THOROUGHBREDS IN THE WEST

Southland Times, Issue 17225, 21 December 1912, Page 7

THOROUGHBREDS IN THE WEST

THK BRF.BDI NCr INDfSTRV Rlh>-fa;i-:ssi.Ni;. •OMK HIGH-CLASS V( if.'-d ISTI'.US RKVI K\V hit I. BLOODSTOCK AND MCI IT 'IA RN 1 :SS 1 IURSFS. (Ry Sir Alodred.) It may not seem the cornet w;iy in Commence an article under the above heading, I'Ut the writer Just lias to call tile attention of tin- public to tin- fact that the morning train to Riverton now leaves Invercargill at VJA. when as !m - merly it took its departure at s.AA Ignorance cd’ t'nis time-table alteration mi Saturday hist was eesp, nisi Id e fm- the fact Hint the writer's animal trip to I l '- ' Studs of the Western District was commenced under difficulties, the principal Of which was the loss of a valuable day. However. it Wiis led a wry Sucre to the eveniny train. and shortly after reaehiny Riverton find receiving a Warm welcome from Mr amt Mrs A. Provan ;u lin-ir new quarters, ol v.hieh more anon, that well-know it sportsman and myself were soon hurrying out tot the bloodstock brvediny grounds almost as fast, as a I-’ord ear could lak-- us last, year it will he remembered that three of us drove Queen s Brize tor three days on a similar quest, and yet. the daily 1 1 ter of Day Star ami War Medal wound up the season with the Southland and Dtautaii Cups to Icr eredib to uav notli iny of some minor races. Riverton and Thombury were soon left far behind, and after a climb upwards Pairfax hove in sight, but. we did not immediately reach that cosy little township, tts our business had to lie- borne in mind, and thus the fussy l-’ord was turned into a gate and headed down a steep hillside roadway terminating at the homestead. Where the handsome Canrobert by Soul I ■—Hotcherina. rules as the lord of the harem. Mr C. Affleck was loimd commanding a busy farmyard scene, and be lost no time in stripping* for our inspection several youny horses which were the special object of our diveryenee trom the main road. First and foremost came W two-year-old full brother to Daringdale and .St. Robera, by Canrobt'rl St. Briyid. and half brother to Ouiluiti. by Seaward. This yeldtny is one of the handsomest young horses yet bred in tin* West, and it. is safe, barriny accidents. Of course, to prophesy for him a successful turf career. lie is a more compact animal than Darinydale. but is of commanding size, with a strong short back, banyiny quarters, a typical bloodhorse head, and excellent leys and feet. Mr Affleck bred the horse himself, and Is riybtty proud of It tin. and it is betraying no eoniidenee to say that be lore these lines appear in print the son of Canrobert will probably have changed hands to enter the training establishment; of an experienced sportsman, who has every eoniidenee in tiie sleek of the Auckland-bred stallion. Running in the same enclosure as tin? gelding referred to was a sturdy yearling full sister. She is a dark brown,'' well-grown and showing many of the characteristics of her sire, but her day, is to come, and in the meantime site wilt lie carefully fed, sheltered, and handled until buyers clamour next season. St. Brigid was not on view, but we were informed that she Is suckling a filly foal, a full sister to the other four horses noted. Next in ■Order came a three-year-old (illy by CanTobert from a Nelson mare a, wellbred matron whose mime lias escaped memory. This filly is smaller than the general run of the Canroberts. but she has a strong body set on good short leys, and has every appearance of being a galloper. A two-year-old brother to the latter is rather a plain fellow and rather in the rough, but this may not prevent him being useful when he develops With age. The brood mares, till of Whom have been mentioned on a number of occasions in these columns, were away in a distant paddock, and the gather iny darkness compelled all thoughts Of disturbing their seclusion to be put aside. Canrobert was found lo be in blooming condition and as handsome as aver, while bis fiery courage was just as apparent as of old. The Soult horse Wears well, and looks good for many years to come. Winn interviewed last season bis leys wen l showing the outcome of a wild dasli across country, in ] Which he tonic fences and ditches in his 1 stride, while a disgruntled groom toiled ] In the rear, but only very slight sears are | Itow in evidence. 'fills horse is des- J tined to leave a desirable and very im- j portanl influence on the bloodstock of tlio future in Southland, and there is no doubt in the writer's mind Hint bis progeny will yet take high turf honours. Tie has not yet bad a fair test as a sire, as his stud career was commenced under : serious difficulties. When iie ' was j brought down to Southland very few j mares of anything like a fair class were j available, ami. worst uf all. breeders were very careless and negligent of their young slock. Very few studmasters thought of housing their youngsters Warmly and providing special fond for foals and dams, in fact, its a rule, they were treated worse than very ordinary 1 Clydesdales, and that is saying a good deal. The rigorous climate of Southland will not prevent bloodstock with Very sound const it in ions being produced, ; Indeed, it rather favours (bis but it is j not suitable for encouraging horses Jit to race as two-year-olds or in most i cases as early - tbree-year-obls. and it calls for special feeding and warmth to I be supplied. However, tiie good example set by the late Mr James Miller, breeder of .Magdala. .Magdalen, Daringdale. etc., and one or two other studmasters. and the fact that ('anrobert commanded the big-best stud fee charged up to that little in lids part of Alaoriland, brought owners of mares to some sense of their responsibilities, and breeding conditions rapidly improved, while the consistent tendency on the part of j local racing elub-t to increase stakes also had a hearing on l!i" situation. ; Tims Canrobert was " up against it," as I

the saying goes, for several seasons, and is only imw coming into his own, while the way has been made easier and clearer to a number of oilier well-bred stallions introduced to tlm province of late, ineluding such uadi-known animals as (.ileneullorii, (’alias. Rose \oble, and Apphygarlh. After promising |o look Mr Affleck and bis stud up again labr in tin- season, onr ear’s machinery was set in motion, and a short run took ns across the long wooden bridge spanning the Aparima river, a glance at which made one inclined to bait by tlm way fuel seek our a Ihdiing rod and arlilieiai fly lures as the limit were merrily ris-

ing in this most excellent of streams of the West known to anglers of -- wm” and *Mry” iib-als.

.Rarely was the mmpiing river left be’nind wlmn a twist ..f the steering wheel brought tlm ear round, and. as tlm engine was presently stopped in a wellappointed farmyard, one of tip. bestknown of Hoot bland sportsmen, .Mr \v. Marslfall. earn. - forward to greet ns, "With due regard to tlm closing down • ■ f darkness a speedy adjournment was made to a imar-by paddock w!i <•)•<• several mares Were to !..■ -v n aee..mp.ud"d by foals and standing kn—deep in grass and clover of Itixnriani growth. (in the way to round up tim sb - "k and w.-il-tend,-d mai tons sought w*- eie-se,! onr host’s private training track a circuit of over seven furlong.-, which had jo i beep sown down in grass, and which il is intended to gra d : t ■ 1 11 v 1.ni1.1 up ami furnish with stignll.v l.ank"d e0ri.,.. - s -- ill soil!, places natural I..inking is already in evidence. Tie- ihr.-e nmr.'s ;; i j had well-nourished < 'anrob'. - ,'l foals a; foot and visit this horse again, .Marvilla. l.y H. .inn ns---111 n. - 11. dl (sh-i.'r lo Advance), had a. ver.. - nine cop p.ms.. ;-5,.,| nl unusual sliengih and vv 1 1 i i. ■ riomt.ys. l.y Silkworm, wav !it(."t.l.'d by ~ Idly, and a roan mare by Silkworm from a mare l.y Seaward from a daughter ol Huzza Pi. look".I carefully after y. -1 aunt 'nr lilly. Ma.rviila. hy reason of l.ee etos. I'diti iott.-h q. to that gomt horse an.l , a.-.■. ssi'ul sire A.lviini'.', lo s;f, - nothing of imr ..wi. good looks, is’ Hi- ■■■ how mat - " of Mr Marshal!’;: collection. and V’ittiiii a few Weeks the first of'".' . r.m e.iy will lie gen on lit e fill'. - e s Thm i ; -1 three-v.-ar-old danghT. n of Hidden \'ein < < 'hinrahald I ’re.. - win. I s to le known as Hold.-n R■■ i• ai and wim is present member Of d. Tli; l! - fill’s : - t ring at Riverton, A'aW.iP" also lias a '. - "i - ,v promising and vvei: -! ii riled son .:’ <'anrobert in proees - of growing up in racing am. Mr A!ai - - s’ial! had anolimr I hj r". .-yea r-old in work. n colt I.;, - Si gnal ma a---A m 1 ront". !a, Im St. Andrew —Armi". I. 1.. - Apr.-in. n;. 1,,-o---lioril. tup in - ; I" I" - spelled in ih.meantim". and wdl prooal.ly he addeil to the I ‘ ’ - All a. ..a mro 111. e: was hna! I y made t" Pie Imnmsi.-ad. alter I.avPig onr resi". a-■ p. rs Al a rsit al!. known to be' - man . - | rmr.ds as an enllt iieiastie sports .Voin an. we reluctantly bade our kind im.-ns farevvll and rn.-di-..nl into ll <• semi-da r'.n - ; s of a bar.. Hum. tier night, onr obj. -i is. - being Heii.tiM ijtksii. wlivre toe j.igiii wits sjjciii

under flu* hospitable roof of Mi* l.'atto. wlm ilui's not. by Hu' way, interest bims. If in 1 borough breds, but is some class as a gaidencr. and possesses a sure cure for idull—root in cabbages.

Tim fail..wing lumping was bright and ' till", and tlm l i.nl wa -• semi fuming and throbbing as if impatient to on the : road. whiM i! very somi was and lo some purpose, as readers who have palienee will i. i. ■s * a 1 11 y admit. A visit was lirsi paid to Mr M. Hoyle's, where the hrov. n gelding .M.iralwa was looked over. The big four-year-old sou ofCnnrobert and Assyrian Queen has lined down eon dderably. and now looks to be la very fair Imrse. He has undergone a nice preparation for the Wairio lixiiire. Iml is showing symptoms of slight lameness, and a dill unity m being lound 'in locating tlm trouble. Hul time press- . ,I, and a move had lo be made for Mr F. .Malcolm's, where tlm genial general sportsman was found supervising ilm toilet of three horses in training. Peerless, by I'eerag. Itouqil-I. has come on in a marked matin-r since the (lore ami Winton meeiings, and is now furnishing into some iii iug like the Imrse lie was lasi sea-ain, A visitor to the stable came no\l. ill old Serapirou Jack, who lom not been rae -d for a very long lime past. The Mauser —Kitici gelding, in addition to having broken down, lias been in a wire fepe.., and the barbs badly injured one of bis forelegs, which appears to be somewhat shorter than its fellow. On tlm whole. Hie old ell tip is healthy and weM. but bis connections can hardly hope to find him return lo his best form. The liiird animal in work turned out to be a hardy, slmr!-legged, gelding with limbs of iron, by Quicksilver. He is generally to be found t imaged in light harness work, but it was. discovered that lie could gallop fast over a short distance, and this induced bis owner lo nominate him for hack events at minor meetings. Another visitor, a bay three-year-old til Iv. Connie Soult. by Canrobert —Dautigella, looked to be on the light side, and will take some time lo build up into racing shape. At this stage a group of men. boys, and horses was espied away out, on Mr Malcolm's private training ground, and a hasty adjournment was made to vralelt Lite trial gallops of several backs owned by neighbouring settlers. None of tin- horses coupled fan up to the expectations of their enllntsiaslie owners, but an opportunity was afforded of meeting some old friends, both human and equine. Recharge, by Renown—’Tomboy, was one of the workers, and he presented a greatly improved contour, but his pace belied bis breeding'. However, lie may develop speed now that be lias been built up. and bis presence certainly lent interest lo .Ur Provan, as he was originally bred, named, and owned by that gentleman. In one of the gallops, the old gelding Spinning Flight, by Slepniak—Cobweb, was sent out to lead the participants, and so well did lie accomplish bis task that the opposition could only see bis heels far ill advance over the last two furlongs. Prior to leaving* the training ground a daughter of Black and Red was ridden over a big gorse fence barebacked by one of Air Malcolm's lightweights. and her cleverness served to furtlur demonstrate the ability of her sire to beget eross-cott nl ry horses, a statement that will interest trainer P. T. Hogan, who swears by ibe stock of Black and Red as leapers. In the absence of ills belter half, Mr .Malcolm subsequently presided over the refreshment department in bis well-appointed home, and we were treated to our first view of the handsome cup trophy which accompanied the Waterloo Cup stake won for the Hi dden Bush courser by bis greyhound Bofly at Timaru during the post season. On resuming reviewing operations a splendidly-grown and furnished two-year-old colt by Abe!, son of The Possible tby Nordenfeldt t and Fair Nell, by Apremont —Idalia. was discovered peacefully grazing alone. This colt's dam, Miss Stent, who is .also the mother uf Miss Signal, was bred in N.S.W. by Randwiek —Gipsy Girl, by Kingston— Black Bess. Randwiek was got by Barbarian, by Sir Hercules, and is closely related to LUiida, dam of Artillery. Balista. Strathmore, Hazel, Hilda, and other noted racehorses. Tims it can bo readily understood that Mr Malcolm's two-year-old has every reason lo prove something out of the ordinary. He is a clean-limbed. Mg brown fellow and just the cut of a horse to turn into a National Hurdle Race or Steeplechase winner, There is no doubt but that if all goes well wild him Miss Stent's son j will in tile long run be educated as a I jumper. AI the lime of our visit Miss I Stent was absent on a visit to Canro- j Pert. Crossing over the road a little ; group of youngsters was found as the j result of a round-up by Master .Malcolm, a youth, fill but intrepid horseman. Bou- , quel, by Hotchkiss —Bridal Rose, was found to be responsible for a sturdy cult foal, a full brother to Chief Robert, now rut improving member of trainer G. McLean's string in Invercargill, Tit is youngster presents a problem in inbreeding. as bis dam is by Hotchkiss, while l 'anroberl's mother is also hv the

same son of Musket. This may appear id hf overdoing tlm Musket blend. but il lias P> 1 si> remembered, al the sunt 1 time, 11, at 1 In: two lines hi Hotchkiss blond aiv <1 i\ i< 1-i 1 by a strong infusion of St. Simon blood through Soult, .sire of I'anrob.-rt, and in this manner many successful racehorses of late years have boon produced. Xext in order came a nice bay filly, a half sisier to the foregoing, a daughter of Quicksilver. by Si! vermark — Selina, from l!ou<|uel. She ha- - , the clean, strong h - gs of the Aprei.imu i.u'ced, through Silvermark, a son of (he latter, and promises to be ratin') a useful mare. A \ve| thrown iwo-year-old gelding by ('anrohert—■- Forget-.Me-Not. by Siivcrmark. completed the young slock. It is Mr Malcolm’s intention to break in the Ahci Miss Stent colt as soon as the holiday meetings ar" concluded. and ids future career will furnish interest for all who have admired his line l ' lortlons. As the car gathered speed mid rushed out in the direction of Smi.b llilleml, a pressing invitation from Mr Malcolm to return at an early date came boating down mi the wind.

A short run brought us to Mr J. Hoyles’s Mayfield properly, and here we expected to bud a Southland stud celebrity. and were not disappointed. Two of (lie sons of the family, well-known sportsmen of the younger generation, extended a hearty welcome, and within sixty cijiid- led ns to a beautiful little paddock, ri-eh in feed, in tlm midst of which two mams with finds at foot, were contentedly grazing in the sunshine, and al the same time keeping alert eyes on llmir gamboling offspring. In a bright "Imslnni mare of excellent conformation and Idoodlike appearance the writer speedily recognised .Minaret, ’ey Medallion ( Xordea f, kit Rocket) from Miss l.ney. Minaret, dam of the hist Winter < ’iti> winner, Magdala, to say nothing of Turret. Magdalen, and Hiralda is also a full sister to Miniature, who in turn is dam of a nailing good horse in the North t-landm - Aberbrothoek. Him is a very tine stud matron, and is now in the pink of condition, while at her side is to he so.-n a nice coll foal by ( I b-ne u I loch, a yotmg:o"i - east in a smaller mould titan most of the foil Is previously inspected, hnl full of quality n ■■ vert), i d ess. We diii inn hj im. hnl w e w. n - fold lhal, on a distant poriimi of the estate was to lie found a .wailing eolt by t 'a nroben , of whom .. - .' - e a I iqiiigs ale expected. At i ", L i' e! i : this se.a-i.n to be bred to Rat las. The si eon.l m ;I mu in 1 In' .'itclosure wa- also an "hi friepq in the shapely little mare \ s.-yriau Queen, by As.s V! la n K ip;. : nd hm - nh-dge ■ ■ f a ffeelioti prime,| to I. <■ till;,- foal by I'.laekSton-’ I sen "I ' I raft mi. by Haloid.,. sire of Hi. H i mini. I I liar list Ope is Isr hiiown ill \’e\v /..'aland as ihe sTe of M v l.aw.wr. and here In- m respuHSii.b for a g.i'-d i ae-hors.,' if im should tiev*-f -op- another. This liilv is of good si/..’ and hardy cdmir. and should prove n- - "- fnl at ih" stud if to e m ver races, but :; j 1( . will certainly be irie.i on p... turf if nil goes well ij llm iimanlim.-, and imr | ;l ,|v owner m daimii l< r of onr sporting’ host's family ) will not near .. f Mit.arei’s youngster being ih" bail.r racing; , l fo|."ii v. I’l'ior to taking onr leave, nfter vr V !;o .pit aid ■ I tea I melll. We were q.owii a two-year-old gelding which ..poised eoesideral d.- interest. lie is a ~ •• son "f Quicksilver and t In - w"IIImoWi. I r.n.ing mare Midge, l.y RrookIn Heartburn ( t b orongb br"d. I 'l’h i ; (•’.•How is an npsl anding bright eiiv-n nut v> j ft, whit" stocking-., and looks like a w.d j -bred s I "epie.din - . r. I ml." d, it i ; 0,0 vet known Wh. .ion- he wii! Idossoru on i in to a purc-gait d trot t. r or s, r - . - . - an : o .. n ’. ill inns! Ip at t!m e p »s-eon n I I y . |i|„e. Il Would not I." surprising to and that I ■' m n gallop, as bis sir.- is a . ~| .rough hf.'d, Whil" Ids data lAildyci e„. ne -i hr hroaif/n ia !rotter with a stroll - ;' inl’ii i • * 1 1 of I hj. > ro. tgi. h■,( ldo.nl . r i*o ■ i i I ■ a r I i u ; "in Im Cloth ..f (told i; liv .- a gam" o II - fa; !, hj m-I aiiniteri; 'faking quiet roads and cramming on a long strep hj of emtio ry was soon hj ft Pi llm n-ar. and presently Mr ||. I ; ol .1.. - . ’.; ite.ldi.ii Rush Kst air- lav 1 .. - j’o 11 ■ u u a or-eding ground which bids

fair lo come into prominence by reason of its providing the latest home of a stallion tried and found equal to making good. In (.tier '.curds. Pallas, by Chain Armour -Nillie. iiimsidf a good turt performer, is In-re bu-aied. Wlu-n Mr liubber brought this iiandseme little liorse back from lie North Island a' tin-oiiiiim-iio'liii ill of the current stud settson, he Wits looking anything bill well, and ii is eery salisfaelory now to be able lo say that a wonderful ebatlf'e has been mad" in hi t looks. 'l'he writer has knn'.-.ai Pallas since lie first went to Hie stud, and can now say that, -apart from a slight drop in iho back inseparable from bis aye, ],.- has never looked better. Vais ean also be borne mil. by Mr I’rovan,' and tin- explanation is probably dn-a t,o the fact that the son ami heir of the I lu'dier household is a .yennine lover of horses and lias expended unusual rare ami attention mi his valuable eharye. Quite a number of higltlybred mares have been mated with l.'allas this sea am. and a number of these wenmet with in a stroll over Mr J lubber's paddocks. The first noted by the writer was c'lseo Rose. by San Francisco Itose, a stranger from Palmerston North. She arrived at the Bluff by sea in very poor condition, and has now titled out ami pul on lle-sii until tier owner would find it hard now to recognise her. She is a very nice march and it is to be hoped that .-die will reward Mr it. Davidson's enterprise in sending tier on such a tony journey. Another nice mare was pointed mu as I’relty t-'aee. by Clanranald—Delusive, the property of Mr A. Armour, who is belter known a-‘ the owner of Thistledown and other racers. A representative of Dr Robertson's Tapanui stud came next, in Shawnee, a brown mare foaled in J'.lCnf. by St. Ambrose from .Savannah, by Slepniak. Seasbcll, by Clminsiiot Nautilus, by TTadueer—Wcuerv. itch. Iter sire. Si. Ambrose, is, of course, by St. Simon from Amble-side. Tlien came Redstart, by Casket—Red Ring Hood ; Kva. by Seaward ; and a yrey mare, Jane, by Treadmill, not unlikely to be a descendant of Jane Kyre, if colour yoos for anylhlny. Oakleaf and several other matrons were on show. ;md it was to be noted Unit one of them her broediny was not available was suekliny a very nice c-olt foal by the Stepniak stallion Royal Step. All the mares at Mr liubber's place wen- lookiny welt, .and we

would have ’liked to see more of them, but the afternoon was wearing on. Luncheon was disposed of, and after thanking Mr mid Mrs Hnbber for their kindness, our trusty Ford was headed off for Orel! Plains.

An enjoyable nut past the estate of that enthusiastic owner, Mr J. Sharp, whom we had to forego calling upon owing to Hie lateness of the hour, soon brought it ' lo -Mr R. Miller's little stud, where we found that gentleman and his trusty henchman James Lawson showing some visitors the cider members of their younger generation of eqttines. The three-year-old Lilly by Canrobert —Flirtation, a mare who had to lie withdrawn from her AVinton Guineas engagement owing to lack of condition, was easily picked out and greatly admired, as she lias furnished considerably since November and grown into a tine mare. Before the time of our departure, by the way, Mr Miller was able to tell us that he had disposed of this mare to Air Anderson, of Diplon. at a satisfactory rig'll re. The next exhibit must be set down as the gem of the stud ill the meantime, a heauU fuP two-voar-old gelding by (.'anrobert from Turret, by Sant. Hario—.Minaret. This youngster is a credit to his* sire and dam, and his connections have every reason to be proud of him. as lie is a typical thoroughbred in'every sense of (he word, Tiie brown gelding had as a companion a sturdy Lilly of similar age. a daughter of Canrobert and Follicle, by Casket fson of Castor and Bangle) from Purvula, by Apremont —Puriki. by Towton —Toitoi. Parvttla. it may be pointed out, was a very successful stud mare her progeny including ArdnarlT. Pam. Auchmhor, Follicle, and .several other well-known performers. In colour Follicle's filly takes after the progeny of Casket, tin unusual tiling where Canrobert conies into tiie question. This descendant of Casket can also be recommended as a worthy representative of the bloodstock division. A short walk in company with a very old friend in Lawson brought us to where (wo of the best young brood marcs in Southland were lending their offspring. Here Turret was found looking jealously after a handsome filly foal by C.lenculloeh, a youngster which sitows more quality than is generally met with in others of similar age, while Follicle, a good molin'*, was busy rounding up another Gleneulloch, a sturdy filly The two mares named are well worllt looking at, and it will greatly surprise those who know them if (liny should not succeed at the stud. A few yards away were two useful yearlings, a colt hy Canrobert from Follicle, and a filly by the same sire from Turret. Veteran J. Lawson has all his youthful charges handling well, and it. goes without .saying that he has not forgotten to feed them. Lawson reared Magdala. DaringdaM, and other good horses for the late Air James Miller. and there is no reason whv he should not do likewise for the brother of the deceased sportsman. When parting time arrived the writer did not leave without making a mental reservation to return again in Hie near fin tire.

j The close, of a strenuous day began to loom in sight as v.c glided up the long drive to Mr W. Kennedy's comforl- | able residence, ami we were speedily I made welcome by tbal energetic breeder, sportsman, and crack agriculturist, and his smiling lady, who proudly exhibited a son and heir of tender age. while the daughter of the homestead, an alert little Indy, confidently introduced herself After admiring the clever way in which Mr Kennedy has harnessed a distant windmill to raise water for household and garden use. while it also supplies the requirements of the stock and stables in another direction, a move was made to the quarters occupied by the horses iu training. Here jockey .Joe 1-lleo made his appearance on the scene, and it was easy to sec that hj" knew his work would he appreciated when lie withdrew the rugs tram Colbert. The thick-set little son of Cunrobcrt aud Stepback. by Slepniak—Mcri.scttia, ha ; evidently undergone a faille solid preparation, and has retained his unquestioned good looks, in the ne\t box was an upstanding six-year-old gelding by Velluwslom First Venture, who has yet to he named in public. lie is u rather nice horse, showing quality and plenty of propelling power, and altogether displays more substance than any c 1 ’ tile horses so far trained as the progeny of the daughter of i’haetmt and Adventuress. tie is Just tie- kind of horse mat trainers Hogan or Thistleton would educate to hurry over the battens. TJadiator. the aged gelding hy Sir Lancelot Radiant, was next found to tie in racing trim. Two trotters completed the working brigade, and of these King Tuxedo is known to be able to move very fast in private, tint has a reputation for nnreliableness when stripped in earnest, while the puny Kensuw. hy Kentucky—See Saw, is a '•cry useful pure-gaited trotter. King Tuxedo may not win slakes, bur lie promises I" prove a successful sire. However, mote of ibis amm. An inquiry as to the welfare of his young stock induced our host to 'mad tin- way to a remote paddock, where a grey yearling filly gas singb.l out us liie pick ol a bimeii. She is a youngster to enthuse nvcr, with her strong, short hack, power! id quarters, good rein, and clean legs, while le i- head is of the game deseriplion. Site proved to lie a daughter of < 'numberi and Quickstep. bv Smpniak. and ii is a great pity that her breeding cun,tor in the meantime lie fitrtlie; announced on ih" dam’s shh . Hi make, shape, and colouring site reminds one of the grey mar" Tagalie. as shown in pictures of the Knglislt Heihy winner of Ia 1 In company with lie grey was a two-year-old brother to Colbert, who is to be addl'd to (ho list shorllv. He is a bigger poise limn his relative, and is possessed of free. swinging action A yearling lilly bv ApptegarHi looked to be a no,at, bill backward youngster, while a black y".illibg coll look the laitey of our Paris. Mr Kennedy explained taut liiis fellow was lit.* result of an e.xpefiUH rit which could not he avoided in the mating of King Tuxedo an.l the thoroughbred ma; - ' May Queen. To all intents and purposes the experiment most be marked down as a success. A f.vii-y. ar -nld Cantoberi May Queen mare looked to In- somev. Nat overgt own. and then we wnne to a grey yearling HRs in. Kina Tn.Pdo from (Jrookwave. Si... i.. a pure Inater. and ranks as a half-;aster to Mr 'l'. Kelt’s clever Hellman Inns' llraik Hell, A long price was 1 1 •■ * ": 11 Is reft: o d for this young

irotl.T. it has he.'ii reported ihal King Tuxedo i* - .siring valuable stock, and i his ean quite !.e realised after looking over Mr Kennedy’s two yoimgsp-rs above referred to. Al Ibis stage we had to e lll onr visit short after looking on r some high class Abbot rolls of llm Clydesdale -tmi. Alloy ether, Mr Ken-

nedy has nearly 60 equines on his estate. | Across the road from the home of j King: Tuxedo. Colbert and Co,, we pulled j in for the night at Mr .1. Ryan's hospitable mansion, and. as darkness came j over the landscape, we closed a crowdi ed day by interviewing Wcstator and a ! Canrobert foal, and admired a yearling | and a two-year-old Ally, both the proi duce of a mare by Battlefield from Xar- ■ rate. | Next morning, on our way back to ! Riverton, we travelled via Thornbury, | and culled in at Mr deck's, where we 1 were shown a handsome two-year-old j trotting colt by Bellman from Lady Mer- ! 1 iii, by Brooklyn—Mermaid. -We then i passed swiftly on down a winding road i to a vast river Hal paddock, where Mr j Pro van's own young thoroughbreds were i enjoying their freedom, together with a j number of others. For about an hour I we toiled vainly to get within easy reach I of the youngsters, but without success, j and the joke was on the writer's com- | panion, who recorded many vows to pre- ! sently tame his young racers. How- ! over, it was good to see tlie whole bunch j gallop mile after mile with tails and manes Healing in the wind. The best of Mr Pro van's lot appeared to be a I strong, well-grown son of Canrobert and | Tomboy (dam of Office Girl), and be is i a very likely son. Foy. by Canrobert—: Vanguard mare, now a three-year-old. is to lie left until be reaches the mature age of live years before he is trained. The third youngster was a brown yearling lilly by Canrobert from Happy Thought, by Jet d'Kau —Bonnie Idee, by Xordcnfeldt—My Idee, by Vattendon. She was 1 lie JunVr of the party, hut was not by any means the slowest of the mob, and it is safe to say that some day, the distinct while star which adorns her forehead will be seen leading home her rivals to the judge's chair. Later in the day the Ford was again requisitioned to carry us out to Mr J. Bankhurst’s place at Otaitai Kush, and here at tile home of those clever horsemen, M. and J. Pankhurst. we found some more thoroughbreds. Lilystone. by Vellowstonf —May Lily, was running in an enclosure heavy in foal to Glom-ul-loch. ami further ndehl were encountered (wo well-educated juveniles, a big ‘ brown Canrobert lilly one which wiR require time to develop from Lily- j stone, and a stranger, as far as breed- j ing is concerned, but for all that eligible for next season’s V.'inton Guineas. This is an evenly-proportioned chestnut l wo-year-old by Signalman (son of Clauranald —Weathereye. by Maxim—Gala - tea, by Apremonl—Xa.utilus) from Maid Marion, by Forester—Ata, by Somnus Wairuareka. by The Painter —Mystery Girl. She has already been broken in and worked slightly, and her connections are justified in expecting, on her appearance and breeding, that she will repay them for their trouble later on. Two horses in training were also on the premises, and racegoers are acquainted with the live-year-old mare Driftwood, by Singlestick 11 —Tugela. while they have yet to make the acquaintance of a dark chestnut gelding by Caslashore. lie is a strongly-built animal, and may yet become a candidate for hurdle racing honours. A >'bat with Mrs and-Miss Pankhurst followed, and. after drinking the health of the horsemen of the family ami their parents, we bronchi our lour for Bj IJ lo a. close, taking advantage of the homeward journey to discuss our experiences during past years when on similar missions. The lesson of a somewhat hurried look . round is that the bloodstock of the Wes- j tern District is rapidly improving in j quality and appearance, due to increased care in the uphring of young stork and | the introduction of fresh Idood partieu- I larly in mares, but the way is long before Southland's studs can rank will: rival establishments in the north. In I I tie meantime breeders would be Well I advised to redouble their efforts to feed | and bouse their youngsters well. " Rome i was md built in a day." be it remembered. ami if southern owners are to depend mainly on local studs for their racehorses, sires, and mares of the falure. every care will have Id he oxer- | cis'-d in catering lor them. Of the juveniles inspected the Canrobert- -St. Brigid two-year-old. the t.’anrobert —Turret gelding (- years). tbi» Abe; —Miss Ste.nl colt It' years), the Signalman—Maid Marion lilly til years), and the Canrobert Marvilla, Glencullocb Follicle, Gnurobert —Quickstep. Clen- j enlloch Minaret. Glencullocb—Turret. I Canrobert Bouqmi. and some other I foals are Well worthy of being classed ! with many of their northern rivals. There are other aged thoroughbreds and tiled- progeny to tie found in the Western District with Messrs J. Ritebie, F, Moore, F. McKay, .1. B. Forde. Kean. Crowe. Kirkwood, and othir breeders as their owners, but time did not permit of calling upon them. Arrangements may he come to, however, to permit of this being accomplished at some future time.