Training Notes.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 438, 15 December 1898, Page 12

Training Notes.

AT ELLERSLIE. There was a large number of horses at work at Ellerslie on Thursday last, whtn the course proper was thrown open, and, thanks to,recent rains, the going was in excellent condition. As usual, Chaafe was one of the first to work, and opened with St. Paul, in whose performance the few touts present were very much interested. He y was sent steadily over the Cup distance, the pace at the finish being pretty good. On walking off the course the little horse, who is a perfect glutton for work, appeared quite sound. George Wright sent Explosion and Aeone a mile and three-quarter gallop, and they performed very ' creditably. The black colt, who is very well, was ■> in front at the finish. Nestor, looking in real good nick, covered a couple of circuits in taking 7 style,, Nestor just now is galloping very resolutely, and seems to be on the improve every day. Coronet did a clinking good mile and a half gallop, Dayntree, who was entrusted with the task of bringing him home, not being of much use to him. If Coronet could be relied on to show his track form in public he would be well worth backing for the Auckland Cup. St. Peter has improved since he was seen in public at the Spring Meeting, and the style in which he executed six furlongs was full of promise. A large number < f others did useful exercise. During the afternoon Seahorse and Laborer were treated to a fast six furlongs in the presence of their owner. Both moved very well, Seahorse just beating his s’able mate. Both are very fine colts, capable of a lot of improvement, and they should furnish into promising'Derby candidates.

The touts rolled up in numbers on Saturday morning, but were not rewarded with anything very interesting. St. Paul went twice round at a moderate pace, which was improved at the finish, when he had Lady Marion as a companion. Nestor did long, steady work, and Regulus, who is improving, brought the Cup horse home. Panoply, Merry Maid, and Waiorongomai did sound work. Coronet was sent two miles fast, I’ayntree joining in in the last round, but the Cup horse easily shook the grey off. Eton and Drum-Major did steady work, while Aeone, Explosion, and Miss Emmy rattled over six furlongs in good style, Miss Emmy finishing in front, but Aeone could probably have done better. Bluejacket and Canopus put a mile and a quarter behind in a satisfactory manner. Lufra was fairly extended for a circuit, but St. Clements and Picklock only cantered. Korowai negotiated the circuit by herself, Lillie doing likewise. This mare did not finish very well. Rex and Crusade were coupled for a really good gallop, and Hylas and Donneraile followed their example. Auld Reekie and Cannongate worked together, the last-named showing signs of improvement. St. - Peter did light work, as also did Seahorse and Laborer. Major George’s colts are coming on rapidly. Letitia, Rosella, and Hastings had a flutter, Rosella having the advantage. The Afghan was treated to four furlongs on the outside of the hurdles, and the touts made the performance much more sensational than it really was, it being reported that the distance had been done in 51sec with shoes on. We know, however, that the so-called shoes were racing plates, and the time 51isec. Nevertheless, this was a great go, and when Harry Franks pronounces the colt fit he will be well worth watching. The jumpers, Nor’-West, Tim, and Telephone, were out doing steady work.

Though on Tuesday morning the sky was overcast and matters overhead did not look too assuring, there was a goodly muster of sporting men at the famous convincing ground. The course proper, with the hurdles well out, was thrown open, and it was at once seen that Caretaker Hill had been giving his best attention to the track and that the going was good. Frank Macmanemin set the ball rolling by sending Waiorongomai and Merry Maid a fast mile, which was cast behind in Imin 51sec, the big daughter of Bianca coming well out of the ordeal. Considerable interest was shown when Bluejacket (T. Taylor) and his half-brother, Canopus, stepped on to the track, the former being sent the full Derby distance. Canopus endeavored to make the pace in the first mile, but in this he was not successful, as St. Leger’s son was running over him; then St. Lawrence joined in, and a merry run home resulted,- St. Lawrence finishing slightly in front. The gallop was a good one, and it may be that Bluejacket in the coming “blue ribbon” event may cause a change for the better in his owner’s luck. Jack Chaafe was next on hand with St. Paul, who was sent a go over a mile and threequarters. A youngster took him along for the first part, and then his sister, St. Ursula, brought him home. The gallop, which was on the tan, was a fairly good one, yet it did not please the “ talent; ” but as the veteran was satisfied it may be taken for granted that all was right. At any rate, the public’s favorite walked away as sound as a bell. Adam Byers sent Nestor by himself over the Cup distance ; at first he went in a very lazy fashion, but warming up, he finished in good style, and left the track sound and well. The evergreen Panoply, assisted by Volcano and Lady Howitzer, essayed the Cup distance, and the old Splendor—Esperance gelding completed the distance in 3min 51sec—not a bad go by any means. The old chap is very well just now. That gay deceiver, Coronet, once more gave proof of his ability to gallop, and also showed that he is well by simply romping over Eton in a sterling gallop, the first mile of which was cast aside in Imin 50£sec. Rumor hath it that the son of Castor — Necklace will carry Mark Ryan in the Cup. A buzz of excitement announced the advent of the N.Z. Cup winner, Tirant d’Eau, and Coeur de Lion. Fast work was not their mission, little better than half pace being deemed sufficient. The N.Z. Cup winner is only a little fellow, but Percy Martin has got him very well, and he is a nice mover. Captain Russell’s horse, Coeur de Lion, is, however, a big, strapping fellow, and can evidently use his legs. An awkward action behind does not please onlookers, but “ handsome is as handsome does,” and Dreadnought’s big son may take some beating in the big event. Aeone, with a light weight, was responsible for a mile and a half in 2min 54sec, which was cast behind in good style, Explosion, who went with nim, being “ lost to sight and memory dear,” while St. Hippo, who joined in, tailed off hopelessly. Wright has the first two horses looking very well. Miss Rose was altogether too good for Miss Emmy and Lillie in a six-furlong spin, which took Imin 22sec. Buchanan, however on Miss Emmy, did not finish too vigorously, else much better time would have been recorded. Record Reign, with J. Gallagher in the saddle, went nicely in a good, striding gallop over something like a mile and a half, and gained manj friends thereby. During the morning nothing went better than Rex, who dusted down Thelma over six furlongs in Imin 23|sec. The chestnut is very well just now, and was evidently anxious to go faster than his rider cared for. Rex should win a race at the coming meeting. Red Lancer created a very favorable impression by the manner in which be scampered over a mile in Imin 50sec, going well within himself all the way. Djin-Djin strode over two rounds at a good working pace, and is evidently a worthy representative of the Pollard Company. The southern Derby candidate, Conspirer, was restricted to steady work, and Catesby’s son is a nice mover. Wright put Rosella, Hastings, and Letitia together for five furlongs, but the former made hacks of her companions, and this, too, in only moderate time. Much more pleasing was a spin over the same distance by Seahorse, in which Nelson’s Son finished like a tradesman. St. Peter covered six furlongs in Imin 24sec, and the brother to St. Paul finished up as if he liked a distance. He is coming on nicely. Theanoient

Magpie was on the tan for half-pace work, doing three steady rounds. He looks well, and is full of life. Fair Nell and Crusade took Imin 54sec to cover a mile, and they finished fairly well. Donneraile lost Hylas in a spin of once round, and the latter’s Derby chance may after this be wiped out of mind. Archduke, Bacchus, and another called Augria rattled over a merry five furlongs, with but little to choose between the first two. Dayntree and Drum-Major covered six furlongs at a good pace, and there was not much in it at the finish, Kapai had Dingo for a mate over the steeplechase fences, and both went well, the little grey jumping magnificently, and with the least bit of luck he will repay John Booth his purchase money at the first time of asking. Amongst others to do useful work were Cannongate, Auld Reekie, Knight of Athol, The Afghan, Telephone, and Lady Marion.