CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 46

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

St Observer. A sensation was provided early this week when it was announced that ill-health had compelled Mr \V. H. Jtfi; Wanklyn to resign his position as secretary to the Canterbury Jockey Club, which he has held for nearly 50 years. Mr Wanklyn's health has been far l'rom good for some time past. A few years ago' he paid a visit to England, and last year he went on a short holiday trip to America, but these two rests from the cares of business do not appear to have brought more than a temporary improvement. As a young man Mr Wanklyn resided in Taranaki. Starting work as a bank clerk, he subsequently, was in business _in Hawera for several years as a commission agent. In 1889 he was appointed secretary to the Egmont Racing Club; but he only held the office for a short time, as in 1890 ho secured the position of secretary to theCanterbury Jockey Club. During more than_29 years of office his commercial training has been invaluable to the club, which lias made exceptional progress under his guidance, having lor many years been recognised as one of the ieading racing institutions in the Dominion. When the New Zealand Racing Conference was established, more than 20 years ago, Mr Wanklyn was appointed secretary, and he continued in that position until a comparatively recent date. As an adjunct to his duties in connection with the Racing Conference, he undertook the duties of editor of the New Zealand Stud Book, a work ■ which he has continued ever since. When he first took over the control of the Stud Book Mr Wanklyn had a very limited acquaintance with the breeding side of the sport. He soon became interested in the subject, however, to such an extent that for many years past it has been his chief hobby, and at the present' time there are few keener students of breeding in the Dominion, and fewer still who have as wide or intimate a knowledge of the subject. Some' years ago he published an interesting work, entitled. "The Australasian Racehorse," and this was followed by another publication, dealing with "Sire Lines," both works gaining much favourable notice not only in but also in England. His interest in racing, especially the breeding side, has been shown in other ways. In pursuance of his hobby he has kept himself thoroughly posted in English racing affairs, and he has contributed many interesting articles on the subject to New Zealand and Australian papers. The Riccarton tracks have been very quiet during the past week, following on the bustle and excitement of the previous month. Most of the horses who were racing at the Grand National meeting are having an easy time, but those who are required for spring engagements are gradually coming back to the regular routine. On the other hand, horses who have not had a race since autumn are getting through plenty oi> useful work, and very soon the track doings should become quite interesting. In view of the railway restrictions, there is a good deal of uncertainty regarding the early spring meetings, and trainers are left in" a very awkward situation. Opinions are very much divided as to what is likely to happen. Some' of the pessimists take the view that the carriage of horses on the railways will not be resumed for a few months yet, while there are optimists who feci quite certain, with the political situation in mind, that the railways will be back to normal in a week or two. In the meantime, the Ashburton County Racing Club has announced definitely that the spring meeting will'be held next month. Unless the railway restrictions are removed almost immediately this meet ing is certain to be serioulsy affected. Looking up the race books, I find that nearly 40 horses went from Christchurch, with 10 more from Oamari and Wingatui, for ihe spring meeting at Ashburton last year. From, this it will be seen how great is the dependence of the club on outside support. So far as Riccarton horses are concerned, a walk of 50 miles does not present insuperable difficulties, and though the number of competitors may be somewhat reduced, I am orepared to find that the meeting will attract a fair amount of patronage from this end. The Geraldine Club will race a week later, and probably some of the Riccarton horses will go right on from Ashburton. The whole position, however, is decidedly unfortunate for trainers, and unless the railway restrictions are lifted the spring race meetings will suffer badly, while I feel certain some of them will have to be delayed till later in the season. Some of the North Island horses who competed at the Grand National meeting, as well as a number of the southern competitors, have returned home. We still have a few of the Hawke's Bay and Gisborne horses with us, waiting for a steamer, and a similar remark applies to more than one southern team. 'I understand that C. Christie expects to get away this week, but P. T. Hogan may have to leave his horses here for some time yet, in which case it is possible that they will be raced at the Ashburton meeting. The Southland Jockey W. Robinson is still suffering from the effects of a motor cycle accident during Grand National Week. Ho got off luckily, without having any bones broken, and he should soon be ah right again. Rangi Aroha, by Elysian—Te Aroha. changed owners during the Grand National meeting. She is now an inmate of T. H Gillett's stable, and she will be raced at the West Coast meetings later in the season.

The five-year-old mare Elocution, by Demosthenes —Rangiao, has been purchased by she Wingatui trainer. J. Stewart. She is a useful gajloper, who should pay her way in the south. Vascular has been turned out, and he will probably be spelled for six months. He was sore prior to the recent meeting, and was only nbla to start once; but it is hoped ihat he will come back quite # sound for next winter's cross-country campaign. The North Island geldinjr Paraoa is now a member of F. D. Jones's team. He is not being set any severe tasks in the meantime, one of his joints being under treatment, following on a knock while taking part in hurdle races at the Grand National meeting. The trouble is not serious, however, and he should soon be striding along in preparation for spring engagements. Gamecock ha 3 been sent to his owner's station in North Canterbury, where he will be given a short spoil Sir George Clifford has sold the five-year-old Onlooker, and the son of Connie Chiel— Mad Whirl is nOw an inmate of H. Ellis's stable.

Joannot is having an easy time lust now, and he may be operated on for wind troubles before he does any more racing. Wrestler has rejoined _J. B. Pearson's active team but so far his tasks have not been particularly strenuous.

P. At Grath has taken in hand a four-year-oid mare by All Red —Laay Victoria, uy Pilgrim s Progress—. Lady JLiuian. Tile newcomer is a to Red Knight and a 1i.:::-- i »'-'h- to Royal Star. A iour-yoar-o«d brother xo Tunic. by iioimy Uien —Jacket, nas been taken in nand by 1. JLi. Chlett. Marc Antony's two-year-old half-brother, by Kiloroney—-Voiodia, is on the easy list at present. After being broken in he was given a bit .ot work, but he was gelded recently. He is making a good recovery from the operation, but he will be allowed a good spell before taking up serious business on the tracks. Sir George Clifford has a useful-looking team of three-year-olds this season, headed by Miss Mimic, Acquittal, Royal Stag, JNightraider, and Macduff. Uniortunately the last-named trio have been giving some trouble owing to lameness. 'ihe ailments have come at a very inopportune time in view of the near approach of. the spring meeting. They are all in work again, however, and it is hoped they will go on without further interruption. Onslaught has rejoined Cutts Brothers' team, alter being on the retired list for a few months. He was very lame in the autumn, but he appears to be quite sound again, and if he - goes on the right way ho should be a very useful stake-earner for the stable this season. Heathercote is moving along nicely in his preparation tor spring engagements. After showing top-class form in his late efforts as a two-year-old. he did not realise expectations last season. This year, however, he has- wintered well, and he bears a very attractive appearance at present, suggestive of good performances as a four-year-old. M. Hobbs, having sold his property, will in future have his horses quartered at the Racecourse Hotel stables. He had a trip to Australia _in contemplation, but it seems doubtful if he will carry out his intention this spring. Punka has recently joined his active team, and looks very well. Gay Lad has got through a lot of good work, but lately he has not been so prominent, and it looks as if he might be causing his trainer a bit of anxiety. The Riccarton trainer, R. W. King, is seriously indisposed at and it will be some time before he is about again. J. M'Obmbe is making good progress towards recovery after his serious operation, and it is hoped that he will be well enough to be removed to his home in a few weeks. In the meantime Mr J?. Griffen, who has an interest in some of the inmates of M'Combe's stable, is a frequent visitor to Riccarton, keeping an eye on the team. Most of them are being given useful tasks at present. The speedy Bon Spec has made a good recovery from the ailment which attacked him-in the autumn. He has built up a lot lately, and he appears to be much quieter than was the case last season. The Southland-owned three-year-old Primum has had a few turns in the jumping ring at Riccarton,' and shapes well. He is an unruly customer, but he appears to be quietening down a lot since he has been here. Mr George Higgott- who died in Wellington recently, was" a son of the late Mr S. Higgott, a well-known owner and trainer at Riccarton some years ago, and a brother of F. Higgott, the North Island trainer. The deceased was associated with racing from his youth, being employed as a boy by R. J. Mason at Yaldhurst. Subsequently he went to the North Island, and later he took, some horses to India, where he secured a position as a trainer. Soon after the outbreak of the war he proceeded to England and became a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, being attached to the artillery branch. He returned to the Dominion a few weeks ago, and was apparently in good health, his death occurring after a short illness The time for receiving entries for the New Zealand Trotting Club has been extended till Wednesday, September 10, an arrangement which will permit the nomination of horses who may qualify at the Jellicoe meeting. «