LOCAL RACING STABLES

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2179, 5 July 1928, Page 5

LOCAL RACING STABLES

Mr W. STONE'S ESTABLISHMENT. SOME PROMISING GALLOPERS. A successful Te Awamutu stable is that of Mr W. Stone,'who came to Waikato four years ago after a long experience in Hawke's Bay. It was not long before he got on the winning list in the province, and each succeeding year he has obtained a fair share of the stake money without having a horse in the stable with quality entitling it to be favourably regarded in connection with the richly-endowed events that figure on metropolitan programmes. His string has never been a lengthy one, but each year he has had at least one very useful handicap performer. That Mr Stone does h'ls hoirses well is freely conceded, and seldom is there one produced from his stable unfit to give of its very best. The range of stabling is right in Te Awamutu borough, and there are eight commodious and air rr boxes, with a well-stocked feed-room and several railed paddocks for exercising the horses. As the stables are only a few hundred yards from the W a iP a Racing Club's course the horses get practically all their work there. The first box inspected contained the bay gelding Ballachulish, which, highly bred as he is (Kilboy—Matatane), has been very disappointing, and will not be persevered with. Ballachulish won an eleven furlongs cup event at Whangarei two years ago, and his trainer had visions at that time of producing the gelding in an Auckland Cup event, but an infirmity came against the big fellow, and now he is not likely to be seen on the racecourse again, unles's someone acquires him for hunting. Ballachulish has shown that he can jump obstacles capably. Next to be stripped for inspection was " the gem of the stable," an unnamed bay gelding by Chief Ruler from Lucella, and therefore a brother to The Begum. This one is only 21 months old, but looks like a three-year-old. He is a rich bay with three white feet and a white spot on the forehead. If he acts up to his looks and breeding this fellow should be really good. He has engagements in classic events, which, include an Australian Derby, of 1929, so that if he shows ability he should not lack opportunity to distinguish himself. Lucella is by Lucullus from Seator.ella. Another of the same breed in Mr'. Stone's, stable is The Begum, which had the rather tantalising record of five seconds without one win. She was put aside for a few months, and has only just been brought in. However, while on holiday the filly got into some wire, and as a result she had a nasty cut on the off hind leg. The injury is healing well, and The Begum may be displaying her undoubted pace again in sprint events in a few months' time. Her owner and trainer are in accord in deciding not to hurry the filly's preparation. The tradesman of the Stone menage is Schorr, a rather plain-looking gelding- by Day Comet from Red Pine, and thus bred admirably for a jumping career. Schorr won three decent hack events over a distance this season, besides several placings. He was considered to have a chance in the last Cornwall Handicap, but failed, and on returning home was tried over the schooling hurdles. He pleased by jumping quickly and naturally at the first attempt, but a couple of days later he got too close in and came a cropper, hurting his pilot (J. Mills) and suffering bruises himself. Schorr will be given further instruction, and as he is solidly built he .should be a success over obstacles.

A trio from Hawke's Bay, all out of that good mare Lovematch (winner of a Wanganui Cup), were next inspected. The senior of the trio is Loveband, rising five years, by King Mark, and as she has already a win and a dead heat out of limited starts she is not without prospect of performing worthily in the coming season. Loveband was very poor in condition when brought to Te Awamutu a few months ago, but she shows up splendidly now.

A half-sister (by Lord Quex) is the bay mare Liaison, rising four years, which since the new year has registered three wins, and is seemingly rather smart, though she does not look like one of the hardy, cut-and-come-again so^t Liaison's coming two-year-old full brother was next inspected. He came north with Loveband, and on arrival appeared even worse-conditioned than his sister. Plenty of good feed soon effected a transformation, and now, though not iso attractive-looking or well-developed as the Lucella gelding, he looks a very likely sort, being compactly built, with a nice back and quarters, and an intelligent eye. This youngster may not be seen on racecourses until after Christmas.

Llandudno, the aged gelding by Merry Moments, is not at present in active commission, but he has apparently recovered again from his leg ailment, and will probably be brought back to duty again in a few weeks. A sister to the disappointing Arinagour (formerly in Mr Stone's stables) is expected from Hawke's Bay shortly. The Begum and her younger brother were bred and are owned by the Te Awamutu sportsman, Mr A. J. McGovern, who last year sent their dam, Lucella, to Poverty Bay on a visit to the fashionably-bred English sire, Hunting Song. Lucella is back in,,.Te Awamutu again, and is expected to make a contribution to the equine World within the next three months. Lucella is a half sister to Statuette, Arch Marella, and Penella, all winners (Arch Marella won good races in Australia), their dam being the Seaton Delaval mare Seatonellai.

Schorr is still owned by the Auckland sportsman, Mr B. E. Hart, who has pleasant thoughts of his experences since Schorr joined Mr Stone's stable. The other horses named are owned in Hawke's Bay by consistent patrons of this capable and conscientious mentor.