NOTES FROM RICCARTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26543, 19 August 1947, Page 8

NOTES FROM RICCARTON

A SPELL FOR LEESTON Special to the Daily Times CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 18. After the bustle of the last few weeks there was a great change at Riccarton this morning. Most of the southern visiors have gone home, while the North Island horses will ail get away during the next day or two. Some local trainers are giving their teams a short rest and as a result the tracks were almost deserted this morning. Following the usual custom, the course at Riccarton will be open for the two-year-olds for a few days this week. Some of the youngsters did pace work this morning and later in the week there should be some sprinting. Leeston was almost down near the halfmile post in the Longbeach Handicap on Saturday, the accident being caused when he was galloped on. He was quickly on his feet again, but his chance was gone. He is very sore and he will need a rest. Turf Topic bled badly after the St.rx Hurdles on Saturday. It was his first experience of the kind and M. J. Wadley will send him home for a spell. Mr Scott Ramsay, the owner of Bruce, was due here last week, but his visit was postponed till this week, when he will consult with his trainer, L. J. Ellis, about the proposal to race Bruce in Australia in the spring. » L. J. Ellis recently was offered a good position as private trainer to a North Island owner, but he decided against a shift from Riccarton.