1896, Page 3

SPORTING NEWS.

HON. J. D. ORMOND'S KAKAMU STABLES. [By Gipsy Grand.] Perhaps nowhere in the colony, or probably in Australia, is there an establishment more widely known or in possession of a better class of young thoroughbreds than is the Hon. J. I). Orruond's Karamu. Situated about theie miles from Hastings and in a spot that is in every way well adapted for the rearing and training of racehorses, this place stands unrivalled in the colony. The enirar.ee to the estate is made by the Omalm Road. An avenue boi dered with trees and extending about a mile, leads to the stables, which have housed many of the most prominent horses ever produced in the colony. The private training trucks, which are now being specially prepared, are to be seen from the main road. About half way down the avenue are paddocks on either side for the accommodation of broodmares and horses not in work. These are well placed, with good plantations which afford plenty of shelter. The stables are surrounded by an iron fence, and are so constructed that the doors are facing inwards, and on all sides are protected from the winds. The outer range of the stables are built in a rectangle, with another square building in the centre comprising nine boxes. There are in all over 20 boxes, and each one is occupied. The t stablishinent is presided over by Mr Stewart Waddell, who is well known in the sport: 11 g world. Under his supervision is a large staff of competent lads, who know their work, and in this matter an allotted part is set out for each, and system is the ruling power. "When the trainer is absent from the stables with horses at meetings beyond the district the responsibility of the establishment rests on A. Smith, wlio has shown sufficient ability to be placed in temporaly charge of the stables. The inhabitants of the stables ore made up of:—Hippodrome, Midas, Martyrdom. Trentalto. Mars, Sir Launcclot, Defiant. Target, Daunt, 1 >,auntless. Daring, Defiance. Solitaire. Hopeful, Sabreur, Dare Devil. Bold, Didliant, Hippolyte. Mansen. and Dreadnought. As space is not at my disposal to deal with each horse as its merits deserve, I am reluctantly compelled to but briefly mention each. Naturally enough the colt in this stable that has excited most interest during the past season is the Challenge Stakes winner —Dauntless. This colt has thickened a great deal since last seen under the cerise jacket, and it is but little wonder that he stands in such high estimation for the New Zealand C'up. He is a picture to look at. and must attract the attention of any person pretending to know a racehorse. Like all the Dreadnoughts. Dauntless is a well-built horse, with a powerful set of legs, and a strong constitution, and will, from present indications, bring home many a rich stake to his owner. The two-year-old deeds of Defiance speak for themselves, and he proved to be the most consistent colt during the season that has just terminated. Like Dauntless, he has shown signs of development during the past few mouths, and has filled out wonderfully. The many races he has run and the heavy burdens that he has carried to victory have in no way impeded the son of Dreadnought and Legacy. Doubtless his three-yenr-old career will be watched with more than ordinary interest.

Daring, though only a shade over pony height, has stamped himself as a racehorse. and for his indies I do not think there is anything in the land to approach him. His intelligent appearance stands out prominently, and I am told that he is one of the best-tempered horses that ever looked through a bridle. Although defeated by such a flyer as Wainku last November at Christchureh, his brilliant run in that race was none the less meritorious. The son of Dreadnought and Elflock is in splendid buckle, and is held in high esteem by his trainer. With the exception of his size, he is one of the nicest horses of the number. The Australian bred mare Trentalto, by Trenton from Montalto, is developing into a tine mare, and what she was asked to do last season was creditably performed. With such blood in her veins she can hardly help galloping fast, and her easy win in the Nursery Handicap last March at Hastings with Bst 101b on her back may be a slight token of her abilities. Trentalto is a delicate animal, and is one of the class that often cause a trainer anxiety when preparing for an event. Those who have seen this mare cannot help being struck with her fine appearance, and some are of the opinion that had she been in the Hawke's Bay Stakes Bloodshot would have run second. Thus far she has gone on well, and her trainer hopes to seo her emulate some of the deeds of her brilliant sire. * Solitaire calls for more than mere passing notice, and in adjudging the daughter of Eridspord and Solitude she nlust be credited us being one of the fastest animals in the colony up to a mile. Her victory at the Wellington Summer meeting in the Metropolitan Handicap over King's Bowman and The Shrew, who ran second and third respectively, must entitle Solitaire to respect; then again at Hastings she easily defeated a big field in the Second Welter with list 31b on her back, her nearest attendants being Haeata and St Regel. Since then at Wellington she romped home in the Hutt Flying. Stewart has this mare in splendid form just now, and she will doubtless be heard of to advantage in the course of the coining racing season. Hopeful is the occupant of the adjoining box to Solitaire. The son of Puriri and Frowning Beauty has made _ himself known in the sporting world by his many successes over hurdles. Although Hopeful has not gained many verdicts lately, it does not detract from his merits. His weights have been at the top of the list, and one glance at the jumper is sufficient. to prove that he is not built to carry heavy burdens. With a fair weight up, Hopeful would take all the beating that it is possible to give him. The New Zealand Cup candidate. Sabreur, is located opposite Solitaire, and looks every inch a racehorse. But little has been asked of this colt, and that little may be said to have been performed creditably, although it was not crowned with success. I refer to his Juvenile Handicap performance last March at Hastings, which was won by his stable companion Defiance. At that time the son of Cuirassier and Martyr was comparatively green, and notwithstanding the fact that he got all the worst of the start, was in the ruck when rounding into the straight, and coming very fast, succeeded in getting into second place. Although Sabreur is one of the most aristocratic? looking occupants of Karamu, he is a colt that will require a little age before he is seen to advantage. St. Hippo's three-quarter brother, Hippodrome, by St. Andrew from Hippona, may he termed the giant of the stable. Euroclydon as a three-year-old was looked pon as a giant for his age, but I do not thick that the Kew Zealand Cap vm

| ner can outdo the son of St. Andrew in ! this respect. That he is a splendid colt ! there is no denying. From his breeding I everything indicates that he will be heard well of when his turn comes to don the silk jacket. Sir Launcclot. a beautiful bay colt by Dreadnought from Idalia, dam of Sir Modrc-d, calls for special notice, and on breeding- line should be hard to beat. So far this shapely colt's prospects on the turf can only be gauged by his ancestry. The brilliant deeds of his sire are too well-known to here recapitulate, and, on his dam's side, what more is wanting than to look at the performance of her offspring, Sir Modred, who has proved one of the greatest sires in the land of the Star Spangled Banner. Sir Launcolot-'s advent on the track will be looked forward to with no small amount of interest. Martyrdom is the occupant of "a corner box at the entrance of the yard. The daughter of Apremont and Martyr is being prepared for coming events, and may be expected to uphold her past reputation. A rather nice looking three-year-old gelding is Dare Devil, by Dreadnought from Spot. He has not been seen out, but is now being prepared, and if looks go for anything he should be able to gallop fast. Bold, a two-year-old gelding brother to Daring, has recently been taken up. A promising gelding is Dalliant, by Dreadnought from Waterbaby. He is a two-year-old, but is as yet green. The filly by Dreadnought from St. Hippo's dam lias been named Hippolyte, and is now two years old. On breeding this filly should show something out of the common. The gelding by Dreadnought from Norsemaid has been named Nanscn. In color he is a bay, and will develop into a shapely animal. Defiant is almost the same in build and color as his brother Defiance, and if he will prove as good on the track as his near relative, he may be counted a profitable horse. The three-year-old Target, by Dreadnought from Strayfire, is a fine, upstanding horse with all of his sire's points showing prominently. Daunt, a two-year-old brother of Dauntless, is well forward, and greatly resembles the Challenge Stakes winner. Mars, a chestnut son of Ingomar, is a greatly improved horse than when 1 saw him on the training-track a couple of months ago. Midas (St. George-Rupee) has been before the public on several occasions, but his efforts recently have not been attended with success. Merrie England's brother may be seen to advantage ever hurdles anon. He is a good jumper, but appears to lack staying power. St Anthony has been commissioned again after a lengthy spell, and is to be put into training shortly. Forty Winks is being broken to harness, and it ma,) be taken for granted that the big son of Somnus has finished his racing career.

Dreadnought, looking in the best of health, is, I believe, to be reserved for Karamu this season.

North Atlantic is in the paddock, and it is doubtful if the son of Nordenfcldt and Atlanta will sport silk again. Spindrift and Otaievi occupy a paddock by themselves. After a further spell it is proposed to take the son of Nordenfeldt in hand again. His dicky leg is on the improve, and it is quite possible that this honest horse mov be seen out once more.

A number of -vearlings are located at the north end of the estate.

The brood mares: ]>ryru]. Waterbaby, and Total Eclspse have each foaled to Dreadnought since August Ist. The young arrivals are well developed, and when viewing them were having a "go" on their own across the paddock.

In a large enclosure the mares are assembled ; amongst the number I noticed the following: —Queen of Hearts, Elflock, dam of Daring ; Princess May. Mount Ida, full sister to Fair Nell, who is dam of Saracen, Loyalty, and Bonnie Scotland ; Thame, runner-up in British Lion's Cup, Tempest's Dunedm Cup, liangipulii's Thompson,s Handicap, and Merganser's Hawke's Bay Cup; Lady Burnett, by Musket; Lyrebird, by St Leger from Lyre ; Maluri, by Malun, winner of the Melbourne Cup ; Aphrodite, Nixie, Sabra, Xorsemaid, Flattery, dam of Musketry and Cajollery; Sister Mary, by Ingomar; Orientale, dam of Dauntless ; Siesta, Gabble ; Legacy, dam of Defiance; Spinaker, dam of Spendrift; ltoll Call, by The Painter; Mont Martyr, by Apremont; Spruce, by Xeckersgat (sire of the Melbourne Cup winner, Dunlop) ; mare out of Lady Evelyn : Enid, dam of last Oaks winner, Bellicent; Queen of Trumps; and Aura.v, dam of Manser, All tlio mares show unmistakeable signs of being in foal. From such mares as the above, the proginy of the Chester horse can hardly fail to keep his name prominently before the sporting world when other great horses have sunk into oblivion. Taken altogether, tins well-conductcd establishment may be rightly termed the St Albans of New Zealand. On this estate arc engaged about 50 hands, which in itself may justify the opinion that the Squire of Karamu is no half-and-half sportsman. With such a number of right good horses representing the stable in most of the classic events during tlie coming season it is almost safe to predict that the cirese jacket and cap will be borne to victory on- many an occasion^, C..J.C. SPRING MEETING. Christchi-rch, August 28. The following entries have been received for the Canterbury Cup. Fabulist Uniform Searchlight Bellicent Day Star Lord lioslyn Defiance Lady Zetland Sabreur Culverin Euroclydon Saracen Plotfcr Waters ton Epaulet Cceur de Lion