STABLE VISITS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 194, 21 September 1914, Page 9

STABLE VISITS.

CHOKEBORE LODGE. A HIGH-CLASS TEAM. It is now just on half a century- since the late Mr Henry Redwood acquired the racing establishment famed throughout Australasia as Cliolcebore Lodge. Ms present proprietor, Mr Edward Cutts, first took service with "the father of the New Zealand turf," when that fine Bportsman was in Sydney purchasing blood stock for his racing and breeding establishments, and the influence of the thoroughbreds then acquired had a marked effect on the history of New Zealand racing affairs. On his arrival in the Dominion, Cutts was first stationed at "Waimea West, Nelson, where Mr Redwood's training stables were located, and from where innumerable ■winners were sent forth. After several years in that position, Cutts decided to launch out-on his own account. He acquired Chokebore Lodge from Mr Red•wood, and during the intervening years has prepared many of the greatest racehorses that have graced the New Zealand turf; , On the occasion of my recent visit I iound the veteran looking hale and hearty, despite his 76 years. His general • health is excellent, but, to use his own ■words, he has ' 1 broken down in the feet," and cannot get about like - the young ones. Fortunately, he has two excellent under-studies in his sons, Harry and Albert, both of whom are •well up in the profession with which the Cutts family is so well identified. The old Chokebore stables that did duty for so many years have been replaced by a magnificent building, containing twenty roomy boxes, with every •onvenierice in the matter of saddleroom, ; feed-'house, andean oat loft capable of holding 3000 bushels of grain. Everything is under the one roof, and, to minimise the risk of ;;fire, electric light is employed throughout. The doors of the boxes are of rather novel design, feeing fashioned on an idea of Cutts's own ingenuity. The lower portion opens ' out in the usual manner, but the; top half, instead of being on hinges, slides ' upward, thereby minimising the risk of • 'accident. Needless to, say, everything in connection with the stable - is scrupulously clean, and up-to-date in every •detail. THE OLDER HORSES.

. . The first inmate to come under review on the occasion of my visit was that handsome horse Autumnus, now five years old. His track deeds are still fresh in the minds of racegoers, and had he kept sound there is no doubt that the boii of Treadmill and Goldleaf would have gone down to posterity as one of the greatest racehorses of his day. Autumnus is built on massive lines, with a shapely head, fine crest,. beautiful shoulders, and massive quarters. Unfortunately, his knees have been giving - His snentor a lot of trouble, and it is doubtful if he will ever stand. sufficient lard work to fit him for'the fray. The occupant of the next compartment was the three-year-old - First Plight, who has been very much in the limelight of late. Though by no means a big*one, the son of San Francisco and Fleetfoot is low-set and compact, stahd-

ing over a lot of ground. As a two-year- ; old he showed galloping ability of no mean ; order, but he generally managed to spoil his chances tof success by gettang away badly. In his only start this / season First Flight showed that he has , mepded ways in this respect, .ajid if keeps sound such a. ; brilliant, colt Vehould take rank, with the best of ; his , age * \a GREAT galloper. • : "How is this for a racehorse?" asked • my guide, as the rugs were removed • dFrom Quarantine,' the aristocratic-look-ing son ofvTreadmill and the Pilgrim's Progress mare Fairhaven. Like the majority of Treadmill's progeny, Quarantine is a beautifully-dispositioned korse, showing plenty of size and quality;' Unfortunately, his legs are none too sound, and they have been a constant source of worry to his mentor. In private, Treadmill's son has demonstrated ability to gallop very fast, as -well as to stay, but the winding-up pro- . eess usually finds out his weak spot. The three-year-old Bold Stroke, by San Francisco from Brave Heart, is a commanding filly, well put together, and with good back and quarters. As a two-year-old she raced consistently, like most -of San Francisco's progeny, she is sure to improve with age. Being thoroughly sound, it would «ome as no surprise to find this hand•sme filly playing a prominent part in the present season's classics. • Snapdragon, another three-year-old, is ■well-grown, and endowed with plenty of pace. The daughter of San Francisco and Elusive is strongly built, and is at present bearing a bright and healthy appearance on which- to start her three-year-old.-campaign. A FILLY OF PROMISE.

.The inmate of the next compartment turned out to be Merry Trick, by Treadlifill from Delusive, the dam of Counterfeit and Miss Mischief. She is a beauti-fully-turned filly, showing a lot of quality, but, ujjlike her two" relatives, she is hot blessed with the best of constitutions, being a very delicate feeder. So far Merry Trick has hot done much work, having -developed splints on both . her forelegs. Once this trouble disappears she is to be given a thorough preparation, and there seems every prospect of her upholding the family reputation for speed. Court-Martial is another filly that shows plenty of size and quality, but, like many of Martian's daughters, she is a delicate feeder, and will require * time.

'' This is a solid little customer,'' was Cutts's remark as the rugs were removed from the three-year-old Wharfinger, a full-brother to Quarantine and Stevedore. His relationship to that doughty pair could not be told on looks, as he is built on entirely different lines, being of the low, thick-set order, with powerful, quarters, good head and shoulders, and-a Tare middle-piece. He is one of the contented sort, and, being thoroughly sound, should easily pay his way when more experienced. NIGHTWATOH THE UNLUCKY. In the next box was located Nightwatch, the handsome son of Treadmill and the Clanranald mare Glenowlet. Brimful of quality, he is a racehorse all over, but, unfortunately, has been unsound off and 011 since racing as a two-year-old. It must be heart-break-ing for his mentor to have such a brilliant colt under his care, yet be unable to wind him up. Time after time Nightwatch has been got nearly ready to do his best, only to go wrong when v given the last few gallops. A particularly well-grown and powerful colt is Don Francisco, the three-year-old son of San Francisco and that great producing mare Mad owl a, whose contributions to the turf include such good ones as Glenowlet, Discipline, Madam Madcap, Taskmaster, Quarry-

mail, and Masterpiece. He has a fine set of legs and feet, supporting a welliproportioned body. Being very backward, he was not raced last season, but |he showed both gameness and stamina ;in his maiden venture at Ashburton. He gives one the impression of developing a rare stayer, and after contesting the Wanganui Guineas will be reserved for the Derby at Riccarton.

The next to come under review was the tliree-year-old filly Wise Bird, 1 by Treadmill from Glenowlet, a full sister to the speedy Brown Owl. < She is a racy-looking lady, brimful of quality, with plenty of length and great muscular quarters. When running on her owner's station as a yearling she met with an accident through coming in contact with a barbed-wire fence, from the effects of which she has never thoroughly recovered. When being wound up she not infrequently goes lame, whieh is a thousand pities, for she comes from a rare family, and has shown the possession of extreme speed.

THE JUVENILE DIVISION. Chokebore Lodge is usually strong in two-year-olds, but I doubt if it has ever sheltered a more promising lot than those that are destined to Carry the biue-and-gold chequers this season. They , are all exceptionally well grown, and bred in the purple; consequently it will be passing strange if more than a fair share of the season's juvenile events do not reward Cutts's untiring efforts. The first to come under notice was Battle Eve, a son of Martian and the Bill of Portland mare To-Morrow. He is built on solid lines, with a splendid fore-end, good legs, plenty of back rib and depth of. girth. It is when one stands behiud him, however,, that he is seen to best advantage, for his powerful quarters are quite typical of his sires. As Cutts remarked, you do not see his like every day, for, apart from ' his other qualifications, Battle Eve is blessed with an even disposition, and" is a rare good doer. Built on such lines, it is not surprising that he can gallop fast, and his track work has already gained him a reputation that gives every- indication of being justified when his time comes to race. Martian's handsome son will probably be taken to Dunedin for the Dunedin Stakes next month, and it will take something pretty good to lower his colours in that "event..

Though rather on the small side, Harlequin, by Treadmill from Delusive, is a racy-looking gentleman with beautiful head and length of rein. 'His mentor credits, him with being a fine galloper, but so far he has not been hurried along, as it is intended to give him time. Another of similar age, but of altogether different conformation, is Adjutant, by Martian from Discipline. Though a trifle light in the barrel, he stands over a lot of ground, and has well-muscled quarters and sound-look-ing pins. • He is a nice free galloper, and lias already shown ability of no mean order on the tracks. Even if he does not earn fame as a two-year-old, he is just the sort to show to advantage next season. BRED FOR SPEED.

The chestnut son of San* Francisco and Fleetfoot is another fine type of juvenile. He shows ample size and substance, combined with rare quality. So far, he is rather backward, being very light in. condition when he arrived from Stonyhurst. He is to be given every opportunity, of developing, so it may be autumn before he is seen to best advantage. \ "Here is a young lady that can make use of herself," served as my introduction to Flowerette, by San Francisco from Kirriemuir. She is a really handsome filly, of medium size, but built, on very strong lines. Altogether, Flowerette is, one that immediately , takes ,the ; eye, for she is quality all over.. Already she has shown rare speed in her gallops with Battle-Eve, and, apart from being a good beginner, she gets down to her task in most resolute style. She has done a fair amount of work, and will probably sport silk for i;he first time at Dunedin next month. Sailor's Hope, by Treadmill frpm Fairhaven, is a well-grown filly, but as her legs are not of the best she is to be given time. Sandstorm, by San Francisco from' Windwhistle, is one that looks like developing into a useful sort if not hurried, as also may San Sebastian, an overgrov»n son of San Franciseo and Brave Heart. The last to come under review was the Varco-Flitaway filly, a racy-looking sort, well put together, and with plenty of reach and driving power.VShe is well forward in condition, and for a first foal has plenty of substance. TEMPLAR.