BOUND ABOUT RICCARTON

Southland Times, Issue 22992, 11 September 1936, Page 10

BOUND ABOUT RICCARTON

NOVICE JUMPERS PLENTIFUL THE TRACKS DRY UP

(By

Sir Modred.)

Christchurch, September 9. The tracks at Riccarton have dried up wonderfully during the past 48 hours and were fast this morning. Taking advantage of the firm going today several trainers had their novice jumpers put to the test. There are more novice hurdle racers about Kiccarton at the present time than is usual in September. The Invercargill trainer T. E. Pankhurst, now at Orari for the' present, has Fog Peak (Rosenor— Aspiring) and the youngster Triple Cone engaged at the forthcoming Ashburton County Racing Club’s Spring meeting. An interesting schooling bout over four flights of battens was witnessed this morning when Redolent (C. Hughes) gave Vitaphone (R. Beale) a few lengths start. Jumping confidently with a very fair head of pace on, the pair were on terms over the last two fences. The former has already proved himself a useful hurdler, while Vitaphone promises to follow in his footsteps. R. Beale is to ride the latter in his engagements at Ashburton, Geraldine, and elsewhere. The Paper Money gelding Call Money displayed a dislike to hurdles on Tuesday, spilling his rider at the first fence. This morning J. Veevers decided to give the flat racer a trial. Call Money scrambled over tire first obstacle and dislodged Veevers at the second. He was persevered with. The son of Paper Money does not favour the business and it will call for time and perseverance if he is to succeed at crossing the sticks to advantage. Wexford Bridge (H. Turner), jumped a round of the hurdles and continued on at a fast pace over a fifth fence. Indications point to this novice succeeding as a hurdler. He is certainly an attractive type of novice to put to the cross-country sport. There is no nonsense about this fellow; he just bowls into his fences as if it is all in his day’s work. Brevity was not schooled to-day, but A. McAulay’s pupil will be tried out later in the week. The four-year-old son of Roydon (imp.) is on the diminutive side, but he is becoming quite proficient in topping the timber and the little ones very often carry wight well at hurdle racing. Havering struck a fence at the Otago Hunt meeting and between this error and the deep going he did not give of his best. He is a gay deceiver, but is likely, if persevered with, to clear out on some occasion and leave his field standing in a hurdle race. Fancied here for the Hunter’s Flat Race at the Otago Hunt meeting last week, Acena could only run second to Smoko. The reason of his comparatively weak display was evident when a personal inspection was made to-day. The gelding was knocked to the rails by a crossing rival nearing the straight and as a result he was deeply cut high on the stifle and two straight scratches low on his shoulder testify to what happened. Needless to say Acena nearly came down or both he and his rider (A. S. Ellis) were staggered and Smoko, who got a clear run always, was enabled to score easily. Sky Pilot Schooled. The four-year-old horse Sky Pilot schooled well over six of the steeplechase fences to-day in the hands of A. Stove. He was not permitted to race at his jumps and took all six confidently and correctly. The trainer J. Lindsay is pursuing a patient policy with the sturdy chestnut until the horse gains in confidence, and this appears to be the correct treatment. Sky Pilot, who has only to stand up to become a good ’chaser, is a well-bred horse, as he is by Day Comet (imp., proved sire of jumpers) from Swoopalong, by March Along—Brown Owl, by Treadwell—Glenowlet, by Clanranald—Madowla, by Trenton (son of Musket.) This is first-class lineage and the horse presents the conformation of a weight-carrier. A. S. Ellis has sent Nocturnus and High Speed to separate country quarters, where both will presently be hacked about to season for cross-coun-try events during the autumn months. In addition to being used as a hack, Nocturnus may make his appearance in agricultural show rings and this should be to his benefit. The Nightraid gelding is really a better horse than is generally understood, but he has been very unfortunate in _ his steeplechasing career. Owing to injuries suffered at Wingatui Acena will be eased up for a short period, but he may be, called upon for a race over hurdles at Geraldine. Following an operation for threatening breathing trouble and necessary relaxation from track tasks, that good gelding Vintage returned to the care of Mjs J. Campbell to-day to be tested in view of future racing. A few days after the attentions of a veterinary surgeon Vintage was galloping freely about the paddocks of his owner (Mr Westenra) as if nothing had happened and in the circumstances it is hoped that his operation will prove of benefit. Southland Jockey. The Southland horseman C. T. Wilson is still located at Riccarton, but may return to Endeavour Lodge after the Dunedin Spring meeting. He has been looking ahead and has already found a mount in the first two-year-old event of the South Island season. He has been engaged to pilot the grey colt Screamer in the John Grigg Stakes at the Ashburton Spring meeting. Screamer, who is looked upon as one of the most forward youngsters at Riccarton, is a bold grey galloper by Hoylake (imp.) from Toti dal Monte (dam of Silvox and Rebel Song), by Gay Lad (imp.) from Trebelli 11. (imp.). The grey is a very determined mover. It is an open secret that Wilson could have secured offers from several other owners to ride in the John Grigg Stakes had he chosen to rest on his oars. The Southland jockey is held in high esteem here by trainers as a horseman and the ball is at his feet to command high rank provided he exercises patience and discrimination—meaning to await happenings and display care in his picking of competitors to pilot in public. A Two-Year-Old Event. A field of ten for the opening two-year-old event of the South Island for the new season, the John Grigg Stakes, is hardly up to expectations, but this is not to be wondered at in the light of winter training conditions. The weather has been unsettled and as a result many trainers of youngsters have been unable to give them the necessary work to encourage racing as early as September. Of the Riccarton baby gallopers Card Player and Guinea Fowl (both fillies by Paper Money), Pay Up (Hoylake filly) and Screamer (Hoylake) colt) have attracted some attention. Very little is known in this locality of the Southland-owned candidate Triple Cone, by Rosenor from Aspiring, by Solferino from Silver Peak, but he exhibited some promise during his early education on t the Southland Racing Club’s tracks prior to leaving for winter quarters at Orari. He was wellgrown and moved very smartly, the

inference being that on firm tracks he would furnish into a useful early performer. It was very satisfactory if not well within keeping that Shillelagh Wood should win the leading jumping event at the Otago Hunt Club gathering on Saturday as her owner, Mr M. Hanly, of Otautau, is one of the most enthusiastic owners of jumpers in Southland and probably the veteran nominator of steeplechasers of the Western District. When P. T. Hogan first embarked on the career of a public trainer Mr Hanly was one of his patrons and for this sportsman Hogan proved successful with Honest Tom and other useful horses.

The Auckland-bred mare Rona Bay, who raced successfully in the South Island last season under the care of the trainer-jockey W. H. Jones, is still at Riccarton. She is progressing in her spring preparation and should be well forward following races at Ashburton and Geraldine.