NOTES FROM RICCARTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 5

NOTES FROM RICCARTON

(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, June 8. Valantua, who had a second and a win at the Great Northern meeting last year, had a disappointing record on this year’s trip. He did not get far in either steeplechase, as he refused to tackle the water jump. The original intention was to wait for the Grand National after Auckland, but the plans have been changed, and he will be nominated for Trentham next month.

Liquidate, Gunyah, and Foreign Ways, who have been under the care of R. Pentecost during the absence of R. E. Johnstone in Auckland, have made good progress, and they should be at their best for engagements at the Grand National meeting. The two-year-old filly Essay has been off the scene since she raced at Easter, but she has not been idle all the time. Her owner, Mr W. R. Toon, has been giving her daily exercise on the hills lately, and when she returns to the track, about the end of this month, she will soon reach the sprinting stage. It is hoped to have her ready for a race in August. With labour difficulties to face, H. and A. Cutts have only one yearling in their team at present, fie is Hart Royal, a colt by Wild Chase from High Rank, a halfsister by Day Comet to Fast Passage. M. J. Wadley has made another start on the two-year-old Deep Harmony, who looks in good health. He is a half-bro-ther to Piccolo, and he had five races in the spring without earning any money.