Around the Racing Track.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VI, Issue 265, 22 August 1895, Page 4

Around the Racing Track.

[by

BORDERER.]

A CUP COLT’S GALLOP.

The dog days of the racing man are well nigh over, and three weeks hence (or three weeks and two days, to be accurate) we will once more see silk borne up the Ellerslie straight. Trainers are rattling along their charges in earnest, so that visits to the training track are necessary to those who desire to keep abreast with the racer of the future, and I can promise racing men that this season’s two-year-old running will. discover two or three Ellerslie trained clippers. Compared with the promise given by the youngsters in the early spring of 1894-95, that shadowed forth by the babies of the present season is of a much more satisfactory nature, for whereas last year one youngster monopolised the attention of touts this season’s crop is yielding at least three two-year-olds that should show up in brilliant fashion by the time the big Christmas re-union comes round. There’s one very satisfactory feature about touting the present training. If you wish to take a peep at the gallops there is no necessity for breakfast by candle-light. The work commences after breakfast, so that you can rely on catching the various strings if you are on the ground shortly after 8 a.m. I started this season's touting on Saturday last, and in order to be in time-fetched up at the track at 7 a.m. But the ring of hoof beats was not heard until 8.15, when Chaafe’s string put in an appearance, so I had plenty of time to have a look at the tracks, the condition of which reflects great credit on Caretaker Hill. Strolling around the lawn and saddling paddock (where, by the way, Anita’s £3l 15s machine return in the last Winter Welter still stares at you through the dividend declaration window) one can find ample evidence of Mr Hill’s careful supervision. The thinning out of the pine trees in the steeplechase plantation has been prettv well accomplished, and this innovavation, together with the top pruning of the trees lying above the mile and a half starting post, will give race-goers a vastly improved view of future cross country runs, and will enable them to see the ’chasers negotiating the two post and rail obstacles on the hill top. Another very necessary improvement is the removal of the tree which.used to throw a shadow right across the stone wall leading into the straight, where the ’chaser Dick passed out on the third day of the Autumn meeting. The pines on either side of this jump have been thinned so that we will be able to obtain a good view of the horses as they approach Crowther’s wall.

When the work started a steady succession of three-quarter pace rounds gave little promise of an interesting morning, but matters improved at eight-thirty, when the Wapiti string put in an appearance with Major George in attendance. Whenever Nelson’s owner pays the track a visit you generally see Pegasus, Workman and Co. put through their facings, and as the first-named horse had not been galloped to any extent during the week we knew the Major’s Cup candidate was booked, for a flutter. The colt appeared to be aware of his owner’s programme, for as soon as he was stripped for the track out broke the profusfe perspiration peculiar to him prior to a gallop in earnest. When the rugs came off, The Workman looked in great fix his frame being loaded with muscle, and Pegasus was in blooming health. The Nordenfeldt—Sister Agnes mare, Anniversary, was sent across to the sixfurlong post to carry The Workman and Pegasus home in a gallop of once round the track. The three horses had light weights up. When the Cup colt and Workman were released the latter was quickest into stride, but at the bend at the head of the straight Pegasus got up to the big sprinter, who, however, shook his companion off before the back stretch was entered; The Workman got to the six-furlong post a couple of lengths ahead of the Cup horse, and Anniversary cutting in, the mare and Workman stretched along at a gait which quickly left the Nelson colt in the rear. Through the cutting and over the last half mile The Workman and Anniversary were going strongly “ a street” ahead of Pegasus, who seemed quite unable to get up to his companions. Tn the last furlong he moved up a trifle, but at the end of the journey the Cup horse was quite six lengths away. Anniversary reached home a quarter of a length in front of Workman, whose rider had a steady hold of the leathers on pulling up. The time for the gallop showed that The Workman covered the mile in 1.50. To my eyes Pegasus shaped very badly right through the gallop, never appearing to grip hold of his work in Cup horse style. He pulled up all right, and so did old Workman, who laid his ears back at the home turn and worried along the pace as though he fonnd the burst quite to his liking. Both be and Anniversary moved very nicely, and though

4he latter has so far been a disappointment, I reckon she is going to follow in the wake of Workman this season, and g.nin a stake or two. The son of The Maid will undoubtedly shake up the sprinters if he goes South at Cup time. In the matter of Pegasus it. is, of course, as well to remember that we are ten weeks from the Cup race, and Saturday’s gallop will do the colt all the good in the world. At the same time, making all allowances for the date of his spin, it certainly did not show him up in a light favourable to his market quotation of 100 to 8.

The Maxim —Burlesque colt, Popgun, who made his bow to Aucklanders last Autumn, was one of the first to work on Saturday, his companion in one good strong circuit of the tan gallop being the Hotchkiss—Fairy Queen filly, who is engaged in the Auckland Guineas. The pair kept together, Norna finishing very comfortably. I believe Popgun, will be a very fair three-year-old, and Norna should give Chaafe some good results before the end of the season. St. Mary did half-pacing, and Pirate was cent two steady rounds, the little son of Brigadier and Satanella fighting for his head all the way. Sam Fergus was up on Deadshot and The Sharper, both of whom look in great fettle. The former is growing in a regular Musket mould, but satisfactory as his work is I can’t quite see his New Zealand Cup chance. Like the prospect of many other Cup acceptors it’s not visible to the naked eye. The Sharper will repay attention right through this season, and Grenadier, who was ridden by T. Taylor in Saturday’s exercise, will also shake some decent sprint handicaps. Brigadier’s son has always

been a little weakness of mine, and judging by the hearty manner in which the colt cuts out work he should pay his way this season. Mobberly has evidently been putting good work into him, for the horse is well muscled and in great heart. Grenadier has shown temper in the past, but he is quiet enough now. Stenning’s lot are in nice condition, but I was taken aback when Linstock made vigorous music during a six furlong pipe-opener. It certainly opened this four-year-old’s throat music, a steady symphony being wafted to the winning post when he turned for home. Forma accompanied him in the spin and ■completely smothered the son of Hotchkiss and Satanella. Of course, even confirmed roarers can sprint, but one generally prefers the silent racer. Forma is in great trim, having rounded and muscled up in fine style. The two-year-olds in Stenning’s string, Armilia (Castor —Necklace) and Daystar (Castor—Cissy) rattled over a smart round of the tan, both shaping well. Armilia is the likeliest youngster of the year, and should shove that white-marked eye of hers round the home bend in front of the big youngster fields. Major George’s two-year-olds, Quickfire (Carbine :—Hestia) and Admiral Hawke (Nelson —Vendetta) were sent half a mile, the daughter of •Carbine showing up best. She will run smartly when the colours are up, and should prove worthy of her name in getting off the mark. Neptune (full-brother to Pegasus) is not quite so forward as his youthful stable mates, but shapes very well.

James Kean’s string was out on Saturday morning, but no important work was given them.

This trainer's stable now holds a quintette (Lottie, Yattenfeldt, Commodore, Rubin, and Markinch). The first-named pair look as though they have been handled during their Waikato vacation, but the Nelson—Tamora colt, Commodore, and the Nordenfeldt—Erycina gelding, Markinch, are in the rough, having only been taken off the paddocks. Lottie is in grand health, and shows no trace of the slight mishap which caused her withdrawal from the last Easter Handicap. I should say she will not be raced at the opening of the season, and together with her companions will be prepared for the Second Spring and Summer campaigns. Rubin is a two-year-old Tasman —Rubina gelding belonging to Mr M. J. Goodson. The youngster is a handsome evenly-built chestnut, with plenty of dash, and should develop into a very smart racer. This string did long slow work, and Heart of Oak and Cleopatra were similarly treated. The last-named racer appears to be at sixes and sevens, and does her gaiting in very sticky style. The Cup candidate St, Regel did long strong work, showing up in a decidedly satisfactory light. This colt may, and probably will, be found wanting in the New Zealand Cup contest, but he is a stout horse and promises well. The invalid in Byers’ stable (Ben Godfrey) was out last Saturday, and did long and very slow work. His fore-legs are still in banadges, but I was surprised at the recovery he has made. His action is all right, and if the summer sees him in his true form, he will shake one or two decent handicaps. Hazlemere and the pony Quail were given three-quarter pacing, the daughter of Tasman and Hazel working in good solid fashion. McManemin’s big gun (St. Clements) did not work while I was at the course, but the St. Leger

—Steel All gelding, St. Patrick, did some good exercise over the hurdles. There was only a small amount of jumping done in the morning, John Rae opening the' business by sending Levanter round the small sticks with McManemin’s horse, St Patrick, while Orangeman’s old pilot joined in on Kingswood. The latter is a recent addition to Rae’s stable, and is by Ingomar—Bessemer. After Levanter and St. Patrick had gone round the fences twice Kingswood took a hand in the gallop, Levanter dropping out. At the conclusion of the third circuit St. Patrick pulled up, and Kingswood was sent over the steeplechase double and the stone and sod walls. The first time over the double the horse clouted the second bar, but bis subsequent jumping was very good indeed, and showed that Rae is giving him a good solid education. Levanter is now a very clever fencer, and considering the short time he has been at the jumping game St. Patrick shapes exceedingly well. Fergus hustled Bonovoree three times over the sticks, Mr Hayr’s horse jumping and galloping splendidly. A fair allowance of work was given him, and his easy action, clean fencing, and comfortable finish stamp him as a hurdler likely to score some decent wins this season. Of course he is a lightish horse, but if not overburdened with weight he is more than from fair to middling. J. B. Williamson’s string was given useful pacing, the St. Leger—Jessie colt, Rex (winner of the Criterion Handicap on the third day of the last Autumn meeting) showing up in taking fashion. This is a colt from whom very decent three-year-old form may be expected.

The unfavourable weather of Monday necessi-

tated slow work, and several strings were merely handled, trainers preferring to postpone work until the forenoon in the hope of the rain ceasing. While I was at the track Chaafe gave his string some serviceable work, and his Guineas candidate, Norna, showed up in rather improved fashion. Popgun worked with the mare, and I would not be ready at the present juncture to place him ahead of her. The Castor—Hilda colt in this stable, Antares, appears to be wasting away a trifle, and the September meeting may not see him at his best. Stenning’s charges did very decent work, the three year old, Forma, taking hold of the bit over two very strong laps, and then evincing a desire to get away for a third spin. Armilia and Daystar again showed up well, and Linstock made music as usual, but appeared to go strongly and without effort. Pegasus was given three circuits at a strong pace, and cut out his work in taking style. The colt has timbered up into a fine horse, and should fight well at our Christmas meeting, no matter what may be his fate away from home. J. Kean was riding Workman, having recovered from his sciatica attack, but his mount was given a rest after his Saturday morning burst. Heart of Oak has faded away a trifle. James Kean’s team did slow work, Rubin again showing up in a style that took my fancy very much. He is a level-headed, business-like looking parcel, and will stretch a few of the good ones during the season. St Regel and Ben Godfrey did half pacing in company. The latter will not be ready for some time, but St Regel is in nice condition, and shapes like a Cup horse. The Brigadier colt, Grenadier, was steered over steady work by T. Taylor, and stuck to his task in very decided stylo. There

is no mad-headed business about this racer now and unless all signs fail the coming season will prove his right to be considered a more than decent racer. Before I left the course J. B. Williamson and A. Williams showed up, the latter being decorated with a head bandage, thanks to Despised stamping on the horseman’s ear when “ The Gunner ” and his pilot came a cropper in Mutiny’s Grand National Steeplechase. At present the intention of Williamson is to remain in Auckland, and whatever horses he sends to the Sydney side will be worked by P. Nolan, who has, I believe, been granted a' trainer’s license by the A.J.C.