RICCARTON NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22063, 9 September 1941, Page 7

RICCARTON NOTES

JUMPERS BUSY (Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 8. The heavy rain over the week-end gave the tracks at Riccarton another soaking. There were frequent showers during the working period this morning, making the conditions very unpleasant. The grass tracks will be heavy this week for the finals gallops prior to Ashburton. There was a lot of schooling over hurdles to provide Interest this morning. The Wrecker (L. C. Gough) went twice over the two pony hurdles, shaping very well. He may have a run in the second day hurdle race at Geraldine.

Knight Commander (A. McKerrow) Who did not please when tried last week over the schooling obstacles, jumped the pony hurdles in good style. He should be all right when he has had some experience. Rebel Star (I. Walther) showed plenty of dash in a run over two hurdles. He may have a more extended school in company later in the week.

Recollection (I. Walther) and Night Dress (A. Leach) were mates over four hurdles. They travelled at a sound pace and gave an attractive display. Night Dress will be raced at Ashburton on Saturday, while Recollection will compete at Geraldine.

Battlevale (P. Salmond) and Potent (R. Register) had a preliminary over the pony hurdles and then jumped the four big obstacles. They gave a good exhibition, though they were not sent at top speed. Potent is a recent addition to Register’s team. He looks as If he had done some work before he left the West Coast. Earlier in his career he was a useful galloper on the flat.

Mungatoon was left at Wingatui after his race on Saturday and he is now in H. A. Anderton’s team.

Bird of Prey, who was lame last week, was worked this morning with no ill effects. C. C. McCarthy thinks a splint is the cause of the trouble. C. G. Humphries has taken over Maggiore, a four-year-old mare by Dolomite. She is owned on the West Coast and though she has not shown much form in her few races, she has a fair turn of speed. The New Zealand Cup nominations, 55, are six short of last year’s total. With the exception of BeaU Vite and Kindergarten, who are in Australia, they include practically all the Dominion’s staying material. The North Island has 31 candidates, Riccarton 10 and other parts of the South Island 14 Of last year’s field, those nominated again are Serenata (winner), Taurangi (second), Little Robin (third but lost the place through his rider failing to draw weight), also Wardress,Dictate and The Buzzer One of the candidates, Serenata, is in Australia, while another, Algerian, is either there or is on the way, but the fact that they have been nominated for Riccarton suggests that they may return after racing at Randwick early next month Of the 10 Riccarton entries, nine are engaged at Ashburton on Saturday. Dictate, Prudent Pi-ince, The Wrecker and Merry March are in the Ashburton Handicap: Good Health and Parchment in the Penscroft Hack Handicap; while Iceland Spar, Gay Parade and Don’t Forget are in the Spring Handicap. KINDERGARTEN SCRATCHED LIGAMENT TROUBLE ENDS ENGAGEMENTS (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 8. Acting under veterinary advice, Kindergarten is to be scratched from all Australian engagements. Kindergarten has developed ligament trouble in the near foreleg and if he is persevered with will break down hopelessly, according to expert opinion. Trainer R. S. Bagby’s visits to Australia have all been unfortunate, says the “Sun's” sporting writer, who adds that Bagby has been dealt a particularly severe blow this season. Duvach has been injured twice in a float since coming to Australia, and the third member of the team, Monte Cristo, has done badly since his arrival.

Racecourse Control A change in the method of control and upkeep of the Washdyke racecourse has been decided upon. The racecourse reserve was, in 1879, vested in trustees representing the South Canterbury Jockey Club, the only racing body then in existence. The club Was responsible for the maintenance of the property and for the provision of improvements, and during the last 70 years has spent a very large sum there. About 25 years ago the Trotting Club and the Hunt Club secured totalisator permits, and have paid rent tor the use of the course and appointments for their meetings, the charge being based on a percentage of totalisator turnover. The Trotting Club has paid for the construction of its special race track, and during recent years has contributed from its “improvements” rebate towards the cost of various additions to the racecourse buildings. It has now been decided that the Trustees shall assume the responsibility for the upkeep of the property, and the Jockey Club, instead of being liable for all charges, is to pay rent and occupy the course on the same basis as the other clubs. The rent for the first year has been fixed at 1 per cent on turnover. The Trustees have set up an advisory ground committee consisting of Messrs D. Grant and H. S Macey (Jockey Club), J. Gilmore and A. B. Annand (Trotting Club) and C. L. Orbell (Hunt Club) to make recommendations and carry out decisions of the controlling body. All expenditure for the common good will be met by the Trustees, who, in the event of its funds derived from rentals being insufficient, will make a pro rata levy on the three clubs. Any work desired for the special benefit of an individual club will, if approved by the Trustees, be carried out if the cost is defrayed by the club concerned. The new arrangement appears to entail some financial sacrifice by the Jockey Club, but it is expected that it will result in more harmonious working. There is, moreover, nothing in the bond to prevent the other clubs, which have prospered as a result of having the use of facilities built up over long years by the senior club, from making contributions in special circumstances. It has been agreed that the new arrangement shall operate from July 1 (the beginning of the clubs’ financial year), and an adjustment of accounts will be made as soon as it is convenient.