CANTERBURY DOINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3867, 24 April 1928, Page 57

CANTERBURY DOINGS.

By

Observer.

T. Lloyd, one of the best known trainers in the Dominion, has settled at Riccaiton, having accepted an engagement as private trainer to Dr M. G. Louisson, whose horses he took over last week. In the meantime the team consists of Assurance and Hoylake in active preparation for early engagements, together with two yearlings, the Limond—Farce filly and the Hunting Song—Trebelli colt, purchased tit the Trentham sales in January. A convenient property has been secured on Avonhead road, formerly occupied by W. McDonald. Lloyd has had a wide and successful experience. For some years he had charge of R. A. M’Kcnzie’s horses at Woodville, where he prepared Sunart, Mireusonta, Piuthair, and Clarinda for good wins. It is probable that R. J. Mason will leave shortly on his annual trip to Sydney, following the practice he has observed for a number of years, in order to avoid the rigour of the winter months. It is unlikely, however, that he will taice any horses this year, as the material in the stable is not up to the necessary standard.

Albert Cutts was confined to his room for a few days last week with influenza, but he is about again now. P. V. Mason is devoting most of his attention to Philippic and Rigmarole, who are engaged at South Canterbury, though it is not certain that they will make the trip. The remainder of the older horses in the stable are resting. Miss L. Doyle has taken Gay Jim in band again, and will prepare him for jumping events. He has been spelling for a few months, prior to which he showed some promise as a hurdler.

The two-year-old gelding Star Raid, a big fellow by Nightraid from Bendown, is training on well. He will be raced at South Canterbury, and though he may not be equal to winning the experience will be of great benefit to him next season, when he should be a useful performer. Nincompoop is having a short respite from track work, J. Boyd having eased him up for a week or two, during which he is being restricted to light exercise on the roads. It is probable he will be racing again at the Ashburton and Amberley meetings next month. J. J. Kennerley left his pacers for an hour one morning last week and paid a visit to Riccarton, where he worked his four-year-old gelding Great Spear (Greyspear —Tokarahi) and one of Tomkinson’s Jot, Royal Flower (sister to Ark Royal). The pair were given a half mile sprint, in which they showed useful pace. Mr G. Gould’s three-year-old colt Jericho, by Archery’ from Judith, has made his reappearance at Riccarton. More than a year ago he met with a serious accident, which threatened to end his racing career. He has made a good recovery, and W. G. Hobbs will try him out now in the hope that he will stand a preparation. It is by no means certain that he will remain sound, but everymne will hope for- the best, as he showed promise of making a good horse. Several trainers at Riccarton have yearlings in various stages of their education at present. A few of the youngsters are fairly well advanced, but most of them are only going through the preliminaries, their tasks being of an easy character. Although Martarma has been spelling for some time, he has never been away from Riccarton, his resting period having been spent at the stable of his trainer, F. Christmas. The Martian colt is now a regular visitor to the tracks, where he is given light exercise. He looks in excellent health, and his trainer may make an early start to prepare him quietly for next season’s engagements. The filly by Saltash from Fairy Lass, purchased at the Sydney yearling sales by Mr F. Amor for 275gns, was secured for Mr A. Louisson, a popular Christchurch sportsman, who has Master Clarence in A. M'Aulay’s stable at Riccarton. Saltash, by Sunstar from Hamoaze, by Torpoint from Maid of the Mist, by Cyllene from the famous mare Sceptre, is a brother to Buchan, the leading sire in England Inst season. Fairy’ Lass is an imported mare by Irishman,

son of Desmond, from Belle of Clonmel, by General Symons from Miss Carden, by Kendal. The filly will be brought to the Dominion by an early’ steamer, and on arrival here A. M'Aulay wil break her in. Last year Mr Louisson purchased two Treclare yearlings and left them in Sydney. where one of them has done a little racing, while the other has not been seriously tried out yet.

The buyers at the Sydney yearling sales included F. D. Jones, the trainer of Limerick, who secured a filly by Treclare from Bhanavar for HOgns. Treclare, a good winner in England, is by’ Tredennis, a wonderfully sucessful sire, by Kendal from St. Marguerite, his dam Clare being a daughter of Desmond. Bhanavar is an imported mare by John o’ Gaunt, her dam, Royal Ward, being by Prisoner. This filly is a half-sister to Praiseworthy, a moderate hack in the North Island a few seasons ago. Sir George Clifford will be represented at South Canterbury by Front Rank, Wild Work, Impertinence, and Tearaway. The last-named pair arc promising candidates for maiden events. Mr G. Gerard will have five horses racing at the South Canterbury meeting. Don Jose has been galloping exceptionally well, and an early win is a possibility. Silver Coot is brilliant, but not reliable. The other three, Crossbow, Fair Exchange, and Amourette, all look in the best of health.

Battle Colours looks an improved horse after his racing. He was responsible for a good effort over six furlongs on Thursday. and he will be hard to beat at South Canterbury. Rotor looks a picture, and his latest track form marks him off for an early win.

The two-year-old filly’ Merivale may win a race at South Canterbury. She was not at her best at Riccarton, but she has done well since then. Her stable mate Honeycomb is another who should be kept in mind. Sir Roy is in good order, and he may pick up another stake before the end of the season.

Moratorium is an improved horse as a result of his racing at Riccarton, and he is going to win some more money shortly. Sprinkler is coming on nicely in his work, and it looks only a question of keeping him sound to win a race very soon.

Master Clarence was given a short sprint last week. He has taken a long time to recover from his fall while racing at Riccarton in November, and it is too early yet to be certain as to his prospects.

Tarleton was given a run over the hurdles one day last week, and shaped well. He was ridden by his trainer’s son, L. Boyd, who acquitted himself creditably in his first try over the obstacles. Whipcord jumped a couple of steeplechase fences on Thursday, giving' a good display. He looks in nice order, though not wound up yet. There was not much stir on the local trotting tracks last week, many of the horses being on the easy list, after their recent exertions at Addington. Ashburton attracted some of them last Saturday, while Wellington next Saturday, and Forbury Park a week later will claim a lot of attention.

F. G. Holmes has appealed to the New Zealand Trotting Conference against the decision of the Trotting Association in suspending his rider’s and driver’s license for two months. The date of the hearing has not been fixed, and in the meantime he will be eligible to ride and drive. E. Berry is working a Logan Pointer gelding who promises to develop into a useful pacer before the end of the season.

W. J. Tomkinson is making a good recovery from his recent illness, and he may be able to resume driving before long. The pacer Nurmi has been blistered and turned out for a few months. He has been more or less unsound ever since he went into F. J. Owen’s stable, and an accident with a motor car did not improve him. Nurmi has shown good form in training, but he appears to lack courage in a race.

F. Unwin, who has been in the sport a long time, is working a four-year-old mare by Harold Dillon from Scarlet Rose, the dam of Vice-Admiral. She looks like making a usefid pacer. Shadowland has improved a good deal lately, probably as a result of his recent racing, and he should be worth watching. Talent has resumed work at New Brighton. He looks in the best of health to skirt on another preparation. William the Great is having a wellearned spell. He has done a fair amount of work, and he shoidd be an improved horse next season. Logan Park did not run well at Easter, I but he seems to be in excellent order. Bis I work at Addington is suggestive of better things very soon. The three-year-old Writer put up a good performance when he finished second to Free Advice at Addington.. He seems none the worse for the race, and he looks like being a high-grade horse when he is thoroughly matured A. Cox has made another start with his pacing mare by Great Bingen. She is a good mover without the hopples, but locks as if she may be only a sprinter. Elzear showed her best form to date at the recent meeting at Addington, but this fine trotter is not at the limit of her powers. She was responsible for a capital work-out last week. The Australian-bred marc Direct Wood was sent to the stud last season, being mated with Real Guy. A. Hendrieksen has her in work again, and s he is worth keeping in mind, as she comes to hand quickly. The stallion Travis Axworthy has been put into work, and he is pacing satisfactorily. He oarno to the Dominion as a two-year-old, and he has had four seasons at the stud. The Pacer Darknite has joined the stable of L. Cavalier and F. Bennett, and he will be trained at Addington in future. He is a smart sprinter, but not likely to improve. Daytime, who is trained by A. Hendricksen for an Auckland owner, is doing well in his. work. He may go to Auckland for the winter meeting. Cardinal Logan has been enjoying a spell for a few months, but he will resume work shortly He appears to have made a good recovery from the injury he suffered in the New Zealand Cup, in which he finished second to Kohw-

Ihq autumn meeting of the Ashburton 1 rotting Club on Saturday was responsible for some very interesting sport. On most tracks the fields would have been mucn too Urge, but the big course at Ashburton provides ample room. The well-known trotting trainer B. Jar den, who is on the eve of departing for Western Australia, where ho contemplates settling, figured in an unpleasant incident at Ashburton for insulting behaviour to a gatekeeper. He was called before the stewards, who fined him £5 and ordered him to apolog.se to the gatekeeper. As he declined to apologise he was disqualified for a month. Jarden then gave notice of his intention to appeal to tho Trottin” Association.

As was expected, Delightful wae favourite for the Improvers’ Handicap at Ashburton, and he won, but only by a narrow margin. As a two-year-old, Delightful was reported to be a great pacer, but he was not raced,' having twice been turned out for u spell. It was evidently sound judgment, as in his first effort ho put up a capital performance in finishing third to Free Advice aii Addihgton in the Welcome Handicap. Delightful is by Happy Voyage from Tui Russell, a mare who had a fair turn of speed, and was by Russell Patch from Elie De Beaumont. Delightful, wholooks as though he will make a good two-miler, is a wcll-gaited and good-man-nered geldingOne of the features of the Improvers’ Handicap at Ashburton was the, fine showing of Wrackler, a two-yoar-old by .»rack from Trix Pointer, who is owned by Mr H. F. Nicoll. He had a hard task for a young horse making his initial effort, as he was with a large field and had to fight for a position. He is a well-mannered youngster, however, and was very docile at the barrier, and he paced a fine race all the way. He had to be carefully handled in the early stages, but once he got into his gait, Warren sent him along and he was soon with *’ie loaders. lie eventually finished in third place, disputing the last ICO yards with Loiterer. He is a splend’d advertisement for his sire and dam. Author Franz, who was well l acked in the Improvers’ Handicap, was never prominent, and ran a long way below his form of the previous week- A number in the race, how ever, met with trouble at the start, Author Franz amongst them, and being a nervous horse he w r as possible upset and failed to show his best. Loiterer, who finished second to Delightful in the Improvers’ Handicap, is by Denver Huon from a Prince Imperial mare, and is trained by’ O. E. Hooper. He is a very fine pacer, who, however, as the winner did the previous week, nut up fast time for little money. Loiterer looks like making a fine stiver. First Wrack is the first two-year-old trotter who has ever started in a race in New Zealand. Mr Nicoll’s fine filly was actually favourite for the Allenton Handicap, and finished third. She was unlucky, as at the start slm got into trouble through several horses- breaking right in front. A pleasing feature of her racing was the manner in which the youngster saw out the finish of the race. First Wrack is by Wrack from Pearlchild, a mare who has been a most successful matron. First Wrack is the first trotter Pearlchild has produced following on some brilliant pacers. It looks as though First Wrack will be a champion early in her career. Connie Audubon went a really’ fine race in the Allenton Handicap considering she is at present so unsound. She took some time to get into her gait, and made little headway’ over the first half of the distance. but she finished well. Connie Audubon is trotting much more solidly than formerly.

Author Thorpe, who won the Allenton Handicap, is a big powerful trotter by’ Lord Althorpe. He is owned bv Messrs Jack and Stewart, and trained by J. 11. Wilson, who drove him. He is never likely to be much Vesuvius won the Durham Handicap in convincing style. He has done a good deal of racing this season, and has lightened up on his work and racing. He is only a four-year-old. and it is more than probable that he will soon require a good spell, otherwise his vitality will go, and it may take some time before he recovers. He quickly got himself into fair company without much monetary success to his owner, who, however, persevered with him. He is by’ Matchlight from Hetty King, and is owned by’ V. Alborn, of the West. Coast. Dalmeny showed that his track form was a good indicator by’ pacing a fine race in the Durham Handicap, in which he finished second to Vesuvius. It looked as though J. Bryce, who drove him. might have made a little more use of Dalmeny in the earlier stages. When hard driven in the concluding furlong, Dalmeny went to a break, but quickly caught his gait again, and became a dividend earner. He went another good race in the mile and a-quarter event. Epigram is now settling down to race solidly over two miles. The Brent Locanda gelding is keeping sound, and as he is a good stayer he seems certain to be a winner in the near future over a twomile journey. He put up quite a good performance in the Durham Handicap, being early in a good position, and finishing well in third place. Great Actress seems destined to be a sprinter, as in her recent two-mile efforts she has always faded out over the last half-mile. Great Actress is a free, easy actioned pacer, who should possess plenty of stamina, but her recent failures over the distance seem to indicate that she will be best suited to short races.

Some time ago Genuine looked as though he would make a high-grade pacer, but he went slightly wrong, and had to be spelled. He has only herd a few races since then, but he is showing a return to his best form. In the Durbar Handicap he was always prominent, •and he finished fourth. The race should do Genuine a lot of good. Jolly Pet, who was favourite for the Durbar Handicap, never looked dangerous. The New Brighton-trained pacer did not seem able to handle the going in the early stages, and got a long way back. He paced better race in the mile and a-quarter event, coming with a good run over the last two furlongs.

Rey Logan gave a very poor showing in the Durbar Handicap. He was well placed on the mils early in the race, and had every chance, but when the real racing commenced he quite failed to respond, finishing some distance back from the leaders. It is hard to credit that his form

is right after the confident manner in which he has been backed more than once. King Abdallah, who won the Harvest Handicap, is by Erin’s King, a useful ’pacer, who has sired a few yvinners. King Abdallah is owned by Mr T. H. M’Girr, of Methven, who is best known as the owner of that fine pacer Man o’ War, with whom he has won races.

Pretty Pointer, probably on account of her good training work, was made favourite for the Harvest Handicap, but she was never prominent at any stage of the contest. , The Blenheim-owned Vikota went quite a good race in the Harvest Handicap after meeting a lot of bad luck in the early stages. Carefully ridden by F. E. Jones, she made no forward movement till well in the straight, when she put in a run which carried her into second place. She is now trained by F. J. Owen at Addington.

June de Oro went a much better race in the Autumn Handicap than she did in the Improvers’ Handicap earlier in the day. She was never noticed in the first race, but was always in the picture in the race in which she was successful. June de Oro, who is by Rey de Oro, was coupled with Joan Dillon in the Autumn Handicap. This may have made the Waimate mare favourite.

Florrie Pointer raced right up to her best training form in the Autumn Handicap. She began smartly, and was always in the leading division. She fought out a desperate finish with the winner, and suffered defeat by a narrow margin. She may win a slow-class two-mile contest later in the season.

Len Wood, although giving away 120yds, won the Utility Handicap in convincing style. It is a long time since such a poor lot of trotters was seen contesting a race of this description. It is in such races that the improving trotter is expected to be seen, but none appeared in the event.

Reta Corena was practically neglected in the mile and a-half trotters’ race, and was never seen during the contest. She was a good second favourite in the UtilityHandicap, and threatened danger all the way. eventually finishing second to Len Wood. She was driven bv J. M'Lennan in both races.

Like Reta Corena, Jackie Audubon was neglected in the betting in his first start, —the Durbar. Handicap—but was heavily supported in the fast mile and a-quarter event. Jackie Audubon went very badly in the two-mile race, but won the spring event by a narrow margin. When will backed in a two-mile event at Addington the previous week Jackie Audubon failed badly. Jolly Pet went a fine race in the Rakaia Handicap, and with a little luck might have won. He seemed to be somewhat slow over the first half of the distance, but he was putting in great work at the finish. lie is on the top of his form nt present. Once Double Event left the barrier nothing in the race had any chance with him in the Farewell Handicap. Double Event has been turned out for a long time, and since being put into work he has been in C. Tasker’s stable during his holiday. Double Event has furnished into a solid, powerful nacer, but in his training work he has shown a lot of temper, and few expected him to begin. Ridden by F. E. Jones, however. Double Event went away with the rest of the field, and the race was afterwards a gift to him. He may get confidence and go on to further successes.

Rufine, who finished second to Double Event in the Farewell Handicap, is owned by R. M’Donnell, who also bred the winner. Both pacers are by Brent Locanda. Double Event’s dam being Evelyn, whose sister, Aileen, is the dam of Rufine. WELLINGTON NOTES. (From Our Own Correspond’-- >• April 19. Wingatui trainer F. Shaw came up to M elliugton after the C.J.C. Easter meeting, and took back with him the two-year-old gelding by Biplane from Crystalline for Mr A. W. Douglass, the new owner of Solrose. The gelding has changed hands a few times, although lie has not yet started. He was purchased by the representative of a local firm at the Sydney sales. When submitted here last winter on behalf of Mr J. Donald, of Wanganui, he was knocked down to Mr H. Franks, of Amberley. Trentham trainer J. Lowe leaves by the Marama next week on a holiday trip to Sydney. Lowe won a race at Wairarapa at Easter time with Catkin.

With the exception of one race, for which only seven horses were entered, the acceptances for the opening day of the Marlborough meeting are satisfactory. Court Jester is the only member of J. M’Combe’s team to have his engagement continued. Some of the New Zealand contingent at the A.J.C. meeting return by the Marama on Tuesday. Fred Jones is aboard with Limerick. After a good spell Star Ranger is again in work at Trentham. Mr George Currie is having a good run with his small, but select, team. He won the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes with the Great Northern Champagne Stakes winner, Episode. Raasay, unplaced at Ellerslie, proved the best of the others. Mr Currie won the race last season with Thaw, and on a previous occasion with Motley and Pure Gold (daughter of Desert Gold). Reremoana was not saddled up for the Awapuni Gold Cup. making a one-dividend race of it. Star Stranger was favourite, and he added that trophy to his list by defeating Satrap, the best of the three-year-olds engaged. Hynanna, the Great Autumn Handicap winner, could only beat Laughing Prince for last place. The time registered has been beaten on several occasions. Mr A. B. Williams won the race on previous occasions with Chortle and Rapine, The last-named was beaten by Commendation 12 months ago. Otaki trainer A. D. Webster won the Woodhey Hack Handicap with Moutoa Wonder (Kilbroney—Moutoa Ivanova), whose only previous win was in the pony ranks at Sydney. Moutoa Wonder has incurred a penalty for the opening day at the Marlborough meeting.

Brigadier Bill carried top weight in the Karere Hurdles Handicap, and won in. his beet style. The two other place-

getters were both in receipt of over two stone. Mr ALster McDonald rode the winner.

Black Mint was not among the runners for the Prince of Wales Handicap. Crown Area shouldered the penalty well for the Riccarton, and beat all but Vertigern, who had about a stone the best of the weights. Vertigern won at Masterton and Wairarapa, and may score again before the end of the term. Duke Abbey, formerly a stable-mate of Crown Area, filled the minor place. Spearmiss, who won at Wairarapa, was favourite for the Te Matai Hack Handicap, but let her supporters down. The Hawera-trained Mendip won from Flying Shot. Crown Area won the Telegraph Handicap twelve months ago, but Broad Acre, who carries the same colours, just failed to repeat the performance. He was beaten by Silver Mine, a useful two-year-old, who has not shown muc’a form this season. The Catmints like the going with the sting out of the ground. Vigilance and Holus Bolus, recent winners, let their supporters down in the Linton Hack Handicap. The Foxtontrained Maui, one of the Arrowsmith breed, won from Aurora Borealis. April 20. The Trentham-traincd Vexatious just missed a place on the first day at Awapuni. On the second day she beat Mount Marta, runner-iqi to Brigadier Bill on the opening day. Vexatious has incurred 101 b penalty for the opening day of the Marlborough meeting at ’ Trentham. Another favourite on the first day beaten into fourth place was Moa Bird, who, over the same distance, beat a first day’s winner in Moutoa Wonder. Moa Bird came in on 151 b better terms, and that made the difference. It was appropriate that the Tamatete Handicap should go to a Fordell-trained horse owned by the wife of a steward of the club, and a sister of the Wanganui sport whose colours Tamatete carried. Ilvnanna. carrying 9.1 was only beaten by a neck m 2min 5 2-ssec. Crown Area did well to carry 9.4 into fourth nlace. The Hawk, who won the Manawatu Stakes seven years previously as a two-year-old, put up a great race, and was a good second to Cimabue. who has proved a great purchase for Mr H. Murphy. Raasay. as the best of the two-year-old, and Thaw showed a glimpse of his best form. Royal Damon has previously been good over six furlongs, but he carried 9.13 and scored in the Stoneyhurst Handicap from Kilperon and Duke Abbey. Silver Rule and Knightlike were the popular picks for the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap, but both failed. Disdain (Claro-Contempt) carried top weight to victory like a good one. Concentrate again ran consistently to get third. The useful Miss Pat, third on the opening day scored in the Borough Handicap with a better rider up. Vast Acre and Silvewnine (who scored on the opening day) were her nearest attendants at the finish.