CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3549, 28 March 1922, Page 40

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

OBSERVER.

he first hatch of this season’s yearlings from Sir George Clifford’s Stonyhurst Stud nave arrived at Ricearton, and Cutts Brothers have made a start on their education. I here are four of them, as follows: Chestnut colt Viewpoint, by Autumn us—telescope (dam of Long Range and Strathglass), by Martian—Weatherey; chestnut colt Dinner Bell, by Autumnus—Full Speed by ban Francisco— Fleetfoot : brown colt Rich Prize, by Antagonist—Sailor’s Hope, by Treadmill—Fail-haven; and bay filly Owlseom.be by Autumnus—Glenowlet (dam of Brown Owl and Nightwatch), by Clanraiiald Madowla. '] he four youngsters are well grown, and altogether are a promising lot. There are eight more yearlings at btonynurst at present, and they will be sent to Ricearton later on to be prepared for racing. i Hf C* Cl- M‘Nab, tlie Canterbury Jockey Club s caretaker, is only recovering from an unpleasant experience. While engaged in some work on the course recently a rail broke, and a pipce of it entering his right fore-arm and inflicting a nasty wound. General regret will be felt in sporting circles throughout, the Dominion at the news of the death of the well-known jockey, Len Hagerty, which occurred in the Westport Hospital on Thursday morning. ITe left parly last week for the West Coast in charge of Falstaff, but he was ill on his arrival at Westport, and his death came suddenly. The immediate cause was spinal meningitis", but it, is probable that it was traceable to a fall which he had when schooling a horse at- Ricearton on the eve of the Grand National meeting last August, lie made a somewhat slow recovery from that mishap, and he had never really regained his best health. The deceased jockey commenced riding on the flat about twenty veurs but for some years he 'nan been known as a ruler in hurdle and steeplechase events, though he continued to figure occasionally in flat races. lie was a game horseman whose services were at everyone’s disposal for schooling jumpers, and during the last few

years he had handled many horses of all kinds, over the Ricearton obstacles. Hagerty spent a few years in Melbourne where he rode with considerable success in jumping races. Shortly lifter his return to Ricearton he took service with T. H. Gillett, in whose employ he remained until a few weeks ago. Among his successes in big jumping races' were the Grand National Hurdle Handicap on Sir Slolo, and the Lincoln Steeplechase on Merry Lad, while he was associated with Manawapango in most of his races after the All Black gelding came to Ricearton, these including the Renown Steeplechase, at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Royal meeting. He was a keen follower of football and on more than one occasion he captained the South Island jockeys in their annual match against the North Island. He was also a boxer of some ability, though not so well-known as his brother, the late James Hagerty, an Australasian Amateur Champion. Len Hagerty was very popular with all classes of racing men, and his death, at the age of thirty-six, will be deplored by a wide circle of friends. He leaves a widow and two young children. Santala ran off the track while being worked at Ricearton a few clays ago, and collided with a post, receiving injuries which ended in his death the same afternoon. Santala, who was a three-year-old gelding by Santala Foil, had not done much racing but he had shown enough pace to suggest that he was likely to turn out useful. G. Young has appealed to the Canterbury District Committee against the disqualification for a month imposed on him. at Waimate. The appeal will be heard at a special meeting of the committee this week.

Amythas has done very little fast, work lately, his tasks'having been of the lightest character. F. D. Jones was undecided, a few days ago, about taking him to Trentham, as he cannot be ready to show his best form over two miles in the Trentham Gold Cup, in which his prospective opponents, in addition to Gloaming, include a number of thoroughly lit three-year-olds. Winning Hit has been galloping well lately and he will have a big following in the 'Thompson Handicap. Gloaming is in fine fettle for his autumn engagements. He will be hard to beat in the North Island Challenge Stakes and in the Trentham Gold Cup as well if R. J. Mason elects to start him in the two-mile race. His stable companion, Pluto, has never looked batter than he does at present, while he is hitting out freely in his work. Sunny Loch is bowling along in good style, and this well performed gelding may land another stake shortly in better company than he has yet tackled. Clean Sweep is under a cloud at, present, and he has been eased up. It will be bad luck if he has to forfeit his autumn engagements.

Whipping Boy is suffering from a wrenched fetlock, and he is having a rest. He will have to miss the Trentham meeting, but it is hoped that he will be ready to race- again by Easter. • Warlove is spelling just now, as a result of splitting a hoof. The three-year-old gelding Urgency, by Clarenceux from Madrid. the dam of Malaga, has rejoined F. D. Jones’s team after a spell. Tilt five-year-old mare Miss Mimic, by Sanquhar-—Counterfeit, has broken down, and she will be retired to the Stonyhurst Stud. As a two-year-old she won the Dunedin and Canterbury Champagne Stakes, and after failing at three years, she won four times last season, winding up with the Great Easter Handicap and Final Handicap at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s-autumn #ieetin.g a year ago. Mr A. G. Wood hits decided to complete this season’s engagements before finally relinquishing his position as starter. 1 He will, therefore, officiate at, the meetings of the Greymouth Jockey Club next month, the Oama.ru Jockey Club in May, and the Dunedin Jockey Cflub and Napier Park Racing Club in June. It is understood that the trotting authorities' are at present investigating the bona tides of two pacers who have recently won races in the Dominion. The three-year-old Nelson Bell is moving in great, style in his work at Addington, and he promises to develop into a high-class trotter.

W. Mori and has worked a big improvement in his pacer Country Boy, who can now go well without the hopples. He is such a big fellow, however, that it may be some time before he comes to his best speed over a journey.

Willie Lincoln continues to train on satisfactorily at Addington, and the crack pacer should be at his best at Easter. The trotter Paul Huon is looking exceptionally well. He has taken some time to come back, but he may be a winner before the end of the season.

The pacer Asturio has joined A. G. Wilson’s team, having been purchased by Mr F. H. Robson, the owner of Reta Peter. A two-year-old pacer bv Cathedral Chimes from the speedy pony, Soda, has joined W. Warren’s stable at, New Brighton. The Canterbury Breeders and Owners’ Association has been making inquiries lately as to the prospect of getting horses taken to Dunedin by steamer for the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meetings, the members being very dissatisfied at the treatment they have received from the Railway Department. It is believed that, steamer arrangements can be made which will save a lot of money, and if they are completed the Railway Department will lose over £2OOO during the next year in revenue. There is a. proposal for the Canterbury Breeders and Owners’ Association to hold a race meeting in aid of the free ward at the Lewisham Hospital, and a committee has been appointed to discuss the subject with the hospital committee.