NOTES FROM RICCARTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26437, 16 April 1947, Page 8

NOTES FROM RICCARTON

TEST PILOT IN WORK Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH. Apl. 15. With the close of the autumn race meeting, there has been a change in the training conditions at Riccarton. The tracks were not open till half-past seven yesterdav morning, and winter hours will be the rule for the next few months. More rain fell last night, but the weather cleared this morning. Some of the horses with engagements at the South Canterbury meeting on Saturday were sent along in strong work on the No. 6 grass track, though there were no serious trials, the horses being well forward after recent racing. Test Pilot, a good hurdler last year, has been in strong work for some time. He has been started on his education over country. He was given a run a few davs ago over the five steeplechase schooling fences, all of which he jumped in very attractive style, while travelling at a sound pace. In the meantime, he looks a good prospect for the winter, as R Wilson has him in excellent order. Fading Light for Hurdles

Fading Light, another of Mr J. H. Grigg's horses, has come back to R. Wilson in the best of health after a spell for a year. She is a five-year-old mare by Defaulter from Aurora Borealis, and

she showed speed when previously in work, being placed three times in four starts last season. She will now be got readv for a trial over hurdles. Her dam will be recalled as a very good jumper. C. G. Humphries has Gay Fort doing well in his preparation for jumping races in the winter. He has had a few races on the flat and he showed attractive’speed in the Merivale Handicap on Saturday, while he is booked for the hurdle race at Washdyke this week. His real chance will come in steeplechases later on, and his demonstration over the schooling fences a few weeks ago was proof of his ability as a jumper., So far his winter programme has not been definitely settled. He may go to the North Island, and as a preliminary, it is probable that he will be nominated this week for the Waikato and Auckland winter meetings. One of Kartikeya’s shoulders has been a source of trouble more than once, and it is probable this was the cause of him running off the track in the Challenge Stakes on Saturday. The Finis colt has finished his racing for the season, and he will have a good Spell before being got ready for spring engagements.