SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 17734, 11 August 1917, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Australian Steeplechase to-day. S.R.C. annua! meeting September /. National minor acceptances Monday. Kilboy is doing very well at Kaudwick. Kill ’Em is reported as wrong m \<m>Further GN. ami Cup payments Monday. A. McKenzie has settled at Hcddon Bush. Waimai will be backed to-day m Mclb°TroUing at Addington Wednesday and St Hilary is cantering and looking well at present. . , Grand National meeting opens Thursday, closes Saturday. . r v A. McKay rides Sedd-cI Bahr in the G.N. Winter Cup. Christchurch sporting hotels are reported to be booked up. . , Three Orders: —Orderdown, Special Order and Staff Officer. L. G. King will rifle Lion at the Grand National meeting next week. Minesweeper continues to gallop very freely on the Riccarton tracks. St. Klmn has been schooling over the battens at C.J.C. headquarters. Author Dillon is expected to race on the second day of the Addington trots. A. Hendrickson will drive Admiral Mood at the N.Z.M. Trotting Club meeting. Don Facitico is reported to be one of the fittest horses now working at Riccarton. The exodus for Australia still continues and Tararu Jack will probably soon be found competing in hurdle races on the other side. He will be trained in Sydney under the supervision of ex-Invercargillite, T. A. Williams, who removed to New South Wales from Auckland some years back. Parisian Diamond, who has surprised the Riccarton track-watchers by his great galloping abilities during his Winter Cup wind-up, was at one time owned by Mr W. G. Stead. He is a sou of Charlemagne 11. and Hope Diamond. The warmly-fancied Grand National Steeplechase candidate, Merry Lad, was flue tfi arrive at Riccarton on Wednesday last. It is reported from his home town, Napier, that he is at his best. The Merriwcc —Zaida gelding will be ridden bv his usual pilot, H. Burt. The Wellington R.C.’s Spring meeting will be held in October. The principal events arc the Wellington Handicap, of 500 sovs, Pearce Handicap of 100 sovs, and Champion Plate, of 800 sovs. The Winton Jockey Club have decided to offer the same amount as last year in stakes for their annual fixture on November Ft anti 15, viz., £IBOO. Slight alterations were made in the conditions of some of the races; Hokonui Trot was made 5.4, instead of 5.S class; the County conditions were cut out of the Welter Handicap the first flay, and the Orcti Trot (second day) was made a 5.S class, instead of open.

Sir Fisher (a warm fancy for the Grand National Hurdles) and Miss Sation (a winner at the recent Wellington R.C. Winter fixture' were schooled at Awapuni on Friday morning last. Miss Sation gave a good exhibition, but Sir Fisher fell heavily at the last hurdle. The fall is not hkely to improve his prospects at Riccarton, whore he will not require to take any chances with the hurdles. At the Invercargill Horse Bazaar at noon to-day Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., will submit at auction the well-known gelding Gunrest. It is reported that several people have in view the purchase of the son of Calibre. W. Ratcliff is taking things quietly with Camaieu and Clothiide, by Rokeby—Camille, and it can be said that the hidf-sisters are going on the right way. Camaieu came back home from her holiday looking particularly well, and it is sincerely to be hoped that she will stand up to a preparation, as there is no doubt in regard to her ability to gallop. It is with regret that the death of Temp. Major E. S. Mclntyre has to tie announced at the age of 23 years. Deceased, who died frurn wounds sustained in the neighbourhood of the Messines action, was a brilliant young soldier, who rose in rank with unusual rapidity, a fact which makes his death a double misfortune—a cause of deep sorrow to his friends and a severe loss to his country. Temp. Major Mclntyre was a younger brother of Mr T. B. Mclntyre, owner of Buller, Spanish Princess, Seekashore and other thoroughbreds. On Wednesday last Mr W. Baird, junr., purchased from Mr M. Friedlander, of Waimumu, a three-year-old full sister to Highwater, by Martian—Bravewater. The filly is described as showing more substance than her well-performed sister, while she is also of a different, type. Mr Friedlander is also grazing a two-year-old full brother to the mares referred to. all of which were bred by himself from Bravewater, who is again in foal. Mr Baird's new purchase will be sent, down to Riverton at. once to join Highwater under C. J. Heywood’s charge.

Two present inmates of P. T. Hogan’s establishment stood high on the list of winning horses in 1015-10. Balboa was third on the list for New Zealand with £2040 against his name, with Rorke’s Drift fourth, credited with £2550. Last season Rorke’s Drift finished up well down the list, but his winnings amounted to £llOs.

The name of Pleasureform has been claimed for the filly by Nauriform—Pleasure Seeker, who claims an engagement in the Minton Stakes. She is trained by G. J. Heywood at Riverton. As far as Southland owners are concerned, Mr J. Graham leads (he way on the Maoriland winning owners’ list with £IOSB 10s to his credit, while Messrs ]•’. A. and V. N. Price come next with £llOs (in 1015-10 the Messrs Price secured £210.) i. The Weekly Press table gives Other .-oufhern winners as; W. Baird, .Jr., £1027; W. Swale, £505; J. Todd. £587; i. Moore, £520; S. Carey, £408; J, R. E. Beek, £480; W. Robertson, £458; E. Rusaell, £407 15s; T. B. Melntyre, £351; R. Chisholm, £351; 1!. Miller, £34S; D. Morton, £333; W. J. Marshall, £310; .1. T. Ryan, £310; V.'. (1. Kelly, £280; J. MeCnhbin, £255; ,1. Thisileton, £233; ,J. Kirkwood, £230; R. B. Stiven, £225; ,1. Ilvmer, £217 10s; G. D. Baird, £100; J. and E. Deegan. £171; A. E. Ward, £143; J. D. McArthur, £132; Mr Rewcastle, £l2O 10s. Aa a recent committee meeting the Winton J.C, decided to write to the trustees of the local course asking for favourable consideration of a grant of £IOO towards the Mmtou Stakes. Prosified this request is complied with, it is to be hoped that it will encourage the Club to substantially increase the value of next season’s race. To in any people the race for the M'inton btua.es furnishes one of the principal attractions of the gathering at the pretty country course, and there is no reason why the importance of the contest should not be increased by the addition of a very xjiuch larger sum of added money. It is the only restricted event designed to encourage the breeding of good horses in the home province, and as such is well worthy of every consideration. At present owners and trainers complain that the winner attracts attention from handicappers out of all proportion to the stakes am! the value of a winning essay at such an early part of the season, hence it would bo a very popular move to increase the stakes considerably.

The three-year-old colt Centimetre, by Calibre—Fedelma, is now one of the active workers of P. T, Hogan’s team. He has not thickened out as well as might have been expected, but there is time enough yet, as he lias grown up the right way. He is a typical descendant of the Light Artillery sire, showing a good deal of light underneath, but he looks as if he will gallop fast in due court, when the keying-up process commences. Centimetre will race in the same ownership as Redshire, who was recently purchased by Mr D. Kilkelly, of Drove Bush. The Downshire horse, by the way, wears a healthy appearance and may do well under Hogan’s charge, as the Rorke's Drift Lodge mentor appears to prove successinl with racehorses troubled in a certain way. Nobody cool 1 Eave done

better with Golden Kin?; than Hogan, and the Golden Knight gelding is a case in point. Very favourable reports arc to hand of the appearance of the Crichton —Turret gelding in J. Gray's stable at Winton. Another youngster owned in the Winton district is also well spoken of, viz., the filly by Sarto from Ruhelite, owned by Mr D. Calder, of Orcti Plains. The latter is said to be a perfect lady and there is no reason why she should not gallop as her dam has already produced morn than one winner.

It is understood that there was an inquiry from an Australian racing man as to the price of the well-known gelding Duller, but so far. no business appears to have resulted. No price has been mentioned. but it is not likely that Mr McIntyre would be willing to part with the sturdy son of Canrobert as a bargain deal. It would be very interesting to see how Builer would fare in good company with an average racing weight in lieu of the burdens he is asked to carry in this part of the world.

Of the Ilorke’s E>rift Lodge team, nothing is wearing a more blooming appearance than Glcnshine, and it is not too much to expect that he will have developed into a very useful racehorse by the time the summer meetings come round. The Glenculloch—Minaret gelding was well reared prior to being introduced to the racecourse, and this fact is going to stand him in good stead when the colours arc up some flay in a valuable race.

The horses tinder H. G. Coker’s charge have been carefully wintered, and it is safe to say that Muzzle, Aycliffc and Co. will secure prize-money this season. Coker is a very careful man of wide experience, and is likely to have his hands full when the season is more advanced, and the tracks in good galloping order.

It is stated that there is a very promising jumping novice located in the Heddon Bush district, in a gelding by Canrobert from Mendiss Lass. The full brother to Canrosa is a horse of quite another colour to the latter, being one of the strong kind and now well matured. When L. Smith’s charges come out to commence serious work on the Southland R.C.’s tracks it will be found that all have been exceptionally well wintered. Hardshot has benefited to a very noticeable extent by his let-up. and may be found a thorn in the side of the long distance contestants this season, as he has all along encouraged the belief that he may stay tairly well. Gaberlungie and Fitzosbom are also flue to race from the Avcnal training establishment. The pacer Wallacctown has been introduced to harness service of late, but does not take very kindly to his new fluty. The Wallace L gelding is a rattling good performer to saddle, and, if he can be induced to step soberly in a sulky, there is a chance of his racing with success in superior company. With breeding and a 3.39 mark against him, he looks to be one of the select wearers of the straps.

Local trainers, in several instances, have become impatient, claiming that they have not, been afforded sufficient galloping accommodation on the Southland R.C. s tracks, hut they will probably have to content themselves in the meantime, until the weather permits of the plough circuits being thrown open, and the outside grass track made available. The frost has been at work fluring the past week or more and this probably accounts for delay in opening out the best grass exercise grounds. At present the horses have to be cantered on rough galloping ground on the inner fence, but this is unavoidable under the circumstances, as this portion of the course has yet to be made up and placed in thorough going order, and this is not a task for the spring time, but should command the attention of the track committee later in the year, in order that it may he in readiness early next season. Local trainers of lengthy experience know full well that the southern climate will not permit, of firstclass tracks in August, and, until such time as the S.R.C. can afford to spend a large amount of money on a sand or tan track, matters are not likely to improve very much. With the sun shining overhead and the spring fixtures not far away, it, is only natural that some trainers should become anxious, but this will not alter the course of Nature in regard to wind and weather. Natural drawbacks at present being experienced will probably lead to many horses now awaiting their turn of duty being in the pink of condition later in the season, when racers prepared early in the north arc jaded anil going off. This happened before with something like annual regularity, and as a result some rich -takes have reached Southland from abroad. This statement cannot be gainsaid. Two ancient sayings may be unloaded, viz., “the more hurry, the less speed,” and “all things come to the man who waits.” HOCKEY. PRIMARY SCHOOLS Matches to-day:—North v. Middle, Qijecn’s Park; St. George v. Waihopai, Forth street.