SOUTHLAND NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17835, 1 May 1926, Page 7

SOUTHLAND NOTES.

(Special to the “Star.”) INVERCARGILL, April 30. There was joy when Warhaven proved successful at Timaru this week by the barest of margins, as southern backers were with him almost to a man. Wet tracks have proved his undoing on several occasions of late, hence Mr D. Kilkelly’s gelding did not win out of his turn. The owner of the Kilbroney gelding swears by C. Emerson’s horsemanship, so that the feat of the Riccarton jockey, in narrowly scoring, added pleasure to the occasion. His stern race agaist Grand Knight fn the Great Autumn evidently got to the bottom of Listening Post, as he failed his party badly at Trentham, but the son of Solferino still looks bright, although he has lightened up to an extent foreign to him after previous hard contests during his career. He had very little hard work prior to leaving for Riccarton and Trentham, a fact lending colour to the claim that his Christchurch experience was too much for him. He was working on the local tracks this week, but his travelling mates, Tommy Dodd and Set Sail, are at present in retirement. It is stated that Francaise is now taking part for the last time in active racing operations, Mr W. T. Ilazlett having decided to relegate her to the stud next season, when she may be mated with the imported Limond. Valdamo will not be persevered with as a hurdler in the meantime, but he is continuing his preparation as a flat racer. He promised to jump well .but he trained off and R. M’Kay is now endeavouring to freshen him up for a trip to Wingatui in June. The old gelding, Vice Grand can jump when he likes but he is not always of that mind. It is on the cards thrt his activities at the Dunedin Jockey Clubs Winter meeting will be confined to flat events. In the meantime, he looks well, and he is a regular worker with R. M’Kay’s string. Other regular toilers from M’Kay’s establishment include Queen Balboa, Quarrelsome, Kilfane, and Ecuador. During the past three weeks Kilfane has been putting some heart into his efforts and M’Kay may yet be enabled to produce him at Wingatui in June. Queen B-alboa, who has been a good winner this season has not done a great deal of work since Easter, but the searching nature of her tasks is likely to be increased in the near futEcuador does not p-ut on a great deal of condition but he is moving freely in his work. There is always a prospect that his favourite heavy track will be available at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s June gathering. Mr W. T. Hazlett’s private, mentor, F. J. M’Kay, is looking forward to handling three well bred colts for his patron, including a son of Thurnham— Moulin Rouge, a colt by Paper Money —lllume (Kilbroney—Simper), and a son of Tractor —Directoire (the dam of Frenchman. Francaise, Apache, The Parisian and Paris. A rising three-year-old gelding by Solferino—Directoire is already in hand. This is a very nice puvenile. who presents a more attractive appearance than Apache at the same age. He hitherto has been looked upon as the pick of the bunch, claiming descent from Directoire. Quite a number of Southern mares are now reported to be in foal to Panmure. who is likely to be well patronised, if he should remain here next season.

All going well in the meantime, six or seven southern hack steeplechasers will probably be nominated for racing between the flags at the Dunedin Jockey Club's M inter gathering, the selection being made from Osterman, Scamp, Blazing Light, Kilkee, Mazania, Irish King and Greenstone. Anton, who will be remembered at Riccarton as a smart two.year-old, when owned by Mr M. Hobbs, is. now an inmate of Mr L. C- Hazlett’s ’Wingatui 6table, where he is being schooled for racing between the flags. When on a visit to Southland for the Riverton Easter meeting, the Dunedin owner secured the South Australian descendant of imported St Anton for jump-

ing purposes. For some years Anton was used as a back-country mustering horse, hence his disappearance from southern racecourses.

The death of the old gelding Golden King, one of the best horses ever raced in the south, has been recorded. The son of Golden Knight—Fairy Benzie, who was relegated some time ago by his owner, Mr J. Graham, to end his days in peace, accidentally broke a limb, and it was deemed best to put him out of his misery. F. Langford, who rode Cashman to victory across the Timaru fences this week, is identical with the well-known Southlander of that name, who graduated as an amateur horseman with the Birchwood Hunt.