On the Training Track.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 216, 13 September 1894, Page 8

On the Training Track.

[by OUR ELLERSLIE REPORTER."] Unless something wonderful happens in the way of weather between now (Tuesday) and Saturday next, I am afraid the flat and cross - country courses at Ellerslie will be in anything but good order for the opening meeting of the season. At the back of the course proper the going is fearfully heavy, necessitating trainers confining them elves to pottering work with their charges, and through the plantation and over the hill the steeplechase course is more like a morass than anything else. However, a change for the better may take place between now and the racing day, but I very much doubt it. This morning the work accomplished by the various candidates for spring honours was mainly of a slow and uninteresting nature. The tan track was the order of the morning. Pegasus, Stepfeldt and St. Valentine did a couple of slow rounds, and Potentate, in company with a Natator mare that A. Williams has in his stable, did three circuits. Macmanemin’s Tasman — Hazel filly. Hazelmere, continued twice round in fair style looking well, and the Hunt Club horse Spectator (who has accepted for the steeplechase, in which his chance should be very infinitesimal) was given two rounds of strong three-quarter work. Belmont and Fishmonger did a couple of turns of half pace, and the pony Lady Marion, looking well, had similar exercise given her. Brigadier’s son, Grenadier, did a round of slow business, finishing his task at top in a manner that shows he is well ; and Williams’ pair. Abel and Lord Dunluce, worked together for a couple of half-pace rounds, then opened out a little for a short space and gradually slowed down to once round at trotting pace. Master Pat was given half pacing, and beyond a bandage showed no signs of a “ dottiness” which I fancy was discernible in him recently. Lottie is getting through the various tasks allotted her in comfortable fashion, and from her going it looks as though it will take a good one to beat her in the big race of the meeting. Kean is well satisfied with her outlook, and when this morning McLeod, the penciller, chaffed him respecting her chance the veteran guaranteed his belief by snapping up a £4O to £lO wager offered against her, and expressed a willingness to book it again. But the penciller did not meet the desire of the mare’s trainer. Personally I incline to the belief that Pegasus will beat her, and in the state in which the going is pretty sure to be I fancy Brigadier’s son will also have a word or two to ask her. He appears to be a certain contestant, and so will the Wapiti representative, although his affair can hardly be considered settled until his owner arrives.

On Wednesday morning the course was as heavy as ever, and the few smart showers that fell did not improve matters. The work was confined to the tan, the course proper being closed, but if it had been open its condition would not have tempted many owners to gallop. Tan galloping is preferable to a probable knock out. Before breakfast time some good steady work was done. Abel and Eve had a seven furlong gallop at top, and when they covered the distance the watch showed 1.39. Abel had all the best of the mare. Ivy was given half- adozen furlongs at top and showed up well, and McHugh’s New Zealand Cup colt Grenadier and the Nordenfeldt— Operatic colt that he lately took in hand were given two half-pace rounds. Spectator had similar work, and Villiers did once slow. Silkworm went twice at halfpace, and St. Ella, the St. Leger—Satanella filly that Thorpe has in hand, was given one slow circuit. Lord Dunluce in company with Adam was given slow tasks, and Potentate went three rounds at half-pace, and the Natator mare Williams has in training went ditto. After breakfast Pegasus was seen out, and although his work was only half-pacing he showed himself to be in fine fettle, and a decidedly dangerous competitor for Spring Handicap honours. The pony, My Sweetheart, was given half work for a round, and St. Vincent and Cleopatra were treated to slow work. Anniversary, looking well, did similar work, and Stepfeldt did twice round at a steady pace. Webley cantered twice, and Mr Donald McKinnon’s colt, Scotland, went twice at half-pace with the colours up. Scot Free did three rounds at a good strong threequarter pace, and Lady Marion was given two slow circuits. Kean’s pair, Lottie and Yattenfeldt, were exercised in company and showed up in fine healthy state. A slow round was followed by a circuit at

something better than half-pace, which was slowed down before the post was reached. Belmont went twice at a sound half-pace and Hazlemere cantered once round. St. Clements had two half-pace rounds given him, and Harrier with the colours up worked in company with Lieutenant. Twice round at three quarter pace was the order with an opener over the last five furlongs, which was covered in j min izsec. Fishmonger had a couple of rounds at a good threequartQj pace, and the pony Zulu Maid went twice at a slow gait.