RICCARTON GOSSIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20977, 14 September 1931, Page 7

RICCARTON GOSSIP.

NEW ZEALAND CUP HORSES.

WORK OF RIRI AND GAY CREST. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN ( J$(?R RESPONDENT.} CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday.

Ifc was intended to race Phar Lap's brother Night guard at Ashburton, but on receipt of the handicaps he was immediately withdrawn from both his engagements. He has had only two appearances in public, running well out of a place on each occasion, but he was called upon to carry Blb above the minimum in the High-w<eiglit Handicap and to concede weight to winners. Red Heckle had his first fast work for seine months this morning, when he ran half a mile in comparatively good time. Hiß younger brother Convoy is also making good progress. A trip to Ellerslie at Christmas with this pair is likely.

Riri is being subjected to somg. v solid work. He galloped a mile earlier in the week and to-day traversed a mile and a-quarter at a good strong pace throughout. Riri is a lazy %vork.er and evidently thrives on the programme adopted with him. In this respect he resembles his brother Chide, who was the hardest galloped horse at Riccarton prior to his success in the New Zealand Cup and wu probably a better horse on the concluding day than at the opening of the meeting. Gay Crest was responsible for a useful gallop over seven furlongs to-day, covering the distance In 1.32 3-5. The cup candidate is giving every satisfaction and benefiting by the low scale of weights adopted in the principal handicap at Ashburton next Saturday he is far enough advanced to dispute the honours. There is a marked shortage of- lightweight horsemen at Riccarton at present and trainers will experience much trouble in securing suitable riders for tho forthcoming southern meetings. Rational 11. has done exceptionally well since being left at Riccarton. He carries much more muscle than when he raced at the Grand National meeting and in two recent gallops has beaten the usefvil Night Recital over six furlongs in fast time and is not yet nearly at his best. He has been accorded a, nomination for the New Zealand Cup, but in the meantime does not make much appeal as a, likely candidate for a two miles journey. On Top is probably better now than, since coming to the South Island. Previously he has been a poor feeder, but has overcome this disability and carries solid condition. In consequence he should soon win a race under spring weights.