RICCARTON NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24474, 6 December 1940, Page 3

RICCARTON NOTES

JOCKEY’S HOLIDAY (Special ro Daily Times; CHRISTCHURCH, Dec. 5. The weather was warm and dry for the work at Rlccarton this morning. A few horses were sent on the inside of the trial grass track, but most of the galloping was done on the plough, which was fast. There was a bit of usefulwork, but nothing of an exciting description. The after-break-fast contingent is very light at present, many of the horses being on the easy list. Indications point to fair-sized fields at Hororata next week, even though quality will not be of the best. A. E. Ellis returned home this week from his Australian trip, and. he was on the track this morning, when he received a hearty welcome from many friends. Though he was several months in the Commonwealth, he did very little riding. He had only four mounts in Sydney, after Which he went on to Melbourne, when he did not trouble about riding, haying decided early in the trip to make it a holiday. He enjoyed the rest, and he looks in the best of health to resume work in the saddle. He is wasting no time, as already he has arranged for the mount on Princess Minerva in the Highwelght Handicap at Hororata, where she will be hard to beat, as she can run a good mile. Ellis will go to Auckland for the holidays. He has been engaged to handle Beau Vite whenever he starts there, including the two weight-for-age races, the King’s Plate and the Clifford Plate. As for the Auckland Cup, T. R. George informed him that Beau Vite was not likely to start, but as he has been more favourably handicapped than many people expected there may be a change of plans. Ellis will also ride one of George’s two-year-olds in the Foal Stakes, while his Derby mount will be the Foxbridge filly Foxola (sister to the Rlccarton two-year-old Renarde), who has won five races in a'row.

H. Nurse has made a slight change in his holiday plans, Owing to the ground being so hard, the schooling of Aggravate over hurdles has been postponed, and, instead of going south for hurdle racing, he may compete in flat events on the West Coast, where he should pay his way. Kilrobe, St. Cloud and Ferriby will do the Dunedin, Wyndham and Invercargill meetings. The fourth member of the team will be a novice four-year-old halfsister to Cottingham, named Wincheslea. by Lord Warden from Sweet Beauty. T H. Gillett has not completed his plans for the holidays. Doria has been very favourably treated in the Railway Handicap, so it is possible she will be sent to Auckland, though a final decision will be held over. As an alternative, Doria will be nominated for the Dunedin meeting, along with Alias and a couple of two-year-olds, Palfrey and the big Solicitor General—Spionetta colt. The last-named, who is owned by Dr Nigel Smith, of Sydney, is a big fellow, who is not being hurried, but some travelling and racing will bring him on for autumn engagements. E, C. Parker expects to race Blue Abbey at Walkouaiti and Oamaru, with Dunedin as a possible addition to the programme. , . ~ M. Conza has Lady Magellan and Lifeguard as definite members of his team for the West Coast circuit. Roy Bun, Philibun and Skyrena are three others who may go, but these three will also be nominated for Waikouaiti and Oamaru. While J. C. Tomklnson will take three of his team to the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings, it is possible that Stabilise will go to the West Coast. His two-year-old half-brother, by Salmagundi, is progressing in his preparation, and he sprinted three furlongs this morning. He may have a couple of races during the holidays. Though backward yet. he is a well-grown and good-looking horse, who may do well later on.