On The Turf And Off

Southland Times, Issue 23179, 21 April 1937, Page 10

On The Turf And Off

THE JUMPING NOVICES OTAUTAU TRIALS (By Sir Modred) The Southland Racing Club’s tracks have dried up very quickly since Saturday last, but do not yet provide satisfactory winter going from a time point of view, but the state of the grass circuits is at the same time very welcome. Yesterday morning horses with engagements at the Otautau Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday were treated to much-needed fast exercise. The Balboa gelding Signaller (T. Boyle) was out for business yesterday when he jumped four flights of schooling hurdles on the Southland Racing Club’s inner grass track—two fences to the round. The veteran performer gave an attractive exhibition of leaping and skimmed the little ' obstacles perfectly and in marked contrast to his laboured endeavours of about this period last season when he was new to the hurdle racing game. Should he stand up to a thorough preparation Signaller, will probably be heard from in useful jumping company during the winter turf term.

A very interesting cross-country schooling effort was witnessed on the Southland Racing Club’s course yesterday when Hunting Go (T. Boyle) jumped eight obstacles and finished up his task by running home half a mile on the flat with Signaller in the role of pacemaker. The Hunting Song gelding was not called upon to attempt any of the stiffest obstacles on the course, but his even fashion of racing to the fences and jumping clear to satisfactory getaways suggested that he is likely to furnish into a very useful steeplechaser. By the time the big cross-country meeting at Wingatui in June comes round with perhaps the August National fixture to follow Hunting Go should have become a reliable ’chaser. • Gallop on Tracks

In view of approaching engagements some interest was centred yesterday morning in a gallop over nine furlongs on the outside of the Southland Racing Club’s course proper. Amelita and Double Shot moved away well from the nine furlong mark, but Galleon missed the jump out and lost ground. Galleon joined in with the leaders at the mile post. It was a sound contest to the straight, but on the winning-line Double Shot was showing out from Galleon, with Amelita handy, and Ardchoille under a hard drive about five lengths off. The friendly bout showed Double Shot to be coming back to form under his favourite winter ground conditions, while Galleon and Amelita convinced that both are well at present, and Ardchoille created the impression that his'mind Was not on the issue, but that the gallop may do him a power of good. The straight-legged, gelding Coat of Arms (C. Rask) was given another turn over the open schooling hurdles on the ’Southland Racing Club’s inner grass yesterday. He handled well for his pilot and was induced to clear the timber cleanly, but it will take some time to turn him out as an approved hurdler. However, T. E. Pankhurst is not in a hurry with his hard-pulling pupil and the Pink Coat gelding will not be bustled into acquaintance with his latest ■ departure in racing. In the meantime it may be remarked that Coat of Arms has improved in his track manners since he was faced with hurdles to jump. The novice galloper Topsy Wood (C. Low) was carrying a fair burden when she ran out five furlongs alone and well out on the Southland Racing Club’s course proper yesterday. The time test could hardly be applied, owing to the dead and in places holding track, but she galloped strongly throughout. Three youthful novices sprinted home over two furlongs on the Southland Racing Club’s course proper yesterday when the pony filly by Night RaidFlicker, filly by Balboa—Sabor, and gelding by Balboa—Linwood comprised the field. The green gallopers were not, of course, ridden out, but the Sabor and Flicker fillies shaded the gelding, who has yet to reach the level of his rivals in condition, but he moves attractively. Judging by the determined fashion in which Milford moved on the Southland Racing Club’s course proper yesterday the Anomaly pupil of R. E. McLellan is progressing the right way in his winter preparation. He appears to move stoutly in any class of going and he is certainly fresh and well muscled up at present to battle in deep ground. Corban has come to hand well of late and the gelding from F. W. Ellis’s stable outstayed Red Treasure yesterday morning on the local course proper in a bout over seven furlongs. Corban stayed on strongly and a mile task would not have been beyond his tether had the effort been necessary.

RIFLE SHOOTING

POWER SUPPLY MINIATURE CLUB The Power Supply Miniature Rifle Club held its weekly shoot last evening. Following are the scores:— J. Lockie, 77; J. D. Anderson, 77; N. Mac Williams, 76; G. Walsh, 76; Miss E. West, 74; N. Mitchell, 74; L. Burgess, 72; R. Clark, 72; J. Higham, 72; Miss M. Godward, 71; A. Rutherford, 70; H. Donaldson, 69; Miss M. Bevin, 68; B. Mungatroyd, 68; Miss H. Brookesmith, 67; W. Ayson, 67; M. Stupples, 65; M. Durbridge, 62; M. I. Johns, 60; E. Duncan, 60; B. F. Henderson, 60; G. Robertson, 56; C. V. Rawley, 47; D. Martin, 41; J. Falconer, 39; W. Fraser, 34; C. A. Mynes, 33.