RICCARTON NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23278, 14 August 1945, Page 7

RICCARTON NOTES

(Special) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 13. There was a wide distribution of the stakes at the Grand National meeting, no stable providing more than one winner. Of the 17 races (including divisions in the Cashmere Plate), seven winners were trained in the North Island, four at Riccarton and six in other parts of the South Island. The local winners were trained by C. G. Humphries (Gay Fort), L. J. Ellis (Bruce), T. H. Gillett 'Koa Manu) and E. W. A. Rosewame (Prince Dolomite). Following the close of the Grand National meeting, there was a great change at Riccarton this morning, the tracks being almost deserted. Many of the North Island visitors left on Saturday night and others will follow early this week, while most of the southern contingent have also gone home. A start will be made this week with the work of dismantling the brush fences on the Grand National circuit and soon there will be nothing left as a reminder of the big jumping fixture.

Mr J. R. McKenzie’s three-year-old, Brown Derby, by Robin Goodfellow, was in the birdcage on Saturday and later in the day he moved kindly in a sprint down the straight. He has quietened down a lot under the care of S. Barr and from present indications he may train on to be a useful racehorse.

L. J. Ellis, who was taken to hospital last week, is making good progress towards recovery from his illness. There has been a change in the plans for Pink Clover. Instead of being sent home this week, he will remain with G. S. Barr, to be prepared for the steeplechases at the Otago Hunt meeting next month. As a preliminary, he has had a dose of physic.