STABLE VISITS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 829, 6 October 1916, Page 2

STABLE VISITS.

M. EDWARDS'S BROOKLYN LODGE THE HOME OF MANY TROTTERS. During the course of my stable visits I dropped in on "Manny" Edwards a few afternoon's ago, with the special object of seeing his two Trotting Cup candidates Wallace Wood and Maude rene. Since returning from Australia Edwards has been located at Brooklyn Lodge, an establishment that has played a very prominent part in light harness racing from the very earliest days of the sport. Brooklyn Lodge was founded some quarter of a century ago by the late Mr Henry Mace, who there maintained a racing and breeding establishment that in his time had not a superior in the Dominion. It was the home of such famous horses as Rothschild, Brooklyn, Berlin Abdallah, Puclla, Jessie Palm, Mambrino Abdallah, Director, Almont, Belmont M., Candidate, Stonewall Jackson and others that have done much to raise trotting to its present high plane. The stable itself still challenges comparison with any of the more modern ones and situated as it is on the outskirts of the New- Brighton track and within handy distance of the beach is particularly well adapted to the preparation of trotting horses. At the time of my visit Edwards informed me that lie had no fewer than 28 horses under his charge, of whom 22 are in active preparation. The supervision of such a team must of necessity tax the resources of any trainer, but judging by the condition in which the Brooklyn Hodge representatives appear on the tracks they lack nothing on the score of care and attention. The first to have his rugs removed was John Dillon, the spdedv five-year-old spn of Harold Dillon. Though evidently having been kept up to the collar since his August exertions, he looks big and healthy, arid a few work-outs should find him fit for the fray. Ever since hirst appearing in public. John Dillon hjas been more or less infirm, a circumstance that has prevented him racing over lengthy courses. This infirmity was supposed to be located in his joints, but of late Edwards has treated him for shoulder troubles with most satisfactory results. . A big, loose-framed three-year-old of rather babyish appearance w-as the next to come under review. This was introduced as Vice Admiral, the three-year-o}d son of Advance and Scarlet Rose, vMo will probably be. Edwards's representative in the Champion Stakes and Trotting Derby. In conformation he favours his sire a good deal, being of more than average height, with plenty of substance. Though only air inmate of his present quarters since last August he has made rapid progress, and now ha miles himself on the tracks liko a; good one. He is to form one of Edwards's team for the Auckland meeting, where his racing debut will be made.

•j Mandercne was found to bo looking in nice hard condition, evidently having been kept well up . -collar throughout the winter months.. In most of his past essays the son of Norval has not raced like a genuine stayer, though there can be no ouestion as to hjs great turn of speed. Age may work improvement in this respect, but as a Trotting Cup proposition he'leaves something wanting. No horse could look better than does Manderene at the present time and he should be capable of reproducing his very best by the time the hig Addington meeting comes round.

Another cup candidate in Wallace Wood, was found to be looking in great heart, lie has wintered particularly well, and already his coat has taken on the sheen of summer. Like Manderene he is very forward in condition, and though both horses are likely to' face the starter in the cup, I have an idea that Wallace Wood will He the stable choice. He is under orders to leave for Auckland next Monday, and he will certainly have something of a pull over most of his opponents in the matter of condition at the northern fixture. Adelaide Direct still shows traces of her recent mishap. A fall on the track resulted in a damaged leg, and before it would heal this had to be lanced. At present she is so backward as to leave little chance of her sporting silk at the November meeting. The Australianbred mare raced particularly well in August, ami only for the check in her preparation would have had more than outside prospects in the big event of the year.

■ There is little to enthuse, over in the appearance of Cromstall, vol few horses in the Dominion have had such a meteoric, track career. The plain-looking son of Prince Imperial does not improve on acquaintance, and could do with a lot more muscle, especially behind the saddle. For some time past Edwards has been working him in saddle in preference to harness, holding the opinion that the gilding will be more at home, at that gait now that the standing start system has come into vogue. Cromstall is unfortuu e in having put up a mile record of I'inin 12 H-oscc. on a particularly fast Auckland track, a performance that he is not likely to better.

That tine gaited trotter King Capitalist was discovered looking quite ready to race. He is by no means a beauty, being of the lathy order ami decidedly on the leg. Till recently he was some-

what erratic in temperament, but ap-~~L—*«irrs--ta. bsye settled down judging by nh displays at Canterbury Park and Ashburt.on. Such a free striding customer will nlwnvs show his lies! efforts

on roomy courses. A recent addition to l-M wards 's team is Little Tib, one of the most raced horses at present in commission. Never a sound horse, he must be a hard cms tomcr to train, for he is one of the nervous sort that will do well till the eve of a meeting and then go right off. At present lie is doing nicely; indeed it is doubtful it' lie has ever looked in quite so robust, condition to start a

season 's campaign. . The Australian bred sire Denver Ihion has done little work of late, but it would not take long to get him into Hieing trim again. For some time he lias Leon under orders for Sydney, where his owner is located. At present he is not being hurried along, and may take his depart lire for the other side at any time. Dillon L-. !i rta.s found to be looking

on the big side, albeit as handsome as ever. He is one of those good doers that always carries a lot of condition, despite which ho could be got ready to race in a few weeks time. Apparently some horses, like humans, have a strong antipathy to one another, for the sight of Denver Huou is as "the red rag to the bull," where Dillon Bell is concerned. A tricky little gentleman, he is one of the brilliant sort, that cannot bo relied to produce his private form in public. Since last sporting silk at Aldington Reggie Huou has developed into a fine specimen of the natural gaited pacer. He has evidently been kept going, and at present shows more muscle than at any previous period of his career. So far his efforts over lengthy courses have hardly come up to expectations. Now that he has age and experience in his favour the son of Denver Huon can hardly fail to make good oxer any journey, for there can be no question as to his great turn of speed. It will be strange if a. race at the Auckland meeting does not come his way. A particularly nice stamp of three-year-old is the bay son of Petereta and Pansy who will race as Peter the First, lie is a level made colt showing plenty of quality, with a beautifully turned fore end. Though only under his present mentor's charge for six weeks he already looks forward enough to race, and he takes to trotting as naturally as a duckling to the water. This fellow will assuredly have to be reckoned with in any event restricted to three-year-old trotters.

Another of similar age, though not giving quite so much early promise, is Lord Rhodes, who claims engagement in the New Brighton Derby. He is a level made colt, with a rather plain but game head, one of those that looks like coming to hand early. Till recently he had no great attraction to his manger and did not thrive any too well. Evidently a change of stables has agreed with him for he is now putting on condition, and, according to his mentor, shows a corresponding improve;ment in his track work. Others to come under review were Cold Stanley, Lady Wilmington, Alberloria, Jaylyn, Red Bell, Hnia, Palmdale, and Blackthorn, all of whom bear testimony to the thoroughness of their trainer's methods. TEMPLAR.